Serial Numbers

[Thompson]

(I debated posting this here, or in the photo gallery where it seemed more relevant ... but I decided to put it here)

I've been dabbling at taking pictures of my Jack Carbine for a little (you've seen some already) and I've always had this question at the back of my mind. (Yes, I'm planning on putting up a review some time later this spring after I get a decent chunk of rounds through)

To those photographers out there, what's your opinion of posting pictures of an AR, or any firearm for that matter, with the serial number visible.

Granted I know that some pictures are purely for photo ops/aren't necessarily owned by the photographer. I'm talking about pictures of personal firearms.

Maybe I'm just paranoid of the government lurking in the shadows collecting data to cash in on a date to be determined ...

Are any of you guys worried about this? Or am I just crazy?

[toolboxluis00200]

i do it all the time the only thing i black out is my trust info

[Eric]

Are any of you guys worried about this? Or am I just crazy? It's entirely possible that your crazy, but that's outside of my area of expertise. [BD]
I don't see any good reason to include the serial # and it can be edited out in Photoshop easily enough. One argument is that some evil-doer might steal the info and try to report it stolen, but I've never heard of a real documented case.

[Thompson]

It's entirely possible that your crazy, but that's outside of my area of expertise. [BD]
I guess my biggest fear is that the government could somehow trace the serial number to me, in terms of a gun registration/confiscation-type scenario ... not that that would ever happen I suppose.

[FortTom]

I won't post pics with mine either. Gun confiscations, scam artists, or what ever, don't really care. It only take a second to black them out, so I do it.

[CK 187]

I won't post pics with mine either. Gun confiscations, scam artists, or what ever, don't really care. It only take a second to black them out, so I do it.

This ^

Some shady shady characters out there

[din]

I always photoshop a dick over mine.

[ddearmon2010]

I won't even post pics of my personal weapons.... if I would have won something I would have posted for the forum.... but in general I want as little record as possible

[Thompson]

I won't post pics with mine either. Gun confiscations, scam artists, or what ever, don't really care. It only take a second to black them out, so I do it.
That is what I was thinking about doing (and probably end up doing).


but in general I want as little record as possible
That's how I feel too.

[UWone77]

I don't think it's a big deal.

I've posted personal guns with "177" serial numbers.

I can't find one recorded case where someone's gun was reported stolen from a serial number they saw on the internet, or someone's gun was confiscated because of it.

Do what you please, but I wouldn't put too much thought into it.

[FortTom]

I don't think it's a big deal.

I've posted personal guns with "177" serial numbers.

I can't find one recorded case where someone's gun was reported stolen from a serial number they saw on the internet, or someone's gun was confiscated because of it.

Do what you please, but I wouldn't put too much thought into it.
I don't think it's a real big deal either. Also haven't heard of confiscation or rip off artists. But I rarely post my real name, don't post my ssn or address, and it's so simple to black out the SN of a gun, that I do it for the hell of it. Then I really don't have any worries. I have a Title to my Truck and Harley, and I wouldn't post the VIN of either. Why would I want to post my firearms SN? It's also no big deal if folks do choose to post their SN or anything else they care too. Basically, that was my point.

[UWone77]

I don't think it's a real big deal either. Also haven't heard of confiscation or rip off artists. But I rarely post my real name, don't post my ssn or address, and it's so simple to black out the SN of a gun, that I do it for the hell of it. Then I really don't have any worries. I have a Title to my Truck and Harley, and I wouldn't post the VIN of either. Why would I want to post my firearms SN? It's also no big deal if folks do choose to post their SN or anything else they care too. Basically, that was my point.

A long winded point. [:D]

[RobSWVA]

I always make sure to black mine out just as a safety precaution, just like making sure your SSN isnt out there for everyone to see. It may be overkill, but imo always better to be safe than sorry.

[CarbonScoring]

I always remove the S/N from my personal guns, mostly because it takes all of 4 seconds. I won't "black out" a number because I think it would ruin my photos, but it's no trouble to clone/heal it in PS.

Trust info also goes.

[Thompson]

I couldn't agree with you more Rob.


I always remove the S/N from my personal guns, mostly because it takes all of 4 seconds. I won't "black out" a number because I think it would ruin my photos, but it's no trouble to clone/heal it in PS.
I was thinking this too. I thought about using the healing tool - I just kinda suck at using it haha - at least for nice "professional" shots. Would this raise any eyes of the ATF caught wind of pictures of firearms without serial numbers? (I'm over thinking this, aren't I?)

[FortTom]

I couldn't agree with you more Rob.


I was thinking this too. I thought about using the healing tool - I just kinda suck at using it haha - at least for nice "professional" shots. Would this raise any eyes of the ATF caught wind of pictures of firearms without serial numbers? (I'm over thinking this, aren't I?)

Only if your grinding them off of your guns...[:D] Blacking them out in pictures on forums is so common that I seriously doubt they keep track, or make note of it, unless you've already screwed up and they're watching you.[:)]

[Thompson]

Only if your grinding them off of your guns...[:D] Blacking them out in pictures on forums is so common that I seriously doubt they keep track, or make note of it, unless you've already screwed up and they're watching you.[:)]
Well that's just it though. What CS is suggesting, the "healing" tool, essentially removes the number - but making it look as if the number never existed in the first place.

[CarbonScoring]

Let the ATF come and check them. I haven't done anything to the actual firearm.

I'm sure the ATF hasn't looked at a single photo I've taken. Even if they did, I'm sure they don't care.

[Dstrbdmedic167]

Let the ATF come and check them. I haven't done anything to the actual firearm.

I'm sure the ATF hasn't looked at a single photo I've taken. Even if they did, I'm sure they don't care.

Kinda my exact thought. If I remember to I will but if I don't Ohh well. I'm in the "system" more ways than I care to count. I have the proper paperwork on everything... They have other things to worry about than some redneck medic in eastern Nc...

[Thompson]

Even if they did, I'm sure they don't care.
This is what I assumed.


I'm in the "system" more ways than I care to count.
Luckily for me, I'm not [yet].

[Ordnance]

I can't find one recorded case where someone's gun was reported stolen from a serial number they saw on the internet, or someone's gun was confiscated because of it.


I don't have the case numbers but there were 2 incidents in KC that I know of. One was somebody trolling on FB and they squashed is quick because the FFL was local and had the paperwork on file for the sale. The other I don't know the details but it did get messy.

My only suggestion to everyone is keep your receipt. If the question ever does arise then it becomes a mute point when you furnish proof of ownership.

[Ordnance]

I just want to point out that if the Government wanted to come take firearms based on pictures, and they went to all the effort of tracking people down through IPs or sifting the web to figure out who everyone is... do you really think it's going to matter if they have a serial number or not? Just sayin...

[UWone77]

I just want to point out that if the Government wanted to come take firearms based on pictures, and they went to all the effort of tracking people down through IPs or sifting the web to figure out who everyone is... do you really think it's going to matter if they have a serial number or not? Just sayin...

Agreed.

If there was full blown confiscation, blurring out serial numbers is the least of our worries. So many other ways to find you. I'd be fucked for as many NFA items I have registered.

[GOST]

I wouldn't worry about it, the government isn't that organized. Few years back me and the wife were going to Mexico. When we show up to the airport in Memphis is where it got funny. I've got an honorable discharge from the Air National Guards, I currently have a government clearance, never been outside of the country and never been arrested. But when I went to get my ticket I was informed I was on the No Fly List. So they made me go sit for an hour or so till they made enough calls to get me cleared to board. The government is more concerned on raping your paycheck for medical insurance.

[FortTom]

I don't have the case numbers but there were 2 incidents in KC that I know of. One was somebody trolling on FB and they squashed is quick because the FFL was local and had the paperwork on file for the sale. The other I don't know the details but it did get messy.

My only suggestion to everyone is keep your receipt. If the question ever does arise then it becomes a mute point when you furnish proof of ownership.

I think people are way over thinking this. In a FTF state, the Gov may or may not know what one owns. I'm absolutely sure that if Obama thought he could somehow do it, there would be a major confiscation. But he can't. The only thing, and the reason I do it, about blacking the number out, is privacy. And if a person just doesn't care, then that's o.k. too.[:D]

[gatordev]

Luckily for me, I'm not [yet].

Aren't you on scholarship? Trust me, they know!

[rob_s]

Blacking out serial numbers, attempting to maintain anonymity to anyone who might be intent on finding out who you are, etc. are all pointless pursuits on the internet. When you decide to make your life public, no matter how hard you try to maintain some privacy, you make your life public.

[Thompson]

Aren't you on scholarship? Trust me, they know!
..... ssshh


When you decide to make your life public, no matter how hard you try to maintain some privacy, you make your life public.
That's true. If there's a will, there's a way.

[Stone]

Guys on gun forums give out so much personal info like:

Home Location
Personal habits
Vehicle License plates in pictures
Home address in pictures( yes I have seen it many times)
Non stop pictures of valuable personal property
Pictures of self, wife, kids
Where they work
What they do for a living
When they are home, when they are not home, etc.,etc.

Worrying about a serial number on a firearm picture should be low on the list compared to personal safety. Not pointing a finger at anybody in specific, just a general observation I have noticed...

[DutyUse]

Guys on gun forums give out so much personal info like:

Home Location
Personal habits
Vehicle License plates in pictures
Home address in pictures( yes I have seen it many times)
Non stop pictures of valuable personal property
Pictures of self, wife, kids
Where they work
What they do for a living
When they are home, when they are not home, etc.,etc.

Worrying about a serial number on a firearm picture should be low on the list compared to personal safety. Not pointing a finger at anybody in specific, just a general observation I have noticed...

Good point. Hmmm

[FortTom]

Blacking out serial numbers, attempting to maintain anonymity to anyone who might be intent on finding out who you are, etc. are all pointless pursuits on the internet. When you decide to make your life public, no matter how hard you try to maintain some privacy, you make your life public.


Guys on gun forums give out so much personal info like:

Home Location
Personal habits
Vehicle License plates in pictures
Home address in pictures( yes I have seen it many times)
Non stop pictures of valuable personal property
Pictures of self, wife, kids
Where they work
What they do for a living
When they are home, when they are not home, etc.,etc.

Worrying about a serial number on a firearm picture should be low on the list compared to personal safety. Not pointing a finger at anybody in specific, just a general observation I have noticed...

This thread started out as not advertising how many and specifically what firearms you have in your possession. I don't think anyone was talking about going off the grid, but these threads always go sideways somehow. Anyone who posts on facebook, or otherwise, when they are out of town or not home, needs to go to dumbass school.

This thread is not about personal safety issues. No one but me knows what I do and do not have as far as firearms, and where they may or may not be located. Posting pictures of serial numbers pretty much attaches them to me, though. For most people, 99% anyway, going off the grid, again, not what this thread was about, well they couldn't do it unless they have about 7 or 8 years to do so, the knowledge to do it, and lots of cash money stashed to get by on.

FTF deals (where legal) can go through multiple hands with virtually no way of assigning them to an individual, unless they post them all over the internet with their serial numbers for all to see. It's very easy to trace a person to an IP address. So while the person may be easy to track down and find, personal property might not be so easy.

Feel free to do what you will. Not posting your serial numbered weapon all over the internet does not make you paranoid, any more than it's going to make you invisible to the government.[:)]

FT