Concern for Privacy in Letter of Authenticity & Historical Data Requests

[Lestat]

I have concerns and wish some input.

I have a couple of weapons I would like to research and request the information BUT, are we guaranteed our information on the forms will be PRIVATE?

• Who can get this information?
• Are any agencies (of any kind) allowed to summon, request, seize or require the information for any reason?

If weapons go to a national pickup, I don't want mine on the list.

U.S. Constitution - Second Amendment | Resources | Constitution Annotated | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

What do you think?

 

[Dan Zulu]

Ever bought ammunition or gun parts with a credit/debit card? Joined any gun-related Internet forum (like this one )? It would be quite easy for the government to identify about 95% of gun owners. If a person is ever banned from owning guns the police would confiscate all guns they found during the search, not only the ones on an official registration list.

 

[old tanker]

You will likely find your answers here:

Search Warrant | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute

Subpoena | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute

 

[robertrwalsh]

There is no such thing as privacy of information if there is any sort of electronic transmission at all involved. That includes credit cards or checks. That also includes the transmission end. Do you really think that the government could not get into the system if it wanted to badly enough? Just because it may not be legal does not mean it would not happen. That little detail would also not prevent foreign actors or hackers from giving things a go. If national firearms registration becomes as fact it wont' even be a question except for hard-core resisters.

 

[Sistema1927]

There aren't enough police officers, assuming that they would violate their oaths, to kick down all our doors. There aren't enough prison cells to contain all of us.

Go on with your life, enjoy your freedom.

 

[AJ]

If you have ever filled out a 4473 then you are on the radar........

 

[Muss Muggins]

Mark Twain wrote in Huckleberry Finn "You pays yer money and you takes yer choice . . . "

 

[Lestat]

Buying bullets, using a credit card or posting in a thread doesn't give the serial numbers of the weapons I own. I guess I wasn't completely clear with input, thought request.

Does anyone else get it, that are collecting serial numbers?

The way I am thinking is *if* and *when* tracking weapons comes down, this will be the information used to track. Who registered which serial number for what kind of weapon. The serial seems to be the link to the common information they will need to find and seize weapons. I was flabbergasted to see S&W collecting this information. It was like a "turn your weapons in here" call... :/

I have many collectables that will never be registered but would like to get more information on them for historical value. I guess I am back tot eh laborious task for researching on my own.

I would like to know if there is anything on the TOS of S&W site that gives protection against sharing our information with outside agencies. I guess I will re-read it but my hopes are probably is self research and keeping my information private, myself.

 

[moralem]

Perusing this site doesn't automatically target you......worry about gun auction sites you peruse or even buy from. That's a far better place for them to prioritize when they are on their mission......

 

[Erocksmash]

Well get your information enjoy the gun for a week or so then take it to the local swap and send it... nobody will be the wiser....

 

[Lestat]

Mark Twain wrote in Huckleberry Finn "You pays yer money and you takes yer choice . . . "

LoL -Yep that about sums it up!

Thanks to everyone for the stir of thought.

Life is too short to worry about the gestapo raiding our homes and trying to pry my weapons from our cold, dead hands... ROFL

 

[handejector]

Buying bullets, using a credit card or posting in a thread doesn't give the serial numbers of the weapons I own. I guess I wasn't completely clear with input, thought request.

Does anyone else get it, that are collecting serial numbers?

The way I am thinking is *if* and *when* tracking weapons comes down, this will be the information used to track. Who registered which serial number for what kind of weapon. The serial seems to be the link to the common information they will need to find and seize weapons. I was flabbergasted to see S&W collecting this information. It was like a "turn your weapons in here" call... :/

I have many collectables that will never be registered but would like to get more information on them for historical value. I guess I am back tot eh laborious task for researching on my own.

I would like to know if there is anything on the TOS of S&W site that gives protection against sharing our information with outside agencies. I guess I will re-read it but my hopes are probably is self research and keeping my information private, myself.

You seem to have several misconceptions about who is doing what. I'll address them below.

I would like to know if there is anything on the TOS of S&W site that gives protection against sharing our information with outside agencies. I guess I will re-read it but my hopes are probably is self research and keeping my information private, myself.

We don't share information with anyone. Period.
We have never been asked by any government agency, nor anyone else, for our member's data.
If you think we have anything to do with providing letters or that we are connected to the S&W company you are mistaken.

I was flabbergasted to see S&W collecting this information. It was like a "turn your weapons in here" call... :/

I'm not sure what you are talking about. I don't think S&W requires any registration of new guns to be covered by the warranty.
The S&W company has nothing to do with the historical letters.

Does anyone else get it, that are collecting serial numbers?


I have many collectables that will never be registered but would like to get more information on them for historical value. I guess I am back tot eh laborious task for researching on my own.

Letters are provided by the S&W Historical Foundation. They do not send your information to anyone else. It is the only way you can verify the original configuration, ship date, and shipping destination.


If you are all that worried, have you installed a lead roof yet? You do know they have satellites scanning homes for guns, don't you?

 

[AJ]

If you have read a gun forum, get a gun related magazine, bought a gun in a gun store and filled out a 4473, been to a gun range where you have had to register to shoot, bought ammo with credit card, or any other thing that is gun related, then you are on someone's radar. If they ever outlaw guns we will be the first questioned as to where our guns are so they can collect them. That is if they are that nice, probably it will be a knock on our door with a search warrant. JMHO

 

[SAFireman]

Didja read 1984?

More and more of it is coming true.....privacy is but an illusion....

 

[AJ]

If you have read a gun forum, get a gun related magazine, bought a gun in a gun store and filled out a 4473, been to a gun range where you have had to register to shoot, bought ammo with credit card, or any other thing that is gun related, then you are on someone's radar. If they ever outlaw guns we will be the first questioned as to where our guns are so they can collect them. That is if they are that nice, probably it will be a knock on our door with a search warrant. JMHO

Didja read 1984?

More and more of it is coming true.....privacy is but an illusion....

That is what I was trying to get at with my comments!!

 

[M29since14]

I have this quaint little notion that if "they" ever come to gather up the guns, they won't bother much with serial numbers. They'll be looking for you. They know who you are and you'll be easy to find. Anything you've got, they'll take. Simple.

 

[LPD256]

I'm thinking the bigger concern for any of us would be "red flag" laws. A mad ex-wife, a crazy neighbor, or about anyone could cause that investigation. Which could result in pain for us and costs.

 

[lkabug]

Big Brother knows! Information from a historical letter is of little additional concern.
Have you read about how Bank of America used their records to track who was in D.C.
on January 6. Big Brother knows!

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Just so you know, once we enter a request, the letter is done. It's sent off to the requestor. After a short period of time I shred the original request and off to the landfill. The only one that sees what in your letter is you. I don't have the time nor the space to store all the letter requests or copies of customers letters, neither does Dr. Jinks.
Don Mundell
Assistant Historian
SWHF

 

[steelslaver]

I have this quaint little notion that if "they" ever come to gather up the guns, they won't bother much with serial numbers. They'll be looking for you. They know who you are and you'll be easy to find. Anything you've got, they'll take. Simple.

EXACTLY.

Just what serial number you have would be the very least of it. The who would be so much easier to gather than which serial number is where. Hunting license, 4473 call ins, carry permits, NRA membership, forum memberships, credit card purchases, etc etc. If they go after guns they are not going to start with some 60 year old revolver you got a letter for. I have left tracks a mile wide and a hundred yards deep.

 

[BSA1]

If I was a Governmint bad guy looking for gun owners the first place I would start is hunting and fishing licenses purchases. Since they are sold by a Government Agency there is no need for a search warrant and will give me names and addresses.

Hunting licenses are self-explanatory. A lot of people that fish often carry a handgun. Either a small .22 for dispatching snakes and turtles or a big bore for bears.

As with the others are saying there isn't a place to hide unless you go really far off-grid.

 

[deadin]

And once they confiscate everything, what are you going to do with whatever you managed to hide? You can't shoot it, carry it, display it or even let anyone know you have it.


I guess you could always go down in the basement and hide behind the furnace while fondling it....

 

[Lestat]

If you are all that worried, have you installed a lead roof yet? You do know they have satellites scanning homes for guns, don't you?

I never expected unprofessional and derogatory statements from a so called "Administrator" to a customer!
!!!Thanks!!!

 

[Club Gun Fan]

I never expected unprofessional and derogatory statements from a so called "Administrator" to a customer!
!!!Thanks!!!

Lestat
Calm down. I know Lee he was only trying to lighten was is a non issue. I can assure you the only one who see your request is Dr. Jinks and myself. We only keep requests for one year, then off to the landfill. The reason we keep them for one year, is if there is a problem with the letter we can go back in correct it. I hope to see a letter request from you in the future, if not, it's both out loss.
Don Mundell
Assistant Historian
SWHF

 

[Sistema1927]

Some people are looking for a boogie man under every rock.

Live your life, enjoy your freedom, and remember that there are more of us than there of them.

 

[AJ]

Some people are looking for a boogie man under every rock.

Aren't there????

 

[handejector]

If you are all that worried, have you installed a lead roof yet? You do know they have satellites scanning homes for guns, don't you?

I never expected unprofessional and derogatory statements from a so called "Administrator" to a customer!
!!!Thanks!!!

I guess you can't take a joke.
Again, we have nothing to do with letters. They are issued by the S&W Historical foundation, so you are not our "customer". Don't hold my joke against them.