Gun Disposal

[Bogow]

What is the proper way to dispose of a firearm with the serial number removed?

 

[Glockman17366]

Who removed the serial number?
If it wasn't you (better have proof!), you could give it to your local law enforcement for disposal.They'd melt it down.
Another option is to totally disassemble it and saw the frame into pieces.

 

[orchidhunter]

Your local ATF office will tell you the proper way to dispose of a firearm. I would call them, don't take it by for them to look at, just call them, they are quite helpfull in these matters. I would use a pay phone. orchidhunter

 

[BBQLS1]

Take it to one of those gun buy back programs.

 

[BrandonBowers]

Gun buy back program or just drive down to the nearest lake and throw it out as far as you can.

Failing that, have a friend with a boat take you to the middle of the lake.

 

[Tyris]

Good lord. do NOT call the ATF or police unless you want to be under a spotlight. Just being in possession is a crime so don't snitch on yourself as that would be colossally stupid.

Dump it in a river, or smash it up with a sledge hammer, wash with acetone and throw it in a dumpster on the other side of town.

-T

 

[HoosierQ]

I would second the deep (or fast moving) body of water option. I would tell no one about the darn thing before or after the fact.

I suppose if you had a forge, that might work too.

Since your seem to be honest and want to do the right thing, I don't see where destroying the thing is a bad idea. Having the thing in your possession is. I suppose if you found it buried in your backyard like yesterday you might go the turn-in route. If you've had it awhile, like a week, or a buddy gave it to you to hold on to...find the nearest lava flow and chuck 'er in...do you live in Hawaii?

 

[Bogow]

Thanks for the advise guys. The firearm belongs to a coworker who has had it for many years and never used it. He was not aware that it was a felony to possess until I informed him. Sounds like chopping it up is the best route.

 

[Wheeler44]

Remember some firearms came from the factory without serial numbers. In fact quite a few, although mostly .22s IIRC

 

[FuzzyBunny]

WAIT!!!!

Some guns DO NOT have Ser numbers!
First tell us what kind of gun it is. You might be destroying a rare collectable.
I have a few rifles that were made before you had to put a number on them.

I hope its not too late.

 

[Zundfolge]

Serial numbers were not REQUIRED until the 1968 Gun Control Act. So it doesn't really have to be all that old.


Now assuming it is a gun that's supposed to have a serial number and the SN has been removed, I'd dismantle it and smash the frame with a hammer, wrap it in a trash bag and toss it in the trash ... throw the rest of it away in a week (after the trash collectors have come and gone). Or if its a decent gun, keep all the spare parts and either sell them or keep them for spares (no law requiring any part other than the frame to be serial numbered).

 

[Bogow]

I haven't seen th gun personally but was told that the serial number was filed off.

 

[mgkdrgn]

I haven't seen the gun personally ...

And if you are smart, you'll keep it that way. You don't want to have ANYTHING to do with it.

 

[leadcounsel]

Keep in mind that if a serial number is required on the firearm, a firearm is only considered to be the receiver. Even if the receiver is to be turned over or destroyed, the rest of it (barrel, stock, magazines, etc.) are not considered firearms (for instance, they can be mailed in the mail not through an FFL).

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Also, let's be sure we aren't talking about a re-numbered military surplus firearm. Plenty of those, perfectly legal. And if it's an antique ...

 

[Tyris]

nm

-T