MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Police in Red Wing are investigating after somebody in the city found a handgun in a recycling bin.

Authorities responded to the Goodhue County Recycling Center last Thursday after receiving a call that a person discovered a .45-caliber Colt defender handgun in a bin and took it out. The recycling center is located on Highway 61 in Red Wing.

Police say the make, model and serial number for the gun were known. That information was entered as stolen into the National Crime Information Center to help in its recovery.

Authorities are asking for the person who found the gun to turn it into Red Wing Police with a “no questions asked” approach and no pursuit of criminal prosecution. Any attems to pawn, sell, trade or possess the gun, though, could lead to criminal prosecution.

The person who found the gun is asked to call Red Wing Police at (651) 385-3155 to arrange turning the gun in.