School me about serial numbers in photos.

[wiki wiki]

I've noticed some people make sure to obscure the serial numbers of their firearm in photos, why is that exactly?

[69Mach1]

Privacy.

[Vin496]

I do it and it's just for privacy.

Is it unfounded, probably, but I still do it.

[69Mach1]

The serial number on a pistol or a registered AW is registered to you.

[Guns R Tools]

It's no different that blurring out license plate numbers on vehicles.

[Lead Lobber]

Natural Camo

I've noticed some people make sure to obscure the serial numbers of their firearm in photos, why is that exactly?

All my S&W wheel guns have custom grips that cover the serial number. Must piss off cops doing 12031 checks. Oh, well.

[Cokebottle]

All kinds of reasons.

You post a photo of a rifle (no DOJ record) and I can read the serial number.
I call and report it stolen... then a few days later, I call the PD back and tell them "Hey, I just found my rifle over here on www.whatever.com!"

[HCz]

Privacy

[Greg-Dawg]

I don't think anyone is going to steal your serial number of your gun.

Show it off man!!!

[psssniper]

You post a photo of a rifle (no DOJ record) and I can read the serial number.
I call and report it stolen... then a few days later, I call the PD back and tell them "Hey, I just found my rifle over here on www.whatever.com!"

Then the PD contacts the ATF who does a forward trace and determines that you filed a false report and that you were trying to steal someones elses rifle dohhhhhhh

[Cokebottle]

Then the PD contacts the ATF who does a forward trace and determines that you filed a false report and that you were trying to steal someones elses rifle dohhhhhhh

There's an aweful lot of guns out there legally with no paper trail.

No paper is a two edged sword. We like it because it reduces traceability for when "they come for our guns". It also means no liability in the event of theft should the thief use it in a crime.
It also means that it's less likely to be returned to it's rightful owner.

[B.D.Dubloon]

I asked this question a while ago and noone was able to provide an instance where anything bad happened because someone got their sn.

[Vinz]

better safe than sorry.

I had posted a picture of my Camaro on a site I frequent. A few months later a guy comes up to my house and ask if I'd sell my Camaro. I asked how he knew that I had a Camaro cause its always in my garage. He said he had read my post, saw my pictures and had a friend at DMV look up the plate. Along with my address. Scary stuff.

vinz

[diginit]

All my S&W wheel guns have custom grips that cover the serial number. Must piss off cops doing 12031 checks. Oh, well.

You can go to jail covering the S.N. Be Careful!

[damndave]

better safe than sorry.

I had posted a picture of my Camaro on a site I frequent. A few months later a guy comes up to my house and ask if I'd sell my Camaro. I asked how he knew that I had a Camaro cause its always in my garage. He said he had read my post, saw my pictures and had a friend at DMV look up the plate. Along with my address. Scary stuff.

vinz

dood thats scary. is that legal to do so?