Stolen guns

[bang]

A gunsmith recently told me that he has access to the NCIC, and he checks all guns that come into his shop through them.

I know that many of us have acquired guns through personal purchases or inheritances, guns that have been sold/traded many times, and we really have no way of knowing whether or not the gun was stolen somewhere in the past.

Is the above described gunsmith acting ethically, and shouldn't his first allegiance be to his customer, rather than some enforcement group ? ?

I would really have a serious problem with a smith who caused me to not only lose a gun, but who would also bring down trouble on my head that I didn't ask for . . .

[A1A]

So your logic and training says that if you have a friend who you know committed a hit and run homicide, for example, it would be unethical and inappropriate for you to report him to some "law enforcement group"? While I am not aware of the specific requirements (others will be), whether or not I were an FFL, I would rather not be in possession of a stolen handgun.

[ohiobuckeye]

Some might think it to be a bit over zealous for a gunsmith who only has any particular gun in his shop for a brief time to be repaired. On the other hand, having my own FFL, I can understand why he does not want to have any stolen guns laying around his shop. Just as it would be for a gun dealer who took a stolen gun in trade, the gunsmith would lose any time and parts money he had invested, should that gun be confiscated. And it would be confiscated with no compensation to the dealer or gunsmith.

[Wyatt Burp]

So your logic and training says that if you have a friend who you know committed a hit and run homicide, for example, it would be unethical and inappropriate for you to report him to some "law enforcement group"? While I am not aware of the specific requirements (others will be), whether or not I were an FFL, I would rather not be in possession of a stolen handgun.

I'm really torn over this and was starting to write a scalding opinion of the gunsmith. I'm assumed to be a criminal enough already by the government and have enough California hoops to jump through. Hoops that cost me money to jump through, by the way. So, my defenses automatically go up when government is involved even more. I don't want anything to do with stolen guns and would want mine found if stolen. But if I knew a freind committed a hit and run, that would be one thing. But I don't assume all my freinds might have committed hit and runs. I just kind of feel this gunsmith would be invading and violating my privacy. My opinions are just so tainted by an already obtrusive government that I can't wrap my head around this one. Thinking of this gunsmith certain words come to mind...snitch, government informer, hall monitor. I'm just curious to see what other folks with clearer heads and unbiased opinions here have on this matter.

[A1A]

Let's look at it another way. If a gun was stolen from you and turned up in a gunsmith shop for repair and the gunsmith specifically did not check it because he has more "allegiance" to his customer than to you or the law, would you be especially pleased with the system? Without getting into any loss of rights or privacy issues, if the system is of any value, it is the possibility for the recovery and return of stolen guns to the rightful owner. JMO

BTW IMO this is not about gun rights or privacy per se. It is about theft.

[Malysh]

Although there are FFLs that don't check to see if a gun is stolen or not I cannot comdemn the dealer. Putting aside the fact that it might put a gun you bought in jeopardy (none of us would want to see you lose a gun that you paid for that was stolen) we have to remember that the ATF will land on your dealer like a ton of bricks if they find it in his possession and the dealer didn't report it. I really can't fault the dealer for protecting himself. I know of two dealers in this area who got in a lot of trouble in similar circumstances.

I also have to ask myself that IF I knew, would I feel good about owning a gun I knew was stolen?

[MtnSpur]

+1 Mike
It's clear cut in my mind. A FFL holder has to protect his interests. His livelihood depends on his being able to conduct businesss and IF it so happens a stolen weapon comes into his possession he should immediately report it. While I'd hate to see any honest individual lose out on such a scenario there is the bigger picture of that weapon being returned to it's rightful owner.

Knowing WHO you do business with is as important as excercising due diligence when buying a weapon. I'll gladly pay a FFL holder his fee to assure I'm not getting something that rightfully belongs to someone else.

[Wyatt Burp]

+1 Mike
It's clear cut in my mind. A FFL holder has to protect his interests. His livelihood depends on his being able to conduct businesss and IF it so happens a stolen weapon comes into his possession he should immediately report it. While I'd hate to see any honest individual lose out on such a scenario there is the bigger picture of that weapon being returned to it's rightful owner.

Knowing WHO you do business with is as important as excercising due diligence when buying a weapon. I'll gladly pay a FFL holder his fee to assure I'm not getting something that rightfully belongs to someone else.

Unless I missed something I don't think the gunsmith charged the customer to check that databank of stolen guns. I had mentioned fees to pay when buying a gun in my state but they are for background checks. $25 to prove I'm not a criminal, a nut, a drug addict, or ever beat or said something mean to my wife. Ten day wait. One handgun a month (private party excluded). Five year $25 handgun safety card that I better not lose or pay again. But the dealers do have many more concerns and mindfields to walk through than I do. New laws are passed so often out here that EVERY pawn shop I know of has been discouraged from selling guns of all kinds. Just tools, beat up guitars, jewelry, and DVD's. So that's why I don't like the idea of a gunsmith investigating me, but at the same time could see why they would do it with such a radical anti-gun state (and federal) government waiting eagerly to pounce on them if they don't dot an "I" on a form.
Maybe FFL guy's should just stick to having the feds have them sell guns to Mexican drug cartels so our government can then blame them for too many guns going into Mexico. Sorry about going off on a rant there. but this corrupt anti-gun government is who this dealer has to deal with and it's like having a pet rattlesnake, hence my apprehension and fears about this whole thing.

[MtnSpur]

You didn't miss anything Wyatt. I reckon my point was I'd rather see a stolen weapon recovered and don't have a problem with an FFL holder doing his homework. I'm as fed up as anyone with over regulation and government interference but that extends FAR beyond guns. Since I have a CHL I've already been certified "legal to own,buy and carry a weapon" in the state of Texas (reciprocity where applicable). Am I missing something? Maybe, I'm barely into cup #3 I hate rattlers btw....

[Malysh]

Historically speaking there has never been a government that is comfortable with their population having weapons (guns included of course). It makes them very uncomfortable to think if the people get sick of them they can fight back against the authority and power of the government and remove them.
They may not admit to this but I can assure you it's true. It's a not so subtle form of control. How many politicians who are anti gun respect the laws for firearms possession that have even stood the legal tests in the Supreme Court? They are continually trying to hatch new ways to separate gun owners from their guns.