If the firearms are registered to someone else then ownership becomes a question. Legally they get them in the auction but HPD only has a registration to go off of.

If they aren't registered then technically HPD could take them saying they are evidence of being an unregistered firearm. But then how do they know that you didn't just bring them in from the mainland?

I would definitely consult with an FFL first either way. Going through them might prevent some issues. Might prevent issues of asking where they came from.

I do have one idea. If there is a junky piece, your friend could try to take the standard registration procedure and see what HPD does. If they confiscate it permanently or temporarily then at least they will know what to expect and won't suffer a bigger loss of doing it all at once.



Please post the results of what ends up happening.

Don't do that.  That would/could be illegal.

Don't do that.  That would/could be illegal.

Not suggesting lying but it depends on when they discovered the firearms. If they opened one box and found a pistol and tried to register it then one month later opened another box and found more firearms then registered them I don't think it would be an issue.

But again I think an FFL would be the best answer. Technically if they don't resolve it in 2-3 days they are already in violation of the law.

Got some good news - HPD called my friend back and said that after doing some "digging" they found out  that there is a new law (what law I have no idea) on the books that states that guns found in auctions become property of the buyer. Also turns out that none of the guns were registered in state so they are going back tomorrow to do registration and get back the guns.

Much better ending to this story than I expected!

Got some good news - HPD called my friend back and said that after doing some "digging" they found out  that there is a new law (what law I have no idea) on the books that states that guns found in auctions become property of the buyer. Also turns out that none of the guns were registered in state so they are going back tomorrow to do registration and get back the guns.

Much better ending to this story than I expected!

Thanks for the update, that is certainly good news.

Well bad news - HPD confiscated the firearms. They told my friend's husband they had no legal claim to the guns.

They have already been divvied up by the cops.

Got some good news - HPD called my friend back and said that after doing some "digging" they found out  that there is a new law (what law I have no idea) on the books that states that guns found in auctions become property of the buyer. Also turns out that none of the guns were registered in state so they are going back tomorrow to do registration and get back the guns.

Make sure the inventory matches and none have gone "missing", likely the most collectible of the bunch................

Got some good news - HPD called my friend back and said that after doing some "digging" they found out  that there is a new law (what law I have no idea) on the books that states that guns found in auctions become property of the buyer. Also turns out that none of the guns were registered in state so they are going back tomorrow to do registration and get back the guns.

Much better ending to this story than I expected!

great news,

they had no legal staning to seize the guns (other then doing the permits) they dident find a new law they just couldent find an old one to keep them with.

Got some good news - HPD called my friend back and said that after doing some "digging" they found out  that there is a new law (what law I have no idea) on the books that states that guns found in auctions become property of the buyer. Also turns out that none of the guns were registered in state so they are going back tomorrow to do registration and get back the guns.

Much better ending to this story than I expected!

Right on.  a fairytale ending! ...and they all lived happily ever after! 

Got some good news - HPD called my friend back and said that after doing some "digging" they found out  that there is a new law (what law I have no idea) on the books that states that guns found in auctions become property of the buyer. Also turns out that none of the guns were registered in state so they are going back tomorrow to do registration and get back the guns.

Much better ending to this story than I expected!

Yup.
That new law is called "You're going to get sued for 4th amendment violations!"

Yup.
That new law is called "You're going to get sued for 4th amendment violations!"

Police Chief Kealoha and many officers were unavailable for comment.

More officers facing charges in federal investigation of HPD chief, wife

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/33033956/more-officers-facing-charges-in-federal-investigation-of-hpd-chief-wife

Police Chief Kealoha and many officers were unavailable for comment.

More officers facing charges in federal investigation of HPD chief, wife

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/33033956/more-officers-facing-charges-in-federal-investigation-of-hpd-chief-wife

I'm curious at to what happened to the mailbox? Was there anything inside it?

Heading off topic here again.....  Why do us taxpayers have to foot the bill for this guys defense? ?   

Got some good news - HPD called my friend back and said that after doing some "digging" they found out  that there is a new law (what law I have no idea) on the books that states that guns found in auctions become property of the buyer. Also turns out that none of the guns were registered in state so they are going back tomorrow to do registration and get back the guns.

Much better ending to this story than I expected!

Outstanding! 

Hopefully everything will go smoothly from here on until your buddies either sell the guns or enjoy owning and hopefully shooting them.   

If there's a lever action .357 Mag in there, I'm interested.   

Most policemen (even the higher ups) aren't gun guys...all they know is that guns are usually bad and people shouldn't have them.  So the universal answer is usually just take them away and figure it out later.  Majority of them are good cops, but the laws are so complex it's hard for anyone to figure them out.

Most policemen (even the higher ups) aren't gun guys...all they know is that guns are usually bad and people shouldn't have them.  So the universal answer is usually just take them away and figure it out later.  Majority of them are good cops, but the laws are so complex it's hard for anyone to figure them out.

That is BS there are plenty of police officers that are gun guys I have both bought and sold firearms to police officer. Are there some that aren't off course are. Like wise there are some mechanics that aren't car guys.
We need to focus our anger at our politicians not HPD. Vote for the people who are pro 2a. Support financially and physically politicians who are pro 2a. And teach people about firearms. Offer to take new people Shooting and start with a 22 and work your way up. That's how we will get the laws changed. Not by getting mad at hpd for being unsure of laws on a unique situation like this.and for them erring on the side of caution. And once they got clarification they returned the firearms.