Stolen Guns and Guns Shows
I am going to a Gun Show this Weekend and I would like to know if there is any way to find out if a gun is stolen before I buy it, or if there are any precautions that dealers at Guns Shows have to take to prevent trading stolen guns. Thanks for the help.
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Just do what dealers do: Record the sellers identity. If you are buying from a dealer, you will always get a receipt. Just don't buy from someone walking around at the show. Problems with buying stolen guns are quite rare; I wouldn't really worry about it.
But, if you want to be sure, only buy a current model gun from a dealer, & be sure that it is NIB.
Neal0 -
That is a yes/no sort of question. Different states have different regulations which often depend on if you are a dealer or a private party. A well extablished dealer won't want the hassel of trading in stolen property. If buying from a private party you should always get their personal info, from bonifide ID, for your records. That way if you have any problems you tell the cops to talk to the seller, not you. 0 -
BIGGUN, This is all good advice, but if you can, get a receipt or a bill of sale from the seller. It can be something on a piece of notebook paper. Just have the seller sign it, date it, record the serial # and jot down the sale price and you should be good to go. If you are ever accused of having a stolen gun, whip out the receipt. It is better than nothing.
"They call me Don. Dr. Jason Donald Dalinger."0 -
quote:Just have the seller sign it, date it, record the serial # and jot down the sale price and you should be good to go. If you are ever accused of having a stolen gun, whip out the receipt. It is better than nothing.
I am sorry but I have to disagree, this will prove nothing since you could have made that receipt up and even if they did believe it, it would not replace the value you paid for the gun
First thing you need to look at is how much information the other guy wants, if he is willing to cash and carry, beware, I will not buy a gun from an individual unless I have proof of who they are 100%, if I am going to loose the money I paid out for a gun someone's going to jail, the other guy should want the same, I myself make a copy of my f.o.i.d. card{D.L. in some cases} and theirs on the same page, we both sign, with description of firearm and serial number, and we both get a copy, if they are not willing to do that oh well. To me it is not worth the chance, why should i be treated any less than a ffl holder, I have as much to loose as he does0 -
Unfortunately as far as getting your money back it doesn't matter if you buy from a dealer or from a private party. If the gun turns out to be stolen it will be confiscated without compensation. As long as the dealer didn't know it was stolen then there isn't any legal recourse to go after him. If you buy from a dealer at least there's a rock-solid paper trail of just where that firearm came from which can be traced back to the person who sold it to the dealer.
The vast majority of private parties trying to sell a firearm aren't criminals or theives. Even at a gunshow. If the seller makes you uncomfortable or seems shifty then steer clear. Same thing if they won't give you a receipt or show you their drivers license. But if they come across as just some fellow selling off some personal property for one reason or another and are willing to show ID and make out a receipt then it's probably OK. Ask the seller why they're getting rid of it.
I make a regular habit of buying guns from average joes walking down the isles at the gun shows I work and I have never had a problem.
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A freind of mine bought 2 high dollar from an individual that turned out to be stolen.The agent that picked up the guns gave him a receipt.My buddy took the guy to small claims court and got his money back. 0 -
I dont know about other states but in Arizona a dealer that takes in a gun for trade or buys it has to fill out a paper and send it to the police and hold it for I think 7 days so if your buying from a dealer it wont be stolen 0 -
I bought a Luger at a gun show in the 60s from a seller with a table
(I don't know if he was a dealer). A few years later I put it
on consignment & shortly thereafter two cops showed up on my doorstep to inform me that the gun was stolen & had been used in a shooting & of course they wanted to know when & where I got it.
I remembered that I had paid for it with a check & after a bit of digging I found the canceled check. Not only that but I had written
on it Luger & the serial number. They took the check & that was the last I ever heard of it. I even got the money for the sale.
That was just dumb luck but ever since then you can bet I have kept a paper trail for every gun I have bought & sold.0 -
I could take ANY gun I have, legally acquired or not, and take it to a local gun store where a dealer will pay cash for it. As long as he can resell it for a good profit. None of them have ever asked where I got it, wanted to see a reciept, or questioned my ownership. In short, they do not care. Unless circumstances make it seem obvious thet the gun might have been stolen, by your actions, comments, or exceedingly low asking price, they have no affirmative responsiblity to inquire or be concerned. So, you really never know....Unless you by buy newfrom an authorized brand dealer.
Sako Fan0 -
quote:Originally posted by steveg
I dont know about other states but in Arizona a dealer that takes in a gun for trade or buys it has to fill out a paper and send it to the police and hold it for I think 7 days so if your buying from a dealer it wont be stolen
That's not a bad idea, but most states don't have any sort of system like that. Here in NH I can buy a gun from one person and resell it 5 minutes later with no paper trail other then my bound book and the 4473 filled out by the buyer. I do have to check the drivers license of the person I bought it from, though, so I have something to put in my bound book.
Also, here in NH there is a state law granting civil immunity to firearm dealers unless it can be proven that the dealer knowingly broke a state or federal law in the sale. It's very similar to the "protection of lawful commerce in arms" act that congress tried to pass on the federal level last year. NH is a very good state to sell guns in.0 -
quote:I could take ANY gun I have, legally acquired or not, and take it to a local gun store where a dealer will pay cash for it. As long as he can resell it for a good profit. None of them have ever asked where I got it, wanted to see a reciept, or questioned my ownership. In short, they do not care.
Are you saying they by it from you anonymously?0
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