Proof of Ownership

DerBarbarian · 02-20-2010, 01:42 AM

Hey guy's I have a proof of ownership question. The first few guns I bought were from private sellers so I have bills of sales for all of them in a safe deposit box. As of late I've bought a couple of Russian rifles from Big-5, Bought a mossberg from BIG-5 and then bought a AR-15 Lower from Discount Guns. All I received from them was receipts for the purchase nothing more. Unfortunately when I got kicked out of my house my parents threw all of that away without realizing it's importance. Long story short Is there anything that ties those guns to me other than my word? I would really like to have something official for each gun saying this belongs to XXX. I wasn't sure if they were actually registered to a person when they are purchased or how that works so I apologize in advance if that's a dumb question but its just for a little peace of mind.

Brianaintright · 02-20-2010, 06:15 AM

For the hand to hand sales, no. If you filled out a 4473 then you could always ask the dealer for a copy or some documentation. An FFL dealer could at least tell you what's accessible through the state records system but I believe only handgun records are automated.

koorbloh · 02-20-2010, 07:37 AM

take your bills of sale to the police and the gun, they'll help you.

Mrwyld · 02-20-2010, 07:44 AM

if your parents threw out the receipts for the rifles and items that you bought, I believe that you can contact the local ATF and ask them for ways to receive doucmentation that the guns are in fact yours.

As for the face to face gun sales (I believe you said you have those bill of sales in safety deposit box). that is really the only way to keep track of those guns. I'd scan a copy of those and keep them on a thumb drive or cd somewhere for access as a just in case).

Local PD can help somewhat, but most of the time don't have a true clue as to how to get paper work for that stuff as they don't deal federally (which is how rifles and hand guns are dealt with), but they should be able to point you in the right direction of whom to contact.

You don't really need to go to the local PD, but just a phone call explaining your situation is all that is necessary. Or google the Seattle ATF office, and skip the local PD, and go right to the source for it all. That's what I' do.

Brianaintright · 02-20-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koorbloh

take your bills of sale to the police and the gun, they'll help you.

Local PD doesn't keep these records. DOL gives us access to handguns registered to you but not rifles.

Not too sure what you concern is about making sure they are registered in your name. If they get stolen you provide the serial number to the police and they may have you sign a statement under penalty of perjury indicating the items are yours. They don't check records to see if your the "registered" owner as there is no legal requirement to register them.

I'd be more concerned with making sure your insurance agent has them documented and your policy will cover them if they are swiped. Most home owners policies only cover $1K-3K of guns wihtout a special policy.

Booga · 02-20-2010, 09:40 AM

So long as the gun isn't reported stolen by a previous owner, you'll be fine.
If it's a concern, just have the previous owner draft another bill of sale for you, if you can contact them.

JayD1981 · 02-20-2010, 10:16 AM

I keep a spreadsheet of all my gun models, serial numbers, accessories, and value for insurance purposes if anything were to happen. Other than that I don't worry about having anything that proves ownership.

Mrwyld · 02-20-2010, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayD1981

I keep a spreadsheet of all my gun models, serial numbers, accessories, and value for insurance purposes if anything were to happen. Other than that I don't worry about having anything that proves ownership.

smart idea with thd spreadsheet. I think I'm going to take some photos today, spreadsheet as well for records.

Thanks for the info!

hubers454 · 02-20-2010, 05:00 PM

when I purchase a gun from anywhere I write the serial number on the reciept and put it in a notebook, that I log the gun into, pictures is a good Ideal. I had a derringer stolen out of my truck in the 1980s somebody got caught with it on the canadian border and the returned it to me 20 years later hehehe I had the reciept. if you paid with credit card you can easly find payments made. do not go to police they will document the guns, the reason you buy second hand is to keep them out of system incase of a total gun ban, Look at the Mission of the liberal democrats and look at Hitlers gun ban, very scary

DerBarbarian · 02-20-2010, 06:06 PM

Thanks for the info guys, It's not something i'm worried about, I'm very anal about my guns security, it was just something for peace of mind more than anything.

02-20-2010, 01:42 AM	#1
DerBarbarian Rifleman Joined: Jan 2009 From: Seattle Posts: 193	Proof of Ownership Hey guy's I have a proof of ownership question. The first few guns I bought were from private sellers so I have bills of sales for all of them in a safe deposit box. As of late I've bought a couple of Russian rifles from Big-5, Bought a mossberg from BIG-5 and then bought a AR-15 Lower from Discount Guns. All I received from them was receipts for the purchase nothing more. Unfortunately when I got kicked out of my house my parents threw all of that away without realizing it's importance. Long story short Is there anything that ties those guns to me other than my word? I would really like to have something official for each gun saying this belongs to XXX. I wasn't sure if they were actually registered to a person when they are purchased or how that works so I apologize in advance if that's a dumb question but its just for a little peace of mind.

02-20-2010, 05:00 PM	#9
hubers454 Rifleman Joined: Dec 2009 From: Spokane Valley Washington Posts: 101	ownership when I purchase a gun from anywhere I write the serial number on the reciept and put it in a notebook, that I log the gun into, pictures is a good Ideal. I had a derringer stolen out of my truck in the 1980s somebody got caught with it on the canadian border and the returned it to me 20 years later hehehe I had the reciept. if you paid with credit card you can easly find payments made. do not go to police they will document the guns, the reason you buy second hand is to keep them out of system incase of a total gun ban, Look at the Mission of the liberal democrats and look at Hitlers gun ban, very scary

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02-20-2010, 06:15 AM	#2
Brianaintright Rifleman Joined: Nov 2009 From: WA Posts: 164	For the hand to hand sales, no. If you filled out a 4473 then you could always ask the dealer for a copy or some documentation. An FFL dealer could at least tell you what's accessible through the state records system but I believe only handgun records are automated.

02-20-2010, 07:37 AM	#3
koorbloh Sharpshooter Joined: Jan 2009 From: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 656	take your bills of sale to the police and the gun, they'll help you.

02-20-2010, 07:44 AM	#4
Mrwyld Gunslinger Joined: Feb 2009 From: Everett, WA Posts: 94	if your parents threw out the receipts for the rifles and items that you bought, I believe that you can contact the local ATF and ask them for ways to receive doucmentation that the guns are in fact yours. As for the face to face gun sales (I believe you said you have those bill of sales in safety deposit box). that is really the only way to keep track of those guns. I'd scan a copy of those and keep them on a thumb drive or cd somewhere for access as a just in case). Local PD can help somewhat, but most of the time don't have a true clue as to how to get paper work for that stuff as they don't deal federally (which is how rifles and hand guns are dealt with), but they should be able to point you in the right direction of whom to contact. You don't really need to go to the local PD, but just a phone call explaining your situation is all that is necessary. Or google the Seattle ATF office, and skip the local PD, and go right to the source for it all. That's what I' do.

02-20-2010, 09:40 AM	#6
Booga Rifleman Joined: Aug 2009 From: WA Posts: 120	So long as the gun isn't reported stolen by a previous owner, you'll be fine. If it's a concern, just have the previous owner draft another bill of sale for you, if you can contact them.

02-20-2010, 10:16 AM	#7
JayD1981 Rifleman Joined: Jan 2009 From: Richland, WA Posts: 150	I keep a spreadsheet of all my gun models, serial numbers, accessories, and value for insurance purposes if anything were to happen. Other than that I don't worry about having anything that proves ownership.

02-20-2010, 06:06 PM	#10
DerBarbarian Rifleman Joined: Jan 2009 From: Seattle Posts: 193	Thanks for the info guys, It's not something i'm worried about, I'm very anal about my guns security, it was just something for peace of mind more than anything.