What do you all think about the BATF releasing specific serial numbers of guns reported to be stolen? This would allow a central database where anybody could determine if a gun were stolen before buying it. Obviously, this would not deter criminals from knowingly purchasing stolen firearms, but it would protect innocent buyers and help at least some victims in recovering their property.
BATF would probably also have to scrub the data when a firearm is recovered or, at least, issue another report listing serial numbers of guns recovered so that the public could cross-reference the two databases.
I thought of this when I learned that BATF offers rewards for guns stolen, at least guns stolen from dealers. For example, the BATF has offered a $2,500 reward, which the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is matching, in the break-in and theft of 40 to 50 firearms from Whittaker Guns in the western part of my state (Kentucky). http://www.thegleaner.com/story/new...-feds-offering-reward-information/1022640001/ (note that the reference to West Louisville is an unincorporated area and is nowhere close to the Louisville metro area).
A Google search shows the BATF offering rewards a number of times. I think it is probably one of the few things every responsible gun owner can applaud the BATF for. Another might be the database of specific serial numbers of stolen guns.
BATF would probably also have to scrub the data when a firearm is recovered or, at least, issue another report listing serial numbers of guns recovered so that the public could cross-reference the two databases.
I thought of this when I learned that BATF offers rewards for guns stolen, at least guns stolen from dealers. For example, the BATF has offered a $2,500 reward, which the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is matching, in the break-in and theft of 40 to 50 firearms from Whittaker Guns in the western part of my state (Kentucky). http://www.thegleaner.com/story/new...-feds-offering-reward-information/1022640001/ (note that the reference to West Louisville is an unincorporated area and is nowhere close to the Louisville metro area).
A Google search shows the BATF offering rewards a number of times. I think it is probably one of the few things every responsible gun owner can applaud the BATF for. Another might be the database of specific serial numbers of stolen guns.