Posted: 7/23/2007 3:12:49 PM EDT
|
So I'm trying to trade some guns for an old pickup truck. The guy knows little about firearms ("but wants to get into the sport.") and he's requested serial numbers because he "wants to check them out." I don't really know what there is to check out as there is no national gun registry BUT can anyone think of any reason that releasing the serial numbers of the guns I may trade him could be bad? I only ask because I've noticed that many people on gun auction sites blur out the last few digits of the serial numbers. Why do they do this? I'm in the middle of wheelin' and dealin' with this guy, so shoot me an email directly at teaguepatrick (at-sign) gmail.com if you got an answer. Thanks! |
|
e-mail inbound: Only reason not to release them on the Internet is some person could report the guns stolen. Not sure how they'd get anywhere especially if they don't have the bill of sale, but that's the general reason for not putting them on the Internet. I'd be leary of the request though. Ask him what he's going to do with the information.... |
think... "anti gunners" reporting them stolen just might get them out of the hands of law abiding citizens |
|
I'd be wary of releaseing the information. I definately would want to know why the data was needed. If not an anti-gunner, think BATF entrapment. Let him know any and all transfers will go through an FFL to protect both you and him. If he is serious, he will be fine with the transaction that way. If not, let him walk. After all, trucks are plentiful and cheap now that petol is so expensive. |
How would this work? A permit to purchase would do the same thing but if he doesn't have one it would take a while for a permit to be issued. |
A permit to purchase does not guarantee a clean NICS BG check, and there would be no real paper trail. |
|
When I sell a handgun, here's my standard procedure for people I do not know: 1) have a bill of sale that lists the date, serial number, buyer and seller. Have buyer and seller sign bill of sale and get a third person to witness it and sign as well. Something to the effect of "buyer acknowledges (s)he is legally able to possess a handgun, is 21 years of age, and not a convicted felon". 2) I require people I do not know to have a MN drivers license and a permit to carry or permit to purchase. That shows I have done my due diligence to verify that they are legal. I know that may exclude some potential buyers, but a permit to purchase is free, and anyone serious about buying a handgun won't mind having to get one, unless they're trying to fly under the radar in which case I'm not that interested in selling them one. 3) copy down their address on the bill of sale. Hopefully the ATF never comes a'knockin' for a trace, but if they do you can hand them the piece of paper and send them on their merry way. Better than having to explain that "you sold it but don't remember to whom" |
Maybe I'm too paranoid and "black helicopter" for my own good, but I was thinking along the lines of how Randy Weaver was asked to saw off a shotgun by an undercover federal agent and that became the impetus to charge him with a crime... |