Firearms & Shooting Sports / Guide
What to Do if a Firearm Is Missing From Home Storage
Learn whom to contact when a firearm is missing, which details to have ready, and how to keep those records private.
A firearm missing from its usual storage is an immediate safety issue. If you discover a loss or suspect a theft, contact local law enforcement promptly. Tell them if a child or other unauthorized person might have access. If anyone faces immediate danger, call emergency services and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
Share what you know with law enforcement
The ATF guide for firearm owners advises contacting local law enforcement upon discovering theft or loss. Give the approximate time you last knew it was accounted for and what you noticed when you discovered it was missing. If you have the make, model and serial number in your records, give them to the agency handling the report. Ask how to send additional details if you find them later.
Write down the report number and the agency’s contact details. Keep that information with the records you can access if you need to follow up. Share serial numbers and exact storage details privately with the appropriate authorities. Avoid posting them in neighborhood groups or other public forums.
Keep a separate, private record
A purchase record, a past inventory or a photo you already have may identify the item. Keep a copy of those records in a separate secure location so you can retrieve them if the storage container or documents are missing too. Review the record periodically to ensure it still matches what you own.
Check the rest of the household’s storage
Once it is safe to do so, have the responsible adult verify that other firearms and ammunition are secured and that keys and access information are still controlled. If the loss may involve a compromised lock or someone learning a combination, address the access problem before relying on that storage again. Follow any instructions the responding agency gives about preserving the scene.
