Can gun serial numbers be recovered?

Forensic scientists can use physical and chemical techniques to restore or enhance altered characters. Restoring a serial number can provide law enforcement agencies with information about a firearm or other item and may offer a lead in an investigation.

Why do people remove serial numbers?

The reason behind a person removing a serial number on a gun is to prevent police from tracing the gun to previous locations or people. There is no real purpose other than to keep the possessor untraceable.

Can you just scratch off the serial number of a gun?

You can’t just scratch off the serial number of a gun like a lottery ticket. Serial numbers are stamped into the frame. To remove it, you would need professional grade metal working tools (a Dremel wouldn’t do it) and in order to completely remove the serial number, it would basically destroy the firearm.

Is it a crime to alter a firearm’s serial number?

It is a crime punishable with 5-years imprisonment to even possess a firearm with an altered serial number (or with 10-years imprisonment if the firearm is regulated by the National Firearms Act). CFR › Title 27 › Chapter II › Subchapter B › Part 478 › Subpart C › Section 478.34: § 478.34 Removed, obliterated, or altered serial number.

Can you get in trouble for having a defaced serial number?

And possession of the defaced gun is a felony worth a five (or 10) year prison sentence. Interestingly it may be legal per federal law, to possess a a non-NFA firearm with a defaced serial number if that firearm was manufactured in your state and has never been shipped out of it. There are likely state laws preventing it, however.

Can a gun be traced back to the original owner?

If needed, law enforcement officials can then trace the number back to the original owner, or the owner to the gun, much like a driver’s license number can be traced to a driver. Serial numbers are stamped into a weapon’s metal frame with extremely hard dies that push the numbers deeply into the steel.