Both firearms recovered!
Jump ahead a couple years and the firearms have finally made their way into my possession. Both firearms were turned in to the Lethbridge PD, by none other than one of the two suspected family members mentioned in the original post. No charges laid by the PD, no surprise. I heard the BS story that the pistols were found in a box of clothing in the bottom of a dresser. Interestingly, the same individual forged cheques with mom's signature, even dressed up as my mother to make bank withdrawals while mom was in the hospital. Over $40,000 in forged cheques. The bank had this person on camera even dressed as mom cashing the cheques in person at the counter. And again, no charges pursued by the Lethbridge PD. WTF???
But the drama continued.
So I get the call from Lethbridge PD that the firearms are in their possession and I may pick them up at my convenience. I called the firearms office to get transport permits as these are both Restricted category. Next thing I know I am being contacted by the RCMP facing charges of attempting to register stolen firearms. When I first heard this I dropped the phone and started laughing. One office does not communicate with the other apparently. What a gong show sorting that one out. Got a visit from local RCMP and these guys were great. They had a laugh with me over the stupidity within the overall system and acknowledged that someone in the firearms office should have caught this before sending police after me. Interesting how the powers that be were quick to pursue charges against me yet did nothing to the unlicensed family member that had these firearms for so long.
I am happy the firearms are in my possession. Silver linings. And a glass raised to the forum members that actually read the original post before condemning either me or my mother. Cheers!