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If you buy a gun online from an FFL dealer and it is shipped to a local FFL dealer who runs the paperwork, is the serial number of the weapon checked to make sure it is not stolen? I know the local FFL store where you pick up the firearm does the background check on you, but is there anything in the check or paperwork that makes sure the gun is not stolen? It's a used gun from a known online merchant, I just don't know what all kind of checks the gun goes through if any to make sure it has never been reported stolen somewhere along the lines. Thanks!

I don't know of any requirement for a dealer to run a check on a firearm they receive from another licensed dealer, but none of my buddies have active FFLs anymore, so there could be something new (or specific to Texas.)

I only bought online factory new. You may ask the seller to check with his local PD if what he selling (pre-owned item) is not stolen. That being said, I doubt someone selling a stolen firearm to an FFL dealer.

Thanks for the replies. Those are my sentiments as well, I don't think an FFL would buy then sell a stolen firearm but as sensitive as these things can be I'd like to do anything I can to make sure the gun isn't stolen. I will give them a call Monday morning when they open. I just didn't know if running the serial number was anything standard when a gun was sold or transferred through an FFL. Thanks!

As far as I know, the FFL transfer only involves a BG check, and does not check the serial number for being stolen. There is no requirement in Texas to run a serial number check when purchasing a firearm. I know some people have had their local police department do that for them when they purchased a used gun.

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

What's your recourse if it shows up as stolen? You already paid the online dealer.

I wouldn't have many options if it did for some reason come up as "stolen" which is why I was curious as to if FFLs run a serial check when they buy/sell a gun. It's a reputable online gun store, that also has a storefront and is a FFL, but I've never bought a used gun and wasn't sure about the process/safeguards...

There are no requirements for an FFL to check serial numbers. There is really no way for us to check them if we wanted to.

Several have mentioned going to the local PD and have them run it. That would only work I think if it was stolen in the same jurisdiction as the PD you are asking. Most counties don't share warrant info so I doubt they would share stolen firearm serial numbers. I don't think you have anything to worry about but if you are concerned that much ask the selling party what they are willing to do if the firearm turns up to be stolen. Maybe refund your money, maybe offer store credit, maybe nothing. Put the burden back on the seller if you can.

someone mentioned this on a talk radio show about a month ago, and i believe an LEO called in and said that the "stolen gun search" feature on the State of Florida website will search nationally as well. i'm not sure if that's true but here's the link anyway:

http://pas.fdle.state.fl.us/pas/item/displayGunSearch.a" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

RECIT wrote:Several have mentioned going to the local PD and have them run it. That would only work I think if it was stolen in the same jurisdiction as the PD you are asking. Most counties don't share warrant info so I doubt they would share stolen firearm serial numbers. I don't think you have anything to worry about but if you are concerned that much ask the selling party what they are willing to do if the firearm turns up to be stolen. Maybe refund your money, maybe offer store credit, maybe nothing. Put the burden back on the seller if you can.

It may depend on the department, but I believe that the serial number (if recorded by owner) is entered into NCIC.

FWIW

If you know a Pawn shop well or the owner then the fastest way to check for a stolen firearm is to have them do the check. Every pawn shop has to turn in the serial # of any firearm they get within IIRC 24 hours. That would probably be the fastest way to check.

Full disclosure: I am not a Pawn shop employee or owner just familiar with this information. Of course if it is stolen you still have issues. If you bought it online then it can still be traced to a person. Maybe take a subpoena but eventually they will find who sold the firearm. This may not get your gun back but it won’t be happy days for the seller either.

JMO, IANAL, and CBM (could be mistaken).
I am sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong.

Good luck.

wally775 wrote:FWIW

If you know a Pawn shop well or the owner then the fastest way to check for a stolen firearm is to have them do the check. Every pawn shop has to turn in the serial # of any firearm they get within IIRC 24 hours. That would probably be the fastest way to check.

Full disclosure: I am not a Pawn shop employee or owner just familiar with this information. Of course if it is stolen you still have issues. If you bought it online then it can still be traced to a person. Maybe take a subpoena but eventually they will find who sold the firearm. This may not get your gun back but it won’t be happy days for the seller either.

JMO, IANAL, and CBM (could be mistaken).
I am sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong.

Good luck.

Darn good idea you got there. Its a pawn shops business to know what they have and not take stolen merchandise. Great recommendation! Now to make friends w/ a pawn owner/employee. If you bought it already then you could ask them to run it b/c you might want to pawn it and you just picked it up used wink wink wink...

I think that if you were trying to buy a gun online and tried to specify any kind of 'stolen' check, the seller would move on to a buyer who wasn't as much trouble.