What if a a gun you formerly owned was used in a crime,...

..could it be traced back to you? For example, you had a gun stolen from your home, you sold a gun to someone with no record or you gave a gun to someone, such as your son, that no longer lives with you. This topic came up between my wife and I and while I think the chances are slim that the former ownership could come back to haunt you I can see how it surely could, especially if you had no record to prove you legally transfered the gun to someone else.

Expat wrote:..could it be traced back to you? For example, you had a gun stolen from your home, you sold a gun to someone with no record or you gave a gun to someone, such as your son, that no longer lives with you. This topic came up between my wife and I and while I think the chances are slim that the former ownership could come back to haunt you I can see how it surely could, especially if you had no record to prove you legally transfered the gun to someone else.

I think this would be a good question for the police or a lawyer. Me and my family moved about a year ago to a new city but we still own the house from where we moved from. We brought the majority of our stuff with us but there were a few things we could not bring because we were so packed down in the moving truck and our personal vehicles, so we left some things behind and would “get it next time we were in town.” I brought most of my guns with me. The only ones I left was my great-grandfather bolt action .22 long rifle, my grandfathers .45 cal muzzle loader, and semi-auto 12 gauge shotgun my dad got in the late 80s or early 90s. I did not think “I need to take down the serial numbers incase something happens, we will be back in a few weeks to get everything else”. I could kick myself in the butt now for doing that, because not to long after that someone broke into the house and took several items including the three guns. When we made out the police report I told them 3 guns were taken, but I could not give them the serial numbers or even who made the guns. All I was able to tell them was “and old .22 bolt action rifle, and old .45 cal muzzle loader, and a 12 gauge semi auto shotgun with brown stock, brown hand guard and blued barrel.” So needless to say the chances of ever recovering those guns are almost zero, but if they were to be used in a crime I don’t know what could happen. I could say “yes those guns did belong to me, but they were stolen on this day and I did make a police report about it.”

Get you a legal pad, and write down every SN, brand and model of each gun you own, a little description wouldn't hurt either, like "stainless, semi-auto". If you sell one, write sold out beside it, just to have it straight in your mind if no one elses, since it's obviously not going to be legal proof should something like this arise. But if stolen, especially if you saw the guy so the cops have some leads, the SN will be a big help.

My neighbor got robbed while she was out mowing grass a year or so ago, and saw a thug creeping beforehand and got a decent look at him. She called the cops, gave a description, they came back with a photo lineup. They got a warrant for the guy and found her purse, but couldn't find her boyfriends AK that was also stolen(he'd unloaded it the night before luckily), and the thug told them what pawn shop he'd sold it to. They got their stuff back within about 2 weeks. Really helped that he had his SN, because I can't imagine trying to pick out one AK at a pawn shop

This goes back to the bill of sale argument that was started a while back. I still think it's a good idea. Especially if the gun has been sold. Buyer and seller sign, heck have a witness sign. Make a copy for the buyer and a copy for yourself and keep it with that nifty little legal pad or notebook with all the serial numbers if you want.

My take on the bill of sale is what does it hurt to have one, lol. I did one for my rifle for this very reason. I wanted proof I no longer owned it.

Expat wrote:..could it be traced back to you? For example, you had a gun stolen from your home, you sold a gun to someone with no record or you gave a gun to someone, such as your son, that no longer lives with you. This topic came up between my wife and I and while I think the chances are slim that the former ownership could come back to haunt you I can see how it surely could, especially if you had no record to prove you legally transfered the gun to someone else.

If you sale a car to someone who uses it in a crime, are you in any way liable? How about a hammer, or a bow and some arrows, etc.? Whats the difference? Folks make a mountain out of a mole hill when a gun is involved. I'll never trade or give info when buying or selling a gun. I did it once because I knew I wouldn't be keeping it long, but I won't on one I want to keep. I'm not a book keeper for the gubment. I'll make sure they are a state resident if it involves a handgun, but that's it. Just my take on it. Folks in IL for example are required by the state to keep paperwork on any transaction. I think they have to keep that paperwork for 10 years, and produce it on demand. Any of yall want some of that? I sure as heck don't.