Should you register your firearms? - The Firearms Forum

willywonka · 10-27-2010, 03:28 PM

Now I'm not looking to have my head bit off here, especially because I don't have a position on this. I just don't know what to think about it, so I wanted to see what the folks here had to say.

On one hand, a friend of mine, suggested that it's a very good idea to register your firearm with the local sheriff's department. That way if it's ever stolen and used in a crime, you have some recourse. You can report it as stolen and with a lot of luck, maybe get it back one day.

On the other hand, if you register, and the gun-control nuts get their way, then they might come after you for what you own.

To be clear, I'm not talking about government enforced registration, but voluntary registration. What do you think?

ghrit · 10-27-2010, 03:57 PM

Double pennies on the floor, don't. But do keep a record of the S/Ns so if they wind up going somewhere without your permission, you can report it accurately.

hogger129 · 10-27-2010, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willywonka

Now I'm not looking to have my head bit off here, especially because I don't have a position on this. I just don't know what to think about it, so I wanted to see what the folks here had to say.

On one hand, a friend of mine, suggested that it's a very good idea to register your firearm with the local sheriff's department. That way if it's ever stolen and used in a crime, you have some recourse. You can report it as stolen and with a lot of luck, maybe get it back one day.

On the other hand, if you register, and the gun-control nuts get their way, then they might come after you for what you own.

To be clear, I'm not talking about government enforced registration, but voluntary registration. What do you think?

I don't want registration. If the weapons are properly locked up and stored when not in use and the owner holds all the keys, one should be comfortable that nobody will get to them. It's when you leave them in glass cases where people walking by can see into your windows then they break in after them. Happened to my uncle a few years ago. Someone ripped off some nice O/U shotguns of his.

The biggest concern I have is the possibility that someone's firearm ownership would become public information. Then the people who can't legally buy a firearm will use that to secure a firearm. It's like leaving your purse in the car in plain view in a bad neighborhood. I also, like John, would not trust law enforcement with that information either or next thing you know they will try to stick you with a crime you didn't commit simply because you owned a similar weapon as the one used.

Or when considering the possibility of a SHTF scenario, the government will know exactly who holds all the weapons. Then they'll know who to go after when confiscation comes rearing its ugly head.

Ask Jack404. He'll tell ya.

johnlives4christ · 10-27-2010, 04:25 PM

i didnt know you could register guns in places its not required. but i wouldnt want to do it.

lets imagine that you register your glock, and some years later a man is killed up the road from where you live. the cops figure out the gun used was one just like the one you have. so they naturally ask you to submit your gun for inspection so they can compare bullets. if you refuse, you look guilty and they pursue you further. if you submit and they test the gun, they might find that it matches their sample even though that your gun was not involved. bullet matching is not exact, sometimes you can have two that are so similar they cannot tell them apart. it's a one in a billion chance probably, but it can happen.

it can happen more with empty casings then it can with bullets i think though.

another reason not to do it is, a hacker can get the info and then his crack head brother can break in and steal guns from all over the county because he knows which houses have them

i wouldnt worry about them coming to take them away because when they do that, thats when you shoot first and if you by some miracle live, ask questions later.

308 at my gate · 10-27-2010, 05:05 PM

My two cents is you are better off keeping as much of that information as you can to yourself. Just keep a record of serial numbers and models and that should be good for stolen property. You never know when there will be some kind of chaos caused by a natural disaster or by civil unrest such as rioting. I just do not want anybody knocking on my door, police or other wise looking for my guns.

Eddie N · 10-27-2010, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghrit

Double pennies on the floor, don't. But do keep a record of the S/Ns so if they wind up going somewhere without your permission, you can report it accurately.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 308 at my gate

My two cents is you are better off keeping as much of that information as you can to yourself. Just keep a record of serial numbers and models and that should be good for stolen property. You never know when there will be some kind of chaos caused by a natural disaster or by civil unrest such as rioting. I just do not want anybody knocking on my door, police or other wise looking for my guns.

Ditto! Keep your own records. Make, model, serial number and caliber. It's nobody else's business.

johnlives4christ · 10-27-2010, 06:27 PM

"You never know when there will be some kind of chaos caused by a natural disaster or by civil unrest such as rioting"

this is true, and should anything like what happened in NewOrleans then either me, them or all of us will be in body bags should they try to disarm me and my wife

pickenup · 10-27-2010, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willywonka

On one hand, a friend of mine, suggested that it's a very good idea to register your firearm with the local sheriff's department. That way if it's ever stolen and used in a crime, you have some recourse.

This makes it sound like you can NOT report a gun stolen.....
unless it is registered.

Just wondering, what makes you think you can't?

Oh, and to answer your initial question, the less the government knows, the better.
I do NOT trust our current government.

berto64 · 10-27-2010, 07:10 PM

NO to weapons registration.

But I definitely keep my own records on my own firearms for my personal benefit in case of theft or whatever.

Bobitis · 10-27-2010, 07:18 PM

Like most above have said, what's the benefit?

None that I can see. Is the Bad Guy gonna register?

It's yet another way to control the masses.

I can report it before or after it's stolen. Tell me the benefits of the 'before' version? Is it any better than reporting after? Why?

johnlives4christ · 10-27-2010, 07:40 PM

i dont trust any government, no matter who is in office.

zkovach · 10-27-2010, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnlives4christ

i dont trust any government, no matter who is in office.

ditto

3/2 STA SS · 10-28-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zkovach

ditto

Plus ONE!!!

Teejay9 · 10-28-2010, 02:02 PM

It seems to be unanimous, DON'T! Who knows what the future holds, and it's been going the wrong way for quite a while now. The gov't can collect so much info on you right now, so why help them? I've come to see that government is not always my friend, sometimes even hostile, so keep your own business to your self if you can, and stay happy. TJ

willywonka · 10-28-2010, 04:03 PM

thanks for helping me make up my mind guys! I am most certainly in the do not register camp now!

Part of what got me to thinking about this is that my home state of Virginia has these signs at the DC/VA border that if you're caught with an "illegal gun" you get a mandatory 5 years.

I'm wondering what they mean by illegal. Stolen? Do I have to prove that my firearms are not stolen?

hogger129 · 10-28-2010, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willywonka

thanks for helping me make up my mind guys! I am most certainly in the do not register camp now!

Part of what got me to thinking about this is that my home state of Virginia has these signs at the DC/VA border that if you're caught with an "illegal gun" you get a mandatory 5 years.

I'm wondering what they mean by illegal. Stolen? Do I have to prove that my firearms are not stolen?

I would think that the sign shouldn't apply anymore with the Heller decision. I thought it was legal to own a firearm in D.C. now?

Also, "the right of the people to keep and bear arms" is specifically mentioned in the Bill of Rights, so D.C.'s law for their special area is unconstitutional.

I'd just rather not go into D.C. and avoid the hassle.

howlnmad · 10-28-2010, 04:25 PM

I'm a firm believer in "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL". I do keep a photo record of all my firearms for theft and insurance purposes. All the info is on the back of the photos.

millwright · 10-28-2010, 04:55 PM

Can't think of any "personal good" arising from registering your firearms with the local constabulary. OTOH, I can think of a lot of "not goods"........

Your stolen piece is used in a heist involving a shooting. At the very least you can expect to be sued by the victim/relatives and/or the perp/survivors as well. Then there's possible "liability" suit from the municipality for the costs of the police work for the case.......Ours is a lawyers' world dedicated to the proposition that its "the other guy's fault" and for the major share, I'll prove it !! >MW

Popgunner · 10-29-2010, 09:30 AM

No requirement where I live to register arms. I'm always surprised at how quick a call to my local PD will confirm that guns that I'm buying from private parties are not stolen. They just need the serial number & a second later I know if it's stolen or not. I did buy a revolver off a kid that turned out to be stolen & it was returned to the owner after it was stolen 4 years earlier. I don't see any need to register except maybe to help the gubment round them up in a quick way when the winds change enough.

dge479 · 10-30-2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnlives4christ

i dont trust any government, no matter who is in office.

With you on this John. I wish it were different and they could be trusted, the sad truth is they are not and I dont think they ever will be. If they were , the next group in wont be so Bewtter off not registering.
Odly NJ does not have registration (go figure) but there is a back dor as there are No private sales in NJ and the State Police get called for any transfer and do not destroy records. All handguns must be bought in NJ for a NJ resident. So Handguns are for the most part are "unoficially registered". Long guns can be bought in contiguous states (NY Pa) and get a NICS check and get removes after 30 days, allegedly. They are not reported to the NJ State Police if bought , say at a show that way.

Personally I dont like the govt local or federal having any records of what i got, when I got it.

madmantrapper · 10-30-2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popgunner

No requirement where I live to register arms. I'm always surprised at how quick a call to my local PD will confirm that guns that I'm buying from private parties are not stolen. They just need the serial number & a second later I know if it's stolen or not. I did buy a revolver off a kid that turned out to be stolen & it was returned to the owner after it was stolen 4 years earlier. I don't see any need to register except maybe to help the gubment round them up in a quick way when the winds change enough.

I have a buddy who's gun was stolen. The police recovered it about a year latter, that was nine years ago and he don't have it back yet. Last time he called they could not find it.

Gunkpowder · 10-31-2010, 11:23 AM

It's none of their business! When I make a private purchase/sale I do not register or insist on the buyer to register. I simply don't care.

obxned · 10-31-2010, 11:25 AM

In a perfect world, all firearms would be registered so that any lost or stolen could quickly be returned to the owner.

In the real world, registration is quickly followed by confiscation, and sometimes by free one-way train rides.

Bobitis · 10-31-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunkpowder

It's none of their business!

Ohhh, but it is. Barter, trade, and private sales are required to be reported to the IRS.

If you rebuild your neighbors engine, and in return, he upgrades your kitchen, both of you are required to report it as income.

How does that work?

RunningOnMT · 10-31-2010, 11:46 AM

As far as them knowing where to go when they decide to round up all the guns goes, if you've bought your gun from a licensed firearms dealer they already know who you are because of the call the dealer makes to BATF giving them your name, social security number, make, model, and serial number of the gun. That's why a friend of mine never buys a gun from a dealer; only from a private party on a cash basis, with no names provided. He's convinced there will be a roundup and his guns will be safe. Maybe so, but I kinda think by the time we get to that point none of us will give a flying fig about what the government knows because it's time for the big showdown.

Personally though i wouldn't bother providing this info to a local law enforcement agency because you don't need to. Just make sure your homeowners or renters insurance covers them and that you keep a detailed record of what you have, including your original purchase receipts if you still have them.

The thing is even though the fed may know what you have, local departmernts don't. I'm thinking that registering with them could just be inviting trouble. For example say you've registered a 9mm and a murder happens to be committed with a 9mm. Now there may be a hundred thousand 9mm out there in your area, but guess whose name they have at the tip of their fingers. The old military advice was "Never volunteer for anything", we might change that to "Never volunteer anything".

10-27-2010, 03:28 PM	#1
willywonka Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 47	Should you register your firearms? Now I'm not looking to have my head bit off here, especially because I don't have a position on this. I just don't know what to think about it, so I wanted to see what the folks here had to say. On one hand, a friend of mine, suggested that it's a very good idea to register your firearm with the local sheriff's department. That way if it's ever stolen and used in a crime, you have some recourse. You can report it as stolen and with a lot of luck, maybe get it back one day. On the other hand, if you register, and the gun-control nuts get their way, then they might come after you for what you own. To be clear, I'm not talking about government enforced registration, but voluntary registration. What do you think? -->

10-27-2010, 03:57 PM	#2
ghrit V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Endless Mountains, PA Posts: 89	Re: Should you register your firearms? Double pennies on the floor, don't. But do keep a record of the S/Ns so if they wind up going somewhere without your permission, you can report it accurately. __________________ .30-06 - Billions served There are two kinds of ships. Submarines and targets. www.survivalmonkey.com

10-27-2010, 04:25 PM	#4
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Should you register your firearms? i didnt know you could register guns in places its not required. but i wouldnt want to do it. lets imagine that you register your glock, and some years later a man is killed up the road from where you live. the cops figure out the gun used was one just like the one you have. so they naturally ask you to submit your gun for inspection so they can compare bullets. if you refuse, you look guilty and they pursue you further. if you submit and they test the gun, they might find that it matches their sample even though that your gun was not involved. bullet matching is not exact, sometimes you can have two that are so similar they cannot tell them apart. it's a one in a billion chance probably, but it can happen. it can happen more with empty casings then it can with bullets i think though. another reason not to do it is, a hacker can get the info and then his crack head brother can break in and steal guns from all over the county because he knows which houses have them i wouldnt worry about them coming to take them away because when they do that, thats when you shoot first and if you by some miracle live, ask questions later.

10-27-2010, 05:05 PM	#5
308 at my gate Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lost in SW USA. Posts: 847	Re: Should you register your firearms? My two cents is you are better off keeping as much of that information as you can to yourself. Just keep a record of serial numbers and models and that should be good for stolen property. You never know when there will be some kind of chaos caused by a natural disaster or by civil unrest such as rioting. I just do not want anybody knocking on my door, police or other wise looking for my guns. __________________ You got to love it.

10-27-2010, 06:27 PM	#7
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Should you register your firearms? "You never know when there will be some kind of chaos caused by a natural disaster or by civil unrest such as rioting" this is true, and should anything like what happened in NewOrleans then either me, them or all of us will be in body bags should they try to disarm me and my wife

10-27-2010, 07:10 PM	#9
berto64 VMBB Admin Staff Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Owyhee County, Idaho Contributor Posts: 7,388	Re: Should you register your firearms? NO to weapons registration. But I definitely keep my own records on my own firearms for my personal benefit in case of theft or whatever. __________________ Be who you are & say what you will, Those that matter won't mind and those that mind don't matter. I'm a bitter clinger, One Nation Under God.

10-27-2010, 07:18 PM	#10
Bobitis Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6,612	Re: Should you register your firearms? Like most above have said, what's the benefit? None that I can see. Is the Bad Guy gonna register? It's yet another way to control the masses. I can report it before or after it's stolen. Tell me the benefits of the 'before' version? Is it any better than reporting after? Why? __________________ ^.^ A point in every direction is the same as having no point at all

10-27-2010, 07:40 PM	#11
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Should you register your firearms? i dont trust any government, no matter who is in office.

10-28-2010, 02:02 PM	#14
Teejay9 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Southwest Corner of the US, "Where no stinking fence will stop us!!" Posts: 1,257	Re: Should you register your firearms? It seems to be unanimous, DON'T! Who knows what the future holds, and it's been going the wrong way for quite a while now. The gov't can collect so much info on you right now, so why help them? I've come to see that government is not always my friend, sometimes even hostile, so keep your own business to your self if you can, and stay happy. TJ __________________ A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have". Thomas Jefferson

10-28-2010, 04:03 PM	#15
willywonka Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 47	Re: Should you register your firearms? thanks for helping me make up my mind guys! I am most certainly in the do not register camp now! Part of what got me to thinking about this is that my home state of Virginia has these signs at the DC/VA border that if you're caught with an "illegal gun" you get a mandatory 5 years. I'm wondering what they mean by illegal. Stolen? Do I have to prove that my firearms are not stolen?

10-28-2010, 04:25 PM	#17
howlnmad Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Harriman, Tn Contributor Posts: 2,569	Re: Should you register your firearms? I'm a firm believer in "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL". I do keep a photo record of all my firearms for theft and insurance purposes. All the info is on the back of the photos. __________________

10-28-2010, 04:55 PM	#18
millwright Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,440	Re: Should you register your firearms? Can't think of any "personal good" arising from registering your firearms with the local constabulary. OTOH, I can think of a lot of "not goods"........ Your stolen piece is used in a heist involving a shooting. At the very least you can expect to be sued by the victim/relatives and/or the perp/survivors as well. Then there's possible "liability" suit from the municipality for the costs of the police work for the case.......Ours is a lawyers' world dedicated to the proposition that its "the other guy's fault" and for the major share, I'll prove it !! >MW

10-29-2010, 09:30 AM	#19
Popgunner Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Contributor Posts: 1,764	Re: Should you register your firearms? No requirement where I live to register arms. I'm always surprised at how quick a call to my local PD will confirm that guns that I'm buying from private parties are not stolen. They just need the serial number & a second later I know if it's stolen or not. I did buy a revolver off a kid that turned out to be stolen & it was returned to the owner after it was stolen 4 years earlier. I don't see any need to register except maybe to help the gubment round them up in a quick way when the winds change enough.

10-31-2010, 11:23 AM	#22
Gunkpowder Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7	Re: Should you register your firearms? It's none of their business! When I make a private purchase/sale I do not register or insist on the buyer to register. I simply don't care. __________________ "Bang" instills much more confidence than "click".

10-31-2010, 11:25 AM	#23
obxned Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,342	Re: Should you register your firearms? In a perfect world, all firearms would be registered so that any lost or stolen could quickly be returned to the owner. In the real world, registration is quickly followed by confiscation, and sometimes by free one-way train rides. __________________ Proud member of a North Carolina Committee of Safety "If we loose Freedom here, there's no place to escape to. This is the Last Stand on Earth!" Ronald Reagan

10-31-2010, 11:46 AM	#25
RunningOnMT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Akron, Ohio Contributor Posts: 4,720	Re: Should you register your firearms? As far as them knowing where to go when they decide to round up all the guns goes, if you've bought your gun from a licensed firearms dealer they already know who you are because of the call the dealer makes to BATF giving them your name, social security number, make, model, and serial number of the gun. That's why a friend of mine never buys a gun from a dealer; only from a private party on a cash basis, with no names provided. He's convinced there will be a roundup and his guns will be safe. Maybe so, but I kinda think by the time we get to that point none of us will give a flying fig about what the government knows because it's time for the big showdown. Personally though i wouldn't bother providing this info to a local law enforcement agency because you don't need to. Just make sure your homeowners or renters insurance covers them and that you keep a detailed record of what you have, including your original purchase receipts if you still have them. The thing is even though the fed may know what you have, local departmernts don't. I'm thinking that registering with them could just be inviting trouble. For example say you've registered a 9mm and a murder happens to be committed with a 9mm. Now there may be a hundred thousand 9mm out there in your area, but guess whose name they have at the tip of their fingers. The old military advice was "Never volunteer for anything", we might change that to "Never volunteer anything".