Can I find my guns serial number online?
Check your local department of law enforcement’s website to see if you can run an online gun serial number search. If you can’t find the database, contact a law enforcement representative and ask if an online gun serial number search can be performed in your state.
Does the government keep track of gun serial numbers?
The ATF is the only agency allowed to perform gun traces. Trace requests spiked after the ATF made the process easier by rolling out an online submission program called eTrace, and some federal and local law enforcement agencies started requiring traces with every crime gun.
How can I find out the serial number of a gun?
You can conduct a search online for checking firearm serial numbers in your state, or go directly to the police department as described in step two. Give the officer the gun serial number and ask him to run a check on the gun. If the gun was ever reported stolen anywhere in the United States, the officer will be able to tell you.
How to search federal firearms licensee records?
The Firearms Services Section, Law Enforcement Support Branch, will search the records maintained at the National Tracing Center (NTC) from out of business Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) pursuant to a request from ATF or other accredited law enforcement agency as part of a bona fide criminal investigation.
When do law enforcement request the serial number of a firearm?
Law enforcement regularly makes such requests to obtain the serial number of a firearm that was stolen from an individual.
Can a serial number be duplicated on a firearm?
The serial number cannot duplicate the serial number appearing on any other firearm the importer previously imported. For firearms imported after January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting or stamping (impressing) of the serial number must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch and in a print size no smaller than 1/16 inch.