Need help checking out a potential purchase

[Srtsi4wd]

I am in need of a serial number check on a handgun I'm considering buying. It's being offered by a friend of friend of my dad. I'm a little concerned about the low price, but I know the guy is laid off and needs the money.

My main concern is that he doesn't know the history having bought it F2F himself. Is there anyone out there who could check it for me? All I want to know is if its clean or dirty. If its dirty I'll pass and leave it up to him what he does with it. I don't want to cause any trouble for him and am concerned that I'll catch heat just for asking about it.

Can anyone help me out or point me in the right direction?

 

[HandK]

You should be able to take the ser # to any local police department and have them run it, LEIN is checked and can not be used for personal information, but if you do it at the department they will be able to run it for you,

 

[Cwood]

Your local PD should be able to do it for you.

 

[urustyone]

second that, local PD!!

 

[Indy317]

The local PD can run it for you, but they are going to want to see the gun. I can't think of any PD that will run a gun they don't have. The reason is because if it comes up stolen, they are not giving it back.

 

[Arm America]

Now figure that out.

You want to purchase something but have to possess it before
you can run a check on it.
I had the same issue with a dirt bike.
Called to have VIN checked and was told to bring it in. (titles are not issued)
Needless to say, I passed on both.

We Taxpayers pay for the data base but can't have access to it.

I would suspect your out of luck unless you know someone on the inside.

 

[TopDog]

This would not be as effective as having a police department check. But it's a start. Nothing against the cops, rules are rules but if they cant help then we as a community of owners need to do what we can on our own. I have never used this database but it seems like a good idea.

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[Disposable Heart]

Or, just do it in Martinsville, like Techres and I. We got it checked on the spot by local police! (they were alerted to two suspicious looking guys selling a gun in a parking lot).

 

[NHT3]

Why not just tell him it has to go through a dealer and pay for the dealer transfer. If it's a legit sale he shouldn't mind at all, if not then it's not something you want anyway. For me the transfer fee would be cheap insurance. (except if you went to Don's for the transfer)