Need help getting a firearm back from police in San Diego?

If your firearm was taken by law enforcement, placed into evidence, held for safekeeping, recovered after being stolen, or otherwise impounded by a police or sheriff's department, getting it back can be confusing. In many cases, the agency won't simply hand the firearm back without the proper California DOJ firearm release paperwork, agency approval, and appointment process.

WBT Guns makes that process easier by acting as your local San Diego FFL resource for police firearm pickup, sheriff department firearm release, seized gun transfer, firearm storage, and compliant firearm handling.

What our firearm pickup service can help with

• Firearms held by local police property and evidence units
• Firearms held by sheriff stations or sheriff property/evidence departments
• Firearms released after a criminal case, restraining order, safekeeping hold, or investigation
• Recovered stolen firearms that need to be released to the lawful owner
• Firearms that need to be transferred, stored, sold, or shipped through a licensed FFL
• Customers who'd rather not personally pick up the firearm, when agency policy allows FFL release
• Firearms that may need California compliance review before possession or transfer

How the California law enforcement gun release process works

The process usually looks like this:

Once your firearm is approved for release and the agency allows release to an FFL or authorized party, WBT Guns will retrieve it. From there, we can do one of the following:

• Return the firearm to you through the standard DROS process.
• Transfer the firearm to a person you designate, through the DROS process.
• Ship the firearm to another FFL for transfer to someone who lives outside the San Diego area.

Why use WBT Guns for police firearm pickup?

WBT Guns has helped California gun owners navigate firearm compliance since 2012. We understand how frustrating it is when your firearm is stuck at a police department, sheriff station, or evidence room and no one clearly explains the next step.

Local agencies we may be able to assist with

WBT Guns can help customers dealing with the San Diego County Sheriff and police departments including San Diego, La Mesa, El Cajon, Chula Vista, National City, Coronado, Oceanside, Carlsbad, and Escondido.

Each agency has its own property/evidence procedures, appointment requirements, and release policies. Before requesting pickup, contact the agency holding the firearm to confirm that it's eligible for release and whether they'll release it to a licensed firearms dealer.

What to have before contacting WBT Guns

• Your full name and contact information
• The law enforcement agency holding the firearm
• Case number, incident number, or property receipt number
• Firearm make, model, caliber, and serial number, if known
• Any written notice from the agency stating the firearm is available for release
• Whether you want the firearm picked up, transferred, stored, sold, or shipped to another FFL

Frequently asked questions