Stupid question of the week: stolen guns?

Basically I would think it's the same as any stolen property. Get found with it and at best they'll just confiscate it, short of charging you with stolen merchandise. So you'll be out your money AND the gun! Don't know about any stolen databases, whether local, State, or Federal.

There is a database of firearms that have been reported stolen; that is why, when a LEO encounters a gun in the field, he will run the serial number by his dispatch (or possibly through his mobile computer).

I don't know if or how you could have a gun checked against that database; perhaps your local LEA could tell you.

Lost/stolen guns are listed on the NCIC data base. If anybody is offered a KelTec P-32(ser. 37811) in Virginia or Tennessee, it's mine, I want it back.

Maybe we should have a stolen/lost thread on this website

Maybe we should have a stolen/lost thread on this website

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Would there be some sort of legal issue with that? If there's not, I misplaced a 155mm, self-propelled Howitzer last year (forgot which section I parked it in) , so if anyone finds one, I'd like it back.

Yeah, thats hilarious Fiero . Guns DO get lost. In my case, I was traveling, in my GF's car, pistol in the door map pocket. Traveled from Covington,VA to Memphis,TN. Made 4 stops in route. Somewhere along the way, the bottom of the map pocket came loose and the pistol fell out in a parking lot. Probably as I was getting in the car, as I would have seen it fall out as I was getting out of the car. The really crappy part is that it took me FOUR(THAT'S 4, as in 1-2-3-4) law enforcement agency referals before someone would take a report and post it on NCIC!!!!!! The officer who finally took my report assured me I would not be charged with any negligence and thanked me for making a report.

1KPERDAY,looks like I hi-jacked your thread,sorry.

Do they keep the records from sales or would you have to know your serial number?
The reason I ask is with the exeption of my more recent purchases I have not kept the paperwork (I misplaced it)

Oh and there are no stupid questions there are just stupid people who dont use the search function for things that have been discussed numorous times
(This is not one of those times)

I have made sure to photograph and keep records of my firearms as well as backups (I do electronic and paper) each time I get a new one. hopefully i will never have a firearm stolen, but if I do it may help me out. I bet it would be a PITA though if you had a big collection and had to do it from scratch.

The reason I ask is with the exeption of my more recent purchases I have not kept the paperwork

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perhaps it would be prudent to go through your guns and make a list of makes/models/serial numbers just like you would any other valuables you say wanted insured

Maybe we should have a stolen/lost thread on this website

Would there be some sort of legal issue with that? If there's not, I misplaced a 155mm, self-propelled Howitzer last year (forgot which section I parked it in) , so if anyone finds one, I'd like it back.

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Sure, provide the serial number. If it ever turns up someone can contact you and get it back to you, or tell you someone tried to sell them it with the same SN.

I've asked a few officers from local pd, Sherrifs & CHP about checking a gun & got the same answer. They can run it but if it comes up stolen, used in crime etc they have to take it in. The ones I asked would be "nice" & say in the report it was found in an alley or field but I'd be out the gun.

My former department would not run the numbers unless they had the gun in their hands.

Pilgrim

In other words, if I buy a rifle from a local, private seller, and that rifle turns out to be stolen, do I have any recourse other than my own record that I bought the gun from so and so?

All stolen or lost guns should be entered in NCIC. It's generally easy to determine where a gun was stolen but as another poster mentioned you might have a hard time reporting a lost gun if you're not sure where you lost it.

If I buy a long gun from someone I get a Certificate of Elgibilty (a state form that doesn't get sent anywhere but for your records) and appropriate ID. This would cover me from being charged in possession of stolen property but like any recovered stolen property I would be out whatever I paid for it.

As far as any record (unless your state has some kind of registration for long guns) once a long gun is sold generally it depends if the original seller remebers who he sold it to. A friend bought a rifle new from a dealer and then sold it to someone else he knew. About 10 years later he got a call from ATF. Apparently the guy my friend sold it to moved to AZ. There he sold the rifle to the 3rd owner. This guy sold the rifle to a 4th owner who used it to murder someone. No one got in trobule but the murderer but it was only because all owners remembered who they sold it to was there any way to trace it.

I know of someone who bought a gun that was stolen in NJ and several years later recovered by NYPD. NYPD said they couldn't return it to the owner because he didn't have a NYC permit even though he was a LEO in NJ. He said he couldn't have a NYC permit because he lived in NJ. It took about a year but he got the gun back. If you run the sn on the gun it hits as a recovered gun.

I don't know of any LE agency that would run a gun thru NCIC on a civilian's request. They might recover more stolen guns that way but I would also be concerned about what records the LE agency would keep if they did this.

what is it and how much is it?

Florida FDLE stolen gun database: http://www3.fdle.state.fl.us/fdle/guns_search.asp.

In my area, the running of a weapons S/N is viewed as opening a criminal
investigation; which is a NO-NO, unless a duly sworn officer/deputy, etc.
has probable cause. In most instances, the LEO would need to have the
firearm in question "in hand"; just in case a NCIC check revealed a "HIT",
whereas he/she would have too confiscate the weapon and most likely
make an arrest for being in possession of stolen property.

FWIW, the use of government computers9 NCIC) for personal gain is a very
serious offense; with consequences being possible termination, loss of all
benefits, and jail time. We just recently had a former sheriff convicted on
these charges, and he is currently awaiting sentencing.

First off, I don't think that was a "stupid" question. In fact IMHO very, very few questions are stupid when they concern firearms.

And somewhere in one of the gun forums I seem to remember a stolen gun list. Can't remember which one right at the moment though.

Cataloging your firearms

I am very particular with my firearms. I keep the reciepts, any info I get at the time of sale, & record the Model, S/N etc & I get pictures of each one, a closeup of the S/N & a picture of me holding the firearm...just to have a good record. Everything then gets locked in our safe with other docs. I don't want to leave ANYTHING to chance. I have all my firearms secured...however if you have the will NOTHING is impossibe.

Just like credit/debit cards, make photocopies of front & back so you have the card#'s & phone #'s to customer service.

I'm freaky like that.

FWIW, the use of government computers9 NCIC) for personal gain is a very
serious offense; with consequences being possible termination, loss of all
benefits, and jail time.

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I can see if you were using it for your business I can see that, but I wouldn't consider making sure you aren't buying a stolen gun that will later be confiscated if the SN is run by a LEO would be personal gain. More like protecting yourself from loss. You can run a Carfax for a used car.
I'm not disagreeing with you, I heard about the case you are referring to. I just think it's a shame we can't CYA. After all, WE are paying for that system.
How do FFLs check numbers when they take them in? Could they offer a service to the public (say $5 a check)? Of course that would be considered personal gain I suppose. We need a national system like florida has. :banghead: