Is there a way to check if a gun is stolen by serial

Take it to your police station of choice. If it’s stolen, they’ll let you know.

Don't pay for it IF you suspect it being hot you won't get your money back.

If it has been reported stolen by serial number then yes. If the original owner didn't know serial number then it will be difficult to say. Local LEO should be able to run them to see if it's been reported or not.

Also remember that if you have it run through the system by law enforcement and it does come back as stolen, they are required to take immediate possession of it. You will not get it back.

Why you got to ruin the surprise?

I have this bookmarked, but have never used it.
Might be worth a try.

https://www.hotgunz.com/

The priceless look on someones face as the gun disappears into police hands.

In my defense, I was left unsupervised. lol

I would check serial numbers before buying.

Practically speaking how does this go? If you are buying a gun from someone and you are nervous about it possibly being stolen you tell the seller to bring the gun and meet you at the police station and you walk in and plop it down on the front desk and ask them if this is stolen?

Having it cased would be a must but even then with all these wackos attacking cops I just don’t see walking into the station with a gun going too well.

If taking a gun to a police station, I would leave it in the car, go inside and tell them what I wanted, then retrieve the gun.

The website someone previously linked is a good place to check, but it will only include weapons if the owner knew to go in and enter the stolen gun.

It’s a bit of a dilemma. For honest people buying guns there is no way to check it without losing the gun and your money if it’s hot.

We would just go out to the car and check it. It was necessary to be able to see and handle it because it’s very common for a serial number to come back as stolen on 3 or 4 different guns. Manufacturers duplicate the numbers so the make, model, type, finish and cartridge are also entered on the hit.

I entered one there after LE did zero to help (admitted) but never got a hit. That doesn't mean the opposite isn't true ... that someone like me entered the one you might buy. It's worth a shot.

If you are concerned the gun you're buying is stolen then it may be better to just walk away. I don't see a stolen gun seller giving you the SN until the money changes hands but just because a gun is stolen, doesn't mean the person in possession stole it.

I have just called and had them run the number.

One of my buddies runs a Pawn Shop. He says the latest scam is to have one of your buddies bring your gun to Texas to sell at a pawn shop. The owner in Louisiana then reports it stolen in Louisiana after it is sold. All Pawn shop guns go into a database. They send Texas Leos to recover the gun and return it to Louisiana. The owner splits the sale price with the seller. They use well-made fake ids to sell, So there is no one to arrest. For some reason Louisiana is always part of the equation.