Stolen Gun Database?

[RossA]

I have asked this question in different places before, and never really received an answer which seemed like it gave me the information that I need.
The police/FBI/someone must have a list or database of guns which have been reported as stolen, or maybe suspected of being used in a crime.
We all know that it is perfectly legal for two individuals to do a face to face, in-state sale of privately owned guns. What if the gun I am buying from someone turns out to be on a database of stolen guns? Maybe the seller knows it, and maybe he bought it unknowingly. I sure don't want to buy it under those circumstances.
Shouldn't there be some way for law abiding citizens to look at a database and see if the gun they are about to buy is wanted by the police?
Thanks in advance.

[n5wd]

NCIC, the National Crime Information Center, maintains a database of stolen property, including guns, that are reported stolen to the local police. By law, it is available for searching to every police department in the country. It is maintained by the FBI.

For many reasons, it's not publicly searchable, but if you're friends with a cop, perhaps he'll run the weapon for you. The problem is that there are usually multiple hits on any search, since serial numbers are not unique amongst the various manufacturers.

[RossA]

That's the point. You have to be a cop to get into the database. The lack of information could allow an honest citizen to buy a stolen gun and turn him into a criminal.

[twomillenium]

That's the point. You have to be a cop to get into the database. The lack of information could allow an honest citizen to buy a stolen gun and turn him into a criminal.

I am not aware that it would turn you into a criminal. It usually takes due process to do that.

[RossA]

As far as due process, maybe you haven't dealt much with the criminal "justice" system.
Also, trafficking or receiving stolen goods is a crime. Try saying " I didn't know it was stolen." You will likely get to spend money to bail yourself out of jail and lots more money to hire a lawyer to convince a jury that you are innocent.

[Vol Texan]

That's the point. You have to be a cop to get into the database. The lack of information could allow an honest citizen to buy a stolen gun and turn him into a criminal.

I am not aware that it would turn you into a criminal. It usually takes due process to do that.

I find it interesting that we work so hard to dissect and mince each others' words on here. Remember, sometimes, it's just a figure of speech.

Case in point (of course, this is a purely hypothetical situation - I'd never admit to this in court):

Our best friends live near Washington Street here in Houston, with tons of places to eat within walking distance of their home. We were out with them recently for dinner - and chose one of these walking locations close by. We ate on the patio - and I never stepped inside the building. We had a great meal with good friends, and then, as we were getting ready to leave, my wife stepped inside to visit the ladies' room, and came right back outside just seconds later. She had seen the 51% sign, and she was carrying (of course), so she decided our best course of action was to leave immediately. She let me know why (I was carrying as well), and we left with our friends, without making a big deal about it. The friends know us, and know we carry, and they understood why we wanted to leave. Nothing big was made about it - it was a simple mistake.

Two weeks later, we were getting ready to go to another place with the same friends. Before leaving their house for the walk over, I checked to see if the selected location was another 51% place...and sure enough it was. Both my wife and I left our guns locked in their home before leaving and made the joke, "We don't want to become felons again, like last time."

This is the point where someone could decide to mince words with us and tell us that it would take due process for us to become felons. That person would focus so much on being a grammar or legal purist that they'd simply miss the point. We don't want to accidentally break the law, and we used a figure of speech to clarify it. Talk about missing the forest for the trees!

The conversations on this forum get sidelined so often by this type of activity, and I often wonder if we're not our own worst enemies. This is such a distraction, and I wish the behavior would change.

twomillenium, sorry if I picked on you specifically for this. It's just that it happens a lot (from a lot of people), and I seem to have a little spare time on my hands today to complain about it.

[twomillenium]

That's the point. You have to be a cop to get into the database. The lack of information could allow an honest citizen to buy a stolen gun and turn him into a criminal.

I am not aware that it would turn you into a criminal. It usually takes due process to do that.

I find it interesting that we work so hard to dissect and mince each others' words on here. Remember, sometimes, it's just a figure of speech.

Case in point (of course, this is a purely hypothetical situation - I'd never admit to this in court):

Our best friends live near Washington Street here in Houston, with tons of places to eat within walking distance of their home. We were out with them recently for dinner - and chose one of these walking locations close by. We ate on the patio - and I never stepped inside the building. We had a great meal with good friends, and then, as we were getting ready to leave, my wife stepped inside to visit the ladies' room, and came right back outside just seconds later. She had seen the 51% sign, and she was carrying (of course), so she decided our best course of action was to leave immediately. She let me know why (I was carrying as well), and we left with our friends, without making a big deal about it. The friends know us, and know we carry, and they understood why we wanted to leave. Nothing big was made about it - it was a simple mistake.

Two weeks later, we were getting ready to go to another place with the same friends. Before leaving their house for the walk over, I checked to see if the selected location was another 51% place...and sure enough it was. Both my wife and I left our guns locked in their home before leaving and made the joke, "We don't want to become felons again, like last time."

This is the point where someone could decide to mince words with us and tell us that it would take due process for us to become felons. That person would focus so much on being a grammar or legal purist that they'd simply miss the point. We don't want to accidentally break the law, and we used a figure of speech to clarify it. Talk about missing the forest for the trees!

The conversations on this forum get sidelined so often by this type of activity, and I often wonder if we're not our own worst enemies. This is such a distraction, and I wish the behavior would change.

twomillenium, sorry if I picked on you specifically for this. It's just that it happens a lot (from a lot of people), and I seem to have a little spare time on my hands today to complain about it.

Why would someone write something they feel they must apologize for, when they have edit or don't send capabilities available? Besides if you think you were picking on me, then you need to get better at it because I didn't think anything negative about it. So, no apology needed. I guess I have assisted you enough in sidelining this thread.

[carlson1]

It is not the Government, but it does have a lot of stolen guns listed. You can always check it before buying.

http://www.hotgunz.com/

[flechero]

Maybe a benefit of small town living but I have walked into my local PD and asked them to run one for me. They didn't bat an eye- even thanked me for checking it out. If you are in a big town, maybe call them and ask but they have a "public" entrance and most have a reception type person you can talk to. She called an officer to come up front to assist me.

[RossA]

I can see where a small town PD or sheriff might be more friendly to running such a check. I can imagine the response if I walked into a Houston PD or Harris County Sheriff's office and asked for such information.
Heck, I ought to try it just to see what kind of looks I get.