2007-01-14 07:21:26 · 8 answers · asked by Not Laughing w/ U 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Wow, awesome answers. Thanks so much. I wish I could give you all 10 pts., so instead I'll let you all choose the best answer.
2007-01-15 05:42:25 · update #1
You can not take a gun to the police to have it identified by serial number. The only think that we can do is run it through NCIC by the serial number and see if it is stolen. That is the only think that would be in the database. We can track a gun by serial number (by starting at the last known ownewr and go from there but it is a lengthy and expensive process).
2007-01-14 08:12:49 · answer #1 · answered by River 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contrary to popular belief, and even to the movies, firearms are not registered upon purchase. I don't know where this myth started, but it is not true.
I own many firearms, handgun and rifle. There is not government agency in this country that knows anything about the personal weapons I have. The only weapon that is known is my duty weapon, as it was obviously issued to me. Other than that, there is no way for anyone to find out what you have.
The onlt exception to that rule is in the military. If you live on base, and own personal firearms, you are required to register them with the base. Again, this is only if you live in military housing. If you live off base, you are not required to.
People file off serial numbers, in the movies, and real life, to protect themselves from having charges added when they are arrested for something else and they have a stolen gun on them. If one of my firearms was stolen, I would report it. I would give the description, as well as the serial number for the firearm. When arrested, and the firearm is recovered, and found to be listed as stolen, there is another charge to add to the ones they already have.
**Added**
In response to the answer below. I did forget to put "it depends on the state" in my original answer. I am in Texas, which has very different laws than California I am sure. Even handguns in this state go through no registration process, and there is no waiting period.
Also, I can sell a gun in the classifieds and am not required to do any sort of background check. In Texas, only licensed dealers are required to do so. I don't know why, but that is the law here.
**Added Again**
The ATF only regulates the sale of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. The do not have any sort of database that tell who every firearm in America belongs to.
2007-01-14 07:54:43 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
as a private citizen you cant...any agency can request a trace thru the BATF...a serial number check will only tell you if it is stolen or not...not who owns it...guns are not registered per se..just recorded at purchase...some of the left coast states may have some kind of system but I still dont think a private individual can check anything....
2007-01-14 09:37:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take the Gun to the Police and they can run the serial numbers and you will find out.
2007-01-14 07:26:28 · answer #4 · answered by mimi 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
any law enforcement agency can tell you who the gun is registerd to all they need is the serial # and the model
2007-01-14 07:28:43 · answer #5 · answered by Alan F 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Call a local sporting store, or PD.
2007-01-14 07:24:42 · answer #6 · answered by Miss Informed 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
WITH THE CEREAL NUMBER ON IT
2007-01-14 11:41:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
fingerprints
2007-01-14 07:24:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋