Most reported stolen gun brands in Virginia
From Virginia police reports that list the manufacturer.
Buying a used gun privately in Virginia
Private-sale rules in Virginia have changed in recent years. Confirm the current rule before a private sale, and check the serial number before you meet either way: 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 Virginia records
These are reports of stolen and lost guns filed with police in Virginia, dated 2011–2017. They are historical and not complete: many stolen guns are never reported, and not every agency's records are included. Of the 643 reports, 114 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 Virginia?
Enter the gun's serial number at SafeOrStolen (safeorstolen.com/gun-serial-number-lookup/virginia). SafeOrStolen searches 643 police reports of stolen and lost guns from Virginia, dated 2011–2017, 242,196 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 Virginia?
643 police reports, dated 2011–2017: 529 reported stolen, 0 reported lost and 114 marked recovered. That is 0.3% of the 242,839 reports SafeOrStolen holds, and ranks Virginia 19 of the 34 jurisdictions covered.
What guns are reported stolen most in Virginia?
In Virginia's reports, the most reported brand is Smith & Wesson (109 reports).
Do I need a background check to buy a gun privately in Virginia?
Private-sale rules in Virginia have changed in recent years. Confirm the current rule before a private sale, and check the serial number before you meet either way: 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.