What to do if someone steals a gun from you

[Kevinf2349]

I take pictures of all my serial-numbers - date-stamped.

I have all my guns logged (with supporting pictures of the guns and a close up of the serial numbers and the scan of the bill of sale etc) in Gun Safei. The data from this is backed up onto a zip drive and a CD and the CD is in the bank vault.

....but then I am a little .... erm .... how can I say this nicely......well lets just say I am pedantic about keep records about them!

By the way, I would definately recommend GunSafe as a great way of keeping records for your gun.

[rm9792]

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Criminals sometimes file the serial numbers off stolen weapons. However, if that happens, the piece would no longer be legal for you to own.
(Probably no one would investigate that far. Possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number is a serious offense in its own right.)

- Jim

You would have to get the number remarked by a qualified gunsmith/manufacturer. I already went thru this with the ATF and it is no big deal. If your gun is recovered and the number obliterated it can be remarked. I do doubt its recovery with the numbers missing though but it is possible. Most dumb criminals just gouge up the surface instead of proper removal by drilling out the metal.

[Piney]

I keep a CD with photos and a text listing of the details for my collection in the SD box and one at home.

I also emailed myself the same sets of information so I'd have quick access to it when out of town, should the need arise to provide a quick report.

[seamusTX]

You would have to get the number remarked by a qualified gunsmith/manufacturer. I already went thru this with the ATF and it is no big deal. If your gun is recovered and the number obliterated it can be remarked.

Thanks for the info. I had never heard of that possibility.

- Jim

[57Coastie]

You would have to get the number remarked by a qualified gunsmith/manufacturer. I already went thru this with the ATF and it is no big deal. If your gun is recovered and the number obliterated it can be remarked.

Thanks for the info. I had never heard of that possibility.

- Jim

Jim,

Note that rm9792 appears to be quite correctly limiting his comment to your recovery of your own weapon after its theft. As I am sure you are aware, should one happen to acquire a weapon, new to him, with the serial number obliterated, he might think twice before seeing the ATF.

Jim

[Oldgringo]

My firearms are on file with my State Farm agent who would be my first call in the event of theft or loss. Then I would contact the NRA and probably my State Farm agent and I would contact the local gendarmerie.

This is like using your CC. I hope I never have to find out what I'd do first.

[seamusTX]

I would call the cops first. Depending upon how much resources they can apply, they have a better chance of catching the thief with the goods shortly after the crime than later. Sometimes they already have a hunch as to who is operating in the area.

Insurance tends to take its sweet time with theft claims.

- Jim

[57Coastie]

My firearms are on file with my State Farm agent who would be my first call in the event of theft or loss. Then I would contact the NRA and probably my State Farm agent and I would contact the local gendarmerie.

Oldgringo's quite valid comment prompts another from yours truly. Gun owners should never blindly assume that their homeowners' policy insures firearms for their loss or theft. Insurance companies are getting more likely to exclude such coverage without an additional premium plus appraisals, and some will not even do that. Read the fine print and, better yet, get it in writing from your agent.

Jim

[seamusTX]

My homeowner's insurance has a deductible of 1% of the value of the house, which means that no single item that I own would be covered.

They haven't paid out a nickel in 14 years.

The NRA coverage seems to be the way to go. I have never had to use it, but I have seen good reports about it.

- Jim

[57Coastie]

My homeowner's insurance has a deductible of 1% of the value of the house, which means that no single item that I own would be covered.

They haven't paid out a nickel in 14 years.

The NRA coverage seems to be the way to go. I have never had to use it, but I have seen good reports about it.

- Jim

Correct -- as usual, Jim, but...

Let nobody forget that the basic $1000 coverage coming with our membership in the NRA does not go very far these days, particularly insofar as it applies only to firearms valued at less that $2500, if I remember right. Extended coverage is available thru the NRA's website, as well as special extended coverage for collectibles.

Jim

[seamusTX]

Jim,

That is good advice for anyone who owns expensive firearms or a large collection. A determined house burglary, fire, or natural disaster could be devastating. (A lot of people found out about that after Ike.)

The most I have ever paid for a single piece is $500. I'm cheap, though I like to call it frugal.

- Jim

[Oldgringo]

My firearms are on file with my State Farm agent who would be my first call in the event of theft or loss. Then I would contact the NRA and probably my State Farm agent and I would contact the local gendarmerie.

Oldgringo's quite valid comment prompts another from yours truly. Gun owners should never blindly assume that their homeowners' policy insures firearms for their loss or theft. Insurance companies are getting more likely to exclude such coverage without an additional premium plus appraisals, and some will not even do that. Read the fine print and, better yet, get it in writing from your agent.

Jim

JimS, what y'all say above is basically true; however, riders are availabe to one's homeowner policy that do cover listed firearms w/o a deductible. Over time, these riders may be more affordable than a good fireproof safe? (your call on that one)

BTW, all of these calls to insurance agent, police, fire department, etc. would be, for all intents and purposes, simultaneous.

[gwtrikenut]

A good gun safe is better than a locked closet. But, after being broken into once, I purchased a great gun safe. After one has been broken into and all your guns stolen, one then realizes how rape victims feel. Couldn't sleep for weeks. Every noise was someone else breaking in. It is a terrible feeling. So remember, like buying a gun. In time of need do you really want a $500.00 gun that may jam? Or a $1000.00 gun that won't! Fireproof safe with lots of dead bolts.

[The Annoyed Man]

What to do if someone steals a gun from you...

Shoot them with your BUG?

[HankB]

I'm just wondering if it is legal to add such markings on one's own.

IANAL, but Federal law requires serial numbering of the receiver of the firearm. That means (for example) the frame of a 1911, the frame of an S&W revolver, the lower receiver of an AR15, the upper receiver of a FAL, etc.

AFAIK, Federal law is silent on engraving or numbering things other than the receiver that's required to be numbered. In fact, things like dates are often the subject of engraving on guns and gun parts, so I would have NO problem whatsoever engraving additional numbers on other parts of a firearm such as the grips.

In fact, so long as you do nothing to obscure, impair, alter, or conceal the original, factory-assigned serial number, I don't think there's any law to prevent you from engraving random numbers all over the rest of the receiver itself as decoration.