Why do some people try to hide ther serial #?

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Just an honest question about something I apparently don't know. Thanks.

[Saab1911]

A perp can file off the serial number on pistol that is the same model, carve
your serial number onto the gun in a manner similar to the original serial
number and commit a crime.

Then, the owner of the firearm may get arrested.

You may be able to clear your name by producing your own firearm and
hiring an expert to show that the other pistol is a forgery, but it could be a
lot of expensive hassle.

[David the Gnome]

I don't see any real need to other than paranoia. They could more easily change one number or letter as opposed to the whole serial but even then I hardly see the point from the criminals point of view. Changing the serial number doesn't do anything but add to your list of crimes.

[Saab1911]

Originally Posted by David the Gnome

I don't see any real need to other than paranoia. They could more easily change one number or letter as opposed to the whole serial but even then I hardly see the point from the criminals point of view. Changing the serial number doesn't do anything but add to your list of crimes.

Maybe if the police have a suspect (or "Person of Interest" ) the
heat will be off the perp long enough so that he can run for the border.

And it is better to fake a serial number that is valid.

[David the Gnome]

If the criminal is just going to run it would be smarter to not leave the gun at the crime scene.

[Que]

I've also heard it said that the serial numbers are obliterated in photos as anti-gunners will take the serial number and report the gun stolen to harass gun owners. This seems highly unlikely to me as they would be opening themselves up to criminal prosecution for filing a false report all to achieve what would amount to extremely limited results.

[Saab1911]

Originally Posted by David the Gnome

If the criminal is just going to run it would be smarter to not leave the gun at the crime scene.

Haven't you seen "The Godfather"? Tell me you're not the one man
who has not seen the movie. If so, you need to turn in your man membership
card pronto!

You're supposed to drop your hand to your side (after you put two in the
head of both the police chief and the drug lord). The restaurant patrons
will be looking at your face and will be petrified of you. Then, you calmly walk
out of the restaurant and along the way drop the pistol. Vincenzo will
speed to the restaurant as soon as he hears the gun shots. And off to
Sicily for you! You'll be forever more Rodolfo Lasparri of Palermo, Sicily.

But it's not all bad. Due to endless vendettas, there are no men
on Sicily. You can have your pick of the women. Soon, you'll spot this
beautiful brunette. You'll make mad passionate ...

Go rent the movie pronto! We'll let you off this time, and don't let me see
you renting "Steel Magnolias" or (God help us all) "The English Patient".
Oh ho, if we catch you with either of those movies, it will be a swift and
painful gelding for you my friend.

[w_houle]

I have seen it done so often that I just figured it was par for the course.

[astromanluca]

I think it's the same reason people blur out their license plates when they take a picture of their car - mostly paranoia, but not entirely unfounded.

[Joat]

Typically the last three or four numbers of a firearms serial number will be obscured to prevent unscrupulous persons from reporting "their" gun, serial number 12345, stolen. "... and by the way officer, I know who has it"

Paranoid? Maybe, but I also shred credit card offers before I throw them away and try to limit how and where my ssn is used/recorded.

Joat

[Mokanracer]

I just sold a mint 43 yrs old, Baby 25 on Gunbroker. Many emailed asking for the s/n...so I posted it in the description. I know they need,d it to verify age etc. A big seller/dealer who has helped me in the past,indicated,no big deal. He suspects the owner,if its been shaded/hidden from view .. Just my take on it.

[Sgt Pepper]

Folks blur license plates because someone can take that number, figure out where you live, and come get the car and/or your other stuff and/or you without invitation.

[Creature]

A perp can file off the serial number on pistol that is the same model, carve
your serial number onto the gun in a manner similar to the original serial
number and commit a crime.

Then, the owner of the firearm may get arrested.

This question has been asked several times here on TFL...but this is the first time I have ever seen a such a ridiculous reply. That one really takes the cake for "stretching" for an answer.

[zxcvbob]

Why do some people try to hide ther serial #?

No offense intended (really) but maybe the # is none of your business and is not relevant to the discussion?

[Ala Dan]

From my previous year's as a LEO, I can confirm that obliterated
serial numbers of weapons can (and will) be brought to the surface,
using a "special procedure" of acid, super glue, and frozen conditions;
even if the perp completely removes the factory serial number~!

[Saab1911]

Originally Posted by Creature

This question has been asked several times here on TFL...but this is the first time I have ever seen a such a ridiculous reply. That one really takes the cake for "stretching" for an answer.

Everybody's stretching. I guess I stretched a little further.

You've never heard of people swapping out VIN numbers on cars or changing
license plates? Do you leave your front door unlocked and later wonder
where all your stuff disappear to?

And, did I run over your cat or something? You seem to be following me
around making snide remarks. :barf: Maybe, you just do it to everybody.

[Creature]

And, did I run over your cat or something? You seem to be following me
around making snide remarks. Maybe, you just do it to everybody.

No...you just consistently pop up in the forum to make some very far-fetched claims. I call them as I see them.

Go ahead and shut me up with one actual documented case of what you suggested.

[Saab1911]

Originally Posted by Alan Dan

From my previous year's as a LEO, I can confirm that obliterated
serial numbers of weapons can (and will) be brought to the surface,
using a "special procedure" of acid, super glue, and frozen conditions;
even if the perp completely removes the factory serial number~!

Wouldn't polymer guns be an exception? The serial numbers are on metal
tabs which can just be pried off.

[Ala Dan]

Att: Saab1911-

I'm sorry, I don't know the correct answer to your question? But, I
just would imagine that those little metal strips are attached in such
a way that the firearm would be rendered useless; and probably in a
100 pieces, if one tried too remove them~!

[AZAK]

Well, looking at the "metal tab" serial number strips on my polymers, I do not believe that they would have any influence on the functioning of the pistol intact or not.

Having never removed them, this I can not prove. But I have never noticed any type of connectivity between the "strips" and any other part of the "functioning" pieces of the guns, visually or in the schematics.

But, I am not a gunsmith.

[Saab1911]

Originally Posted by AZAK

Well, looking at the "metal tab" serial number strips on my polymers, I do not believe that they would have any influence on the functioning of the pistol intact or not.

Having never removed them, this I can not prove. But I have never noticed any type of connectivity between the "strips" and any other part of the "functioning" pieces of the guns, visually or in the schematics.

But, I am not a gunsmith.

You're right, most of the lockwork of striker fired polymer pistols are
contained in the slide.

[CortJestir]

For me, it's a privacy thing. I'll shred credit card offers, give out email addresses only if necessary, remove address labels when recycling shipping boxes, guard my SSN number, shred receipts with CC numbers on them, etc. Serial numbers on firearms fall under that category for me.. I'm not sure what kind of "privacy" laws there are around firearms serial numbers, but I figure it's no one else's business.

[HappyGunner]

It's the old wives tale of if they see your firearm S/N they will claim it's their lost gun. Or they will use your S/N on their gun. Both are really old IMHO stupid wives tales and I don't hide mine and never will.

[Chui]

Just an honest question about something I apparently don't know. Thanks.

Why would anyone POST pictures of their collection?????

[BillCoe]

Well...I suppose I'm the only one posting under my real name then.....?