How to check if a gun was stolen?

[gotin]

A friend of mine was offered a Ruger P85 for $225. Bit he is afraid that the gun may be stolen, hence the price. How he can check if it’s true?

 

[Edward429451]

I think the only thing you can do to see if its stolen is to go ask the police. I abhor going to the police for help, cause I'm always let down and sometimes charged myself.

OTOH, going to the police may not be enough. I dont think they have a national database of stolen numbers. You cant check each & every jurisdiction, its not possible.

Maybe asking the guy to write a dated bill of sale and sign it will let you see something in his reaction. If he hesitates...maybe you should back out. It dont seem too aufully low for that older model, its probably just a good deal. Now if he offered you a GoldCup for $150, then I'd be suspicious!

Good luck.

 

[muddyboots]

Stolen firearms are usually entered into NCIC - the National Crime Information Center - run by the FBI. All law enforcement jurisdictions can query this database and most can add to it. If you can get a police agency to make the query for you and it comes back negative that does not mean that the gun is not stolen, it just means there is no record of it. Many gun owners do not know the serial numbers of their weapons.

 

[jsalcedo]

225 is a reasonable price

I bought a 99% ruger P90 with an extra mag and plastic box
for $282 from a pawnshop.

 

[thumbtack]

Gotin

Here is a link to the Florida Stolen Gun database, if the gun was stolen from FL. and reported it should be here.

http://pas.fdle.state.fl.us/guns_search.asp

 

[Pilgrim]

Before my department would run serial numbers a deputy had to have the firearm in his hands in case the number came back "stolen."

Once upon a time a guy came into the office with a 1911A1 he had bought for $200. He had this nagging feeling that the price was too good to be true. It was. The pistol was stolen and he was out $200.

 

[Wildalaska]

As a matter of course every firearms dealer is under a legal obligation to run serial numbers of used firearms aquired to NCIC....

 

[EJ]

Don't know about Alaska -- But in Ill and Wisc Dealers DO NOT have access to NCIC --

 

[gotin]

Thanks for the responds guys! I’ll send him to try with police.

 

[Wildalaska]

Don't know about Alaska -- But in Ill and Wisc Dealers DO NOT have access to NCIC --

Just call the cops. Tell em yer an FFL dealer that wants to run a serial numebr

 

[ajacobs]

As a matter of course every firearms dealer is under a legal obligation to run serial numbers of used firearms aquired to NCIC....

What legal obligation? I don't mean to challenge you but our shop nor any shop I have ever been to runs serial numbers through law enforcement. Are you sure that isn't a state law?

 

[cool45auto]

I purchased a gun from a friend not too long ago. I have another friend who is a local LEO, and when he stopped by the store I asked him to see if it was stolen. He called it in and it only took a minute. It wasn't stolen thank goodness.

 

[samualt]

gotin:

Just remember. If your friend goes to the police and gives his name, serial of the gun, and other info then he will end up on some list they have. If nothing else just a log of the interaction. That record is for all time.
I don't think I like ending up on any list for any reason. If ya'll are afraid the gun is stolen then just don't buy it. Otherwsie buy it with a receipt and don't worry about it.

 

[Ala Dan]

Touchy Subject- Fuel for Thought

Greeting's All,

Most reply's will tell you that an N.C.I.C. check (10-29)
is the best possible way to determine if a weapon or
most other object's with a SN are stolen!

But, one department here in central DixieLand views
this action as opening a criminal investigation. And the
NCIC operator could be subject to disciplinary
action, if the records check is unwarranted! I believe
that this agency calls this "Misuse Of Government
Equipment" or something like that?

Word to the wise, be very careful and very discreet
upon whom you ask to "run a weapons SN" for you.


Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Wildalaska]

What legal obligation? I don't mean to challenge you but our shop nor any shop I have ever been to runs serial numbers through law enforcement. Are you sure that isn't a state law?

The legal obligation arises for the need not to traffic in stolen goods. Rest assured that if you sell a stolen gun you are probably going to lose your license.

 

[Double Maduro]

Last year I was going to a gun show and was looking for a new handgun.

Called the PD and asked if there was a way to check sn's to see if a gun was stolen and they said no.

 

[oklahoma caveman]

DO NOT GO TO THE ABOVE LINK!! it links up to a very inappropriate page that you cant cancel. vulgar language, pornographic video, etc

ETA - post with link has been temporarily removed by the Moderators for investigation.

 

[chuckusaret]

Man! you are correct

 

[hexidismal]

Why would you revive a thread in which the last post was March 24th, 2003 , just to say there's something inappropriate in it ? It's six years dead, let it lie.. heh.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Why would you revive a thread in which the last post was March 24th, 2003 , just to say there's something inappropriate in it ? It's six years dead, let it lie.. heh.

The inappropriate link was posted this morning and was since hidden by a moderator.