During the aftermath of the Katrina disaster, August 29, 2005, to December 31, 2005, authorities confiscated and/or destroyed legally possessed weapons from their owners, according to news reports and eyewitness accounts. Armed National Guard and Police officers went house-to-house and took the weapons, refusing to provide any receipts and (according to witnesses) even destroying family heirloom weapons on the spot (watch the videos below for details).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm5PC7z79-8&feature=player_embedded
At this point, you can “apply” for the return of your firearm — but there are multiple hoops you have to jump through — and there is no guarantee that they will ever be found or returned. The paperwork just means they will “conduct a search” for your weapon(s). You also have to sign a “hold harmless” waiver, witnessed by a notary, and you may be required to get a court order. There is also a background check.
To learn more about this debacle, visit the City of New Orleans website and begin by downloading the paperwork.
http://www.nola.gov/en/GOVERNMENT/NOPD/Hurricane-Katrina-Firearms