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redneck122
11-14-2012, 13:22
So i'm making a deal with a fella on craigslist, trading a glock+cash for a foxbody mustang. I met with the guy, and he seems ok, not sketchy. He wants to check the serial # of the pistol to check that its not stolen. Is there an easy way to do this? He wanted to take down the serial and he said he would call me after he checked it. I told him i wasn't comfortable with that, because he could report it stolen and i could get into bs trouble.

Was i being too paranoid? I offered to do the transfer through an FFL if he wanted. What would you guys have done?
ray1970
11-14-2012, 13:26
I'd offer to transfer it through an FFL. If that doesn't make him happy I would just look for another mustang.

I do know we have quite a few law enforcement members here. Not sure if any of them could help you out or not by "running the serial number" for you.
spqrzilla
11-14-2012, 13:26
How did he think he could check it? The police databases are not available to ordinary citizens.
Shootersfab
11-14-2012, 14:06
How did he think he could check it? The police databases are not available to ordinary citizens.

+1 he would have to check it with an officer? Plus if you had no idea if it was stolen, could you get in any trouble?
spqrzilla
11-14-2012, 14:12
+1 he would have to check it with an officer? Plus if you had no idea if it was stolen, could you get in any trouble?If you have a credible story for how you obtained, its pretty unlikely you would be in any trouble.

If you tell an investigating officer that the tooth fairy left the stolen Glock on your pillow ... then you got trouble.
JM Ver. 2.0
11-14-2012, 14:23
If you have a credible story for how you obtained, its pretty unlikely you would be in any trouble.

If you tell an investigating officer that the tooth fairy left the stolen Glock on your pillow ... then you got trouble.
Other way around... He's giving the other guy the Glock.



Really, unless you have a friend, getting it checked is gonna be a pain. I don't know of any "service" that'll allow him to check it.

Good luck.
ray1970
11-14-2012, 14:25
You could always sell the Glock here and just try to pay cash for the Ford.
spqrzilla
11-14-2012, 16:00
Other way around... He's giving the other guy the Glock.


I got the transaction right. The buyer wants to check the serial number before buying it.
ChadAmberg
11-14-2012, 16:15
Tell him you want the VIN # on the car because it might be stolen too.

But I was pretty sure that the databases used for stolen items are listed for "official use only" and interweb opinion says that checking serial numbers for private citizens isn't "official".
redneck122
11-14-2012, 16:58
Thanks for the replies guys. I'll let the guy decide if he wants to do an ffl transfer or whatever
Sawin
11-14-2012, 17:51
Tell him you want the VIN # on the car because it might be stolen too.

But I was pretty sure that the databases used for stolen items are listed for "official use only" and interweb opinion says that checking serial numbers for private citizens isn't "official".

And don't just ask for VIN on the body, check the engine too. My FIL had some scoundrel try to sell him a stolen engine.
JM Ver. 2.0
11-14-2012, 18:09
And don't just ask for VIN on the body, check the engine too. My FIL had some scoundrel try to sell him a stolen engine.

Back in the day.... I used to talk to this guy in an AOL Chat Room... He would tell stories about how he and his buddies would rent SVT Cobras from a Rental Car place, pull the rear ends and replace them with the stock rear end from another Stang...

Made me giggle.
sniper7
11-14-2012, 18:13
Back in the day.... I used to talk to this guy in an AOL Chat Room... He would tell stories about how he and his buddies would rent SVT Cobras from a Rental Car place, pull the rear ends and replace them with the stock rear end from another Stang...

Made me giggle.

Probably a cop trying to entrap you into admitting something...or maybe a guy living in his moms basrbent who believed he was awesome
JM Ver. 2.0
11-14-2012, 18:17
Probably a cop trying to entrap you into admitting something...or maybe a guy living in his moms basrbent who believed he was awesome

Meh. I had nothing to admit to. I was like... 15.. I didn't even know WTF he was talking about... I wonder if he still has his business....