Definitive way to know a gun is not stolen?

[Weg]

Does anyone know of a way in which you can find out if a gun has been reported as stolen by serial number? The reason I ask is because I recently purchased a handgun through a person to person transfer. I do not think it is stolen, as the seller gave me his license to look at and a business card.The thing is, I want to start carrying it and would hate to be stopped by an officer, then have it run and it come up stolen. I just want to be sure.

[Bart]

You can write down the make, model and serial number and go to your local PD and ask them to run it.

Even if they run it, the only thing that proves is the number isn't in the database. It could be stolen and not reported yet. It could be reported to their local police but the information isn't in the database you checked. It could be stolen but the incorrect serial number was entered into the database. It's very difficult to prove a negative.

[Mike1951]

But if it is stolen, expect to lose your firearm without compensation.

[Weg]

Thanks, not worried about losing it, just worried about what happens to me if I have it in my possession.

[randomoutburst]

I always write up a bill of sale for any FTF purchase. It has the gun's serial number, make/model, both of our full names (and phone numbers if possible), both of our signatures, and the date of transfer. Each party gets a copy, and I keep mine in my lockbox.

If it ever turns out the gun was stolen, you at least have some document with information about where you got it and when. It may even be considered a legitimate form of proof that you are not at fault.

Be safe out there!

[cougartex]

Here is a stolen weapon website, I have never used this site.

http://www.stolenweapon.com/Stolen-Gun-Home.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[OldCannon]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but if you're that worried, just buy new guns. Think of the higher price as a "Not A Stolen Gun Insurance Policy"

[gigag04]

That website is useless...

Checking the TCIC/NCIC database is the best way of ensuring it isn't stolen. Your local PD *should* be willing to assist you in this. Even their dispatchers/intake personnel may be of assistance.

[MoJo]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but if you're that worried, just buy new guns. Think of the higher price as a "Not A Stolen Gun Insurance Policy"

[QB]

90% of my guns aren't in production anymore so there aren't any new ones to buy. But I have receipts for all of them. If they turn up stolen I suppose I'd lose them but I could at least prove I didn't steal them.

[OldCannon]

It also bears mentioning that a large number of stolen guns are NOT known to be stolen or are not reported as stolen.

No, I can't find the stats to back that up right now, I'm being lazy this morning.

[shootthesheet]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but if you're that worried, just buy new guns. Think of the higher price as a "Not A Stolen Gun Insurance Policy"

[puma guy]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but if you're that worried, just buy new guns. Think of the higher price as a "Not A Stolen Gun Insurance Policy"

I was cleaned out in 1995 and lost many weapons. Most of them I had the receipts and or boxes for even though many were purchased 30 years prior. Unfortunately my prized Superior Grade Charles Daly O/U was one of the few that I could not prove with a serial number. It was in pristine condition except for a ding about five inches in front of the heel of the buttstock. I hit it on the angle iron of a rack at the skeet range the first day I shot it. It was a very distinctive mark and I even drew it for the investigating officers. There was a slip on recoil pad in it as well. Inside the recoil pad I had put my first and last initial. (I needed the extra LOP and was in a hurry) I never got around to putting a permanent pad on it. The slip on was a Buddy Schoellkopf which has a round logo on the side. I searched pawn shops and gun shows for years and years. If you ask anyone who knows me they'll tell you I don't give up. I went to every online auction site there is and even bought a couple of daly O/U's. I sort of stopped looking but kept the automatic notification on Gunbroker active. Lo and Behold I see a CD same barrel length choke and grade for sale. I take a close look. It has a slip on recoil pad and even though the detail is not good it looks like the round Schoellkopf logo. I do a buy it now even though I can see the condition is about 85% and get the gun shipped to my FFL. You know the end of the story probably. I pull it out of the packaging. See the recoil pad first, look at the heel ....there's the ding. It looks like the right ding. The recoil pad IS a Schoellkopf. I pull it off, which took some doing as it was stuck and I didn't want to tear it. Get it off look down in where I had put my initials and though a little faded I see them both. It's my gun without a doubt. I call the dealer in California and ask him if he knew anything about the gun. He said he bought from an old man who said he was the original owner. I explained that I had no intention of putting him on the spot or anything like that but that would be impossible since I purchased it in 1969 where I worked. He asked me why I hadn't given him the serial number before and because I had no record he of course thought I could be mistaken until I told him about the initials inside the slipon. Moral - Never ever give up.

[aaronc]

Here is a stolen weapon website, I have never used this site.

http://www.stolenweapon.com/Stolen-Gun-Home.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just wanted to stop in and thank cougartex for the post.

Best Regards,
Aaron Crowder
Founder/StolenWeapon.com