Identifying data on firearms removed...

[lemaymiami]

Noted that another thread on this topic was closed and thought that there might be a bit of info that ordinary shooters would like to know about that topic... Yes, there are a few firearms in general circulation that have the serial either removed or altered. All of them are prohibited and just possessing one is a criminal offense - both in federal and state law (my only state reference is Florida but I suspect that almost every state has similar laws on the books..). I'd be interested to hear if any particular state doesn't not have such a statute on the books.

Most (but not all... ) means of removing a serial number on a firearm can be defeated by a skilled forensic technician - and the original serial number can be restored (at least enough for a subsequent trace). I won't describe the one means of removing a serial number that is in fact permanent (at least not on a public thread...).

What I learned years ago was that the main reason that serial numbers were removed from a weapon was to conceal its origin and provide some cover for on-going weapon thefts. As already noted mere possession of a weapon with serial removed or altered gets the guy holding it a ticket to a prosecution - but that's not why the weapon had the serial removed in the first place generally... At least that's my take on it...

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Keep in mind that rimfires and smoothbores produced prior to '68 may not have a factory serial number at all.

And a handful of Marlin Levermatics......oops.

 

[SunnySlopes]

Then, you have:

Ex-convict used ‘ghost gun’ in deadly Riverside police shootout

https://fox5sandiego.com/2019/08/16/ex-convict-used-ghost-gun-in-deadly-riverside-police-shootout/

I've never heard the term used for a 80% lower assembled gun. I assume that's to which they refer?

“Ghost guns” are firearms manufactured without serial numbers, making them difficult for law enforcement authorities to trace...

Gun parts can be ordered online and assembled at home, the ATF said.

 

[SharpDog]

I've heard 'Ghost Guns' refering to 3D printed guns:



What You Need to Know About 3D Printed Guns and Why You Don’t Need to Fear them:
https://3dprint.com/139537/3d-printed-guns/

3D printed firearms:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printed_firearms

 

[Charlie Horse]

I've never heard the term used for a 80% lower assembled gun. I assume that's to which they refer?

Yeah, it is and I have. There was a TV reporter locally who did the usual "You are now being instructed to panic" story about "ghost guns," and she specifically mentioned 80% receivers. There was also a print story out of CA that I saw a few years back. Honestly, I don't see how the average citizen absorbs the media now, with all of the things of which you're supposed to be terrified.

 

[SunnySlopes]

with all of the things of which you're supposed to be terrified.

I bought a piece of 1/2 plywood to add a shelf in my gun safe. Stamped on the wood it said that the state of California had determined this product to cause cancer. Plywood.

 

[Tom-R2]

I am working on another 80% build 1911, none of them have serial numbers. Individuals are allowed to build firearms for personal use, so none of the ones I build are for sale. I do add specific, personal identifiers on each one. That can serve as a serial number if it would ever be stolen. But it's not a serial number unless it's stolen.

 

[Virginia Jim]

My dad left a Colt 1911 US Navy (not a1) when he passed in 1974. He said he got it when he worked in Newport News shipyard during WW2. The serial number had been ground off. It was the only gun we owned.
I didn’t know anything about gun laws when I was young so I didn’t worry about it. It was stolen during a break in in 1982.
If I had it today, would it be legal to own if I could find someone who could restore the numbers?
What if I just stamped some random numbers on it?

 

[Jim Watson]

No.
Still "contraband."

 

[Virginia Jim]

Thanks, I guess it’s someone else’s problem, now.

 

[FlSwampRat]

Keep in mind that rimfires and smoothbores produced prior to '68 may not have a factory serial number at all..

A gunsmith friend told me once upon a time that the H&R Topper shotgun, of which about 1.2 gazillion were made between start of production and 1968 when serialization began, had 28 different firing pins. Good luck guessing which was in your Topper when it broke.

 

[newfalguy101]

I bought a piece of 1/2 plywood to add a shelf in my gun safe. Stamped on the wood it said that the state of California had determined this product to cause cancer. Plywood.

Actually the resins they use are rather nasty, especially when burned..


Then again pretty much everything made in cali seems to have stuff that causes cancer...

 

[Robert]

There are some cases where not having a SN is ok. But if it came with one it has to be on there. And since we are wandering into the weeds, let's call it a day.