The Times Union is reporting the New York State Police now admits the agency owns the missing AR-15 they have asked for help finding. When the troopers first attempted to enlist the public's assistance in locating the Rock River rifle last week, they made no mention of who owned the weapon lost along Route 9 in Chestertown, Warren County. The agency later acknowledged the firearm belonged to the State Police. An internal affairs investigation is under way to determine how the high-powered weapon came to be mislaid on a roadside in the Adirondacks. "The weapon was not stolen, and an investigation into the circumstances of how the rifle was lost is ongoing. The incident is also part of an ongoing internal administrative investigation," the troopers stated in a news release. The weapon disappeared in its nylon bag and was last seen on Tue., Mar. 16. When asked by a reporter with the Post-Star of Glens Falls, the State Police declined to say how weapons are secured when not in use. A State Police spokesperson said each trooper is responsible for securing the equipment they are issued. Troopers as requesting that anyone with information on the whereabouts of the rifle call them at 518-583-7000. Read more in the Times Union.