Question:
What percentage of stolen guns get reported?
2008-04-23 13:00:12 UTC
It seems like nobody ever writes down there serial numbers for there guns. I want to trade my shotgun for a revolver my friend has. the serial number is intact and it's in perfect condition. I would call the sheriffs office and ask them to check, but if it was stolen I don't want to get my friend in trouble. I know he didn't steal it but he bought it at a really good deal.... I really don't think it's stolen but it would help to know that it's not hot before I buy it. I just don't want to own a stolen gun. so does anybody know the stats about how often guns are stolen, how often they are reported.. how much trouble I could get into ?? I just want to do the right thing. but if it is hot I don't want to get anyone in trouble, I'd rather just leave it alone. thanks friends.
Four answers:
2008-04-23 13:43:33 UTC
Think about that for a second. You have reported gun thefts and unreported gun thefts. How do you know how many unreported gun thefts there are? You can't know, because they are UNREPORTED!



so there is no way to figure it out.
guns_and_motorcycles
2008-04-23 21:27:35 UTC
No, those numbers don't exist. Even if they did, I wouldn't base this kind of decision on an arbitrary percentage. But that doesn't help you any.



If you are nervous about it, I would call the Sheriff and ask what he recommends you do. Be polite, and say that you want to be sure a used gun you are looking at wasn't stolen in a previous life.



They may have a way to run the numbers and check for you. I would mention this to your friend, and make sure that he knows he might lose the gun if it comes up hot. Better yet, if he wants to make this sale, have him do it. It would be better for him if the gun was stolen that he initiated the contact.



I haven't dealt with a stolen gun, but at one point I did unknowingly buy a stolen motorcycle. When I realized that this was the case, I was afraid that I would get nailed for having it. The first thing I did was get an attorney, and then called the police and requested an auto-theft specialist come to my house and take a look at my motorcycle. I told them at every turn that if something was fishy, I wanted to simply do the right thing and be sure it got back to it's rightful owner. It turned out that it was stolen, and since I initiated the contact with the police, I was never treated as a suspect.



I don't advocate that that course of action is always the correct one, and you should consult an attorney first (which I did).



In summary, I think you should do one of the following:

A) Have your friend contact the Sheriff. In this situation, he may lose the gun, but it's much better for him if he initiates this process.

B) Buy the gun, then immediately have the Sheriff check the S/N. In this scenario, you may lose the gun, and your friend will have to answer some questions.

C) Don't buy this gun, and find another one at a reputable dealer. If you do buy something stolen from an FLL dealer, at least there is a trail of official documentation leading away from you.
Soft Talker
2008-04-23 21:19:59 UTC
I really can't help you much considering what you looking to buy. Be very careful!!



I had a gun stolen in May 1985. I reported it and never heard a thing until October 2007. Police called and my gun had turned up in a drug raid, after 22 years!! And I now live in a different state! I finally got my 357 pistol back. I would go to a reputable dealer if I were you.

Good luck and enjoy you shooting sport when you decide what to do. If you can, get registered to carry a concealed gun. Makes it a lot easier to move about with you gun.
dca2003311@yahoo.com
2008-04-23 20:09:31 UTC
There are no statistics to verify who reports, versus not reporting stolen firearms.* If you can't trust your Friend, who can you Trust?*


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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