My cousin is offering me a really good deal on a particularly rare handgun -- the problem is, I don't trust him and I think he's a bit shady. Where would be a good (and free!) place to submit the serial number and see if this is legit?
2006-08-01 12:15:20 · 8 answers · asked by MakeMusicNotWar 3 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
Most police stations and sheriff departments have access to the national crimedata base systems that lists all reported stolen serial numbers. But a lot of guns are not reported as stolen due to other considerations, if you get my meaning.
If you run the number and it is hot, then the police are going to confiscate the weapon if you have possession and may question you about things if you do not. BE prepared to take some crap from these people.
Unless you are going to resell the rare handgun and if you o plan to keep it forever or until your cousinsteals it back, and youhave a safeor other place tokeepit hidden,follow your heart's desires.
2006-08-01 13:20:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Most people have mentioned running the serial through the police department, which I agree is correct.
However, don't expect the police to do this for you. I purchased a rifle from a person online and he was close enough where I drove and looked at the weapon first.
Out of precaution, I called the police to run the serial number. I called my local PD and they told me that they didn't want to do it and recommended they call the firearms unit of the State Police. I called the firearms unit of the State Police and they told me to call the Local PD. I called the Local PD again and they still weren't going to help me. I called the County PD and they told me that they could run the serial number, but could not tell me what the results were as they were considered confidential.
Out of desperation, I even called the ATF to try and run the serial number (of course, they told me to call the local, county, or state police).
Your police department may run it for you no problem, but I figured I'd share my short story just so you are prepared for a run around.
I don't get why the PD wouldn't do this for me. If this was a stolen weapon, I would have provided a link to the person possessing it, but I guess they don't think that way.
2006-08-01 14:31:16 · answer #2 · answered by Slider728 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, my uncle owns an outdoor store and when somebody comes in wanting to trade in or sale he always looks at the serial # or something like that and calls the manufactuer or the place the person bought it from or where the original person got it and then you know if he stole it
2006-08-02 05:14:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Offer to pay your cousin a couple of bucks extra to take the handgun to a dealer/FFL and make the transaction legit/legal...If he says no, well then there you have it, you will know the deal was not on the up and up...
2006-08-01 21:33:18 · answer #4 · answered by jack 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the local police department. Any number turned in stolen to them will be in there data base.
2006-08-01 12:48:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
check to see if the serial number has been filed off. That would be the first sign.
2006-08-02 06:13:03 · answer #6 · answered by esugrad97 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are web sites but I don't have a link. Google it.
2006-08-01 14:32:52 · answer #7 · answered by Report Abuse 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
police dept.
2006-08-01 12:20:24 · answer #8 · answered by biggun4570 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋