Wrong Serial Numbers On Gun Purchase Receipts.

[Phydeaux642]

I was discussing something with a friend the other day and it got me to wondering. What would the worst case scenario consequences be if a person purchased a handgun and the receipt had the serial number recorded incorrectly? This would possibly mean that that info could also be recorded incorrectly on the background check documentation. I am assuming this could be trouble for the shop even if it was a clerical error. Any thoughts?

 

[GlowinPontiac]

If you are ever using that reciept to try to prove ownership of said gun you will be out of luck if the numbers dont match.

Speaking of that i had a local shop get the serial number correct but the model and caliber wrong on a pistol i purchased. they put 9mm on the paper when it was a .40s&w.

when i noticed the mistake i called them back and they corrected it and mailed me a new reciept for the gun.

 

[steveno]

I bought a S & W M-48 from cabela's. through their computer system the serial number prints out on the sales receipt. well rather than take the grips off and look at the proper serial number on the grip frame they looked at the serial number inside of the ejector rod location. anybody that has looked at the serial number in this location knows that it can be easily misread. when I got home I took the grips off becuase I couldn't read them and be sure. the serial number was wrong for what they had in the computer. I know the guy at the gun counter so I took the correct serial back to him so they could get their records in order. no big deal

 

[ProficientRifleman]

It is a mistake on the dealer's part, not yours. If you sent the warranty card in to the manufacturer, they will honor it as YOUR purchase.

The dealer is required by federal law to keep accurate records.

When a dealer calls in a NICS check, nothing about the gun is reported, except that the dealer has to tell the NICS operator if the sale is a handgun or long gun. There are different age requirements for each, i.e. 18 and 21.

Your state, may have a registration requirement, the feds do not.

 

[stevemis]

If the receipt and pistol don't match, you probably want to stay out of New Orleans.

 

[COK]

I have had this happen in NY , not the most gun friendly state. I had already registered the gun and it was an easy fix , the dealer fixed the reciept and the permit was changed . No big deal.
The issuing office thanked me for correcting the mistake.

 

[KiltedClaymore]

if it's stolen (or you get it confiscated), the cops will not give it back to you unless you have the original receipt and the serial numbers match.

 

[makarovnik]

You're hosed. Better get it fixed ASAP.

 

[grendelbane]

It happens quite often. The old acid paper receipts don't last very long anyway. Ask me how I know.

 

[Jon_Snow]

I had something similar happen when I bought my Ruger GP100. The gun shop filled out a handgun registration form for a Taurus something-or-other .40S&W. I noticed it a couple days later and went back to have them change it, which they did, but they told me my 10-day waiting period (I live in Ca.) would have to start over. Only slightly frustrating, but oh well.

 

[wrc]

I've had a mismatch on a 4473. The dealer's monthly internal audit/reconciliation caught it. I got a free range pass to come in and sign a fixed 4473.

If the receipt is wrong, but the dealer's "real" paperwork is correct, I suspect the only negative situations are what various posters above have pointed out regarding matching a bill of sale/receipt to a firearm in an ad-hoc "proof-of-ownership" situation.

 

[scrat]

If the receipt and pistol don't match, you probably want to stay out of New Orleans.

Ouch but true

 

[Phydeaux642]

You're hosed. Better get it fixed ASAP.

How could I possibly be hosed? If I had purchased a firearm face-to-face there would be no receipt. I can see how the shop might be in hot water, but not me.

When a dealer calls in a NICS check, nothing about the gun is reported, except that the dealer has to tell the NICS operator if the sale is a handgun or long gun.

They may not report it over the phone, but it is recorded on paper.

This happened to me at a big sporting goods store. I pointed out to them that they had recorded the wrong number as the serial number and was told that there was nothing he could do to change since it was already in the computer.

 

[Seenterman]

What if you dont have the original receipt

I saved the recept from my first gun purchase for about 2 years until it no longer bore anything legable; do "they" really think paper recipts last as long as firearms? Do stores like Gander Mountain save sales records and can you request a copy of them? I wrote the S# on all my guns down would that be enough to reclaim them if they ever got stolen / confiscated?

 

[Bubbles]

Most stores these days have electronic invoicing and inventory systems. We use Quickbooks so if a customer needs another copy of an invoice it's a piece of cake to print one.

 

[trickyasafox]

I had something like this happen to me.

here in my little corner of NY, each serial number goes right on your pistol permit. so your license is only good for the guns you own- if that makes sense.

anyway- went down to sell a pistol with my dad one day- and the numbers didn't match. Guy behind the counter got all huffy and defensive. Told him it was probably an honest mistake- and to pull the files (they keep a copy of all receipts too, before they put it on your permit) well after a big show of telling us to back away from the counter and not to try to leave- he realized it had been typed wrong. . . by him. when he amended the permit last.

best part is, he typed a different one wrong that day that I was acquiring, but I now watch him like a hawk, and made him redo it on the spot.

People are human- but lets be serious- if the number is 1 number off, I think that guy should have suspected human error, not **** this kid is trying to pull a fast one.

 

[Jim Watson]

I am sure there are a good number of Smith & Wessons with their assembly numbers on the paperwork instead of the actual serial number.