TexasCHLforum.com

This thread ( viewtopic.php?f=83&t=43321" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ) about used cars got into vehicles without proper registrations. It got me to thinking about guns (imagine that).

Although there is no "gun registration" per se, there is a history with each handgun, especially if it was ever reported stolen. I've bought several used guns and unless I bought them from a reputable dealer (bought two from Carter's Country), I don't have a clue if they have a history of theft.

Nowadays, if you are stopped by an LEO and he has a reason to examine your gun, it better have a clean record just like these cars. Is there a way for a citizen to check the history of his handguns?

After a quick search, I don't believe there is a way to check the history. The only option would be to call the police non-emergency number, and ask them to check if it is currently listed as stolen. Although it will suck to have to give up the gun if it is, it is better than a 5 year mandatory sentence for possession of a stolen gun.

Skaven wrote:After a quick search, I don't believe there is a way to check the history. The only option would be to call the police non-emergency number, and ask them to check if it is currently listed as stolen. Although it will suck to have to give up the gun if it is, it is better than a 5 year mandatory sentence for possession of a stolen gun.

I would expect if you bought it in good faith in a normal transaction, even private sale, you would probably not be charged.
It is beyond the ability of most of us to verify.

Rex B wrote:

Skaven wrote:After a quick search, I don't believe there is a way to check the history. The only option would be to call the police non-emergency number, and ask them to check if it is currently listed as stolen. Although it will suck to have to give up the gun if it is, it is better than a 5 year mandatory sentence for possession of a stolen gun.

I would expect if you bought it in good faith in a normal transaction, even private sale, you would probably not be charged.
It is beyond the ability of most of us to verify.

I did a similar look on Google for a service and didn't find any.

I have bought handguns at gun shows in Houston and Dallas. One was NIB and the background check was done at the show. The others were very old and they were bought from table vendors and as a cash deal many years ago. The downside of not using a retailer is that you just don't know.

I don't carry any of these guns anymore; just back and forth to the range.

Does someone need to start GunFax, like CarFax?

Skaven wrote:Although it will suck to have to give up the gun if it is, it is better than a 5 year mandatory sentence for possession of a stolen gun.

Can you provide a citation for that mandatory sentence? Not remembering it from either USC Title 18 or the Texas PC or GC, I did a quick search and couldn't find anything to that effect. Thanks.

I actually may have misspoke. It was listed where I got the answer for finding information about a stolen gun. I took it from a http://www.ask.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; answer. I apologize, next time I will check sources.