Why hide the SN number of a gun ?

[Ed45]

To not disclose the serial number is ridiculous. If antis or bad guys could use them for nefarious reasons all they would need to do is cruise a gun show and collect hundreds of them. Never heard of that happening

 

[BUFF]

Once, I posted a photo of my prized tin foil hat on the internet. The serial number was clearly visible. Someone stole it. I won't do that again.

 

[CJS57]

The gun could have been stolen 50 years ago and then worked its way back to being apparently legitimate. Someone looking for Grandpa's long lost revolver does an internet serial search and comes up with YOUR gun on a forum! Now you lose your gun and your investment even though you yourself did nothing wrong. That is the reason.

 

[DWG]

Because they saw someone else do it and think they are suppose to... other than that, there is no real reason unless the tin foil hat is fitting too tight...

That is why I did it ( the "saw someone else do it" part, not the tin foil hat; mine fits quite well, thank you). I figured there must be some reason for it since so many were doing it. Like mom always said "if they jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?" Now we know the answer; yes, I would! :=(

 

[LikeOldGuns]

The gun could have been stolen 50 years ago and then worked its way back to being apparently legitimate. Someone looking for Grandpa's long lost revolver does an internet serial search and comes up with YOUR gun on a forum! Now you lose your gun and your investment even though you yourself did nothing wrong. That is the reason.

Possible, I suppose, but then the person making the claim would still have to produce 50-year old proof of ownership and a period police report showing it was reported stolen. The probability is so low that you're probably more likely to get hit by lightning, which I suppose is another reason not to wear a tin foil hat.

 

[NFrameFred]

I figure that no one has a reason to know my serial numbers, . . .

THIS /\ /\ /\

It's nobody's business unless they're planning on sending me money for the gun. This thread gets rehashed with the same tired results every time a newbie wonders about the X's on serial numbers. I don't care if you want to post your SSN and your shoe size - that's your business. Just don't be such a putz about how someone else takes care of their business . . .

 

[bullmack]

I thought everybody knew-

It's a well known fact that the 'greys' monitor gun forums regularly and record serial numbers. One day, just before the saucers start landing for the invasion of earth, they'll punch those serial numbers into their transporters and beam those weapons up!
Without a serial number, they can't transport them.

You may have noticed that UFO sightings have dropped in recent years because they are currently occupied in another part of the galaxy. In their absence, they have hired Bigfeet to monitor the net for serial numbers for them. This is why Bigfoot sightings have dropped- they stay inside on their computers more.

Don't take my word for it- snopes it!

and since I just read Lee's explanation on the internet is HAS TO BE TRUE!

 

[Fat Old Guy]

I remove the address label from magazines before I donate them to the library. Why? Why give a nut one more piece of information?

 

[chief38]

I just feel there is absolutely no need for people to know more than they need to - especially regarding firearms. Weather or not listing the FULL serial number will cause a problem isn't really my main issue, but quite honestly on a 6 or 7 digit serial number what would be the purpose of listing the last number or two? You can certainly date a gun without knowing the last 2 numbers and IMHO there is just no good reason to list the full number. More than likely there will be no harm, but personally I don't think it would be much help either as far as looking things up, so why supply the entire numbers when not necessary ?

When I finish reading my old gun magazines I also remove the mailing label with my address - like someone else stated, why advertise "guns are in my house"? You never know where that magazine will wind up.

More than likely, 99% of the members here are probably honest upstanding guys, but we have no idea about the other 1%. Remember....... this is a free public forum!

OK, so maybe I am a bit paranoid too................

 

[Invictus357]

I believe there is no real reason to hide it. But I do it anyway.

 

[Neumann]

You don't have to file a (false) police report to cause mischieve with a stolen serial number. It can be done anonymously over the internet to a variety of forums (fori) or an auction site. It could be used to register a stolen weapon (what's one more felony), even applied to an ilicitely manufactured or stolen weapon. That's safer than you might think. A serial number you read from a site like this one is unlikely to be reported stolen in the near future.

This applies to cameras and cars too - frequently spoofed for any or all of the above reasons.

 

[KJM]

Guys, I love reading all the excellent threads on this Hand Ejectors sub forum and other specialist gun forums but am a little confused why some people conceal the last numbers when showing pics of their guns - how could someone else knowing Mr X owns a M&P serial no. 710700 jeopodise or be a threat to Mr X ??

I own a few nice revolvers which I plan to photo and post here but am not concerned if someone else knows the whole SN. The fact people regularly do conceal the whole SNs concerns me if I am missing something.

I may be being a little nieve here but I just dont get it !!

Thanks for a great forum guys


Mike

This sums it up nicely Mike...

The Kinks - Destroyer + Lyrics! - YouTube

 

[glasseye 44]

After you have had your identity stolen as I have, you will remember to give only, name, rank and serial number.

 

[Richard_]

That's a great song!

 

[Teddydog]

Thanks guys - that clears that question up quite nicely !!!

Dont quite believe that Bigfoot is now spending more time monitoring the internet on behalf of the aliens, how would his big fingers operate the tiny keypad buttons......the risk of double keying and making mistakes on S/Ns would be too great.

Naw....the Aliens gave Big Foot a special Big Finger keyboard (not compatible with MAC, though).

 

[powderburns]

I thought everybody knew-

It's a well known fact that the 'greys' monitor gun forums regularly and record serial numbers. One day, just before the saucers start landing for the invasion of earth, they'll punch those serial numbers into their transporters and beam those weapons up!
Without a serial number, they can't transport them.

You may have noticed that UFO sightings have dropped in recent years because they are currently occupied in another part of the galaxy. In their absence, they have hired Bigfeet to monitor the net for serial numbers for them. This is why Bigfoot sightings have dropped- they stay inside on their computers more.

Don't take my word for it- snopes it!

HA! I Knew it!, So I'm NOT crazy...

 

[charlies]

Lee
You are right on target except for the color they are green not gray....

 

[riverrat38]

"The probability is so low that you're probably more likely to get hit by lightning, which I suppose is another reason not to wear a tin foil hat."

You just need to keep that hat screwed down tight and well grounded. A nice long drag wire is in order!
There is more danger that "THEY" will read your mind than that you will get hit by lightening!

Rick

 

[GM4spd]

It's NOT paranoia if they really are out to get YOU! Pete

 

[RKmesa]

I do it because the "x" key on my keyboard gets so little use. This is a good way to get it some more X-ersize.