We’ve got an update on Mr. Jack Hands, the 92-year-old cleared by a grand jury last year in a 2010 fatal shooting, who wants his two guns confiscated by police returned. His predicament was the first case tackled by The Houston Advocate.

Harris County District Attorney Pat Lykos and Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland plan to discuss Mr. Hands’ dilemma on Thursday at the conclusion of a previously scheduled meeting.

“The two are planning to talk about a resolution to see what can be done,” David Benzion, communications director for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, said late Wednesday. “Judge Lykos noticed the [Houston Advocate] post herself and took a personal interest in it.”

The Houston Advocate also learned Wednesday that there may be additional challenges to the release of Hands’ beloved heirloom shotgun.

According to Houston Police Department spokesman John Cannon, who checked with the HPD homicide detective who investigated the shooting, the older weapon is believed to be a Springfield shotgun and has a barrel shorter than 18 inches – which amounts to a prohibited weapon under Texas law. That’s why the grand jury considered a possession of a prohibited weapon charge in addition to one count of murder against Hands.

“It does not have a serial number and appeared to be many, many years old,” Cannon said, adding that the other gun, a .44-caliber revolver, has a make, model and serial number on it.

That means the revolver can be returned if a judge signs a motion to restore property.

Releasing the older weapon will take a similar motion with an additional showing that the shotgun was manufactured prior to 1899 or is a replica of a shotgun made before 1899.

Authorities must determine if the gun is more than a 110 years old or was made to look like a century-old weapon.

cindy.george@chron.com

twitter.com/HouAdvocate

twitter.com/cindylgeorge