Firearm Release

Procedure for Firearm Release

Firearms that are eligible to be released to the rightful owner are done so only after the federally-mandated background check is completed. This requires the owner to complete an Application For R elease of Firearm (PDF) and attest to the accuracy of the information contained therein. One application must be completed per firearm.

Firearm Ownership Regulations

  • Federal Law prohibits citizens from owning a firearm if any of the following apply:
  • Has been convicted of, or is under indictment for, a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year
  • Is a fugitive from justice
  • Is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance
  • Is underage
  • Has been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution
  • Is unlawfully in the United States or has been admitted to the U.S. under a nonimmigrant visa
  • Has been dishonorably discharged from the military
  • Has renounced his or her U.S. citizenship
  • Is subject to a court order restraining him or her from harassing, stalking or threatening an intimate partner, his or her child or a child of a partner or engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner in reasonable fear of bodily injury to the partner or child
  • Has been convicted of a misdemeanor offense of domestic violence

Claiming Your Property

The owner should call 336-726-7285 to schedule an appointment with Evidence Management staff to claim their property. The owner will need to provide a completed Firearm Application (PDF) and proper photo identification. Once the background check is completed and the standards to release are met, an Evidence Specialist will contact the owner for pick-up. Property can be retrieved at:
1200 Patterson Avenue
Winston-Salem, NC 27101

The hours of operation are Wednesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays.