How to check if a gun is stolen in Texas?

How to check if a gun is stolen in Texas?

owning a gun is a cherished right in the United States, and Texas is home to a significant number of gun owners. However, with the increasing number of gun thefts, it’s essential to ensure your firearm is not stolen before purchasing or selling it.

Why Check if Your Gun is Stolen in Texas?

In 2020 alone, approximately 12,000 firearm thefts were reported in Texas, resulting in $1.27 million in stolen loss. These statistics highlight the importance of verifying the ownership status of a gun before allowing it to change hands, whether it’s through a private sale or a licensed dealer.

How to Check if a Gun is Stolen in Texas?

To ascertain whether a gun is stolen in Texas, follow this step-by-step guide:

**Use the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Online Database**

The Department of Public Safety maintains the Texas Crime Information Index (TCI) which contains information on stolen gun reports. You can perform a search using the registration number, make, or model of the firearm by visiting the Texas License to Carry (LTC) Online System.

Tips:

• Searches are free, but creating an account is required if you want to access sensitive information.
• You might need to provide proof of identity and residency to make an account.

**Contact the BATFE’s National Tracing Center (NTC) in Texas**

The Gun Trace Center (GCA), a division under the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATFE), maintains a database tracking stolen firearms. You can contact the NTC at (800-421-4490 extension 4) to seek information on a specific handgun.

*Tips:•

• Be prepared to furnish detailed information about the pistol, including the make and model.
• The search may take a few moments, and the representative at the NTC will indicate whether the firearm is missing or not.

**Check with Firearms Dealers and Law Enforcement Departments**

Local firearms dealers and authorities may have access to incident reports and stolen gun datasets. You can visit individual dealerships or contact major law enforcement agencies in districts where the gun was discovered.

*Tips:’

• Dealers may have already checked the gun’s make and model against their current inventory.
• Law Enforcement agencies may have received additional information about the gun when it was reported stolen (e.g., serial numbers, descriptions).

**Verify with Public Records and Online Marketplaces**

Search public records and prominent online marketplaces to inspect if the gun has undergone any legal transactions or possession changes.

*Tips:+

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• Public records repositories like the Texas Statutory County Recordsor Texas Secretary of State’s Office may reflect any changes in ownership registered with the state.
• Online marketplaces like auction sites, gun forums or social media platforms may hide stolen guns, but knowing what to look for reduces the risk of buying tainted merchandise.

Additional Verification Methods

To further prevent the purchase or sale of stolen guns, consider executing the following steps: