Firearm serial # question

[redneck122]

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]

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]

How did he think he could check it? The police databases are not available to ordinary citizens.

[Shootersfab]

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]

+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]

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.

[spqrzilla]

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.

[ray1970]

You could always sell the Glock here and just try to pay cash for the Ford.

[ChadAmberg]

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".

[Sawin]

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.