<p>Page 6 of the reference guide says</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>If the specified card cannot is not found while searching, he does not gain a card. For instance, if other investigators or defeated investigators possess all copies of the card or all copies of the card have been returned to the game box.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>so the ruling is that you simply do not gain the card</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-17T08:50:07.573Z
2016-04-17T08:50:07.573Z
Joey
<p>Using the rule that <em>if a rule can be interpreted in several ways, the right one is the least helpful to the players</em>.  Therefore the character neither gains no starts with said item.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-16T04:26:58.400Z
That is correct.
Twitch_City
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-07T17:05:20.833Z
2013-12-07T17:05:20.833Z
Sardathrion - against SE abuse
<p>What happens if a player should gain an item but that item already is used by another character?</p>

<p>For example, if the Spy comes into play (because your old character is dead/insane), she possesses a .45.  If you defeat a maniac, you gain the axe.  What happens if those item are already in play in another player's hand?</p>

<eldritch-horror>
Items already in possession of another character
Sardathrion - against SE abuse
# Items already in possession of another character

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-12-07)

What happens if a player should gain an item but that item already is used by another character?

For example, if the Spy comes into play (because your old character is dead/insane), she possesses a .45. If you defeat a maniac, you gain the axe. What happens if those item are already in play in another player's hand?

**Tags:** eldritch-horror


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-04-17. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

Page 6 of the reference guide says

> If the specified card cannot is not found while searching, he does not gain a card. For instance, if other investigators or defeated investigators possess all copies of the card or all copies of the card have been returned to the game box.

so the ruling is that you simply do not gain the card


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### Answer by username_0 on 2013-12-07. Score: 1

Using the rule that *if a rule can be interpreted in several ways, the right one is the least helpful to the players*. Therefore the character neither gains no starts with said item.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: That is correct.  

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