Destroying serial numbers

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69Chevy

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Is it illegal to destroy serial numbers on legally owned firearms? I know some people make their own weapons, and they don't have serial numbers.
 
yes, altering or removing the serial numbers is a crime.

IIRC its also a crime to sell a non serialized firearm (but if you make one for yourself, assuming its not illegal in some other way, no serial number is a non issue).

Many antique guns have no serial numbers as well, so just because you've got a gun with no SN doesn't mean its illegal.
 
I doubt there is any good reason, but why? Its my property, I should be able to do what I want with it. And if you do, what do they charge you with (Not that I am going to try this, just curious)?
 
stop trying to make sense out of ANY gun law ... they aren't designed to make sense, they're just designed to empower the government and make gun ownership just that little bit more difficult.
 
12090. Any person who changes, alters, removes or obliterates the
name of the maker, model, manufacturer's number, or other mark of
identification, including any distinguishing number or mark assigned
by the Department of Justice on any pistol, revolver, or any other
firearm, without first having secured written permission from the
department to make such change, alteration or removal shall be
punished by imprisonment in the state prison.

12091. Possession of any pistol or revolver upon which the name of
the maker, model, manufacturer's number or other mark of
identification has been changed, altered, removed, or obliterated,
shall be presumptive evidence that the possessor has changed,
altered, removed, or obliterated the same.
Click to expand...

Notice there is even the prohibition of removing the "maker" on a gun. When engraving you have to be careful not to "hide" the listed info as it falls under "altered".

If a filed off serial number can be "raised" in a lab, why is the number so necessary to the street cop? ;)

Justin
 
69Chevy wrote "Its my property, I should be able to do what I want with it."

Your right, go ahead, and while you are at it, fix the sear so if fires full auto, cut the barrel off, and finally why not build a suppressor for it also. Let me know how the judge reacts to the comment "Its my property, I should be able to do what I want with it." (I am not sure how many of us will remember your post in 10+ years, but those that are still on this board will find the story amusing.)
 
why is the number so necessary to the street cop?
Click to expand...

So the lab guys can squeal with glee and say "AHA! Just as I suspected: this is a Jennings!"

One good reason for it however, is if you had a gun stolen and it wasn't used in a crime, you might be able to get it back someday if it is ever recovered. That's more convincing than pointing out the scratch in the dust cover your dog Fido made.
 
He didn't say that he was going to do it, he asked why. I agree that I should be able to do what I want with my guns, including,
fix the sear so if fires full auto, cut the barrel off, and finally why not build a suppressor for it also.
Click to expand...
but will not do it because I don't not want to break a serious, law or two.
 
(k) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to transport, ship, or receive, in interstate or foreign commerce, any firearm which has had the importer’s or manufacturer’s serial number removed, obliterated, or altered or to possess or receive any firearm which has had the importer’s or manufacturer’s serial number removed, obliterated, or altered and has, at any time, been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

18 USC 922
Click to expand...
 
Federal law aside, in most state jurisdictions it is also a crime.

In Florida, for example, it is a felony to alter or remove the serial number and it's a first degree misdemeanor to possess a firearm that has been altered in such a way.
 
I just finished buffing the finish on my Airweight to a Mirror shine I was extra careful not to remove anything I would prefer to avoid club fed. I don't really want to find out if I am attractive to other inmates--Last time I checked they don't have COED dorms in most prisons. On a side bar I once visited a Women's prison most of the Ladies weren't exactly my type. The attractive ones had usually murdered their boyfriend or husband.
 
Considering that:

Any person who changes, alters, removes or obliterates the
name of the maker, model, manufacturer's number, or other mark of
identification, including any distinguishing number or mark assigned
by the Department of Justice on any pistol, revolver, or any other
firearm, without first having secured written permission from the
department
Click to expand...

What's the likelihood of getting permission to remove these markings so as to put them back on in a more skilful, subtile fashion?
 
There isn't any point in doing it anyway. The serial # can be retrieved. When they stamp it in, the steel molecules are compressed beneath, and they can read it through some kind of microscopy and chemical process.
 
There isn't any point in doing it anyway. The serial # can be retrieved. When they stamp it in, the steel molecules are compressed beneath, and they can read it through some kind of microscopy and chemical process.
Click to expand...
sort of agree to that . there are always exceptions. for instance on my Ar-15's it would be easy to just make a hole in the magwell where the SN is . it would look kinda silly though. :neener:
 
What's the likelihood of getting permission to remove these markings so as to put them back on in a more skilful, subtile fashion?
Click to expand...

Im not sure of the process but I do know some AK builders will move the markings to the bottom of the receiver to make them less obvious. I wonder of "moving" them fall under this. Assuming you stamp the exact same information.
 
What's the likelihood of getting permission to remove these markings so as to put them back on in a more skilful, subtile fashion
Click to expand...

i bet it is impossible in most places, not that big a deal in others depending on the sheriff, i mean why not be able to change the number to something more interesting , or just a better redo, especially if you added first, then brought it in to show what you needed to remove?
still most depts probably would laugh at you.

as long as it is stamped in, unique, and recorded, why not?

as far as why can't we remove our own?
really?
besides the stolen aspect mentioned already, you're kidding right?

why can;t i just go out , buy 100 guns, file off the #s, go bankrupt, or better yet, die, and let the guns get sold off to whoever wants them...

not gonna happen in this world
 
Remember folks this is NOT firearms specific, it's just the same, for example, with cars and the VIN number and airline parts. The assumption, and it's not particularily unreasonable, is that an individual will only alter, amend or obfuscate the number for nefarious means. This could be for theft and resale, counterfeiting etc.

Of course, if as was mentioned at the beginning, the firearm is a home made one then there is no requirement to imprint a serial number although it would, in some jurisdictions make it difficult to sell on.
 
stop trying to make sense out of ANY gun law ... they aren't designed to make sense, they're just designed to empower the government and make gun ownership just that little bit more difficult.
Click to expand...
yep
I can own a S&W 500 out right but By God if my shotgun barrel (or ruger 10/22 barrel) is less than 18 inches.....:banghead:
 
I have no problems with the serial numbers, my beef is with those ridiculous warning labels they force manufacturers to imprint on the guns
 
+1 to Phoenix, its ugly... <rofl>

That being said.. my HK has a plate embedded in the polymer. (no clue how good, i don't care personally if it has a serial or not, so no need to remove it) wonder if that has an effect tho on the whole "sub atomic magical chemical molecule harry potter get yer serial number thingie." :) :) :)

Course for all i know its got the number elsewhere too... beats me, ain't looked for it that hard as i said :)

J/Tharg!
 
"...ridiculous warning labels they force manufacturers to imprint on the guns"

Manufacturer's choice.
They are not required by law or regulation.
 
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