Most reported stolen gun brands in California
From California police reports that list the manufacturer.
Most reported stolen gun models in California
From reports that list both the make and the model.
Buying a used gun privately in California
California requires a background check on private-party gun sales (all firearms). Check the serial number before you meet anyway: a background check screens the buyer, not the gun.
Before you pay: ask for a photo of the serial number before you meet, check it here, then make sure the serial on the frame or receiver matches and hasn't been scratched, ground or altered. Possessing a gun with an obliterated serial number is a federal crime, whoever removed it.
If the serial number comes back as stolen, don't buy the gun and don't confront the seller. Leave, and give the serial number and the seller's details to local police on their non-emergency line.
About the California records
These are reports of stolen and lost guns filed with police in California, dated 1979–2017. They are historical and not complete: many stolen guns are never reported, and not every agency's records are included. Of the 80,176 reports, 4,310 are marked recovered. A check shows a gun as outstanding only when its latest report is still stolen or lost. SafeOrStolen never publishes serial numbers; the only way to look one up is to check it. See the national stolen gun statistics.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a gun is stolen in California?
Enter the gun's serial number at SafeOrStolen (safeorstolen.com/gun-serial-number-lookup/california). SafeOrStolen searches 80,176 police reports of stolen and lost guns from California, dated 1979–2017, 162,663 reports from 33 other jurisdictions, live Ohio law-enforcement records and SafeOrStolen's own theft reports. You get a result in a few seconds, and the first 2 checks are free.
How many stolen gun reports does SafeOrStolen have for California?
80,176 police reports, dated 1979–2017: 67,641 reported stolen, 8,225 reported lost and 4,310 marked recovered. That is 33.0% of the 242,839 reports SafeOrStolen holds, and ranks California 1 of the 34 jurisdictions covered.
What guns are reported stolen most in California?
In California's reports, the most reported brand is Smith & Wesson (12,349 reports) and the most reported model is the Remington 870 (1,140).
Do I need a background check to buy a gun privately in California?
California requires a background check on private-party gun sales (all firearms). Check the serial number before you meet anyway: a background check screens the buyer, not the gun.
Is a gun that isn't in these records definitely not stolen?
No. Many stolen guns are never reported, and these are historical police records. A no-match result on SafeOrStolen means nothing was found in the records searched. Ask for the receipt or transfer paperwork, and use a licensed dealer for the transfer when you can.