Pre-purchase serial # check on “used” guns?

Pogue

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Something brought up in another thread made me wonder if there’s a way to “run the numbers” and make sure a firearm isn’t stolen before making a purchase? If so, is it common practice and acceptable to ask for the serial number pre-purchase? (Seen plenty of instances on here where people post partial numbers in non-sale threads....)
 
Without calling a buddy who’s a cop idk how you’d do it. Maybe you could call the sd/pd and ask them if they’d do it. If it came back stolen you’d have to tell them who has it I’d think.


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AFAIK there is no legal way for us peons to run a #s check. Most gun shops can't even do that so their used inventory is just like buying from some dude.
Partial serial #s in sale threads are often used to verify date of manufacture.

If you can't get past "I don't know for sure" you will have to buy a new gun from an FFL.
 
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No cop worth his training is going to run the numbers on a gun unless they are holding it in their hand. Fastest way to unpaid vaca that I know of..
 
Cops will only run it if they can 100% secure it in the event it comes back stolen.

Maybe require the person to do the deal at a local PD that is willing to run it if you’re really worried?
 
Dude I couldnt get a sale on a gun because I asked to see the guy's license...I doubt many will give you SNs lol
 
Q. How do you know your used computer/motorcycle/weed trimmer isn't stolen?

A. Don't buy from a known thief or someone you don't know and trust (and have their contact info handy)

Ask questions. If they're not able to answer simple questions about the origins of the gun, don't have any ammo for it, never shot it, don't know how to show you how to take it down or operate it, or know where they got it, and the price is too low then walk away.
 
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If you don’t or trust the seller do a BOS or don’t do the deal. If the seller wnat to meet at the Waffle House at 3 am it’s likely a shadey deal. :D
 
Ask them to meet at the PD to run it. If they agree, you know it's good. Then you can just meet anywhere.
 
AFAIK there is no legal way for us peons to run a #s check. Most gun shops can't even do that so their used inventory is just like buying from some dude.

In SC, it is my understanding (and I may be mistaken) that FFLs that are also pawnshops are required to describe aquired property to police for a check against the stolen property database and then hold it for a number of days before reselling in case it is determined to be stolen. As much as I'd like to believe it is done, that is no guarantee that it actually is.


This is not checking against the the NCIC database. It only checks for SNs uploaded by registered users of that website.

I just checked the SN of a firearm stolen from me last year and reported to the police. It came back as "Not reported stolen." Relying on this will give you a false sense of security.
 
In SC, it is my understanding (and I may be mistaken) that FFLs that are also pawnshops are required to describe aquired property to police for a check against the stolen property database and then hold it for a number of days before reselling in case it is determined to be stolen. As much as I'd like to believe it is done, that is no guarantee that it actually is.

NC works the same way if you are a pawnbroker. You are required to send pawn tickets to the local sheriffs dept so they can try to match stolen items. If you just have an 01FFL I haven't found a way yet.
 
Nothing is tracked in SC unless there is a crime involved. I don't keep track of my serial numbers. Why would I care? Someone steals my gun and I give the number to the cops, doesn't mean squat unless they want to frame me for some future crime committed with the gun. I would just report it stolen and say I don't have the number.
 
I've had stuff run through NCIC through various connections, way back when. But the problem is that if it comes back with something, they're going to want the gun. And the "seller" may have nothing to do with it's previous history. The person running the check will be on the hook. The check is not anonymous. At least that's the way it was explained to me.
 
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I’d be willing to give up a gun that was determined to be stolen, same as I’d want to return any other stolen property that I ended up with.

Tempted to go ask the sheriff since I need to stop in next week anyway.
 
Nothing is tracked in SC unless there is a crime involved. I don't keep track of my serial numbers. Why would I care? Someone steals my gun and I give the number to the cops, doesn't mean squat unless they want to frame me for some future crime committed with the gun. I would just report it stolen and say I don't have the number.
You don't want your gun back?
 
Call the non emergency number at the sheriff's office and they'll come out to meet you during the sale, or you can meet at the police station. Either would work, but they will confiscate the gun if its stolen.
 
I can’t find the link at the moment, but about six months ago a guy was arrested for a stolen gun during a traffic stop. He produced a bill of sale from a private transaction and while it may help in court, the cops didn’t care and he still took the ride for it. A bill of sale, IMO, is no safety net and shouldn’t be relied upon. Anyone doing something nefarious will just put false info on it anyways
 
I can’t find the link at the moment, but about six months ago a guy was arrested for a stolen gun during a traffic stop. He produced a bill of sale from a private transaction and while it may help in court, the cops didn’t care and he still took the ride for it. A bill of sale, IMO, is no safety net and shouldn’t be relied upon. Anyone doing something nefarious will just put false info on it anyways

Damn that's crazy, I always thought they'll only confiscate the gun and you'll just be out on money. Never knew they'll arrest you for buying a gun you didn't know was stolen.

I bought a Kel-Tec RDB outside the parking lot of a gun show once and I didn't get a bill of sale, it bothered me for awhile until I took it to the PD this year and they told me I wouldn't be in trouble if it came back stolen, they'll just have to confiscate it.

It came back clean and I went on my way.
 
You are correct.
About your avatar...
images
 
I can’t find the link at the moment, but about six months ago a guy was arrested for a stolen gun during a traffic stop. He produced a bill of sale from a private transaction and while it may help in court, the cops didn’t care and he still took the ride for it. A bill of sale, IMO, is no safety net and shouldn’t be relied upon. Anyone doing something nefarious will just put false info on it anyways

This is a good short read, little too long to copy here
https://crimes.sog.unc.edu/north-ca...len-goods-embezzlement-and-related-offenses-6

 
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