Where to Find the Serial Number on a Firearm
Quick answer: The serial number is engraved or stamped on the frame or receiver of the firearm — the location varies by manufacturer and type.
Under federal law (Gun Control Act of 1968), all licensed firearm manufacturers must engrave a unique serial number on every firearm produced. Here's where to find it by type:
Handguns (Pistols)
Frame, near trigger guard or grip. Also may be on the slide or barrel.
Revolvers
Frame above the trigger, on the butt of the grip, or on the crane.
Semi-Auto Rifles (AR-15, AK-pattern)
Lower receiver, typically near the magazine well or pistol grip.
Bolt-Action & Lever-Action Rifles
Receiver (the metal housing), often bottom or side.
Shotguns
Receiver, near the trigger group.
Revolvers (Smith & Wesson)
Butt of the grip, cylinder crane, and frame.
If the serial number has been removed, altered, or defaced, do not purchase the firearm. Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(k), it is a federal felony to possess a firearm with an obliterated serial number — even if you did not remove it yourself.
Which Databases Does SafeOrStolen Check for Firearms?
Quick answer: every gun check searches four sources at once: police firearm theft and loss reports from 33 states and DC, live Ohio law-enforcement records, SafeOrStolen theft reports and a serial integrity check.
All of these are searched at the same time, and the result lists each one, so you know exactly what was checked before money changes hands.
Police firearm theft and loss reports (33 states and DC)
More than 220,000 reports of stolen and lost guns filed with police in 33 states and Washington, DC. Matches show the make, model, state and year of the report.
Serial Number Integrity Check
We validate the serial number itself for obliterated, altered, or placeholder patterns. A defaced serial number is a federal felony under 18 U.S.C. § 922(k) and is a strong signal to walk away.
Live Ohio law-enforcement records
Checked live on every gun search, against stolen-gun records kept by Ohio law enforcement.
SafeOrStolen theft reports
Guns reported stolen by owners on SafeOrStolen. These are user reports, not proof of police verification.
Gun Serial Number Lookup by State
Quick answer: SafeOrStolen holds police firearm theft and loss reports from 33 states and Washington, DC, more than 220,000 in all. Every gun check searches all of them at once, whichever state you are in.
The table shows how many police reports SafeOrStolen holds for each state and the years they were filed. Open a state for its own free lookup page with the most reported brands and models, or see the stolen gun statistics.
| State | Police reports | Years reported |
|---|---|---|
| California | 80,176 | 1979–2017 |
| Florida | 64,642 | 2006–2017 |
| Texas | 21,558 | 2000–2017 |
| Washington | 10,951 | 2010–2017 |
| Arizona | 9,702 | 1990–2017 |
| North Carolina | 8,455 | 2006–2017 |
| Illinois | 7,459 | 1973–2017 |
| Georgia | 6,967 | 2010–2017 |
| Missouri | 5,099 | 1974–2017 |
| Nevada | 4,597 | — |
| Kansas | 3,731 | 2006–2017 |
| Indiana | 3,567 | 1993–2017 |
| Colorado | 3,520 | 2002–2017 |
| Wisconsin | 2,829 | 2010–2017 |
| South Carolina | 1,817 | 1997–2017 |
| Maryland | 1,464 | 2010–2017 |
| Utah | 916 | 2010–2016 |
| Oregon | 739 | 2010–2017 |
| Virginia | 643 | 2011–2017 |
| Oklahoma | 625 | 2010–2017 |
| New York | 590 | 2010–2017 |
| Idaho | 590 | 2010–2017 |
| Michigan | 493 | 2009–2016 |
| Nebraska | 317 | 1993–2017 |
| District of Columbia | 238 | 2011–2017 |
| New Jersey | 230 | 2008–2017 |
| Connecticut | 227 | 2006–2016 |
| Massachusetts | 225 | 2010–2017 |
| New Hampshire | 138 | 2010–2017 |
| Rhode Island | 132 | 2010–2017 |
| Louisiana | 99 | 2010–2017 |
| Ohio | 73 | 2010–2016 |
| Pennsylvania | 24 | 2012–2017 |
| Delaware | 6 | 2014–2017 |
Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama and other states not listed: you can still check any gun here. The search covers SafeOrStolen's own reports, plus the historical reports above, where guns stolen elsewhere often turn up. For an extra check, ask your local police on their non-emergency line whether they will run the serial for a private buyer.
Legal Risks of Buying a Stolen Firearm
Quick answer: Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(j), receiving or possessing a firearm you know or have reason to believe is stolen is a crime. A check is not legal advice or a guarantee.
This is not a minor civil matter. Buying a stolen gun — even unknowingly — creates serious legal exposure under both federal and state law:
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Federal criminal exposure
Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(j), knowingly purchasing, possessing, or transferring a stolen firearm is a federal felony carrying up to 10 years in prison. "Knowingly" is broadly interpreted — if you had reason to know the gun was stolen (low price, seller unwilling to provide paperwork), that can be sufficient.
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State criminal exposure
Every state also has its own law against receiving stolen property. Penalties vary by state and by the value of the property.
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Asset seizure with no compensation
Law enforcement can seize a firearm linked to theft records at any time. You have no legal claim to compensation — your money is gone.
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Background check complications
A stolen firearm discovered during a transfer at a licensed dealer (FFL) will result in the transfer being denied and possible investigation of all parties involved.
Who Should Always Run a Gun Serial Check
Quick answer: Anyone buying, accepting, or reselling a used firearm — including private buyers, pawn shops, gun show attendees, estate sale participants, and FFL dealers.
🎯 Private Buyers
Anyone purchasing a used firearm through a private sale on Armslist, Facebook, at a gun show, or from an individual. Many states do not require a background check for private sales, so checking the serial and the paperwork the seller shows you is up to you.
🎯 Gun Show Vendors & Attendees
High volume + cash transactions = elevated risk. Many stolen guns circulate through gun shows precisely because of lighter scrutiny. Run a check on every private transaction.
🎯 FFL Dealers Buying Used Inventory
When buying used firearms from individuals for resale, a serial check provides documented due diligence before you take ownership.
🎯 Estate Sale Participants
Firearms in estates can have complex ownership histories. Verify before purchasing — you have no way to know the history of an inherited firearm.
🎯 Sellers Proving Legitimacy
Sellers can run a check on their own firearm and share the clean result with buyers — increasing buyer confidence and selling price.
Red Flags When Buying a Used Firearm
Quick answer: Never buy if the serial number is missing, altered, or if the seller refuses to allow you to write it down for verification purposes.
- 🚩Serial number is scratched, filed, or otherwise altered — federal felony to possess
- 🚩Seller refuses to provide the serial number or allow you to record it
- 🚩Price is significantly below market value for the model and condition
- 🚩Seller cannot produce original purchase receipt or documentation of transfer
- 🚩Seller is unusually eager to complete the sale quickly, especially in cash
- 🚩Firearm has aftermarket modifications that obscure the original serial number location
- 🚩Seller says they "found it" or received it as payment for a debt
- 🚩No box, accessories, or documentation that would normally accompany a legitimate sale
Sellers: Verify Your Own Firearm First
Quick answer: Run a SafeOrStolen check on your own firearm, get the $1.99 verification certificate, and share its link with buyers so they can see the check for themselves.
Smart sellers use SafeOrStolen to prove legitimacy upfront. Here's why it matters:
- ✓Buyers don't have to take your word for it; the certificate shows the date and what was searched
- ✓A dated record that you checked before the sale, if questions come up later
- ✓Makes your listing stand out from unverified ones
Pawn Shop Firearm Compliance Requirements
Quick answer: Pawn shops are commonly required by state or local law to report the guns they take in to police, and they carry more risk than private buyers when a gun turns out to be stolen. Checking every serial before you accept it, and keeping the record, is basic due diligence.
Pawn shop operators face significant legal exposure when accepting stolen firearms. Unlike private buyers who may unknowingly purchase stolen property, pawn shops are considered sophisticated commercial buyers — courts hold them to a higher standard of due diligence.
SafeOrStolen Unlimited Plan for Pawn Shops
- ✓Unlimited firearm serial checks at one flat monthly rate
- ✓Dated record of every check saved to your account
- ✓Verification certificates included free with the monthly plan
- ✓Check history your staff can pull up when asked