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Checking rifle serial #s as a non-FFL

BlueTicBlueTic Member Posts: 4,072
edited January 2002 in Ask the Experts
Is there any way to check serial #s of a rifle or gun that I bought at a gunshow or sale to see if it is possibly stolen????
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Comments

  • Der GebirgsjagerDer Gebirgsjager Member Posts: 1,673 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Tricky question! In my state (Oregon) dealers can call the State Police at an 800 number and check serial numbers for free. BUT, if the gun comes up stolen they will be around to pick it up, and (hopefully) return it to it's rightful owner. We're in south-western Oregon, and a dealer-friend of mine had this experience awhile back when he took 5 handguns in on trade and one turned out to have been stolen 7 years earlier in Portland. I think any law enforcement agency would run the number for you, but you'll take the chance of losing the gun. Hope you know who your seller was, because you have every right to come back on him for the sale price if the gun is hot.
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I bought a handgun from a friend of mine several years back, he got it from his brother, who was a known drug dealer. I called the police from a pay phone in town and asked them to run the numbers before I bought it, they were happy to do it, and it was not stolen. This was in Cali. too, surprised they were willing to help like that. I used the pay phone so the caller I.D. wouldnt have them knocking on my door, if it was stolen.
    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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  • bartobarto Member Posts: 4,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    search isthisgunstolen.com -they are currently working on the sight but it seems to be a good one. barto
    the hard stuff we do right away - the impossible takes a little longer
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  • kidsgunkidsgun Member Posts: 148 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think we need to turn this one around ask ask ourselves..."would I want my stolen firearm recovered and returned to me?" I never buy a gun without getting the the name and address from the seller from their drivers license. It may save me some embarrassing questions in the future and even get some money back. If they choose not to provide the info, I decline the purchase.
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  • jetjet Member Posts: 543 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    kidsgun good advice thanks.
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  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I call from a payphone when I want to be sure, and the police are happy to help. I try to do so before the purchase, I memorize the serial number and make the call first, however, in your case, just make the call from a payphone. If it is stolen, you have the choice of being the good citizen who loses his investment to return it to the owner.
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