To recover or claim property or evidence being retained on a case, you must make an appointment with the Property and Evidence Unit.  Appointments can be made Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm by calling (619) 691-5131. You will need to bring your case number, a valid picture ID, and a notice to claim property (if applicable).

Retrieve a Firearm

Prior to the release of a firearm, ammunition, and/or ammunition feeding device(s), it must be designated as eligible to be released by a CVPD Gun Desk Unit Detective. This process normally takes an average of 30 days. The firearm must also be recorded in the California Automated Firearms System (AFS).

Furthermore, no law enforcement agency may return a firearm unless and until the individual follows the requirements set forth in Penal Code Section 33850. The individual would have to submit a Law Enforcement Release application to the California Department of Justice to undergo a firearm eligibility background check. Please visit https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/lerinfo for more information and to complete the application.

An eligibility check will be conducted to determine if the applicant is lawfully eligible to possess firearms, ammunition and/or ammunition feeding device(s). The review process normally takes 30-45 days to process.

A notice of the results will be sent to the applicant via U.S. mail. The notice must be presented to the court or law enforcement agency within thirty (30) days of the date of the notice. Notices over 30 days are considered expired. If you allow your notice to expire, you will need to submit a new application and fees to initiate a new eligibility check.

If the letter confirms you can pick up your firearm, please email the Gun Desk Unit at GDU@chulavistapd.org to schedule an appointment to retrieve your property. Per CVPD policy, a firearm and ammunition cannot be picked up on the same day. You will need to set two appointments to pick up the firearm and ammunition separately.

Any unclaimed firearm(s), ammunition, and/or ammunition feeding device(s) will be disposed of 180 days after the owner has received notification the items are available for release.

For additional questions or inquiries please email GDU@chulavistapd.org or contact the Property & Evidence at (619) 691-5131. A member of the Gun Desk Unit will contact you within 7–10 business days.