Quote Originally Posted by james_bond_007 View Post
Did the department properly contact the BATFE and report a stolen weapon ?
Why would they contact BATFE? Lost/stolen items, including guns are entered into NCIC. Local task forces, investigators, and patrol officers will look for the weapon, however, if it isn't found within a week or so, it is assumed that the item will eventually be recovered at a future crime scene.

BATFE is contacted when LE recovers a weapon and a trace needs to be run to determine who the owners of record were prior to the recovery.

BATFE agents assigned to local task forces are always on the look out for stolen weapons and explosives.

Be safe.