Help with a gun question please

I am wondering why people cover serial numbers on guns or won't give serial numbers. I understand why someone covers a license plate on CL etc. but guns aren't registered. You can't run a gun like you can a tag. Somebody help me out cause I may be missing something.

I have always wondered that myself especially if the gun was purchased legally through a licensed gun dealer. I suppose that if someone acquired the gun through a private purchase they might be afraid it could have been used in a crime or stolen and could be traced back to them. I would be interested in hearing what others have to say.

If the gun was purchased via private party and no documents exist (Bill of Sale) showing that you obtained the firearm legally, anyone who sees the picture could file a "Stolen Property" report with their local PD using that serial number, and claim the gun as theirs that they purchased through a private sale...

Not saying I am fearful of that, but it is a real possibility, however unlikely it may be...

Good info.

Well Shooter I never thought of that. There are some bad people out there.