However, some police stations will run checks through the National Crime Information Center to see if the gun is listed as stolen. Tracing a gun's serial number through the ATF to see if it was involved in a crime is only permissible for law enforcement agencies involved in a bona fide criminal investigation where a gun is recovered or suspected to be involved. Get a notarized bill of sale for any gun you purchase so you'll have some protection if the gun is later identified as stolen property.
In many cases, this will come from the owner's manual. The documentation that came with the gun will also have this information. A gun dealer can run a serial number search, but may charge a small fee for doing so. People who lose their guns' serial numbers won't be able to report them on the sites. A person who purchased a gun from a licensed firearms dealer can ask them for help in locating the serial number. The sites' information comes from citizens reporting their stolen guns. Not getting a hit doesn't mean the gun isn't stolen, however. Check the serial number online through HotGunz, Stolen-Property or other stolen firearm sites.If the sale is illegal, chances are the gun is too. serial number 2,700,000, the action on the Winchester. Not all states allow private individuals to sell firearms without going through a licensed firearms dealer. A Comprehensive, Fully Illustrated Guide to Modern Collectible Firearms with Current Market Values.