Pre check gun serial #?

[bruceflinch]

If I want to buy a handgun( in this case ) and have doubts about whether it was stolen, etc, Can an FFL precheck the serial # in the system, before handing my $$ over to the Seller?

[ugimports]

You should write up terms with your seller for the PPT ahead of the transaction so you are at least covered legally for your cash should the transaction fail. Be explicit in your agreement. For example:

In the event the firearm can't be transferred to buyer for any reason excluding buyer's ability to pick up during 30 day window a full 100% refund will be provided.

Or however you want to word it. Maybe 90% refund, or whatever. Point is have it in writing you both sign and both keep copies of.

Ultimately, if this was a shady seller coming in with fake ID and a stolen gun to take your cash you would be completely hosed. I'm not sure how many of those transactions have happened, but I would guess not many.

Good luck and remember if the deal is too good to be true it probably is suspicious!

[laurelpark]

I would pay with a check that's post-dated by at least as long as the gun is in jail. If the person doesn't agree to that, bail out. There's got to be mutual trust or it's going to be a bad deal.

[ugimports]

ATMs will deposit post dated checks -- at least the ones i've seen. I had a customer accidentally put the wrong year and I had no troubles cashing their check. Maybe I got lucky.

[laurelpark]

Yeah, but if you cancel the check before its "good" date, it's on the bank to make it right. I've used this method a few times, and to be extra sure, in the memo section I write in big letters "NOTE DATE ON CHECK BEFORE CASHING". That way, if there's a dispute, I just point to the efforts I took to keep the check from being cashed and the bank is obliged to honor it. They'll also go after the person who cashed the check for cashing a bad check...

EDIT: This also gives a bit of assurance that the person is who they say they are. If they have a bank account, chances are good that they aren't pulling a scam.

[ugimports]

I've personally never had that good luck with a check. Not with the post dating, but trying to get the money back after it was cashed.

What stops the person from "fixing" the date so it isn't post dated? How do you prove it wasn't you that fixed the date? I've mangled dates and just crossed them out before. Granted I didn't dispute it so maybe it was a non issue.

[ugimports]

As an aside, if the person really was a crook you just handed over your checking account and routing info which they can start to do ACH withdrawals from. Or they can get your ink off the paper and re-write a completely new check.

[laurelpark]

As an aside, if the person really was a crook you just handed over your checking account and routing info which they can start to do ACH withdrawals from. Or they can get your ink off the paper and re-write a completely new check.

Very true - but it is rather tough to do and that would be a very sophisticated criminal. The best way to handle that is to have a separate checking account that's only funded with enough money to make specific purchases and use that for things like this. Also, in this case, you are covered by the bank's insurance - if someone pulls that one, you have to deal with some paperwork, but the bank will still make you whole.

[Joe Blowitup]

How many times does transferring a stolen weapon happen? I would think it would be sold without going to an ffl since the seller would likely know its status.

[laurelpark]

I've seen it happen once... Someone who inherited a gun from his dad went to sell it, not knowing that it was stolen. It was found to be stolen, and the guy just abandoned the whole situation and the buyer was screwed. It ended up getting sorted out in Small Claims Court, but it was a pain to deal with. I don't know how often things like that happen, but if the voice in the back of your head is warning you, it's a good idea to listen.

[M1NM]

I would pay with a check that's post-dated by at least as long as the gun is in jail. If the person doesn't agree to that, bail out. There's got to be mutual trust or it's going to be a bad deal.

No way am I taking a check from someone I don't know much less a post dated one. I'm also not going to be on the hook if you get delayed/denied. It's your job to know if you can have a gun. Work your problem out with the DOJ and FFL on your own.

[bruceflinch]

How many times does transferring a stolen weapon happen? I would think it would be sold without going to an ffl since the seller would likely know its status.

It happened to me once.
As above, a guy was selling a gun his nephew gave him. The gun was hot. The Seller did pay back as he did not want any trouble with the Gubmint.

I'm looking at a Marketplace ad by a new Member, hence my hesitation.

So an FFL can't run a S/N immediately to see if it is hot?

[Librarian]

So an FFL can't run a S/N immediately to see if it is hot?

No.

That's a LE function; CA-DOJ can run it in the sales context, and some LEOs can run it as part of an authorized investigation.

[laurelpark]

In essence, if it seems to be good to be true, it probably is... I'm not an angel, but I won't look twice at a gun that I have one neuron in my brain that tells me that it's troublesome and not worth it.

That said, if someone approached me with a Confederate numbered pistol from clearly that era that their great-great grandpa left to them and they wanted to get rid of it to pay their mortgage on the condition that it was a cash deal - I'd probably do it......

[kemasa]

It is possible that you could ask the FFL to hold the money until the firearm is picked up. Some might, many might not.