>He probably left it in the same storage locker he left the gun in.
>Whoever stole the gun either doesn't know what he has, or does, and is
>too scared of the consequences to turn it in.

err, no. I cant see whoever breaking into the locker and taking just the gun. And if he even TOUCHED the lens while it was not in contact with its owner that is usually held to be instantly fatal.

On the other hand, if something happened of the fatal variety to poor Lensmen Buck, I believe the lens simply disolves (?) but the firearm would not.

In the long run, though, none of this is very good for Lensman Buck. at the minimum he's up for a stiff talking to about improperly securing his weapon. assuming he's not already suffered something worse.