What is the big deal about exposing serial numbers?

[68mustang]

I've come across a few places weather it'd be gunbroker or another forum where they mark out the serial number on their gun when showing it. Does anyone know why this is such a big deal to some people?

 

[Hump66]

Someone registering it in their name and then reporting it stolen, i.e. fraud?

 

[mightymouse]

Someone registering it in their name and then reporting it stolen, i.e. fraud?

That's the story I've heard, but I wonder if anything like that has ever happened, or if its just another urban/interweb legend.

 

[mr ed]

Like Hump66 said.
Post up a picture of a really nice or rare gun with the serial number visable and somebody somewhere will report it stolen then tell the police where to find it and get a gun for free. Happens alot more than you would think.

Many years ago when I had a shop a guy tried that on me. Only problem with his story was it was logged into my books 2 years before he reported it stolen. Plus I had an invoice from the distributor I bought it from.

 

[mightymouse]

Like Hump66 said.
Post up a picture of a really nice or rare gun with the serial number visable and somebody somewhere will report it stolen then tell the police where to find it and get a gun for free. Happens alot more than you would think.

Does it?

 

[ssgrock3]

scare conspiracy, but i guess better safe than sorry. However, you would have to make a false police report with details of the "theft". I would take some Nad's to do it.

 

[OKCShooter]

I think it's to keep it unknown as a courtesy to the buyer.

 

[Glocktogo]

Insurance Fraud

Fraudster makes a police report on stolen firearms and collects on an insurance policy. Problem is, the firearm is entered NCIC as stolen. On the off chance your firearm's serial # is ever run, it will show up as stolen and be seized as evidence. YOU have the hassle of proving it's actually yours.

 

[shooterdave]

Kind of off topic, but I was under the impression that a stolen firearm entered NCIC only stayed on their list for a year. Does anyone know it that is true or just some crap I dreamed up?.

 

[SoonerStatePawn]

Kind of off topic, but I was under the impression that a stolen firearm entered NCIC only stayed on their list for a year. Does anyone know it that is true or just some crap I dreamed up?.

It stays in NCIC until it's been removed. I just recently had a gun put on hold from a NCIC hit 13 years ago. The guy who sold it to us bought it at a gun show years ago.