Well... Crap.

Just went out to the storage unit where some of my lesser-used (or sentimental-value-only) guns are kept among a bunch of other household goods and ... well ... the guns *were* kept there. Looks like several guns were taken from there somewhere between mid-November and today. You'd think that a digital keypad for building entry, a key-locked unit nestled several rows away from the door, and keeping the guns hidden back out of sight and trigger-locked would be sufficient, but I guess not. Thieves walked past thousands of dollars of dive gear, carbon fiber bicycles, and thousands of rounds of ammo to get those cases, but they got what they came for.

So what do I do now? I'm compiling a list of make/model/serial/description (some of the guns they took were custom-engraved and should be easy to spot) before I call the cops. Any idea what kind of shitstorm I'm in for when I make that call?

Call the cops.

Let them ask the storage facility for video footage. If you have already talked to them, expect there to be "disk" failures. This sounds like Storage Unit Owners/employee's watching what's stored there and taking the things they are interested in.

Good reminder to not leave firearms unsecured... Padlocks are NOT secure.

I would call the cops now and compile info afterwards. Get them working on it ASAP.

No... You're doing it right. Get all the info you can, especially serial numbers and makes/models. That way the officers burglary report will contain all that and the info can immediately be entered in CCIC/NCIC databases. Without that info entered it will be more difficult to identify your guns even if they're recovered. And don't worry about any hassle from the cops. Frankly, it'll be just another burglary report they'll forward to the detective division. From what you're saying it sounds like someone knew those guns were there. Do you have kids that might've inadvertently been in the storage unit with their "friends" or anything like that?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grant H.

Padlocks are NOT secure.

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I've watched enough Lock Picking Lawyer videos to know that's for sure.

Is any lock secure against that guy?

Locks only keep the honest out

Well that really sucks. Good suggestions have already been posted.

Inside 'secure' climate controlled or garage lot type?

Not sure I would store guns or ammo in either but....! Good luck,... I hate thieves.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bailey Guns

No... You're doing it right. Get all the info you can, especially serial numbers and makes/models. That way the officers burglary report will contain all that and the info can immediately be entered in CCIC/NCIC databases. Without that info entered it will be more difficult to identify your guns even if they're recovered. And don't worry about any hassle from the cops. Frankly, it'll be just another burglary report they'll forward to the detective division. From what you're saying it sounds like someone knew those guns were there. Do you have kids that might've inadvertently been in the storage unit with their "friends" or anything like that?

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ditto

Why would there be a "shitstorm?" Your property was stolen, report it to the cops with descriptions and SNs so that if/when they bust some low life with one of your guns, you'll get it back.

I had a handgun and a bunch of holsters, etc, stolen out of my car in 1984. Of all the things I lost, the pistol was the only thing I got back.

Kind of a funny thing, I had written off the gun after it was stolen and replaced it with another one. Almost a year later I got a letter from the Boulder County Sheriff's office that read "we have made an arrest in a crime in which you were a victim." I thought it was odd and racked my brain trying to think of what crime I was a victim of in Boulder county. So I called the number and they looked up the case number and said "You had a handgun stolen last year right?" They said I could come up and pick it up after showing an ID.

So anyway, call the cops, give them the SN's and call your insurance company if you have one (homeowners or renters insurance usually covers a storage unit unless there is some specific exclusion in your policy. Of course, deductibles and policy limits apply too. Also, I'm not sure what happens if you file an insurance claim and collect on it and then the PD finds your gun. I don't know if you have to turn it over to the insurance company or pay them back or whatever. My loss wasn't covered (and it was way below the policy limit anyway) so I'm not sure.