Proving a firearm is yours?

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Encoreman

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Hi all, I have searched for some time on here and didn't find what I was looking for. Suppose someone inherits a firearm or purchases one from a friend, no 4473 filled out. How would you prove that said firearm(s) is legally yours? Thanks for any input. A conversation from a friend starting this.
 
Why would you have to? How would you prove the lawnmower in the garage is yours? The watch on your wrist? If you’re worried about recovering a stolen gun, then I’d be sure to keep a log of serial numbers and then report it stolen immediately if that happens.
 
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I inquired at a local auction house about listing a firearm of mine and I was told I had to have them registered in my name first, I thought they were registered to me when I purchased them.
 
bullpup-addict said:
I inquired at a local auction house about listing a firearm of mine and I was told I had to have them registered in my name first, I thought they were registered to me when I purchased them.
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Odd unless it was in a registration state. Many states don’t have any registration and the Fed’s do not (allegedly) have a registration data base.
 
There would have to be extenuating circumstances to even bring up the question. If procession is 9/10ths of the law, ones SS or service number, or portion of, scratched, engraved or stamped in a hidden area would certainly go a long way. Any procession of value can be marked and the mark recorded elsewhere by ledger or photo.
 
I keep a list of all of my firearms along with SN and a brief description. I keep a hard copy in the safe and a copy stored on my computer. Some of my recent purchases could be verified with store receipts or going back to the store and looking up the original 4473. But most of mine are old enough that they have been in the family for 3-4 generations or were purchased long a go from businesses that no longer exist.

The only time it could possibly be an issue is if someone else has one of my guns listed as a stolen firearm.
 
Knowing the serial number and make/model is the general litmus. Practically nothing other than your house and car has specific method of official registration, including most jewelry. Some does, but a lot does not. I would bet less than 1% of people know the serial number of their TVs. But it is good to record the serial numbers of any firearms you own. I do.
 
AK Hunter said:
Take pictures of you holding it & record the serial number.
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LOL! I did basically this with the mortgage company on a refi. They kept asking where the money was coming from for some deposits in my checking account. Me: Its my mad money I keep in my safe and I deposit if I want to send a check. Them: Well, where did it come from? Me: I just told you from the safe. Its money I skimmed off my paycheck each week. Them: Well, you have to prove where it came from. ME: Are you retarded, I just told you. Do you want me to take a pic of whats left in the safe?

They dropped it after that. :p
 
Stamp an identifying mark in a place not visible with the gun assembled. On rifles and shotguns, I stamp my name on the underside of the butt plate. With handguns removing one grip usually provides a suitable spot. If a dispute over ownership comes up. Recording serial numbers and photographs are fine, but unless you carry that info with you at all times..... Case in point. Years ago when I lived in the Golden State, A Remington 514 was stolen out of my car. I filed a police report but I couldn't give them a serial # because the gun never had one. A month later I spotted it in a pawn shop. I called the cops and when they showed up I was able to prove the gun was mine by telling them what was stamped under the butt plate.
 
bullpup-addict said:
I inquired at a local auction house about listing a firearm of mine and I was told I had to have them registered in my name first, I thought they were registered to me when I purchased them.
Click to expand...

I called my county sheriffs office and they said all I need to do is show the records officer my drivers license and they would print a list for me of all I have on record for $1.00 per page. The only thing their records don't show are the guns I have sold or traded. The officer suggested I keep accurate records of sales or trades because if crime is committed with a firearm once registered to me I would be in the chain of custody during an investigation.
 
bullpup-addict said:
I called my county sheriffs office and they said all I need to do is show the records officer my drivers license and they would print a list for me of all I have on record for $1.00 per page. The only thing their records don't show are the guns I have sold or traded. The officer suggested I keep accurate records of sales or trades because if crime is committed with a firearm once registered to me I would be in the chain of custody during an investigation.
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Do you have to register all the guns you buy?

Seems odd the Sheriff would have a list?
 
Encoreman said:
Hi all, I have searched for some time on here and didn't find what I was looking for. Suppose someone inherits a firearm or purchases one from a friend, no 4473 filled out. How would you prove that said firearm(s) is legally yours? Thanks for any input. A conversation from a friend starting this.
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I have heard of some gun owners who will laminate a little card with their name, address, and phone number and put it under the recoil pad on their rifles.
 
Hokkmike said:
I have heard of some gun owners who will laminate a little card with their name, address, and phone number and put it under the recoil pad on their rifles.
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The Swiss were famous for doing this since their reservists keep their rifles at home. Take off the buttplate on a surplus K11 or K31 Schmidt-Rubin and you'll find a little note with the name and address of the last person it was issued to.
 
Encoreman said:
Hi all, I have searched for some time on here and didn't find what I was looking for. Suppose someone inherits a firearm or purchases one from a friend, no 4473 filled out. How would you prove that said firearm(s) is legally yours? Thanks for any input. A conversation from a friend starting this.
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You can either do a bill of sale or have said person sell it to you for a dollar which would require them running a background check on you. At no time during a private party transfer that I have seen… Has anyone ever ask the seller if they go and actually belongs to them.
 
I take several pictures of each firearm. On the one with a closeup of the SN I also provide my drivers license. I keep three thumb drives in seperate locations and update as needed. The pictures are time/date stamped when I take them with my smart phone. If I have a bill of sale I include a picture of that as well. Just hide the thumb drives well .
 
pictures....

Or do an etching of the make model & serial # perhaps? For those who have never heard of this, a quality piece of thinner paper is placed across the print, and, rubbing quickly with the flatest portion of a lead pencil.

What happens is the flat areas show up shaded whereas the serial# or letters are whited.

So if anyone EVER disputes the ownership, well, holding the paper is the closest thing to actual, including the surrounding imperfections i.e. any small dings in the metal / wood, etc
 
trackskippy said:
LOL! I did basically this with the mortgage company on a refi. They kept asking where the money was coming from for some deposits in my checking account. Me: Its my mad money I keep in my safe and I deposit if I want to send a check. Them: Well, where did it come from? Me: I just told you from the safe. Its money I skimmed off my paycheck each week. Them: Well, you have to prove where it came from. ME: Are you retarded, I just told you. Do you want me to take a pic of whats left in the safe?

They dropped it after that. :p
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Yep Those BEAN counters get bent out of shape when you hide dollars they can't count. My brother in law is one he gets just as messed up if you have too much money as not enough. LOL
If I have too much money I just find something to buy or stash it away for later. Problem solved!
 
My method for purchased firearms is:
1. Retain sales receipt and scanned image of same.
2. Retain photo of firearm.
3. Retain photo of firearm's serial number.
In the case of an inherited firearm there would be a will and probate paperwork with firearms description and serial. In the case of a private sale, you should retain of copy of the buyer's drivers license, and personally, I'd make out a bill of sale and have him sign it.
 
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