Maybe I missed in in the 4 pages of garbage, but what has actually happened so far in this transaction? Please relate EXACTLY the events and timeline.
How was the gun sold? (how was it advertised as 'for sale' and how was an agreement reached)
When was the gun paid for?
When and by what method was the gun shipped? (+any extra services such as delivery confirmation)
When was the complaint lodged with Paypal by the buyer?
What was the content of that complaint?
When and how did Paypal decide the outcome of the buyer complaint?
Did your son take part in the complaint resolution process? (for example, agree to refund the money if the gun was returned)
What else is missing from this story? Please provide all details EXACTLY as they occurred.
Paypal would give the buyer a refund without returning the item in a few cases: if the package was never delivered, if there was significant fraud such as a brick shipped instead of a gun, if the item was verified as counterfeit, or if the seller failed to respond to notices of the dispute. Let's find out what happened and why, then we can all start screaming about who's going to jail.