Serial Numbers

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fanofskynyrd

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Howdy, I recently purchased a firearm from a gentleman that works on my riding lawnmower. I asked him if it was stolen, and he insured me that it wasn't. I've spoken with a few people who know him better than I do, and they said that it might be stolen. How can I check the serial number to see if it is stolen or not. I bought the gun in Louisiana, and unforunately, I'm now living in Arizona. I would hate to be carrying it, or out shooting it and find out the hard way that it is stolen. Could someone help me with this. Thanks
 
To my knowledge, the only way to check on things like this is to contact the police to the location nearest where the gun may have been stolen. If the gun was reported missing, they would be the ones to know.

I don't think there is any other database available, besides what the police would have access to.

If you don't want to contact that particular police agency, you could try with the local police, but they would probably be less likely to know.
 
Thanks

I thought about contacting the police, but with my luck, I'd be arrested for receiving stolen guns. If it's stolen, I don't want to get in trouble for owning it. Thanks alot.
 
Be aware that if you do check with the police and it is found on the NICS database as stolen, you've lost it with no recourse to recover your money unless you can get it out of the guy you bought it from.

Dean
 
Skynard -

The best option is to find a LEO friend and have him run the check for you, as a friend.

It only took me about 3 gun purchases and about 3 dozen calls to various LEA offices to realize that no one in AZ law enforcement wanted to bother typing a serial # into the NICS. I tried all different agencies and levels of government. No one would run a check for me.
 
Thanks

I'm not worried about the money. I'm worried about being cuffed and hauled off to jail for my ignorance. A red flag went up as soon as I gave him $75 for a mint MAK-90 with 3 30rd clips. Can civilians access the NICS database?
 
Nephew is officer

My nephew is a police officer in Louisiana, and he wouldn't check for me. He didn't want to get involved. He told me to just hide it somewhere. May need it one day.
 
If you're nervous, I'll take it off your hands. I'll even let you make $25 profit. ;)


I wouldn't worry about it. Just document phone calls to 5 local PDs and show that you made a genuine effort to determine the status of the gun, but were denied. Keep this with the document of sale, and I can't see you ever having problems.

My bill of sale/transfer now includes a clause about being the rightful and lawful owner of the gun being sold/traded. I may still lose the gun if it's stolen, but I won't lose my ass. Plus, I record the DL# or CCW# of all I do buisiness with.

Yes, I've scared off both buyers and sellers. Sellers who get especially edgy get reported, but I've never had a follow up call from a LEO, so I imagine such calls get circular filed immediately.
 
Good idea seagull

Good idea! Bad thing is, I don't have a bill of sale. He was working on my lawn mower, and he had some guns in his shop. I said how much. He said $75. I asked if it was stolen. He said no. I said, I'll take it. I did have a witness with me though. Calling the police agencies is a good idea. Atleast they can see that I didn't know if it was stolen or not.
 
Just don't rely on them to keep records of your calls. Keep a list of phone #'s times and who you spoke to.

And for the love of Pete, use a bill of sale/bill of transfer on all your future sales. Stolen guns aside, the last thing you want is legal debate over the ownership of the gun.
 
I wouldn't worry about it. Thousands of "missing" guns are never reported to anyone and never found or traced. Unless you violated the law in making the purchase, or violate the law in carrying the gun, there is little reason to sweat it.

Even if you should have it in your possession, and it would be checked for some reason and is stolen, you don't have to prove your innocence, the authorities have to prove your guilt in knowingly (note that word) being in possession of stolen goods. Otherwise the worst that happens is that you lose the gun.

Jim
 
Problem is, taking advantage of an "outrageous deal" can be considered probable knowledge of the good being stolen. You can't just buy a Ferrari from a guy on the street for $200, and expect the fact that he told you it wasn't stolen to prove your innocence.

The good thing is that although $75 is certainly not a common price for an AK-47, I have seen a couple no-name brands at this price before. You may be able to argue that you believed that the person who sold you the gun was unaware/forgotten that this was a name-brand AK.
 
I'm gonna be the stick in the mud...

If I ask someone if something is stolen, then I obviously suspect it might be. If I suspect it might be, I shouldn't be buying it. And if I did buy it, suspecting it might be stolen, I did wrong. I have a moral duty to right that wrong by trying to get that firearm returned to its rightful owner. Even if it costs me a firearm.
 
The best option is to find a LEO friend and have him run the check for you, as a friend.

It only took me about 3 gun purchases and about 3 dozen calls to various LEA offices to realize that no one in AZ law enforcement wanted to bother typing a serial # into the NICS. I tried all different agencies and levels of government. No one would run a check for me.
Click to expand...
When I worked for the Sheriff, we would run serial numbers for NCIC 'hits' for lost or stolen, but we had to have the gun in our hands. We would not run numbers for someone over the telephone, etc.

Pilgrim
 
Problem is, taking advantage of an "outrageous deal" can be considered probable knowledge of the good being stolen. You can't just buy a Ferrari from a guy on the street for $200, and expect the fact that he told you it wasn't stolen to prove your innocence.

The good thing is that although $75 is certainly not a common price for an AK-47, I have seen a couple no-name brands at this price before. You may be able to argue that you believed that the person who sold you the gun was unaware/forgotten that this was a name-brand AK.
Click to expand...

Problem is, alot of people who are not into guns think AK's are worth 1000's of dollars.

I would be wary of anyone who is selling a firearm for cheap unless it's a known "cheap" brand.

-Bill
 
10-4

It's a very small community where I'm from, and the guy who sold me the gun is very popular and well liked and trusted by everyone there. He works on their mowers too! I don't think he stole it, nor do I think he believed it was stolen. What concerned me was that people would barter with him. He would work on their 4-wheelers, dirt bikes, mowers, etc. Some people would trade him stuff for his services- engines, guns, tools, etc. It's who he got the gun from that has me concerned. The fact that I knew him was the reason that there wasn't a bill of sale. As far as the price, well it's a Norinco, and I wouldn't have given him much more than that. I just don't want to risk losing my CCW. I've bought 1 used gun since then (here in AZ) from a co-worker. Believe me, I got a bill of sale from him.
 
As far as the price, well it's a Norinco, and I wouldn't have given him much more than that. I just don't want to risk losing my CCW.
Click to expand...

Like I said, I'll give you $25 dollars in PURE PROFIT for it. :p

I like Norincos. :)
 
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