Obscuring Serial Numbers

[wipfel]

I've noticed people will often obscure the serial number of their gun when posting pictures, and I was wondering what is the reason for this?

[Mike.357]

because there are unscrupulous people out there who will try to use it to their advantage.

[Guest spoolie]

I don't know, I've tried to track the history of a few weapons I own and can find nothing using the serial numbers...so I post my pics normal (no photoshop).

[wipfel]

because there are unscrupulous people out there who will try to use it to their advantage.

i figured that much out. what i can't see is how they can use that to their advantage?

[Mike.357]

maybe they would report it stolen?

Especially if you commented how you bought it FTF at a gunshow.

I dunno, just best to keep things like numbers unpublished IMHO

[memphismason]

maybe they would report it stolen?

Especially if you commented how you bought it FTF at a gunshow.

I dunno, just best to keep things like numbers unpublished IMHO

I agree.

[xd shooter]

Happened to a guy on this site, He was trying to sell a firearm & was contacted saying the gun was stolen. All & all the gun was not stolen & the so guy that called had no proof.

Edit: he was not selling the gun on this site, just the conversation was here.

[Guest bkelm18]

Same reason I don't broadcast any other personal info on here. Who knows who will do what with it.

[trblmkr13]

Always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to any kind of persnal information

[wipfel]

Same reason I don't broadcast any other personal info on here. Who knows who will do what with it.

i agree and try to keep my personal info "off the grid" so to speak as well.

[JeffsSig]

Maybe somone should come up with a system like LifeLock for guns with a non public database, even to the government (wishing) and call it SerialLock

[Guest spoolie]

Maybe somone should come up with a system like LifeLock for guns with a non public database, even to the government (wishing) and call it SerialLock

They do...it's called a receipt.

[Guest proudsuthrner]

sorta like your ssn i'd imagin, dont want that number out in the open for the world to see..

[Capbyrd]

sorta like your ssn i'd imagin, dont want that number out in the open for the world to see..

457-55-5462 is mine. What's yours?

[Magiccarpetrides]

lol thats all thats needed to run your credit report and find out if your a deadbeat ;-D

[Guest bkelm18]

Shoot, my credit would probably improve if someone stole my identity.

[Guest Sgt. Joe]

If someone stole my identity I would probably be hunted down and shot:D

It is just the times we live in that keeps us from sharing so much info online to who knows who is looking.

Crooks are creative creatures......I will not provide examples and thus blow up the bandwidth

[Idaho]

I just read this thread the other day and this morning I was reading and article in the January American Rifleman.

A Korean War vet was recently reuinited with the exact rifle he carried for a year in Korea.

The serial number? 1622xxx

[Guest TnRebel]

Shoot, my credit would probably improve if someone stole my identity.

Roger That , Been there done that .

[DavidD]

Happened to a guy on this site, He was trying to sell a firearm & was contacted saying the gun was stolen. All & all the gun was not stolen & the so guy that called had no proof.

Edit: he was not selling the gun on this site, just the conversation was here.

I remember this inciddent howevewr I couldn't find the thread. Wasn't it discovered by a LEO that was originally interested in the gun?

[LA_357SIG]

Because the people who CAN find out personal information from serial numbers on firearms posted on gun forums are far more dangerous than some schmuck that will report your own gun stolen.

Edited December 26, 2009 by LA_357SIG
By "the people" I mean the alphabet gangs