ATF Visited My Home Today

[AJAX22]

Mossberg 500's were in production before 1968, there are a number of them which have no serial number whatsoever in circulation.

It is not inconcevible that one of the unserialized guns could have been engraved with a number by one of its owners for identification at some point... (say a drivers licence and a few digets of a social or something)

I doubt the columbian government would know to specify factory markings or non factory markings when making a request.

[bhaworth]

Never been to Columbia.

[pnkssbtz]

IT IS always a temptation to an armed and agile nation,
To call upon a neighbour and to say:
"We invaded you last night - we are quite prepared to fight,
Unless you pay us cash to go away."

And that is called asking for Dane-geld,
And the people who ask it explain
That you’ve only to pay ’em the Dane-geld
And then you’ll get rid of the Dane!

It is always a temptation to a rich and lazy nation,
To puff and look important and to say:
"Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you.
We will therefore pay you cash to go away."

And that is called paying the Dane-geld;
But we’ve proved it again and again,
That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld
You never get rid of the Dane.

It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation,
For fear they should succumb and go astray,
So when you are requested to pay up or be molested,
You will find it better policy to say:

"We never pay any one Dane-geld,
No matter how trifling the cost,
For the end of that game is oppression and shame,
And the nation that plays it is lost!"

~ Rudyard Kipling

[CCWFacts]

They knew the make, model and serial number and the date I purchased it from a local gun shop. The FFL records must be quite easy for them to check.

Yes, it's very easy to trace a gun from the manuf. -> FFL -> buyer.

They did not have a warrant and I did not let them enter my house. I brought the gun out and will take a log of flack from members for doing so but I did not want them back with a warrant.

I think you did the right thing. They just wanted to see what was up with the gun. You answered their question without letting them in and without motivating them to come back with a warrant + SWAT team. They probably did have probable cause to get a warrant if you hadn't helped them out. By not letting them in, you limit the risks also.

[HowardW56]

Unfortunately by the time I got around to calling the dealer I purchased the gun from he was closed. He opens at 10:00 am tomorrow and I will see if he will tell me whether they contacted him and searched his records or not.

Often ATF will just call the dealer and ask that acopy of the 4473 be faxed to them... I believe the dealers have 24 hours to comply, but they do it as fast as they can.

The FFL that I know has done it 2 or 3 times, and he wants to avoid an official visit if he can...

[bhaworth]

Additional details:
They asked to come in twice but I said "absolutely not." I offered to bring the gun out to the front porch. I did not want them any further onto my property, not the back yard, etc. They said they were uncomfortable inspecting the gun in the front yard because "the neighbors might see." I said "so what!"

They were quite young, probably not over 25. They were polite and nice.
They did not ask about other weapons.
The "dismantling" was to take a side mount cartridge holder off of the gun because it was over the serial number. They also carefully read the information stamped onto the barrel. They took two pictures of the gun, the serial number and the make/model info on the barrel.
I asked for a business card which they gave me. Nice card with gold embossed shield (tax money!!!).
They started to reassemble the cartridge holder but I asked for the gun and parts back and stated I would reassemble it. They said "sure."
They ask for and took my phone number.
After they left I called the Fresno office and verified they were who they claimed to be. That is all for now.

[5hundo]

No warrant = pound sand.

...unless the decide to go "Branch Davidian" on you.

[Doheny]

...unless the decide to go "Branch Davidian" on you.

lol

[Saigon1965]

Good man - You gave them respect and no more than what they deserved -

Additional details:
They asked to come in twice but I said "absolutely not." I offered to bring the gun out to the front porch. I did not want them any further onto my property, not the back yard, etc. They said they were uncomfortable inspecting the gun in the front yard because "the neighbors might see." I said "so what!"

They were quite young, probably not over 25. They were polite and nice.
They did not ask about other weapons.
The "dismantling" was to take a side mount cartridge holder off of the gun because it was over the serial number. They also carefully read the information stamped onto the barrel. They took two pictures of the gun, the serial number and the make/model info on the barrel.
I asked for a business card which they gave me. Nice card with gold embossed shield (tax money!!!).
They started to reassemble the cartridge holder but I asked for the gun and parts back and stated I would reassemble it. They said "sure."
They ask for and took my phone number.
After they left I called the Fresno office and verified they were who they claimed to be. That is all for now.

[6172crew]

No warrant = pound sand.

This!

No joke folks a buddy of mine was visited by the Feds for buying tannerite. Be bought the ingredents and mixxes it himself...they watch that stuff.

[bhaworth]

Absolutely I asked for ID before proceeding with even talking to them. They both showed ID and badges. Only thing I did not see were their guns.

I was just getting ready to leave and had mine on (CCW permit holder).

[Salty]

And hard to believe.......they knew how to dismantle your shotgun? Who Knew?

Dude, it's a Mossberg 500..

[technique]

Dude, it's a Mossberg 500..

[Saigon1965]

^^^ LOL -

[Spyder]

I would have called the field office BEFORE I handed it over to them instead of after they left...but other than that, I'd have done the same.

Hopefully nothing more comes from it. I would have maybe asked them what was going on and to let you know what comes of it as well.