Stolen firearm ??
I came across where a $1000 shotgun was for sale for $200, you know a friend of a friend of a friend. I passed on it, regretfully, because I thought it may be stolen. I would like to be able to check on serial numbers in the future for verification so I do not have to pass up such buys in the future if the item is legitimate. Does anyone out there know how to find out if a firearm has been reported stolen. I have contacted the local police, however, they said they will not just look up a serial number without the firearm present. This presents a problem as I do not want to possess stolen property.
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There is no way. The best thing to do is to avoid buying anything that appears suspicious. And, always get identifying information from any seller.
Neal0 -
There's no place to check if a firearm is stolen or not other than law enforcement. You're local PD's 'policy' is a bunch of BS. If you call them, and they can verify you are who you say you are, I see no reason NOT to check the serial number for you.
There are ways to 'protect' yourself if the same situation comes up again, and you want to take a chance on losing 200 bucks if it is stolen.
1. Have the seller give you a bill of sale, including make, caliber, model, and of course, the serial number.
2. Get identification from the seller. Don't just ask him what his name is, get his I.D. in your hand and write down his name, address, DOB, and I.D. number. I wouldn't accept any I.D. other than one issued by the state, either a driver's license or state issued I.D. card.
3. Then, call the police and have them come out and check the serial number.
Or, you could ask the seller if it's ok to have the police check the serial number in his presence.
Most state laws on possessing stolen property have a section in it stating the possessor KNEW, or SHOULD have known the property was stolen. Where people get in trouble is not being able to say where they got the property. They bought it from 'some guy,' and since the trail ends with them, they are the ones charged. If you show good faith in being able to say from who you obtained the property, the police will go on down that trail to that person.
The shotgun you're talking about could have been stolen. Then again, the seller just might be one of those guys who don't know what they really have.
"The Greatest Battle Implement Ever Devised!"
-- Gen. George S. Patton
referring to the M1 Garand0 -
Make friends with a pawn shop owner... Seriously. They may prove an invaluable asset to a high volume collector. 0 -
[8D]Im sure firearms tranfers are cheaper in OHIO than Calif. Take the shotgun to a local FFL-pay the($25)? and The FFL person will call in the serial and data. This will insure the legality of the gun-OR cause concern. If everything is legal then you pay an additional Sales tax and the gun is yours.[}:)][}:)][:p][:D]
I'm only wearing Black untill they make something darker0 -
Thanks All,
With the city police giving me headaches (as always), I decided to call the County sheriff. They said they would run the serial numbers in the future at no charge with no hassles.
Thanks again,0 -
[8D]I'm glad to hear that aero-, you're lucky you can do that there. There's nothing free in Calif.(unless you're an alien/criminal)[:)][:(][:(][:D]
I'm only wearing Black untill they make something darker0 -
Got a local news paper? If so, write them. Local community would love to hear how their police dept. is so lazy, they won't run a gun serial #. One given to them by an honest citizen to check if stolen. Unbelievable![V] My dept. is more than happy to do it as are every other I have heard of.
SALLY
Committee member-Ducks Unlimited0 -
You know I have been kicking around the Idea of making a free stolen firearms reporting website for a long time. I have fairly good website skills. But after attending 200 plus shows I'm not all that convinced that most people even care if that gun they are buying is stolen or would even report it. What do you think. 0 -
During the Clinton administration, any query against the DOJ was considered, for the purpose of statistics, to be a "firearm used in a crime". Unfortunately, any private data base would not include the millions of stolen guns already on the the DOJ data base.
The only reasonable solution would be for DOJ to permit anyone with a computer to query the DOJ data base. There is no way that this could possibly benefit criminals. However, the only way to do this is for Congress to pass legislation requiring DOJ to set this up. If any of you have a true anti-crime representative, maybe you could ask him to draft a proposal. Maybe we could call it the "Childrens Firearm Safety Law."
Neal0 -
Has anyone considered the ramifications of getting a NCIC hit (listed as stolen) on a firearm? What do you say/do when the police show up looking for the stolen firearm you have located? Do you inform on the seller? Do you come up with some kind of lie as to where you got the serial number? I personally would want to help get the firearm seized and returned to the lawful owner. Others might not want to "get involved". 0 -
I have a tendancy to purchase firearms for the sole purpose of a "trade gun". I was interested in purchasing this particular shotgun for the purpose of selling it or trading it in a local shop for a high powered rifle. With not knowing the normal practices of the shop I didn't want to try and trade it in and lose my money if the firearm was checked and came back stolen. 0 -
I agree with Herschel. If I ever come across one that my Sheriff comes back and said it is listed as stolen, I would definately turn that person in. If I ever had a firearm stolen I would be greatful for fellow shooters who helped return it to me. 0 -
[8D]You will do what they say, gripe later, but follow the LEO orders[}:)][}:)][}:)][:D]
I'm only wearing Black untill they make something darker0
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