Serial Numbers

zeke1312 · 06-03-2006, 10:08 AM

How are sn's tracked? I think I know the answers to most but here are some examples: A weapon purchased in 2006 from a dealer; one purchased in 1986; etc. I assume one can trace by refering back to the mfg no matter what the year of mfg(?). Second, how would the gun be tracked from the point of mfg through to current owner?

What about a "bring back" luger? How are their sn's tracked?

I assume as an example, tracking a Winchester begins and ends at the mfg(?).

For a Luger, tracking begins and ends at the mfg?

How about a gun sold new in say 1980 from a dealer to a customer who then sells to another person, who in turn sells, all within several years?

These examples of course would depend on if or when a gun sn is entered into a tracking "system". Where is and who if any, maintains such a database?

Lastly, how is a new gun sn tracked? I know at the point of sale, the 4473 records the sn but is that where the sn documentation ends? I believe the 4473 must be kept by the selling FFL for 20 yrs but what happens after the 4473 would be destroyed after 20 yrs assuming the gun was passed onto a relative, then, etc, etc, until the sn cannot be tracked?

Of all the "illegal" guns out there, typically owned by those who would use in the act of a crime, how can they be traced?

I'm interested to what effect the Brady Bill (and any other programs or laws in the past) is.

I also assume many or most Lugers brought back from WWII, etc., are not in a "tracking system" unless sold by a dealer.

I had a discussion on the topic with fellow workers and we had varying opinions. In part, the discussion posed a senario by which the US govt would succumb to the UN and begin to collect all weapons including our Lugers.

06-03-2006, 10:08 AM	#1
zeke1312 User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 167 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Serial Numbers How are sn's tracked? I think I know the answers to most but here are some examples: A weapon purchased in 2006 from a dealer; one purchased in 1986; etc. I assume one can trace by refering back to the mfg no matter what the year of mfg(?). Second, how would the gun be tracked from the point of mfg through to current owner? What about a "bring back" luger? How are their sn's tracked? I assume as an example, tracking a Winchester begins and ends at the mfg(?). For a Luger, tracking begins and ends at the mfg? How about a gun sold new in say 1980 from a dealer to a customer who then sells to another person, who in turn sells, all within several years? These examples of course would depend on if or when a gun sn is entered into a tracking "system". Where is and who if any, maintains such a database? Lastly, how is a new gun sn tracked? I know at the point of sale, the 4473 records the sn but is that where the sn documentation ends? I believe the 4473 must be kept by the selling FFL for 20 yrs but what happens after the 4473 would be destroyed after 20 yrs assuming the gun was passed onto a relative, then, etc, etc, until the sn cannot be tracked? Of all the "illegal" guns out there, typically owned by those who would use in the act of a crime, how can they be traced? I'm interested to what effect the Brady Bill (and any other programs or laws in the past) is. I also assume many or most Lugers brought back from WWII, etc., are not in a "tracking system" unless sold by a dealer. I had a discussion on the topic with fellow workers and we had varying opinions. In part, the discussion posed a senario by which the US govt would succumb to the UN and begin to collect all weapons including our Lugers.