If your firearms are seized by law enforcement, you may need to document ownership. The best method is a receipt from the retail store which lists the manufacturer, model and serial number. If you cannot locate the original receipt, you may be able to obtain a copy from the retailer or alternatively, a copy of the Federal Form 4473 required to be completed at the time of sale. Further, if the firearm was a handgun purchased in California and required a waiting period, the Department of Justice will have a record which will be available to law enforcement. Proof of ownership is more difficult when the firearm was purchased from a non-dealer or brought into California when you moved from another state....
You may need an attorney if your firearms are seized by law enforcement. There are many reasons why. If you have any concern that you unlawfully acquired or possessed a firearm that was seized, you should immediately consult a qualified attorney before taking any action on your own. If you were arrested or investigated by law enforcement but you have not been charged, statements made to law enforcement while requesting the return of your firearms may later be used against you in court. Even if your case was initially rejected for prosecution, your subsequent efforts to obtain the return of your firearms or that you made without legal representation, may result in a re-evaluation of your case resulting in the filing of criminal charges against you.