Marc,
I suspect that legally you are correct about property left in a house once the house is sold. My point is/was inasmuch as it was stated that the pistol was found in the back of a closet shelf it doesn't sound like it was intentionally left. It sounds like it had been pushed back over time and was left because the owner was too short to be able to see all the way back and didn't know he left it. If that was the case it should be returned if it is possible. That's what I would want if the situation was reversed.
I think that morally the correct approach is to try to locate the owner to find out if he wants it. To me its no different than finding a valuable broach behind a drawer of a built-in dresser. Its not mine and it may have much more than economic value to the owner.
Its just the way I try to deal with my fellow man. What's "legal" isn't always what's "right". Given the choice, I try to go for what's right.
'nuff said. I'm off my soapbox and will make no more comments, I just didn't want my original comments misunderstood.
Doug
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