Have you ever used "hotgunz" to check if a gun you want has been reported stolen?

[venomballistics]

LOL, my work computer shows me as "hiding behind a proxy" too - but that is a security measure, not an indication of anything nefarious going on. My domain is registered to a corporation - not an individual.

I'd expect a company site, such as smith and wesson to be registered to said company.

In this case we have ...

Registrant Name: Registration Private
Registrant Organization: Domains By Proxy, LLC

why would you hide in this way if your intentions were noble?
It may mean nothing, it may mean everything. it does raise my eyebrow though.

 

[model3sw]

I'd never heard of the site and doesn't sound it's much worth bothering with.
In 1977 when I came back to Michigan from Oklahoma the handguns I brought back had to be registered here. I went to the local PD to do so and my S&W model 19 came back as stolen from a California Highway patrolman. Everything matched except his was a model 28. Officer running the check said he was getting a little concerned about me as the teletype machine was printing that out.

If so, the number was run without the letter prefix. K for mid frame and S or N depending on when the Model 28 was made.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Again
Why isn't NCIC available to private citizens?

 

[model3sw]

Our agency offers a safe place to conduct online sales (ie Craigslist, etc) face to face transactions.

We also will run any serial numbers for.you (from anything that has a serial number) through NCIC before you finish your transaction.

Several agencies in our area offer the same service.

Same here in Florida. Many agencies allow and most recommend that if you are to meet someone from Craigslist (not specifically designating to purchase a firearm) to arrange to meet them in the lobby of a designated Police Station. Although you cannot bring a gun into the lobby, there is usually an outdoor area to sit and talk. If the seller is a total stranger, and objects to meeting at the Police Station, you should give serious consideration of whether you should meet with that person at all.

 

[oldRoger]

I don't think that a serial number by itself is definitive. I suppose someone with a deep knowledge could make a stab at the maker by looking at some serials, but mostly they are not unique to a maker or model.

For example; I had a Custom 1911 made; when it was finished the maker asked me what serial number I wanted. As long as it was not a duplicate of any he had, my number was good.
I used my Army serial number, when I was in the Army, serial numbers were unique and not your SS#.

 

[BC38]

I'd expect a company site, such as smith and wesson to be registered to said company.

In this case we have ...


why would you hide in this way if your intentions were noble?
It may mean nothing, it may mean everything. it does raise my eyebrow though.

Oh, I don't know. Why would you use software ore browser settings to hide your identity when you're on the internet? Privacy? Not wanting to be a target of the anti-gun bunch? There are other less nefarious reasons than what you imply.

Like I and others have said, without any other identifying information the serial numbers mean nothing - the vast majority of them might as well be just a random string of numbers. There's really nothing the site owners can do with them.

The movies portray it as anyone who wants to can find out anything they want to about anyone they want to on the internet. Despite what they show in the Bourne series of films, and the last installment of the Die Hard franchise, the sea of data that is on the 'net makes it difficult to pull off the kind of data mining feats that they portray.

Can the government do it? Maybe - some of it. Do they have the resources - both hardware and personnel, to devote to tracking down all the details about the activity of average schmoes like you and me? Hardly. If they feel that you are worthy of that kind of attention, they have a lot easier ways to gather info and make a case against you than trying to data mine your activities on the 'net.

 

[PR24]

Been to more than a few incidents where a person bought a gun from a pvt. party only to discover its stolen. WHRUUH WRHOO.

Several honest folks have walked into our PDHQ & asked we check NCIC for their used pvt. party purchased firearm. They didn't feel right about and sure enough, it's hot & they're out $$$. However they are all more than willing to provide any and all info about the seller.......now they're pissed!

I don't buy guns from private parties except close friends & co-workers....generally I know the history of said firearm anyway. No surprises.

 

[PR24]

L

Again
Why isn't NCIC available to private citizens?

Because it's a felony to misuse NCIC and the FBI/DOJ will NEVER allow that. We as LE wil get in a lot of trouble and or indicted for misuse of CJIS system on any level, state or federal. It's happened; a former detective from my PD was charged & convicted US Dist. Court for misuse of ACJIS & NCIC for repo men. Well, he deserved it! It's not like he DIDN'T know it was illegal..

Buying pvt party is a roll of the dice, unless you know them very well. Better safe than sorry vs. having to explain to the fuzz that you didn't steal the gun.

I've dealt with many folks who got screwed by dirty gun sales. They're the honest ones & are bummed that they're out the cash, but at least they're not in handcuffs.

If it's too good to be true, it is.