Question regarding posting photos of firearms

JRB416 · Mar 17, 2023

I am a very new member and have been wondering about any potential downsides to posting photos of personal firearms on the website. Could there be potential security issues? I'm thinking I would like to share sometime in the future but want to feel comfortable when doing so.

Let me say I GREATLY appreciate the photos, information, and stories shared by the members on this forum. Every time I log in I am educated and entertained.

Thank you in advance for your comments and advice.

Onomea · Mar 17, 2023

Well, some of us will cross off/black out parts of serial numbers. Others of us post pix with serial numbers without concern.

I have not heard of anyone who doesn't post pictures of his guns because he's worried about something other than exposing serial numbers. I suppose if you believe someone could identify you, and where you live, from your posts, and, seeing what lovely guns you have, be encouraged to come to your home and steal them, that might be a reason not to post pictures.

It isn't something I worry about, for what it's worth.

jeffrefrig · Mar 17, 2023

Actually I was thinking maybe it’s a good thing because if you got robbed whatever gun you posted here would be further proof that you owned at least That gun. For example a passed down gun from Dad. In PA there’s no paperwork anywhere unless you have it listed in your files. There would be a picture in your old posts.
And to edit I add post those gun pics!

JRB416 · Mar 17, 2023

Your reply is worth a lot, and the photo you provided is one of the very reasons I enjoy this forum so much. Great looking revolver!

JRB416 · Mar 17, 2023

jeffrefrig, I hadn't thought of that one. Sort of an addendum to my current files.

Thank you.

Truckman · Mar 17, 2023

Other than showing the world how poor my photographic skills are, I see no reason not to post pics...Also I can't figure the concern over serial numbers...Why should I care whether anyone sees the serial numbers of my guns?...It's a non-issue...

...Ben

JRB416 · Mar 17, 2023

Truckman, my photographic skills are lacking too. Maybe another topic for another day?

Rustyt1953 · Mar 17, 2023

I imagine that if all the gun photos posted here since this site's inception were printed out as wallet sized they would fill the Barringer Crater in Winslow.

Everyone likes pics.

Ingramite · Mar 17, 2023

I don't own any guns. All the pictures that I post of guns on forums are pictures that I got off the internet.

No I'm not paranoid, they really are out to get me.

handejector · Mar 18, 2023

I heard if you post a really clear pic, a really good hacker can steal your gun through the internet. Seems to me like it would get stuck in the wire, but I'm not real tech savvy. Maybe they use wi-fi?

Tom S. · Mar 18, 2023

It depends on how you post the picture and the picture itself. Some camera record all kinds of data and store it with the picture. If you then embed the picture, some or all of that data could be available to those savvy enough to look for it. A good practice is to get in the habit of stripping photos of data before posting them. With a desk top, you can do this using Windows Explorer/Properties/Properties/Remove Properties and Personal Information/OK

I'm sure this can be done with Apple as well as smart phones but I don't possess that information.

pharmer · Mar 18, 2023

handejector said:
I heard if you post a really clear pic, a really good hacker can steal your gun through the internet. Seems to me like it would get stuck in the wire, but I'm not real tech savvy. Maybe they use wi-fi?

3D printer. Joe

sheepdawg · Mar 18, 2023

All my pictures were lost in a tragic boating accident.

Faulkner · Mar 18, 2023

I enjoy photographing and posting pictures from my collection. I do, though, generally try to conceal or photoshop out the serial numbers.

tinkerer · Mar 19, 2023

I would like to learn how to "take" pictures as clearly as some who post.

Ingramite · Mar 19, 2023

Several times over the years I've done a Google search on a particular pistol. Then select "images " so you see all of the pictures listed for that model.

This is useful to see what a certain pistol.with certain grips would look like.

As you're scrolling down through all of the various pistol pictures.....you find something interesting. Some of your own pistols that you posted pictures of on various forums.

OK, I was a little taken back by that.

Fishinfool · Mar 19, 2023

What Tom S. said. An amazing amount of info can be kept and displayed on a cell phone photo's EXIF information, including your exact GPS location. That can all be turned off in camera prior to taking a photo.

Larry

Faulkner · Mar 19, 2023

tinkerer said:
I would like to learn how to "take" pictures as clearly as some who post.

The "trick" to photography is knowing how to manage lighting. Too much as well as too little lighting, plus wrong light angles, can kill an otherwise good photo subject.

StrawHat · Mar 19, 2023

And let us not forget, (hand out tinfoil hats now) those who may be watching our each and every move will be able to know what we have.

Kevin

wundudnee · Mar 19, 2023

Ingramite said:
Several times over the years I've done a Google search on a particular pistol. Then select "images " so you see all of the pictures listed for that model.

This is useful to see what a certain pistol.with certain grips would look like.

As you're scrolling down through all of the various pistol pictures.....you find something interesting. Some of your own pistols that you posted pictures of on various forums.

OK, I was a little taken back by that.

I have noticed the same thing with many of my pictures. I once had a guy e-mail me and asked if I was selling a particular rifle. He remembered it from seeing it on one of my posts. It seems someone lifted my picture and was trying to sell him my gun. I post quite a few pictures and don't worry too much about it. It's not much of a secret that I have guns.

Question regarding posting photos of firearms

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