There are instances where the PD/PO becomes involved. For instance, the owner dies alone and under unknown or questionable circumstances. The firearms are in the now vacant home. They would be taken for "safekeeping" purposes by the PD. The PD/PO will make the decision to return the firearms to the heir when the case is closed. NOW, if the heir is a prohibited person, by statute they have 180 days to transfer ownership to another. HOWEVER, the firearms can not be turned over to the heir by the PD/PO for obvious reasons, so they must go to a dealer for the transfer. Far fetched scenario? Not really. Ask me some other time, why and what a pain in the ass it was.