Serial number or the lack thereof

[marv]

I was at a show today kicking tires at a table. Guy comes up with an older S&W M&P. Shows it to the table guy. He examines it then hands it back, pointing out that the bottom of the grip has been filed down, removing the serial number. I tell the guy he better be careful, that gun can get him a nice long paid vacation at club fed. Table guy says it's ok long as you dont try to sell it. He checked it again and found what he said was the serial on the back end of the cylinder, really small. Said it would also be on the bottom of the barrel. Said all S&W revos have this. I call BS on this since I checked my S&W's and none of them have this "feature". Opinions?

 

[churchmouse]

If it has been filed....walk away.

 

[hopper68]

I would think mere possesion of a gun with filed off serial numbers is a crime. Then the question becomes do you drop it into a large body of water, destroy it some other way, or turn it over to the authorities?

 

[churchmouse]

I would think mere possesion of a gun with filed off serial numbers is a crime. Then the question becomes do you drop it into a large body of water, destroy it some other way, or turn it over to the authorities?

1st...do not possess one.
2nd...band saw.

 

[GBuck]

On a S&W there should be a serial number in more than one place. It should be on the inside of the cylinder chamber, only visible when you drop the cylinder. There should be one when you take off the grips too. I don't have any that have one on the barrel.

 

[Frank_N_Stein]

Table guy says it's ok long as you dont try to sell it.

Wrong. If it is actually obliterated, a person cannot possess the handgun.


IC 35-47-2-18
Obliterating identification marks on handgun or possession of such handguns prohibited
Sec. 18. No person shall:
(1) change, alter, remove, or obliterate the name of the maker, model, manufacturer's serial number, or other mark of identification on any handgun; or
(2) possess any handgun on which the name of the maker, model, manufacturer's serial number, or other mark of identification has been changed, altered, removed, or obliterated;
except as provided by applicable United States statute.
As added by P.L.311-1983, SEC.32.

 

[trapperDave]

If it has been filed....walk away.

walk hell, im running

 

[repeter1977]

Agree with the run away from something like that. Thanks to Frank_N_Stein for posting the law as well. I would have figured it was illegal, but always nice to have the law to back it up