Social Security numbers on guns

Jebus35745 · Mar 31, 2012

I have a K-22 with the ser no 73XX. Under the grips there are 2 SS numbers used as means to identify the gun if stolen. They don't bother me being there bc they don't show and they are a part of the past life of this gun. Is there any way to look the SS numbers to identify the previous owners? It would be interesting to know whom they were. Larry

Mr Pokeyman · Mar 31, 2012

Years ago it seemed to be common knowledge that if you engraved your SS# on your property the police would be able to get your stuff back to you if it was stolen. Unfortunately, SS would never co-operate with us. My Dept had several little engravers that we loaned out to people. They were told to just put PA(our state abbreviation)and their drivers license number. We could run that and get their name and address in seconds. I used to find stuff all the time that I knew was stolen. I would call Social Security and explain it to them but they would never give out the identity of the person.

jrm53 · Mar 31, 2012

Some where there is a Supermatic citation with barrel weights and my SS # under the grips that I traded to a friend in 1974 whose house was broken in and the pistol taken, he always thought the police thought he faked it for the insurance. Jeff

GF · Mar 31, 2012

I think there should be a special place in Hell just for people who engrave numbers on firearms.

Wouldn't it be easy just to write down the serial number that's on the gun?

GF

sophie · Mar 31, 2012

Writing down the serial nos. would be too easy.

Those who engrave nos. on guns are inherently stupid to think it is a more secure way to get the guns returned in case of theft. I have seen a few cases where their engraving even came beyond the grip area. What a disgrace to do this to a firearm.

______
James

m1gunner · Mar 31, 2012

GF said:
I think there should be a special place in Hell just for people who engrave numbers on firearms.

Wouldn't it be easy just to write down the serial number that's on the gun?

GF

Serial numbers are not unique. The make, model, and (often) caliber must also accompany the ser number to positively ID the gun.

If a non-gun person finds a revolver with XXXXX ser number on it and it says "S&W 38" on the barrel, that might be what they put on the form for make and model.

For any guns older than 20 years, or so, it isn't real obvious as to make and model of many guns.

Also, serial numbers are written wrong, or incomplete. No standard format for gun serial numbers, even today. SSAN is a standard format ID number (but as mentioned, LEOs can access owner info from it).

charlie sherrill · Apr 1, 2012

Run any combination or three or four digit numbers on NCIC and you will get multiple "hits". Same thing happens on more than four digits, just not as often. If you report a gun stolen you need to have make, model number, finish, type (semi-auto, revolver, etc.) and of course the serial number. Run numbers and other numbers are often entered as serial numbers and cause even more confusion. In over 50% of guns stolen the owners don't have the serial numbers recorded. With some of the newer guns the numbers can be retrieved from the store where they were purchased, even after several years. On the older heir stuff if you don't have the numbers recorded you're just out of luck. Some pre 1968 guns don't even have serial numbers. On these you might want to engrave a DL number somewhere that it doesn't lessen the value of the gun.

tacticamp666 · Apr 1, 2012

Amen brother!

AVCook · Apr 1, 2012

No one can convert a SSAN to a name and address. The SSA simply refuses.

Every weapon I own is marked UT DL 240XXXX where it does not show.

Alan V. Cook, N7CEU
Life Member, ARRL.

LoboGunLeather · Apr 1, 2012

Back in the 1970's I was assigned as a property crimes detective, always stacks and stacks of burglary and theft reports. It seemed like everyone was engraving their SSN on everything they owned, but nobody had serial numbers. Our property room was always full of stuff that there was no way to trace ownership of, including many firearms. Served any number of search warrants on known burglars with houses crammed full of stolen property, frequently engraved with other peoples' SSN's, but no way to positively identify the stuff or connect it with reported stolen items.

Moonman · Apr 1, 2012

I saw a Model 17 at a gun show, I picked it up, turned it over, and to my SURPRISE:

Someone had scratched their 3 initials on the side (not under the grip) with what appeared to possibly be a NAIL!

It about made me sick to see and hold that 17.

jimmyj · Apr 1, 2012

JIMMY IS GUILTY!!
Of my six childrens the first five are one year to 18 months apart.
Number six child is 11 years from Number 5.
For Birthdays and Christmas I gave firearms to them for presents.
Each "Present" I had a professional engraver put the name and date on the firearm.
In the world there are six each of S&W Models 34,19,25,29, Colt Cobras and satin nickel Combat Commanders, and S.A.A. Also Ruger Bearcat and Blackhawks plus pre-64 Wincheter Model 94s.
Jimmy ( could the Hailstorm yesterday be "Pay Back?)

diamonback68 · Apr 1, 2012

I have a gun with a SSN under the grips on it. Looked it up and found out the guy was born 7 days from my birthday, same year, lived 80 miles from were I live now and died in 2008. There's a lot you can find from a SSN.
Back when this practice was in vogue it was useless and it didn't work very well, but now with the internet all that information is easy to find.

mkk41 · Apr 1, 2012

GF said:
I think there should be a special place in Hell just for people who engrave numbers on firearms.

Wouldn't it be easy just to write down the serial number that's on the gun?

GF

Like the guy who carved his name in an otherwise prime 4-screw Mod.14.

OTOH , it's MY gun and I'll mark it to show my ownership if I so desire. However , I'd do it under the grip or otherwise hide it.

kraigwy · Apr 1, 2012

No one can convert a SSAN to a name and address. The SSA simply refuses.

It use to be common to put SSN on items. But like the comment above, that's not a good ideal.

When I was in LE we had to distroy several guns and sell at auction other items because the SSA wouldn't give us info on the SSN.

If its got a serial number you don't need it. If it doesn't and you want to add a number use your Driver's License Number.

Even if you have a Serial Number, or add you DL number, take pictures to go with you gun list.

This doen't only apply to guns but any other items of value.

It really sucks as a cop to have recovered stolen property and can't return it to the owner because he/she used a SSN as the only means of identification.

Personaly I use my registered Brand (Live Stock Brand). The Brand is registered to my wife an me. No one can use it.

On guns w/out a serial number I put it in a hidden spot that doesn't distract from the gun (or other item). If something is stolen, in the report I would list the item and location of the brand or mark. Simple enough to check it out. and any sheriff or state LE can check with the Wyoming Stock Growers Assn and get my name and address from the Brand.

Armyphotog · Apr 1, 2012

Hmmm. I had never thought of that angle that the Social Security wouldn't help out law enforcement. I wonder if you went through the F.B.I., if you would have better luck. You know, one government agency to another. (You know there is a Federal statute that prevents anyone from asking or using you SSN for identification, but it is largely ignored today, unless you take it to court. Then they loose. We had a student at our college, which routinely used SSN for i.d. purposes, take us to court, and of course, won, so we had to established a different set of i.d. numbers. Most states do that as well for driver's licenses, although they are breaking federal law to even ask for your SSN.)
Like I said, you have to go to Federal court to make your point.

Alk8944 · Apr 1, 2012

kraigwy said:
Simple enough to check it out. and any sheriff or state LE can check with the Wyoming Stock Growers Assn and get my name and address from the Brand.

But if it is recovered in ND or FL how would the agency have any idea to check the WY brand book??????????

mkk41 · Apr 1, 2012

Armyphotog said:
You know there is a Federal statute that prevents anyone from asking or using you SSN for identification, but it is largely ignored today, unless you take it to court.

Yet , your SSN is also your military ID number.

Ogandydancer · Apr 1, 2012

I have a stolen Ruger Security Six floating around somewhere that I engraved my DL# on and it is not visable but, it's really a bad idea and it seems to me that a SS# would be an even worse idea.

DeathGrip · Apr 1, 2012

Don't know what this guy was thinking. Here's some old pics. of one a friend has and wanted to know if he had something special.

For your viewing pleasure let me post these........

Social Security numbers on guns

Well-known member

US Veteran

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Member

Member

US Veteran

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US Veteran, Absent Comrade

US Veteran

US Veteran

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US Veteran

US Veteran

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