As usual, once the “authorities” get their paws on your guns, it’s really difficult to get them back.

Leroy Carmichael wants his guns back.

Arlington police seized a cache of weapons—including a sawed-off shotgun and a machine gun that are registered with the federal government—from Carmichael’s home in October after a report that he was suicidal.

A psychiatric evaluation found nothing wrong with the 72-year-old former police officer. And no charges were filed against him.

Now the city wants him to sign a waiver releasing them from responsibility if they return his guns to him.  Mr. Carmichael has refused, quite rightly stating that he shouldn’t have to sign any kind of waiver to get his property back.

Here’s the part that raised my blood pressure, though.

Assistant City Attorney Kathleen Weisskopf said that police have the legal right to seize weapons if officers believe that their owner is a threat.

“They can seize those weapons pending the outcome of a criminal case,” she said. “But in this situation, we are not filing any criminal charges, so the law is a little gray.  (emphasis added)”

Weisskopf said that property issues are typically resolved through a court hearing or after a criminal case is disposed.

It seems to me that there is no “issue” here.  The damn city stole this man’s guns and needs to return them to him.  They’re rightfully his property and there is absolutely no legal reason for them to hold them.  But when it comes to guns, some kind of freaky magical spell comes over these people and they have to make it difficult to get your legal property back from them. 

If I was him, I’d consider filing charges against every city official and police officer involved for theft if they didn’t return my guns ASAP.  I’m not sure who would take such a complaint, though (“Officer, arrest yourself!”).

Did I mention that in their solicitous concern for Mr. Carmichael’s welfare that the ever-so-diligent Arlington police missed one?

Carmichael says that he still has a .45-caliber handgun that police overlooked when they searched his home.

“I’ve had it all this time, and I’ve never shot myself or anyone else,” he said.

“There was nothing wrong with me, and I shouldn’t have to sign a waiver to get my property back.”