Quoted:
Is there a listing for States that do or do not require serial #'s?
I was under the impression that ALL firearm receivers must be serial numbered...and that was a Federal rule.
Please shed some more light here.
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I don't KNOW of any state that requires serial numbers - but since most of us aren't up on the laws of all 50 states, we throw in the "your state laws may differ" as a catchall that you've got to do your own research. Federally, no serial number or markings of any kind are required for a semi-auto home build.
The federal serial number rule went into effect in 1968 - since that year, all firearms made by LICENSED MANUFACTURERS, or imported by LICENSED IMPORTERS have had to have a serial number. Those regulations do no apply to UNLICENSED manufacture for personal use. Before 1968, most manufacturers still serialled, especially those who made firearms for the military, but there was no federal regulation requiring it.
There are still a large number of pre-1968 firearms out there with no serial numbers - and they're still completely legal to own, buy/sell/trade.