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View Full Version : Why do people cover their serial #'s in pics?



mutt
10-08-2009, 19:34
As I've been admiring people's builds on this and other sights, I've noticed pics where people cover or deface the serial number. Why? Is there some power to having the serial number? It's not like a SSN or something. And unless you bought your weapon from a private party, the govt already has the serial # linked to you. They're not supposed to keep a registration of owner to weapon, but we know they do. So is there a good reason to hide your serial nunber?

The1andOnlyKC
10-08-2009, 21:28
there have been times that the ATF was unable to trace the serial number back to a buyer because the FFL went out of business and they could not locate the 447.

MrPrena
10-08-2009, 21:45
Good question. I usually cover my Serial # as well. I just do, because people cover their serial #, so I thought it was just for privacy issue. :)

cysoto
10-08-2009, 23:00
With this info, any unscrupulous person could easily report this weapon as stolen. Many rightful owners wouldn't be able to find the guns paperwork if the po-po came knocking on their door asking to see it. Now you are out of a gun and in deep doo-doo for being found in possession of a stolen item.

This may sound a little far-fetched but, in this case, better safe than sorry...

Jer
10-09-2009, 01:20
Agreed. Better safe than sorry. When I post pics I blurr serial numbers, license plate numbers, street addresses, street signs.... anything that could tie them back to me. Just safer that way.

I'm too tired to type how badly I pwnd some stupid internet scammer many years ago. It was pretty good though and all stemmed from simple searches using information he was stupid to post online.

Moral: just don't do it and you have nothing to worry about.

mutt
10-09-2009, 07:29
Never thought of the 'stolen gun' angle. Good info.

Irving
10-09-2009, 10:16
The person saying the gun was stolen would have to prove it as well, and they, without a doubt could NOT prove it. I wouldn't worry about that too much.

cysoto
10-09-2009, 11:57
The person saying the gun was stolen would have to prove it as well, and they, without a doubt could NOT prove it. I wouldn't worry about that too much.
In this age of digital printing, making a fake barcode (for an empty pistol case) or sales receipt is easy. Like I said, this may be a far-fetched scenario but, if all you need to do to avoid unnecessary headaches is to cover the serial number for the internet photo, why not do it.

Irving
10-09-2009, 12:09
Oh I'm not saying not to. It's the same thing with the import boards I'm on, where everyone flips out if you don't cover your plates. You can't find where someone's car is registered to by the plates unless you know someone though. People still take the precaution and it isn't difficult so why not right?

cysoto
10-09-2009, 12:18
People still take the precaution and it isn't difficult so why not right?
Yeap!!

http://k12onlineteachers.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/smiley20face_thumbsup.jpg

bryjcom
10-09-2009, 21:20
The stolen guns one is the primary reason I've heard through the years. Plus - when your selling, the buyer may not want every bob joe and steve to know the serial of the firearm he just purchased. Privacy in general.

New image editor I've been working in is tailored just for firearm sites. Allows you to choose pixelation or scatter (scatter is better, visually) of tiny areas in a second or two as it processes the upload. Lots of other "neat" effects too.

I wonder if the Gov can re-assemble a blurred or scrambled serial number. If you think about it a computer uses a certain process to scramble or blur the picture so you could create a program to reverse the process, right?

cysoto
10-10-2009, 20:42
I wonder if the Gov can re-assemble a blurred or scrambled serial number. If you think about it a computer uses a certain process to scramble or blur the picture so you could create a program to reverse the process, right?
Your question reminded me of this case: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,300021,00.html

theGinsue
10-11-2009, 00:20
I agree with what you are saying FoxTrot, but like the article cysoto linked says "What is impossible today is possible tomorrow".

bryjcom
10-11-2009, 16:01
On one of the other boards a guy was coming across some LC 7.62 nato a copule of years back. He and his buisness partner were going to acquire a couple hundred K of the stuff and sell it on the board.

One guy on the board made an accusation that the ammo was stolen. It took about 2 days before the guy came back and said his partner pulled out because the feds made surprise visit to his house to check the ammo.

I believe the guy was legit. He posted the pictures of all the ammo.

My point is I believe the police can find out who you are just by you posting on a board.

Eow
10-13-2009, 07:38
No, they can't. Not unless you have a address name or phone number publicly listed. If you don't post private details, there is no magic - law enforcement or otherwise, they have zero access to your connection data, to your registration data (outside of your public profile) to ANYTHING whatsoever. No more than you do on other people. If they want server data, they have to get either subpoena or warrant.

The trouble is, they can get the warrant with very little trouble these days under FISA, serve it on your ISP, on this board, on whomever, get any information about you and you would never know. In fact, anyone on whom the warrant was served can go to jail if they even tell you about it.