Ok to Possess?

[JAYjohnson]

Here's the deal, my father wants to give me his .22 pistol. However, it was sold to him from an old friend back in the 70's or 80's. After that, it is unknown where the pistol came from. I'm just wondering, what if this thing was stolen or used in a bad way back in the day and then i go ahead file the transfer form and try to register it in my name? Is there a way to check a gun's background from the serial number?

[Bug Splat]

Very highly doubt if it was indeed used in a crime anyone would ever know it. I have MANY firearms that changed hands back in the 40's-50's and don't know their history. If your father is passing it down to you thank him and have fun with it. Nothing wrong with you taking it. To you and your fathers knowledge no crime was ever committed with it. Very very worst case is the gun is confiscated for evidence.

[Nynvolt]

Being used in a crime may not be nearly as track-able as if it were stolen at some point. What would happen if it had been stolen, then sold, sold again then given away.

I don't know if there is a way to back ground check a guns serial and would be interested to know.

[Quiet]

Here's the deal, my father wants to give me his .22 pistol. However, it was sold to him from an old friend back in the 70's or 80's. After that, it is unknown where the pistol came from. I'm just wondering, what if this thing was stolen or used in a bad way back in the day and then i go ahead file the transfer form and try to register it in my name? Is there a way to check a gun's background from the serial number?

Assuming that you and your dad are CA residents.

Before 1991, it was 100% legal in CA to do private party cash & carry transfers of firearms.

So, how your dad acquired the handgun was a legal transaction.

As long as you are 18 or older and have a valid HSC or exemption to the HSC, all that needs to be done for your dad to legally transfer the handgun to you is him handing it to you. After which you have 30 days to register it by sending in an Operation of Law or Intrafamilial Handgun Transaction report to CA DOJ BOF.

You can't have the serial numbers run because their is no complete database that has a listing of every stolen firearm or firearm used in a crime.
Sure, a CA LEO can access AFS via CLETS and check, but firearm records before 1979 have not been entered into AFS.

[leelaw]

You're good to go. As far as transfers are considered, everything appears ot have been done lawfully thus far.