why do people block out the serial number of a gun online?

[Stopsign32v]

I see people blur out 3 or so numbers in old 1920s bolt action rifles and 1960s revolvers. Why?

 

[Onomea]

It doesn't matter what the firearm is. Some people worry that if they publish the SN that the government could trace the firearm to them and confiscate it, if the government decided to do so.

At least that is why I think some people conceal the SNs.

You can figure out the year of manufacture if you have most of the preceding numbers, a fact which many buyers are interested in knowing.

 

[jimbo728]

Privacy concerns.
Jim

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

 

[SW MP15]

Kind'a like posting a picture of your cars VIN or tag number. It's really no body's bussiness.

And what if I see your serial number and I report that gun of yours stolen from me? Tell em it's been in my truck or in my closet for years and I just recently found it missing. Especially if the gun was never registered to you through a FFL. You'll have a harder time proving its not stolen, than I would proving it was stolen from me! I could always falsify a bill of sale and claim your gun.

I was selling a car once, a young couple came and looked at it. Drove it and wrote down the VIN the miles ETC. I figured nothing was up, that they were going to run a CarFax, no big deal? But I never heard back from them. About two weeks later a Bank or Loan company, called me asking where the title was? I said in my safe, he asked where the car was, I said in my driveway! He said the couple got a loan on my car? WHAT? He had gotten my info from the VIN registration from the DMV and at that time, my phone number was listed in the phone book. I told him too bad! That was his problem. Not mine! He said he could attach my title! I said go ahead and I'll see you in court for theft and fraud and have him arrested! Because I still had the car and the title in my name and in my procession! I never heard back from the jerk! It was his stupidity, to loan them the money, without the Title!

So ever since, I've been very cautious about serial and vin numbers? Their are all kinds of Fruit Cakes out there and now with high tech computers and high quality printers. Scam artists can ruin your life!

Just my opinion!!

 

[Stopsign32v]

And what if I see your serial number and I report that gun of yours stolen from me? Tell em it's been in my truck or in my closet for years and I just recently found it missing. Especially if the gun was never registered to you through a FFL. You'll have a harder time proving its not stolen, than I would proving it was stolen from me! I could always falsify a bill of sale and claim your gun.

What proof do you have that you ever owned it to begin with? What are you going to tell the police "Stopsign32v has my gun that was stolen". You would run into all sorts of jurisdiction problems assuming you can find where I live.

 

[eb07]

What proof do you have that you ever owned it to begin with? What are you going to tell the police "Stopsign32v has my gun that was stolen". You would run into all sorts of jurisdiction problems assuming you can find where I live.

PLEASE do not take this the wrong way.... I'm just trying to give you a lesson in the internet

I could just report it stolen in the state of NC.... was easy to find your home state....then a year or two later say I saw it online and report it. Not to mention when I googled your screen name, your instagram account has your full name.... other links have your state. then I can google your name and state or pay for a quick data check you can go on from there.


Honestly, you haven't figured out how: devious, desperate, conniving, stupid, ridiculous criminals are yet? Or you are naive that anything on the internet is private and nobody can find you.

 

[Rule3]

There is a LOT more to reporting a gun stolen than just the serial number.

Do people think that someone who found your serial number to the gun can just call the local PD and report it stolen??

Doesn't work that way, the person "reporting it stolen" would have a boatload of paper work to fill out. let alone dealing with BATFE

 

[M E Morrison]

There is a LOT more to reporting a gun stolen than just the serial number.

Do people think that someone who found your serial number to the gun can just call the local PD and report it stolen??

Doesn't work that way, the person "reporting it stolen" would have a boatload of paper work to fill out. let alone dealing with BATFE

That's not true. After my home was burgled it was a very short & easy process reporting it to the State Police. BATFE was never involved.

 

[SaberOne]

I do it for the reasons I can't think about.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Sounds like a lot of attention somone would be bringing directly to themselves by inviting the police to get involved up front in their scam.

Knock knock...

Mr ChattanoogaPhil, I'm officer XYZ. I'm following up on a stolen gun report on a S&W 642 that somone claims your are in posession,

Ok officer, here's a 642 I own. Is this the one you're looking for?

Yes.

Here's the sales receipt from Carter's down the road in 2014 when I bought it. I can show you the Discover card transaction here on my iPhone, and on your way home stop on by Carter's and verify the log book. Say hi to Ray for me.

Sorry for the bother. Sounds like we have a fraud case for the ATF.

Happy to help. Cheers.

 

[Muss Muggins]

PLEASE do not take this the wrong way.... I'm just trying to give you a lesson in the internet

I could just report it stolen in the state of NC.... was easy to find your home state....then a year or two later say I saw it online and report it. Not to mention when I googled your screen name, your instagram account has your full name.... other links have your state. then I can google your name and state or pay for a quick data check you can go on from there.


Honestly, you haven't figured out how: devious, desperate, conniving, stupid, ridiculous criminals are yet? Or you are naive that anything on the internet is private and nobody can find you.

I will buy you a new S&W pistol of your choice if you can show me that somebody has done this successfully, or even attempted it without being charged with a crime . . .

 

[SW MP15]

NCIC

What proof do you have that you ever owned it to begin with? What are you going to tell the police "Stopsign32v has my gun that was stolen". You would run into all sorts of jurisdiction problems assuming you can find where I live.

Easy, A broken window in my truck at the mall. Report it stolen. Police fills out a incident report. You sign the report. Show him him a back dated reciept.

And once it's reported stolen it would automatically be in the National Data base NCIC, it is a nation wide federal stolen hot sheet. It would be concluded its stolen. And if your stopped while carrying it, or try to sell or trade it to a FFL. The crook wouldn't have to know you, or your name. Or what state your in. Just the serial number. I don't think a crook would go to all the trouble for a Rossi. But a high dollar Python or maybe a rare engraved Browning Side By Side, might be worth the trouble, what's a crook got to loose? And I have even seen members of this forum get guns back after years of being stolen, all because they reported the gun as stolen and it was on the NCIC hot sheet! And someone got caught with it! And about the only charge a crook may get if caught filling false a report is a slap on the wrist a misdemeanor for filing a false police report?

Like I stated, I don't take chances. I've heard way too many horror stores. About grandpaw dies and a family member takes grandpaw's guns after his death, sells them at a Gun Show or online and another family member gets mad months later and reports them stolen. And if The guns are never located and you had bought one of the guns at the gun show, ten years later you try to trade it in. Then you've got allot of explaining to do! And you didn't do nothing, but buy a gun. They'd probably just take the gun, but you'd just look stupid and out the money and the gun.

This also goes for lawn mowers, mini bikes ETC. get a bill of sale with all the peoples DL info and address when buying it! The make, the model number, color etc. If it's later reported as stolen, by an ex wife or ex husband your covered! You still may loose the item to the police. But ask em what more could you have done? If they don't want to do a formal bill of sale. Walk away!

If you want to see my serial number, even my riding mower, your going to have physically come and see it. Even if I email it to ya, I'll X out the last few numbers!

And ALWAYS keep a list (log) and discription of all your fireams along with the serial numbers in a very well hidden place. In case your car or house gets broken into and report it immediately!

 

[Rule3]

That's not true. After my home was burgled it was a very short & easy process reporting it to the State Police. BATFE was never involved.

Read my post, I was not talking about the rightful or legal owner of the firearm..

I have your serial number so when I fill out a false report of it being stolen what does that get me? What verification do I have, I have to make up a whole series of lies.

 

[SW MP15]

Not True! NCIC was involved! If reported correctly!

That's not true. After my home was burgled it was a very short & easy process reporting it to the State Police. BATFE was never involved.

If it was reported as stolen. Along with discription and serial number given. It automatically goes on the NCIC hot sheet in two to three days.

Just ask any policeman! I'm hoping one of fellow members that are currently or retired policemen will put their 2 cents on the subject!

 

[M E Morrison]

Read my post, I was not talking about the rightful or legal owner of the firearm..

I have your serial number so when I fill out a false report of it being stolen what does that get me? What verification do I have, I have to make up a whole series of lies.

I did read your post - you claimed a boatload of paperwork & the BATFE were involved.

They weren't.

 

[M E Morrison]

If it was reported as stolen. Along with discription and serial number given. It automatically goes on the NCIC hot sheet in two to three days.

Just ask any policeman! I'm hoping one of fellow members that are currently or retired policemen will put their 2 cents on the subject!

OOPPSS! Now I see what you mean - I had thought that meant they would come to my door.

 

[vonn]

Very funny! Choked on my drink!

 

[Stopsign32v]

PLEASE do not take this the wrong way.... I'm just trying to give you a lesson in the internet

I could just report it stolen in the state of NC.... was easy to find your home state....then a year or two later say I saw it online and report it. Not to mention when I googled your screen name, your instagram account has your full name.... other links have your state. then I can google your name and state or pay for a quick data check you can go on from there.


Honestly, you haven't figured out how: devious, desperate, conniving, stupid, ridiculous criminals are yet? Or you are naive that anything on the internet is private and nobody can find you.

I see what you are saying but it simply does not and cannot work that way. You can't simply see my serial number online, break a window in your home, report me as having your gun and then get mine. Like I said before what proof do you have it was ever yours? If your theory worked you could go to any pawn shop, see a used gun, say it was yours and then take it home for free.

 

[Stopsign32v]

Read my post, I was not talking about the rightful or legal owner of the firearm..

I have your serial number so when I fill out a false report of it being stolen what does that get me? What verification do I have, I have to make up a whole series of lies.

And in the end get in trouble for filing a false claim.