Buying a handgun

[deciple]

I'm aware that registration from person to person is not necessary but I am a little confused. Is there no handgun registration in Indiana or is it just not required? Buying from a gun shop they always get the serial # and everything, is this just for their personal record?

 

[Bunnykid68]

no registration period. FFL dealers save this for themselves because they have too.

 

[Regionnus Rattis]

No handgun registration...but just keep your serials numbers safe.

 

[JSeroka]

As a licensed FFL Dealer they keep track of the serial numbers for legal reasons. Not necessary for records on who they sold it to, but that they actual sold it. Like any other retail business you get stock in and you sell it. For tax purposes you will need to prove what all you have sold in a fiscal year, and since all guns of the same model are the same, they must keep track of the serial number to identify the firearm they have sold and which ones are in stock. Think of it as buying a TV from walmart, the tv you buy has a serial number that is stored in the bar code, this way at any time they can tell what is and isn't in the store, also at what time a specific tv was sold.

 

[jayhawk]

As a licensed FFL Dealer they keep track of the serial numbers for legal reasons. Not necessary for records on who they sold it to, but that they actual sold it. Like any other retail business you get stock in and you sell it. For tax purposes you will need to prove what all you have sold in a fiscal year, and since all guns of the same model are the same, they must keep track of the serial number to identify the firearm they have sold and which ones are in stock. Think of it as buying a TV from walmart, the tv you buy has a serial number that is stored in the bar code, this way at any time they can tell what is and isn't in the store, also at what time a specific tv was sold.

I'm pretty sure they don't do it for tax purposes, there is no reason to get that detailed (for tax purposes). But I'm sure they do want to keep track of what serial numbers have been sold for liability purposes. Bar codes (as a general rule) do not contain serial numbers. They certainly don't at wal-mart.

 

[WebSnyper]

As a licensed FFL Dealer they keep track of the serial numbers for legal reasons. Not necessary for records on who they sold it to, but that they actual sold it. Like any other retail business you get stock in and you sell it. For tax purposes you will need to prove what all you have sold in a fiscal year, and since all guns of the same model are the same, they must keep track of the serial number to identify the firearm they have sold and which ones are in stock. Think of it as buying a TV from walmart, the tv you buy has a serial number that is stored in the bar code, this way at any time they can tell what is and isn't in the store, also at what time a specific tv was sold.

Uhm... not exactly. Its for "legal" reasons, but not like you are stating. Its required by the ATF.

Courtesy of

ATF Online - Firearms - How To - Become An FFL

Q: What are the record keeping requirements for FFL’s? Licensees must maintain records of all firearms receipts and dispositions, including the name, age, and place of residence of purchasers. 18 USC 922(b)(5) and 923(g)(1)(A). Licensed importers and manufacturers are required to identify firearms they import or manufacture by means of a serial number, which must be recorded in licensee records. 18 USC 923(i). Licensees are required to respond immediately to ATF firearms trace requests. 18 USC 923(g)(6). Reports of multiple sales of two or more handguns sold at one time or during any five consecutive business days are also required to be submitted to ATF. 18 USC 923(g)(3). Licensees who discontinue business must deliver their records to ATF. 18 USC 923(g)(4).
These requirements enable ATF to carry out one of the principal purposes of the GCA—to assist State, local, and foreign law enforcement officials in tracing firearms used in crime.
The United States government does not maintain records of licensees’ firearms transactions, other than the previously mentioned out-of-business records, reports of multiple handgun sales, and records of firearms traces. The assimilation of the information from these records provides valuable leads in the identification of illegal gun traffickers and their sources of firearms in the United States.
Regulations at 22 CFR 122.5 require that records of all transactions authorized by export, temporary import, and temporary export licenses must be maintained by the applicant for a period of 5 years. The records must be made available to United States Customs officers upon demand. These transactions are also computerized at the Department of State and Customs ports.