How can you check the history of a gun?

[highorder]

it has been entreed into a datebase and if is is recovered and that number is run it will come up. it has nothing to do with a gun being registered. it has to do with a database not alot unlike the database for wants and warrants.

Ok, here's the thing;

The point of this thread is to gain insight into EXACTLY what databases exist, who has access to them, and how complete they are.

You seem to think that they just "create" a "database" whenever they get information?

How many stolen guns, cars, etc. get scribbled on a legal pad and end up in a manilla folder, or the trash?

Note what Jim said above:

In states or cities that require gun registration, the police will have a data base of guns, but obviously that will not be all the guns in the area. Police also sometimes have records of guns used in crimes or guns reported stolen, but those data bases are so full of holes as to be about useless.

You said that you call LEO's and they search a database. Do you have any additional concrete information, or are you simply guessing as to the procedures and capabilities of your location?

 

[TPS]

i have watched them do it. thats all the "concrete" i need. i dont care "what" the gun has done, as much as i care if the gun is "wanted" in connection of a crime. exactly what database exist in your area is im sure different than here where i am.

 

[highorder]

You have given us no real information on what actually exists in your area.

Apparently, NC has a voluntary database:

With the sole exception of Durham County, if you are a law-abiding citizen who lives in North Carolina you are entitled to possess the firearms you currently own without any hassle or red tape. Some county sheriffs, inundated with inquiries from people who move to NC from more restrictive areas where registration or ownership permits are required by law, have instituted voluntary notification procedures. In other words, if you have a burning desire to tell a public official about your private possessions, in some counties they will take your information and store it in a computer database.

http://www.ncrpa.org/ncgunfaq.htm

 

[TPS]

there is NO registration of guns in NC. hope that clears that up. in no way did i say or intend to imply there is any kind of local or state database. it is national. and it works. if your gun is stolen and you call your local LEO and give them the specifics on your gun i have no idea what they will do with that info. but IF they enter that info into the system and your gun turns up in a drug bust in calforina you will be contacted stating that your gun has been recovered and will be returned to you if possible.

 

[highorder]

there is NO registration of guns in NC. hope that clears that up. in no way did i say or intend to imply there is any kind of local or state database.

Thank you for the clarification.

it is national. and it works.

You're speaking of the NCIC database. As has been stated here before, it's woefully incomplete.

your gun turns up in a drug bust in calforina you will be contacted stating that your gun has been recovered and will be returned to you if possible.

If your gun was recovered from a crime scene, it will usually not be returned.

 

[TPS]

usually being the key word. thats why i said in my post it would be returned if possible. and it is possible. and many recovered guns get sold thru dealers. as woefully incomplete as NCIC is i would much rather know that i was in posession of a gun that was on it than not. and yes it does work. if you was wanted on felony warrants in ohio and you were pulled for speeding in utah and the man run YOUR numbers guess what............... your going to jail. same system. is it flawed? sure it is. has there ever been any system or anyone that has been without flaw? just ONE......... and it aint NCIC

 

[Leader]

Just as a point of information, In Michigan, we have registration for handguns.
Handguns CAN NOT be bought or sold at pawn shops.
If you contact any police (local up to state) and request them to "run the numbers" on a gun, they CAN NOT do it by law.
When you go to register a handgun, they do check to see if it has been reported stolen or was used in a crime. If so... you loose it. If you can't provide them with enough information about where you got it, you WILL be arrested.
Guns used in crimes get destroyed after the trial. Stolen guns ... sometimes don't manage to find their way back to the original owners. Some of them seem to get lost.