Why the Serial number secrecy here?
- Thread starter BruM
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Bru;
Because we're not only paranoid, we're delusional. We have this idea that the S/N isn't really anybody's business except the owner's, and possibly the owner's insurance company. There are those of us who believe that the gummint, and in particular the current edition, would like to locate as many firearms as is possible. I for one couldn't possibly think of a reason they'd like to do that, but I know some here do think that way.
I still post here even though I lost all my firearms in a boating accident over the Marianas Trench last week. Sigh.
900F
Because we're not only paranoid, we're delusional. We have this idea that the S/N isn't really anybody's business except the owner's, and possibly the owner's insurance company. There are those of us who believe that the gummint, and in particular the current edition, would like to locate as many firearms as is possible. I for one couldn't possibly think of a reason they'd like to do that, but I know some here do think that way.
I still post here even though I lost all my firearms in a boating accident over the Marianas Trench last week. Sigh.
900F
steveno
Member
here we go again but since you ask I don't the serial numbers of my guns are anybody's business but mine unless somebody is buying them and they aren't for sale
12131
Member
I'm one of those tinfoil hat wearing paranoid delusional nuts.
Vicious-Peanut
Member
Here is a counter question.
Why does someone need to know the whole thing?
Why does someone need to know the whole thing?
they dont... but what damage could be done with knowing the whole thing... can one steal the identity of a gun?
perhaps there are those worried about the guns shady past?
Honestly I dont know what it would hurt to put the whole thing, but I guess I could be missing some angles.
My insurance company actually didn't require me to send in any sort of list of high value items when we signed up, they just insure your stuff up to a certain value. We have pictures and SNs saved just in case something does happen so that we can show the insurance company that we did in fact own said items.
But none of that matters now, as my boating buddy who was also acting as navigator failed to check the weather report.
But none of that matters now, as my boating buddy who was also acting as navigator failed to check the weather report.
Jorg Nysgerrig
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There have been a number of threads on this one. The most classic reason given is that some bad guy is going to see it, then file a police report and have the police come recover "his" gun. No one has ever explained why someone would go through this elaborate process when they could much more easily buy a gun with a bad check or steal it or whatever, especially as most crooks don't like getting involved with the police at all, but this is brought up as the reason all the time.
Here are some other threads about the same topic you might wish to read:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=428320
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=375301
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=417496
When it comes down to it, it probably doesn't make much difference. That said, there is little benefit to giving the whole number, so I suppose one might as well err on the side of privacy.
Here are some other threads about the same topic you might wish to read:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=428320
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=375301
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=417496
When it comes down to it, it probably doesn't make much difference. That said, there is little benefit to giving the whole number, so I suppose one might as well err on the side of privacy.
Shadow Man
Member
What you don't know can't hurt you...or me. At least, that's how I look at it.
Vern Humphrey
Member
It works like this -- you post the S/N of a gun I really want, say a first generation Colt SAA, a Python, or a pre-64 Model 70 Winchester.
I go to the police and report a burglary. When they get here, I show them where the burglar broke the window and give them a list of the missing guns, with serial numbers. Then I place an anonymous call to your police department saying you're a burglar and you just stole the following guns.
You go to jail, I get your guns.
Jorg Nysgerrig
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So what happens when I not only produce a receipt for the gun, but I also show the police a picture from 5 years ago with me holding the gun over a trophy buck, and present an airtight alibi that proves I didn't travel half-way across the country last week when the supposed burglary occured?
Oh, that's right, you go to jail for filing a false police report.
I don't know how things work deep in the Ozarks, but in the rest of the US, a person can't just point at someone else's stuff and say, "That's mine, he stole it!" and the police say "Oh, well alrightly then", seize the item and automatically hand it over.
doubleh
Member
For the very simple reason that it's no one's business but mine and I don't ever publish any part of a serial number.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Do you have a receipt for every gun you own, one that will stand up to scrutiny? Does the photo show the serial number of the gun? And are you sure your alibi is air-tight? Especially if I happen to live in the same town?
And do you really want to take the risk, for no possible return or profit to yourself?
X-Rap
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Its just privacy, I feel much more offended by the question than you should by me keeping things like that to myself.
The woman I shared toilet paper with might have had a reason to see my guns and their serial numbers, someone from internet? probably not.
The woman I shared toilet paper with might have had a reason to see my guns and their serial numbers, someone from internet? probably not.
#43
Hiding serial numbers in photos?
43. 1. Privacy. Some folks just don't like giving out anything. 2. Paranoia. The old saw about someone reporting your gun as theirs will require filing a false police report which is felony. The cops take a very dim view of people doing this so you may expect to be prosecuted. I do not personally know of it ever happening and certainly not actually working. 3. Paranoia II. Some people try to conceal the fact that they own guns in case the government ever comes to confiscate them all. Good luck on that. I never had a problem caused by revealing serial numbers and neither have others I have spoken with who do it routinely. If you are uncomfortable doing so then don't. But it's highly unlikely that anything would ever come from doing it.
Hiding serial numbers in photos?
43. 1. Privacy. Some folks just don't like giving out anything. 2. Paranoia. The old saw about someone reporting your gun as theirs will require filing a false police report which is felony. The cops take a very dim view of people doing this so you may expect to be prosecuted. I do not personally know of it ever happening and certainly not actually working. 3. Paranoia II. Some people try to conceal the fact that they own guns in case the government ever comes to confiscate them all. Good luck on that. I never had a problem caused by revealing serial numbers and neither have others I have spoken with who do it routinely. If you are uncomfortable doing so then don't. But it's highly unlikely that anything would ever come from doing it.
mustang_steve
Member
My guns have matching SNs....that SN is Nunya.
Nun ya business!
Nun ya business!
Vern- Does the person making the false claim have those things you mention? What makes you think anyone will listen for 2 seconds to someone claiming that he just happened to see his stolen gun posted in a forum?
Cops get false reports from people trying to cause others trouble enough to recognize a scam when they hear one.
Cops get false reports from people trying to cause others trouble enough to recognize a scam when they hear one.
Jorg Nysgerrig
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As SaxonPig said, Vern, the burden of proof of ownership is on the person making the claim.
I already stated there was no benefit to sharing it. However, that doesn't mean that one should invent all sorts of boogeymen to reinforce that decision.
I already stated there was no benefit to sharing it. However, that doesn't mean that one should invent all sorts of boogeymen to reinforce that decision.
nalioth
Member
I wish I had a nickel for every one of these posts that spawn anew. . .
I have seen the practice on performance car forums were people spend thousands of dollars on custom car parts. I think it's a valid concern since your often discussing those parts and your licence plates can lead a crook to your address.
License plates are publicly registered and can give someone your address. A gun serial number cannot.
I post all my serial numbers freely, even my NFA items. I have absolutely zero worry that someone is going to get ahold of them by filing a false police report. Hell, I'll paypal $10 to anyone who can show that that has ever successfully happened to a gun owner since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
I post all my serial numbers freely, even my NFA items. I have absolutely zero worry that someone is going to get ahold of them by filing a false police report. Hell, I'll paypal $10 to anyone who can show that that has ever successfully happened to a gun owner since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
R.W.Dale
Member
As an online buyer and seller I've come to really despise the boogie man serial number secrecy.
Here's a REAL reason not to hide the SN#
Some guns even those last three digits you XXX over can dramatically change the value and desirability and many potential buyers will not bother to ask.
Here's a REAL reason not to hide the SN#
Some guns even those last three digits you XXX over can dramatically change the value and desirability and many potential buyers will not bother to ask.
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