[Rio]

The police stole the hero’s gun. Doubtful that he will ever get it back...

[sergeantdave]

“The police stole the hero’s gun. Doubtful that he will ever get it back...”

Nope. The shooter can keep his weapon while also claiming the yut’s weapon as English common law booty won on the battlefield. See admiralty law and prize:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prize_(law)