The following is a video transcript.

Every firearm owner ought to know what to do in case one of their firearms is stolen. Now, in some states, there are laws that require you to report to the authorities when your firearm has been stolen.

Missouri is not one of those states. There is no law in Missouri that requires you to report a stolen firearm.

There are also no firearm registration laws in Missouri. That being the case, it is still a good idea to report a stolen firearm. If a firearm is stolen from you and later used in a crime, police may trace that firearm back to you, and you could become a suspect in an investigation. If you promptly report a stolen firearm, that record will protect you from becoming a suspect in a future investigation.

What type of information should you keep in case your firearm is stolen?

The make, the model, and the serial number. Make sure you separate the make, model, and serial number of your firearm from the firearm itself. I would suggest putting them in a small notebook, or on a USB thumb drive, and keep that separate from where you store your firearms.

Again, Missouri does not require you to report a stolen firearm, but I do recommend it. It is a good idea. Some members will keep all of their vital documents copied onto a USB thumb drive and keep that thumb drive in a “go bag” in case there is ever an emergency, and they would have to leave home quickly.

If you have additional questions about firearms or what to do in case a firearm is stolen, always feel free to contact U.S. LawShield and ask to speak to your Independent Program Attorney.