Before you purchase a firearm through a private sale I would recommend that you do some research. Looking online is not going to let you be sure about. Firearm Technical Data Search Form Now you can enter the serial number of your firearm and be directed to the correct schematic for it as well as order parts through our partners Brownells, Inc. And Midwest Gun Works.
- Firearm Serial Number Search Free Printable
- Gun Search Serial Number
- Firearm Serial Number Search Free Number
When the Serial Number Is Your Only Clue. Do a Google search. Enter the words 'gun serial number' in the search bar, followed by the portion of the number before the first hyphen. This tells you the gun's maker. For example, with a gun serial number of 331-12345, just enter 331. The search 'gun serial number 331' brings up results for the Ruger SR9.
Unless you buy a gun brand new, there is a risk that the weapon may have been stolen or used in a crime. The easiest way to check a gun's history is to obtain the serial number from the body of the gun and then ask a gun professional to run a stolen weapons search. Some websites also have searchable public databases of stolen registered weapons.
Locate the Serial Number
Every registered gun has a serial number associated with it. You can find this listed in the owner's manual and plainly printed on the body of the gun, usually on the handle, trigger guard, slide or receiver. Licensed firearms dealers such as gun stores and pawn shops are obligated to keep records of the firearms they sell. You could also contact the dealer and see if it has a record of the serial number. If the dealer has gone out of business, contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The ATF keeps the firearms sales records of licensed dealers who have gone bust.
Run a Police Search
The local police department or sheriff's office can run a gun serial number search for you using the national ATF eTrace database. Police records will indicate whether the gun was reported lost or stolen or was used in a crime. Some law enforcement departments – for example, the Florida Crime Information Center – provide a free online search tool for stolen property within the state. Visit the law enforcement website of your state to see if it offers this service.
Firearm Serial Number Search Free Printable
Ask the Internet
The HotGunz Stolen Firearms Database maintains a free, searchable database of stolen firearms (see Resources). Enter the gun's serial number without spaces, dashes or other special characters in the 'Search the Stolen Gun Database' box. HotGunz is a user-submitted database, which means that gun owners self-report the information that their firearms were lost or stolen. Searching the database is quick and easy, but it isn't a substitute for an official police check.
Vintage Guns
Vintage guns may not have serial numbers printed on their bodies. Identify the gun's make and model by visiting the manufacturer's website; there may also be tips there as to where to find the serial number. For a fee, an antique gun dealer or gun shop might also be able to run a basic search on the history of the gun. Sometimes a lineage of previous owners can be composed, and you should be able to figure out the age and primary use of the gun.
Gun Search Serial Number
What to Do With a Bad Weapon History
It is illegal for dealers to sell guns that were stolen or lost or are wanted by law enforcement. If you discover that a firearm has a suspicious history, report it to the police. As a responsible gun owner, you might also add the serial number to the HotGunz database. You should also report any gun that doesn't have a serial number printed on its body. A filed-off or worn serial number is a strong indicator of a stolen gun.
Firearm Serial Number Search Free Number
ATF’s National Tracing Center (NTC) is the only organization authorized to trace U.S. and foreign manufactured firearms for international, federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies. Its purpose is to provide investigative leads in the fight against violent crime and terrorism and to enhance public safety.
Firearms Tracing
Firearms tracing is the systematic tracking of the movement of a firearms recovered by law enforcement officials from its first sale by the manufacturer or importer through the distribution chain (wholesaler/retailer) to the first retail purchaser. Comprehensive firearms tracing is the routine tracing of every crime gun recovered within a geographic area or specific law enforcement jurisdiction.
eTrace
eTrace is a paperless firearm trace submission system that is readily accessible through the internet that provides the necessary utilities for submitting, retrieving, storing, and querying all firearms trace related information relative to the requestor’s agency. For more information about eTrace, contact the ATF’s National Tracing Center at 1-800-788-7133, extension 01540 or visit the eTrace Homepage to access your account.
Services of the NTC
Firearms trace requests may be submitted to any law enforcement agency in the course of a bona fide criminal investigation. Trace request forms (ATF F 3312.1, National Tracing Center Trace Request) are available online or by contacting the ATF National Tracing Center at 1-800-788-7133.