finding missing gun

Question
I inherited a 357 mag. S&W.  A year or two later it was stolen.  I have the SN from the Gun Dealer that mailed it to me by way of another gun dealer.  If it was picked up by the police, would I be able to find out it they had it at one time?  And if two years or have passed would I be able to reclaim it or get something in return for my proof of ownership?

Answer
You would have to report it stolen so the serial number can be put in the system.  That way when the gun is found they will have your contact information and you can claim the gun.  If it was used in a crime, it may be in the system.  If it was found and destroyed, since it was not in the system, only the Police dept would have a record of destroying it.  File a stolen report, if you thought you misplaced it you can say you last saw it a year or two ago and now you think it was stolen and you want it in the system in case it is ever located.

Make sure you contact info is updated in the report if it changes, can't tell you how many nice guns are found and then we can't contact owner so the gun is destroyed.

Hope that helps,

Rick