The only reason to remove a serial number from a gun is to render it untraceable. This is of little importance to the criminal using the gun. After all, what he's going to do with the gun is probably a bigger offense than merely possessing a stolen gun. And, indeed, possessing a gun with an obliterated serial number is a crime in and of itself. Firearm without serial number, gun with no serial number, gun without serial number, guns without serial numbers, is it illegal to own a gun without serial number, no serial number on gun, pistol with no serial number, possession of firearm without serial number, pre serial number guns, shotgun without serial number, why do people scratch.
May 11, 2015 - Guns used in crime often have their numbers rubbed off; a new. The gun's serial number, a forensic science staple for tracing guns, had been ground away. It is possible to scratch off those numerals and letters, but the.
Firearms VerificationFirearms Verification OverviewMarking Requirements![]() How To Scratch Serial Number Off Gun Slide
Serial Number
Name of Manufacturer
Country of Origin
Model Designation (if assigned)
Caliber or Guage
Name of Importer
City & State of the Importer
Note: The importer must ensure that these marks of identification appear on each firearm. If the manufacturer did not mark them, the importer must place the required markings on the firearm within 15 days after their release from Customs and Border Protection custody. The Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives may authorize other means of firearms identification upon receipt of a letter application from the importer, submitted in duplicate, showing that such other means of identification is reasonable and will not hinder the effective administration of the regulations.
Identification of FirearmsQ: How must licensed manufacturers and licensed importers identify firearms, armor piercing ammunition?
Note: Section 478.92(c) Repealed on September 13, 2004
Q: How must firearms be identified?
ATF RulingsATF Ruling 2002-6
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) has been asked by State and local law enforcement officials to trace firearms that are marked, in part, with non-Roman letters and/or non-Arabic numbers. Specifically, ATF received a request to trace a Makarov type pistol made in Bulgaria. The original manufacturer marking was ИМ 18 355. Because the importer did not stamp the firearm with a unique identifier that could be recognized by either ATF or a State or local law enforcement official, and because the marking contained a Cyrillic character, the firearm was not properly recorded, resulting in a failed trace of the weapon.
Because markings with non-Roman characters or non-Arabic are not easily recorded or transmitted through means by importers, dealers, or distributors, many firearm traces have proved unsuccessful. In some cases, an importer attempts to translate portions of the markings into Roman letters and Arabic numbers and re-marks the weapon with the serial number ДМ7639И. The importer translated the marking as LM7639i but rather than restamp the entire number merely added the letters “L” and “i” below the original markings. This practice often results in failed traces because those required to record the markings (importers, dealers, or distributors) may record only the translated portions or both sets of markings. Moreover, law enforcement recovering a firearm with such markings may submit a trace request lacking some portion of the markings, further impeding efforts to successfully trace the firearm.
In addition, ATF has found that some traces have failed because the required markings on the firearms barrel were wholly partially obstructed from plain view by a flash suppressor or bayonet mount, resulting in the Federal Firearms Licensee creating an inaccurate record. ATF has been unable to trace hundreds of firearms as a result of nonstandard or obscured markings.
As a result of these practices, some licensed importers my not be in compliance with the marking requirements set forth in 27 CFR 178.92[a] and 27 CFR 179.102[a] because they have marked using non-Roman letters (such as Greek or Russian letters, Δ or Д) or non-Arabic numbers (e.g., XXV).
The above regulations require markings that legibly identify each item or package and require that such markings be conspicuous. ATF has consistently taken the position that “legibly” marked means using exclusively Roman letters, (A, a, B, b, C, c, and so forth) and ‘conspicuous” means that all required markings must be placed in such a manner as to be wholly unobstructed from plain view. These regulation apply to licensed manufacturers and licensed importers relative to firearms, armor piercing ammunition, and large capacity ammunition feeding devices, and to makers of National Firearms Act firearms.
Firearms, armor piercing ammunition and large capacity ammunition feeding devices which contain required markings or labels using non-Roman letters (such as Greek or Russian letters, Δ or Д) or non-Arabic letter (e.g., XXV), must be completely remarked or relabeled with a new serial number or other required markings that satisfy the legibility requirements described above. It is not sufficient to simply add an additional Roman letter or Arabic numeral to a nonconforming marking; a new and unique marking using Roman letters and Arabic numerals is required. When feasible, the new markings should be placed directly above the non-compliant markings.
Similarly, firearms and large capacity ammunition feeding devices which contain required markings obstructed in whole or in part from plain view must be remarked with required markings that satisfy the conspicuousness requirements described above. For example, required markings may not be placed on a portion of the barrel where the markings would be wholly or partially obstructed from view by another part of the firearm, such as a flash suppressor or bayonet mount.
In certain unavoidable circumstances owing mainly to firearms of unusual design or other limiting factor(s) which would limit the ability of the manufacturer or importer to comply with the above legibility and conspicuousness requirements, alternate means of identification may be authorized as described in 27 CFR 178.92(a)(3)(i), (ii), or (iii)[a] and 27 CFR 178.92(c)(3)(iii)[a].
Held, a Makarov type pistol imported from Bulgaria utilizing Cyrillic letters or non-Arabic numbers is not marked in accordance with 27 CFR 178.92[a] and 27 CFR 179.102[a].
Held further, an imported firearm with any part of the required marking partially or wholly obstructed from plain view is not marked in accordance with section 27 CFR 178.92[a] and 27 CFR 179.102[a].
Date signed: November 5, 2002
New provisions are under Parts 478 and 479, not 178 and 179.
ATF Ruling 75-28
The Bureau has determined that in some cases, the serial number placed on a firearm by a foreign manufacturer is adequate to provide the identification number by 27 CFR § 178.92[b]. See also 27 CFR § 178.22(a)[b].
Held, where a serial number has been placed on the frame or receiver of a firearm by a foreign manufacturer in the manner contemplated by 27 CFR § 178.92[b], and such serial number does not duplicate a number previously adopted or assigned by the import to any other firearm, the importer may adopt the serial number of the foreign manufacturer.
Provided, the importer shall in all cases place his name and address (city and state or recognized abbreviation thereof), and any other marks necessary to comply with the identification requirements of 27 CFR § 178.92[b], on such imported firearms.
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New provisions are under Parts 478 and 479, not 178 and 179.
Industry CircularsDuplication of Serial Numbers by Licensed ImportersHow To Scratch Serial Number Off Gun Barrel
ATF has noted cases where some licensed importers have adopted the same serial number for more than one firearm. These instances of duplication have generally occurred when firearms are received from more than one source.
Title 27 CFR § 178.92[c] requires that the serial number affixed to a firearm must not duplicate the number affixed to any other firearm that you import into the United States. Those of you who import destructive devices are under the same requirement due to the inclusion of destructive devices in the definition of firearm as used in 27 CFR § 178.11[c]. ATF Ruling 75-28 also reminds you of the other identifying marks required by 27 CFR § 178.92[c]. In addition to a unique serial number, each firearm must be marked to show the model (if any); the caliber or gauge; the name of the manufacturer and importer, or recognizable abbreviations; the country of manufacture; and the city and State (or recognized abbreviations) in which your licensed premises are located.
Note: All cited references to regulation and statutes in the foregoing ATF rulings and industry circular use identifiers and section indicators in effect at the time the rulings and industry circular were approved. On January 24, 2003, ATF was part of a reorganization of government which placed it under the Department of Justice (DOJ). This transition resulted in certain changes within the numbering system and identification of ATF’s regulations now issued and referenced under the authority of DOJ.
New provisions are under Part 478, not 178.
Last Reviewed September 22, 2016
Fairfield police say that a routine stop of a car with a burned-out headlight early Wednesday resulted in a man being arrested on suspicion of carrying a handgun with identifying numbers scratched off.
Officer Zack Sandoval was on patrol about 12:45 a.m. Wednesday in the North Texas Street area when he spotted a vehicle with one headlamp out. He pulled the vehicle over and learned that the 17-year-old driver was on searchable probation, allowing the officer to search and tow the car.
The driver and his 21-year-old passenger, Gerardo Gomez of Suisun City, were ordered out of the car. Officers then patted down the men.
Gomez, according to a Fairfield police news release, told the officer he had a loaded gun in his waistband. Officers removed the 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, which had serial numbers scratched off.
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The teen was cited, and Gomez was arrested on suspicion of carrying a concealed, loaded firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Bill Lindelof: 916-321-1079, @Lindelofnews
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