What to Do When a Firearm is Stolen: A Documentation Checklist

A break-in. A car theft. A burglary while you were on vacation. However it happens, discovering that a firearm has been stolen is a gut-punch moment. What you do next matters for your legal protection, your insurance claim, and the chance of recovery.

Step 1: Call the Police Immediately

File a police report as soon as you discover the theft. This is non-negotiable. The report creates an official record and starts the process of entering your firearm into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) stolen gun database.

When you call, you'll need to provide:

• Your name and contact information
• Location and time of the theft (or when you discovered it)
• Description of the firearm(s) stolen
• Serial number (critical for NCIC entry)
• Make, model, and caliber
• Any distinguishing features (custom grips, optics, engravings)

Step 2: Get a Copy of the Police Report

Request the report number and a copy of the filed report. You'll need this for:

• Your insurance claim
• Proof of reporting (if the gun is later used in a crime)
• Your personal records

Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Company

If you have homeowner's, renter's, or a separate firearms insurance policy, file a claim promptly. Standard homeowner's policies often have low limits for firearms (sometimes $2,500 or less), so check your coverage.

Your insurer will want:

• The police report number
• Proof of ownership (receipts, photos, registration)
• Documentation of value (original purchase price, current market value)
• Photos of the firearm
• Any appraisals for high-value items

This is where good records pay off. If you can hand your adjuster a PDF with photos, serial numbers, purchase dates, and values, your claim moves faster and you're more likely to get fair compensation.

Step 4: Notify the ATF (Optional but Recommended)

While not legally required for most private owners, you can report the theft to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This creates an additional record and can help with recovery efforts.

Report online at ATF.gov or call 1-800-800-3855.

Step 5: Alert Local Gun Shops and Pawn Shops

Stolen firearms sometimes surface at pawn shops or are traded at local gun stores. Call shops in your area and provide the serial number and description. Many will keep an eye out and contact police if it shows up.

Step 6: Check Online Marketplaces

Thieves sometimes try to sell stolen firearms through online classifieds, social media, or forums. Periodically search for your firearm's make and model. If you spot it, do not confront the seller. Contact law enforcement and provide the listing details.

The Checklist: Information You'll Need

Here's everything you should have documented before a theft occurs:

Why Documentation Matters

If you're reading this after a theft and you don't have records, you've learned a hard lesson. Without documentation:

• Police can't enter your firearm into NCIC without a serial number
• Insurance claims get delayed, reduced, or denied
• You can't prove ownership if the gun is recovered
• You have no evidence of value for reimbursement

If you're reading this before anything has happened: take 30 minutes this weekend and document your collection. Future you will be grateful.

State Reporting Requirements

Some states have mandatory reporting laws for lost or stolen firearms. As of 2026, states with reporting requirements include:

• California
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Rhode Island
• Washington D.C.

Check your state and local laws. Penalties for failing to report range from fines to misdemeanor charges.