how to check if it's HOT? (Stolen)

[cusco19]

thus far i've only bought 1 used from a CGer with many transactions, so i felt safe. an opportunity came up and it doesn't come with case and manual or extra mags, which i found to be weird given it seems like a safe queen.

so any LEO here that can assist in running the serial to check if it's stolen? i tried some online site, but either it didn't work or it came up empty.

thanks.

[static2126]

If you are going through a dealer and obviously you need to it will be caught.

Paranoid over a non issue

[cusco19]

we will be meeting at a FFL to do the DROS. i thought maybe FFL can check the serial for me in advance before through with a transaction only to know later it's hot and i need to find the seller to get my money back. trying to avoid all that if possible.

[P5Ret]

we will be meeting at a FFL to do the DROS. i thought maybe FFL can check the serial for me in advance before through with a transaction only to know later it's hot and i need to find the seller to get my money back. trying to avoid all that if possible.

Finding the seller shouldn't be too hard, since the dealer makes a copy of his DL for his file. Also it would be a violation of DOJ regulations as well as agency policy to use a law enforcement computer system for non-work related inquiries, that could end up getting a leo or someone with access to the system suspended/fired. Not something most would risk. DOJ runs audit's frequently on agencies computer systems.

[cbright1]

Finding the seller shouldn't be too hard, since the dealer makes a copy of his DL for his file. Also it would be a violation of DOJ regulations as well as agency policy to use a law enforcement computer system for non-work related inquiries, that could end up getting a leo or someone with access to the system suspended/fired. Not something most would risk. DOJ runs audit's frequently on agencies computer systems.

Isn't checking to see if something is stolen a work related inquiry for law enforcement?

[Euphoria526]

Yeah man. I've bout used guns from shops that had no case and no mags, everything was legit and g2g.
So op go for it unless he's demanding not to meet at a shop. Then that's just fishy.

[P5Ret]

Isn't checking to see if something is stolen a work related inquiry for law enforcement?

Not when it is not related to a case, or investigation. Someone walks into the station and asks to run a firearm serial number because he is looking at purchasing it used is not an investigation, it's a favor. Part of the transaction conducted by the dealer will involve a check of the serial number, in AFS, if I'm not mistaken.

[cusco19]

yea that's what i was thinking too, since FFL will have his info. i always give people the benefit of the doubt, so i'll see how it goes. thanks everyone.

[lorax3]

Not much you can do in advance, it is just the nature of the beast. The dealer cannot run the serial number. The serial number is entered as part of the transaction and is checked at some point BY THE STATE during the 10-day wait.

You won't get in trouble for trying to buy a stolen gun, but you may need to pursue the seller in small claims court if they refuse to return your money.

You have this problem with any firearm you buy. So either accept the risk and move forward or stick to reputable sellers on Calguns with transaction feedback.

[cbright1]

Not when it is not related to a case, or investigation. Someone walks into the station and asks to run a firearm serial number because he is looking at purchasing it used is not an investigation, it's a favor. Part of the transaction conducted by the dealer will involve a check of the serial number, in AFS, if I'm not mistaken.

Ok, so not to start pissing on eachother...So if someone tells a cop that they think someone is breaking the law, the cop can't do anything because it is not already a case? Isn't that what investigating is? If I think my neighbor is making meth, the cop can't investigate if they are not already investigating? what about if a cop is at the swap meet and sees a piece of electronics with the serial number scratched off...wouldn't he check it out? I would think suspicion of selling stolen firearms would be something they would look into. Just say'n...admittedly, I don't really know. If that's true, no wonder we never get our stolen property back.

[cusco19]

cbright1: yea that's what i was surprised to learn about in my research. or at least NRA should have a dBase for ppl to search as well. but oh well

[mnichols]

If you're that worried about it, or then seller is giving you a bad vibe, you should not buy the gun.

If your only hesitation is the fact that it's missing some original purchase items, your probably fine.

[Eastwoodfan101]

You could give the money to the FFL(IF you Trust them) and tell the seller that he will get the money after the 10-day wait period is up. If he doesn't want to do that then there is probably a problem.

[cusco19]

well he's not local and he'd prefer cash on the spot.

[lorax3]

If he doesn't want to do that then there is probably a problem.

If I was the seller, I wouldn't want some FFL to hold onto my money for 10 days.