Should I worry about carrying a gun if I don't know it's history?

[Concerned Citizen]

I have an older 32 ACP (1917 Ruby). I have no idea where this gun has been, or if it was stolen at some time in the past, or used in a crime.

My only concern is if I am either CC/OC, & I get checked, and the numbers are run. I have no reason to think it's a gun with a history, but I just don't know.

Any thoughts?

 

[clgustaveson]

Have the police check it for you. They will.

 

[Concerned Citizen]

What if I don't want the police to have a permanent record that I own and/or possess this gun?

 

[Regionnus Rattis]

What if I don't want the police to have a permanent record that I own and/or possess this gun?

Then don't tell them and take your chances

 

[possum_128]

They are not going to keep a record on you or your gun, just run a check. This is your only option if you want piece of mind. Otherwise, you're sol.

 

[clgustaveson]

What if I don't want the police to have a permanent record that I own and/or possess this gun?

Why wouldn't you? It sounds more like a shelf gun by the age, I mean I have an old shotty I use but were talking an early 1900s handgun.

Do you have a LTCH? If so, I am sure they know you have a gun, or at least suspect you do.

 

[Concerned Citizen]

Yes I have an LTCH. Yes they know I have Guns. However, the fewer guns they are aware of, the better.

Even though this is an old gun, I shoot it fairly often & it fires nicely, it is compact so it conceals well.

 

[youngda9]

Did you obtain it legally?

 

[Concerned Citizen]

Did you obtain it legally?

It was given to me as a gift. I don't know how or where he got it.

 

[Concerned Citizen]

Can I go to my local PD & tell them I am considering buying a gun & ask them to run the numbers?

 

[bigus_D]

I completely understand where the op is coming from. I purchased a gun ftf from an ingo member. I believe it is clear. But it seems the only way to know for sure would be to have the cops run it. Then, if something is wrong with it, the risk is that they'd run you up poop creek for it. Can't win.

 

[ATM]

Why would it matter if you found out now, later or never?

You aren't responsible for unknown history or lack thereof.

 

[Pocketman]

Per the above replies, you have a few options, none are perfect. You can have the numbers run and you'll then have some piece of mind. Or, you can take your chances that someday it will get run involuntarily. If it comes back as hot, a paper trail on how you acquired the gun would be beneficial. Create a receipt and "buy" it for $1.

 

[ATM]

...none are perfect.

I'm pretty sure mine was.

 

[SteveG66]

Have you considered having an FFL run it; gun store, ffl holder, etc? I think there is a website on the net you can run the numbers on.

I think you're doing the right thing, checking ahead of time. I don't know that I would be carrying it unless I was 100% sure I knew it was clean, but thats just me.

Good luck.

 

[MrsGungho]

Have you considered having an FFL run it; gun store, ffl holder, etc? I think there is a website on the net you can run the numbers on.

I think you're doing the right thing, checking ahead of time. I don't know that I would be carrying it unless I was 100% sure I knew it was clean, but thats just me.

Good luck.

FFL, gun stores etc do not run numbers. if there is a website on the net, we are unaware of it.

 

[woowoo2]

if there is a website on the net, we are unaware of it.

HotGunz Stolen Firearms Database

 

[Concerned Citizen]

HotGunz Stolen Firearms Database

I could be wrong, but it looks like a gun will only come up there if the original owner of a gun lists it stolen ON THAT WEBSITE.

 

[MrsGungho]

HotGunz Stolen Firearms Database

I could be wrong, but it looks like a gun will only come up there if the original owner of a gun lists it stolen ON THAT WEBSITE.

exactly, it is there if the owner reported it to the site. Police do not report stolen guns to this site so running it there just means it wasn't reported there. Still gonna be iffy if the gun is clean or not.

 

[calcot7]

I kinda know how you feel. I had a gun stolen out my truck that I bought from a friend who said it was a cop's old backup..............but that doesn't mean it's clean does it? Any way the gun was recovered and since my girlfriends roomate had her vehicle broken into and reported that I had also had a gun stolen. When asked to come down and I.D. the weapon I was alittle worried. When asked if it was indeed my weapon, I could only comfortably state that it..."Looked like it"