Should the serial # be shown/gaveout when posting a pre-ban rifle for sale?

clwner

Whats the deal with the serial # when posting a firearm for sale on the auctions? I see some people xxx out portions of the #, some the first couple # and some the last # and some show the complete serial. Should caution be used when taking a picture of the firearm? Thanks

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ClwnerWORK HARDER!!!! Millions On Welfare Depend On You

nmyers@home.com

Most people who x-out part of the serial # delete the LAST few digits; as you know, the first part of the serial # is important if you are concerned about pre/post ban, or a model change.Actually, most people who do this don't even know why it is done; they just copy what others are doing. The only reason I can figure out for this practice is that the seller is unsure whether or not the gun was stolen at some time. With no national registration and the refusal of DOJ to allow civilians access to the NCIC, even a used gun bought from a store may turn out to have been stolen at some time in it's history. If the gun was stolen, and the original owner has proof of ownership, a police complaint would result in the return of the gun to the original owner, and the seller would get nothing. This would happen regardless of the number of hands the gun passed through.Neal

JudgeColt

Dr. Pig (I assume you have determined that you passed your doctorate exam by now. Did you announce it here?), you analysis is exactly right. There are some nuts who could use the true serial number to cause trouble, perhaps successfully. Of course, there is the remote possibility that a real theft victum would recognize the serial number as well. I doubt that a false report would be a felony in many states. In most states, the level of the charge is based on the underlying charge about which the false report was made. For example, if the false report is an attempt to steal a $500 gun, which is probably a simple misdemeanor in most states, the false report would also be a simple misdemeanor, with very low penalties. If the value of the gun were higher to where the theft would be an indictable charge, then the false report would probably be indictable at the same level.

Herschel

I believe that many of the XX's for the last two digits are used for fear that the gun was stolen at some time and the lawful owner will be able to get it back. I think that a person filing a false theft report to commit fraud would be liable to civil as well as criminal penalties.

Boomerang

I really don't think that people believe their guns are stolen. I have pre-bans and do not care to publish the serial number for privacy purposes only. One really only needs the prefix and first three numbers to verify a rifle is preban or postban. That is fair to know and is all I will give out on the web. When the person buys it I have no problem giving out the number. If one is worried that they are getting ready to buy a stolen firearm, then ask the question via email before the purchase. If they answer in the affirmative to legally owning the rifle and know that the rifles history is clean, then buy it. If not, then don't. BTW, no one in their right mind (even a criminal) is going to traffic in illegal guns on the internet and then create a paper trail by using the internet. Boomer

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Protect our Constitutional Rights. [This message has been edited by Boomerang (edited 11-05-2001).]

TED GAR

Only myself and my insurance agency need to know my serial numbers. I guess most folks like myself just dont VOLUNTEER imformation. [This message has been edited by TED GAR (edited 11-06-2001).]

luger01

OK, let's turn this around and ask, "Why does every potential buy need to know the serial number? I'll give out the first digits to perspective buyers, and the whole thing to the winner and his FFL, but give me one good reason why everybody needs to know the serial number.It's a simple matter of not giving out information that is not pertinent or necessary to the whole damn world.