Document your guns people!!

[Rockit]

I took yet another burglary report yesterday where victims had no idea the serial #'s or were even sure of the models of their shotguns.

We recover a lot of firearms of unknown origin. If you don't have a serial # when you file, how are we going to know which one is yours.

"A black shotgun....I think it was a Mossberg."

Not a lot of info to connect mystery gun with rightful owner.

Brand/model/serial #.....I'm guessing that info would also be beneficial for insurance. I would also photo document firearms and other valuables for insurance.

[1911su16b870]

Good idea to allways have your possessions itemized by make and model and serial number including TVs, computers, tools etc. and the list stored in a couple safe places, that is the stuff the dirt bags tend to steal and flip. Hopefully these dirt bags get pulled over with a bunch of stolen property in their possession and the LEAs can get a hit on APS and arrest them.

[winnre]

And do not keep the records with the guns. Too easy to steal them all. Upload your pics to an email account like gmail or hushmail where you can retrieve the data anywhere with an Internet connection. Odds are you are closer to a PC than the point of robbery.

[postal]

All good advice.

Mulitiple paper copies, and online, just send yourself an email to yahoo or whatever, that stores your mail on the server, DO NOT download your mail to the computer.

I still have my resume in yahoo so it's always a safe backup.. Just create a new folder and move the stuff in that folder so you dont see it in your inbox, but its there.

---edit---

Most people have this stuff for their insurance as well. My personal valuables policy requires make model serial and caliber.

[Firerescuebatt07]

good advice brothers. thanx for the pointers.. I will photograph mine tonight and store them online

[Laythor]

when taking pictures make sure you have more light then you think you need. Blinding light = better pictures with more detail.

[winnre]

Make sure the firearm is unloaded.
Photograph under bright light. Sunshine is good.
Photograph serial numbers since written numbers can be illegible or reversed.
Be sure to capture scratches or other unique markings that are like a fingerprint.
Photograph anything special such as grips, sights, trigger, etc.
Include a coin or a ruler for perspective.

[shortyforty]

Always a good idea to have these things documented. I am wondering about the security of storing such info in an e-mail file? I know of several people that have had their accounts hacked. I'm not sure if the hacker would have full control and access to the documents stored there or not? Maybe a Calgunner with more experience and knowledge in this area can respond. Could the info be used in any way that would compromise your ownership of the firearms? I don't know.

[darmog]

I just take pics of the gun and its serial # and store all that info on my phone so it's always there if I ever need it. Is it the most secure? Don't know. Never had a phone stolen or lost so its just about as safe as it can be with me rather than on something at home without me that could get stolen.

[winnre]

Always a good idea to have these things documented. I am wondering about the security of storing such info in an e-mail file? I know of several people that have had their accounts hacked. I'm not sure if the hacker would have full control and access to the documents stored there or not? Maybe a Calgunner with more experience and knowledge in this area can respond. Could the info be used in any way that would compromise your ownership of the firearms? I don't know.

You can encrypt the files if you like. I use a password generator to get 30+ character passwords for my accounts, and then save the password in my regular email. As for the account it goes to, that's in my mind along. Hack THAT.

[postal]

I just take pics of the gun and its serial # and store all that info on my phone so it's always there if I ever need it. Is it the most secure? Don't know. Never had a phone stolen or lost so its just about as safe as it can be with me rather than on something at home without me that could get stolen.

Great til you drop and break your phone. Mine is semi damaged right now. The memory card isnt recognized anymore. I still have some storage in the phone memory, but not the expanded memory from the card.

Do you know anyone whose phone broke and they couldnt push their 'contacts' over to a new phone? Happened to me and a number of people I know...


Whats difficult about multiple copies in multiple places?

I have several paper copies- and CD's for electronic storage. Probably 2 sets in the house. House burns down.... I have paper and CD in my brothers safe.

I have a txt doc with the important stuff emailed to myself, stays on the server.

If my mail gets hacked.... does it really matter that much if joe hacker gets my gun info? I'd be more worried about my online banking.

[Laythor]

much easier option is to have a phone that is tied to google services.

every note I take, every picture, call, text message is automatically uploaded to my google drive. And ALL of my contacts. My phone could spontaneously combust right now and I would have all my data available to me from any computer.

Last time I upgraded phones it took a total of 2 minutes to power up the new phone, sign into google, and have all my info back.

If you're a tin foil hat type, sign up for google authentication (it's free) and you'll never have to worry about someone getting your information.

[postal]

Oh... OP....

Yeah, that was a colt python with a deep rich blue in mint condition that was stolen. If you find one in the evidence room, it musta been mine!!!!!

LOL!

[SDM44]

You can encrypt the files if you like. I use a password generator to get 30+ character passwords for my accounts, and then save the password in my regular email. As for the account it goes to, that's in my mind along. Hack THAT.

I keep all of my important docs (including scanned DROS forms and all gun purchase invoices) on a couple of usb drives.... couple because of one fails (which it has in the past 8 years), you have a backup. Just make sure they're synced with the same data. I keep them in different places too, incase one goes missing.

I use TrueCrypt to encrypt my drives. Good luck trying to crack through that. It's HIPPA compliant and one of the best encryption apps out there. Is free too.

[dieselpower]

I just posted my serial numbers in another thread... so I guess I will always have a record of them.