We Don't Register Guns Here

[EMTRN]

I wonder how that CPD officer would know the gun was not registered? All dispatch tells me is "no hits" if the gun is not stolen.

[The Rabbi]

I wonder how that CPD officer would know the gun was not registered? All dispatch tells me is "no hits" if the gun is not stolen.

He'd ask to see the registration certificate, of course!

[Guest Alpha Dog]

Let's see if I've understood all the info in the posts on this topic...

In Tennessee:

1) Forms filled out do not constitute a "registration" of the gun to any particular individual.

2) If a ser. # of a gun is run through TBI or NCIC, it will not return any info on who the owner is or who bought it and won't return a hit unless the gun has been reported stolen.

3) There is no way that LE can ascertain who purchased a specific gun (if, indeed, the records are not entered into a DB).

Did I understand everything?

Thanks to all who posted the helpful info in the replies and for this forum in general...this place is GREAT!

[The Rabbi]

Not exactly.

Every state uses the form 4473. It is not a registration form. States that do register have separate forms I am sure.

The way the gun is run is that ATF (and all requests must come from ATF) calls the dealer and says "you received such and such a gun shipped on such day from such wholesaler. What happened to it?"

The dealer consults his log books and reports back "I sold it to so and so on this date. So and so is listed on the 4473 as a black/white/whatever man/woman of this age and this height and weight."

Of course that won't work for guns I've taken in on trade or bought from individuals outright. There is really little way to trace that.

[Guest Alpha Dog]

OK, that clears it up. The dealer maintains info on the original in-store purchaser and provides it to ATF inquiries.

Here's another question:

If they can run background checks on personal info you provide, and if the state does not keep info in a DB, what purpose does the thumb print serve?

[The Rabbi]

If they can run background checks on personal info you provide, and if the state does not keep info in a DB, what purpose does the thumb print serve?

Excellent question. See this thread here:

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9200

[Guest bkelm18]

I've always thought the thumbprint requirement was kind of silly. The first time I bought a gun in TN and the dealer said to provide him with my thumbprints, I thought he was joking. When he set the card and the weird ink stuff in front of me I knew he wasn't. Its not a big deal to me, I've got nothing to hide, but its a waste of money for the state on something so useless.

[strickj]

I hate doing thumb prints! Every person in every shop has different rules for you to do it!

The old man at The Ammo Can jumped my ars when I rolled my thumb! He said no,you must press lightly straight down with out rolling your thumb,now do it again!::using soup Nazi no soup for you voice::

[Guest mikedwood]

He'd ask to see the registration certificate, of course!

Wonder if I can get a registration badge to go with my gun? Like the Carry Permit badge only for the gun. Double badges, imagine the respect one would get from his or her piers.

[BryanP]

No, the make, model, caliber and type as well as the serial number are given. This is how they check the gun isn't stolen.

Indeed. This is how I found out that my Browning Hi Power is one character off (an N vs a Z) from one that has been reported as stolen. For that reason (among others) that pistol is now relegated to "range toy" status. If I'm ever involved in an SD shooting I don't want a misread digit adding to the fun.

[Guest Todd@CIS]

BryanP...I wouldn't let that keep me from using my gun for any purpose (I know, you said "among other things").

I'm willing to bet that your license plate is close to another one listed as stolen...

[BryanP]

Oh, it wouldn't stop me if that was what I had to use. It's just that before I reached for that I'd grab the GP100, the XD45, or the 12 gage.