IS there such a thing??

[Snert]

Between the few firearms websites I go on I have had this thought after reading classifieds..

Alot of folks are listing for firearms with face to face sales. Is there a website a person can goto to make sure the firearm is not stolen??

Take this idea.
You reply to a post for a rifle for sale. It is a good price and about a a hour from you. The seller says he'll do a face to face sale. You figure OK no big deal, You buy the rifle. A year goes by and you decide to trade that rifle in on another firearm at a dealer. Now you find out your in possesion of a stolen firearm.

Or say the same idea but instead of selling the gun later. Lets say for some reason a trooper runs the serial number, and now it turns out to be a stolen rifle.

Is there a way to make certian before you buy. Now I know that most will say have the numbers run before you buy.

Lets try this idea as well..Pressure is on.
Your at a Gun show, your heading out to your car and a fella is heading into the show. He has a rifle in hand with a forsale sign on it. You talk to the guy he's looking to sell it cheap. Now you know once he goes into the show it will be sold quickly and the deal is to good to pass up. How can one be sure its not stolen??

Or this one...A friend of mine did this (true story).

He got a call from a friend of his. To let him know of a woman selling he deceased husbands firearms. BUT the catch was a local dealer was also on his way there as they spoke. So my friend calls the lady , she gives him directions he hightails it over to her house. Well he gets there and looks things over. The big reason he hightails it, she has a Galil.. Well while hes there the dealer shows up. My friend offers a price on the Galil, the dealer trys to snub the deal. The woman not to happy of what the dealer is doing say's If you will match his offer its yours. Well my friend say no problem and seals the deal. He is now the proud owner of a NIB Galil (Action arms import- not a centry) with alot of additional accessories, OH and its in .308...

Snert

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by Snert

Is there a website a person can goto to make sure the firearm is not stolen??

No

Originally Posted by Snert

A year goes by and you decide to trade that rifle in on another firearm at a dealer. Now you find out your in possesion of a stolen firearm.

Firearms are not "checked" at time of FFL transfer so that would not happen like that.

[Snert]

Pa.Patriot..
I should have rephrased that. You sell the rifle to a dealer. He sells the gun later, The seriel number is run and then it turns up stolen. Now the dealers forms show he bought it from you.

OR the dealer decides to have the number run to cover his butt.

Snert.

[Pa. Patriot]

You have to understand that the legal system understands that long arms require no transfer. Therefor if the gun is traced back to you and the transfer to you was un papered then they have nothing on you.

They have to have proof you stole it.
They WILL take the gun, but you wil lnot face legal issues unless they have evidence of your involvement in the theft.

I ended up with one myself once. (I'm a dealer)

[Warners Surplus]

snert,
You should ALWAYS CYA. get and keep a receipt for FTF longgun sales and purchases.

If by chance you trade in a stolen firearm and it is caught by WHOEVER. you WILL end up with an LEO at your door. If you have a receipt that you purchased the rifle from so and so then atleast there won't be so much as the threat of receiving stolen property.



JMHO,
Rich W.

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by Warners Surplus

snert,
You should ALWAYS CYA. get and keep a receipt for FTF longgun sales and purchases..

Not a bad idea. obviously. But again, rcpt of stolen property is only chargeable if they have prof you knew it was stolen.

[Warners Surplus]

Originally Posted by Pa. Patriot

Not a bad idea. obviously. But again, rcpt of stolen property is only chargeable if they have prof you knew it was stolen.

I understand what you are saying. My only point was the receipt would avoid THREAT of receiving stolen property

When asked where the firearm came from, handing over a purchase receipt for it pretty much ends any doubt for the officer of wether or not you KNEW it was stolen.

Not to mention that most badguys get worried if you tell them you need a receipt with thier name on it for your records. I am pretty sure you would know by thier response if THEY know the gun is stolen.

As I said before, it's all just a CYA situation. I have seen quite a few stolen firearms in the few short years I've been in business and I've seen guys led from my store in handcuffs for multiple reasons and I'd hate to see someone in that position if they did nothing wrong other than a FTF purchase of a firearm that later turns out to be stolen.


Rich W.

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by Warners Surplus

I understand what you are saying. My only point was the receipt would avoid THREAT of receiving stolen property

Well of course it does. I never questioned getting a bill of sale as a CYA. Not buying guns from private parties is also a way to not have that "threat"/risk...

I made accurate statements about the concern as it is applicable to the law.

Not everyone os going to give a bill of sale. Not everyone cares to receive one. My point is it will not likely matter one bit if you've not stolen any guns

[Snert]

Good points guys. I do agree there should be some sort of reciept . And the sellers should not be insulted if asked.

One thing I have noticed on the other boards, In the top of the classifieds they have a sticky for stolen firearms. People can list them for friends neighbors etc. So others can be aware. But I am kinda amazed that there is no say online source for general public to check.

Sure would stink to spend your hard earned money to have the item taken away by the police. And on top of that maybe be put on a watch list.

Snert..

[phillyd2]

There is no need to CYA cause your A is not in jeopardy unless the seller told you it was stolen or if a reasonable person would conclude that its stolen (I guess if there is a bloody severed hand still attached to the rifle a reasonable person my conclude that something may be amiss )