TexasCHLforum.com

bmwrdr wrote:Another stolen firearm in the DFW area. Be aware if you see a CZ Scorpio Evo 3 offered.

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/20 ... oots-rifle

I find it hard to believe that someone could take a rifle, put it in a case, and no one questioned him. Plus, I thought the doors going out of the museum area, had emergency alarms. If they were disabled, or malfunctioning, it may have been an inside job, by an employee, or an associate of an employee.

superstar wrote:

Jusme wrote:I think like TAM said, a bill of sale, and having the gun checked by the local PD etc. would probably prevent any charges of theft on your part even if the gun were used in self defense.

If and when I go to the local PD and ask to check if a gun it's stolen, can I request a police print out of the results? or is there a document that I can request to prove that I in good faith tried to verify the status of the gun?

I don't think they can give you a print out since it is from NICS, but they can verbally tell you that the gun is not showing to be stolen, based on the serial number. We used the same system to run pawn tickets. If something turns out to be stolen, the item is retrieved from the pawn dealer. Then the ID information can be obtained on the person that pawned or sold the item to the pawn shop. That's why I record all of my serial numbers, if anything is ever stolen, and recovered, I could get it back.

superstar wrote:Thanks! I'm buying new then! saving a few bucks does not warrant feeding into the loop of buying stolen weapons.

This might be a different topic but would a person be in legal trouble if they used a stolen weapon in a self defense shooting? Given that they bought it and in good faith thought it was not stolen? Would a bill of sale be the best proof or method to clear any wrong doing?

I think like TAM said, a bill of sale, and having the gun checked by the local PD etc. would probably prevent any charges of theft on your part even if the gun were used in self defense. It would at least be a defense to prosecution. There are tell-tale signs of someone trying to sell anything they know to be stolen, as mentioned, back alley, after dark transactions, refusal to have the gun checked by the PD, or a price too good to be true. I would have no problem purchasing a used gun from anyone on the forum, the same is true for independent dealers at gun shows, pawn shops etc.

But like anything bought used, let the buyer beware.

That would be feasible, but it still won't guarantee the weapon is not stolen. If stolen from a gun store the FFL dealer will have the list of serial numbers, but John Q. Public might not record the serial numbers, so if it is stolen from a residence or vehicle, there may be no way to verify it. This is especially true if the gun has changed hands several times, or was passed down as part of an estate, where the original seller is not known. The only way a stolen gun can be entered into a database is by serial number, so if the theft victim doesn't have it available, it won't be entered into NICS.

I keep a record of all of my gun's serial numbers along with a description of any accessories and their serial numbers if available. I do the same with all of my electronics, and other big ticket items. Where no serial number is available I try to get a photo, and as detailed a description as possible.

You will just have to rely on your gut instincts regarding guns from a private seller. JMHO