So I got to thinking recently, I know, dangerous huh? Well anywho I realized I've purchased a few guns over the years from private sellers and I've never checked the serial numbers. I've always made sure the person I was buying from seemed legit but that's hardly an accurate way to know the status of a used gun. Years ago when I was a LEO or even after when I knew other LEO's I'd have them run the numbers of any gun I was buying. I don't have that access anymore. I obviously don't want to have a stolen gun because of the legal consequences but also because I had a gun stolen many years ago and it still pisses me off. It had very little monetary value but a whole lot of sentimental value and it sucks. I suspect anyone who's had a gun stolen, or anything stolen for that matter, is pretty upset about it and I'd be pretty upset that I had someones property that was stolen from them. I also really hate thieves, like really really hate them.
After thinking about it I was wondering if OKCPD will run serial numbers for you if you have bought a used gun or are considering it? I know that possession of stolen property is a crime and the "knowingly" part is often not considered by police officers when they do run a hot gun. If you bought a gun not knowing it was stolen and have an officer run the serial number for you to be sure it's pretty likely they are going to hook you up if it comes back stolen. Then you get charged with a crime, end up in jail, have to hire a lawyer (or god forbid be dependent on the public attorney), go before a judge and very possibly end up doing more time plus paying fines and court costs. Then there's the ancillary costs of lost wages and legal fees as well the time you have to invest in defending yourself and ending up with a felony for trying to ensure you're legal.
So, let's say you gather up the serial numbers of used guns you've purchased over the years from private sellers and go to your local PD to ensure you aren't possessing stolen property without knowing it. One or more of them come back as stolen. You're trying to do the right thing but let's face it, the law doesn't care about the circumstances, just the crime and PRESTO! you're charged with a crime and get handcuffed on the spot. It's sort of set up to make people too afraid of doing the right thing. If you stop a local PD as they are cruising by your house or something and ask them to run a serial number/s just to be sure you're all legal it's likely not going to go well for you. I suspect even if you are calling on the phone from home and a serial number popped they would soon be visiting to arrest you. Just because you were voluntarily having your guns checked to do the right thing doesn't mean they are going to care. It's always the classic "we just enforce the laws, you will get your day in court" schpeel as they double lock the handcuffs.
I've seen folks online selling guns and demanding a bill of sale and a copy of your ID before they'll sell to you. I've always thought that was ridiculous and unnecessary but is it? I don't know. I know that there's no way in hell I'd give some stranger my personal information even if it's just a copy of my drivers license. I had my information stolen once before and they spent a quite a bit of my money before the bank tagged it as suspicious. I was eventually reimbursed the money that was stolen but the whole ordeal was a big pain in the butt. I'm way more careful these days about personal info.
Some questions for ya'll:
1. Do you or have you bought a gun/s from a stranger without a bill of sale and swap of personal information?
2. When purchasing a used firearm from a private seller do you have the serial number checked beforehand?
3. If not beforehand do you get the serial numbers checked afterwards?
4. Have you ever purchased a gun in a private sale only to find out later it was stolen? If so, what happened?
5. Given the high possibility of being arrested and charged with a crime for possession of a stolen firearm if you have a gun checked and it comes back stolen would you be more likely to never get it checked and hope for the best or roll the dice and risk being arrested/charged?
6. Does anyone know if OKCPD will run serial numbers for you over the phone (non-emergency of course)?
7. If you live in another jurisdiction does your local PD offer that service over the phone or in person?