When a LEO asks, "Is this (long gun) registered?"

[wilit]

I've never been personally asked this question, but I know people who have, and I know it gets asked a bit to others out there. WTF is the deal with this question? Are these particular cops really ignorant to the fact that long guns aren't registered or is it a loaded question to see if a dumb person will trip up and that'll give the LEO PC?

[Greg-Dawg]

Officer: "Is this (long gun) registered?"
Response: "What's your badge number and who's your supervisor?"

[B.D.Dubloon]

I know that they aren't registered, but isn't there some sort of way to track the owner by the serial number? I know my question is a little OT but I never really understood the system.

[wilit]

I know that they aren't registered, but isn't there some sort of way to track the owner by the serial number? I know my question is a little OT but I never really understood the system.

Yes, it is possible, but requires some leg work. You have to call the manufacturer to see what distributor they sold it to, call the distributor to see what store they sold it to. Then at the store, pour through the 4473 until you find the one you think it is, and hopefully be able to find the first owner.

[Axewound]

yeah, they like to ask me if i still live at the address on my Drivers License even tho its a PO BOX

[ke6guj]

Yes, it is possible, but requires some leg work. You have to call the manufacturer to see what distributor they sold it to, call the distributor to see what store they sold it to. Then at the store, pour through the 4473 until you find the one you think it is, and hopefully be able to find the first owner.

This. And once the first owner sells it, even if properly as a PPT through a dealer, the trail goes cold, unless that owner is able and willing to to point them to that dealer. At that point, they go through the 4473's and try the next owner. Repeat as neccessary.

[SickofSoCal]

LEO: is this long gun registered to you?

ME: It's a pre-1968 rifle with no serial number, only manufactures marks.






.....and he if pushes it -- "I inherited it from my grandfather"

[CSDGuy]

That, of course, assumes that the manufacturer actually put a serial number on the receiver, kept track of it, as did the distributor, as did the end retailer. Oh, that's right... the form 4473 actually used to NOT exist...

[1911su16b870]

"No Sir, There are no requirements to register long arms."

[leelaw]

Officer: "Is this (long gun) registered?"
Response: "What's your badge number and who's your supervisor?"

It took 26 minutes for the wrong answer to be posted. If you want to start a "who has the bigger e-penis" argument on the side of the road, you're not gonna like where it gets you.

Aside from longguns that are required to be registered (AWs, .50BMG, DDs, Etc) there isn't a registration for longguns. "There isn't a longgun registration in California" is sufficient.

[tyrist]

Somebody who knows nothing about firearms or firearms laws is probably going to say something incriminating. Idiot suspects will say it's belongs to their friend j-dawg if it's an illegal firearm. Depending on the answer you get it can lead to other questions and a possible arrest.

[aerosick]

"It probably is. I bought it new at a gun store."

[KaTooM]

What if you just say "Yes"

[WokMaster1]

It's registered in my will.

[Flying Bones]

How long are the 4473's kept around?