Gun serial numbers can be helpful for any one who wishes to purchase a used gun. Serial numbers are required by federal law to be stamped on any gun, whether pistol or hunting rifle. The serial number allows consumers or law enforcement agencies to trace where and when the gun was manufactured. Also, if a crime is committed with a gun, the gun will be registered as required by federal law and,
. depending on the circumstance, reissued on the market.When a person wishes to purchase a pistol or hand gun, they are required to undergo an extensive background check and fill out a questionnaire. This procedure greatly reduces the probability of a gun falling into the wrong hands, such as with a mentally unstable person or a person with questionable intentions. Persons with felonies that come up on the background check are usually not able to purchase specific firearms.Depending on what state you live in you may be able to search for the history of a gun by its serial number online, or you may have to go to a location to have it done for you. The correct serial number for the gun in question must be entered accurately to get the history of the gun. There are government apprehension sites available in every state that allow gun serial number searches. If the state does not allow online searches, it is possible to contact a local firearms dealer or the sheriff for a location that can run the search.It is very important to know that if the gun is not purchased from a local dealer, in order for the sale to be legal, the person must have a license to sell firearms. If the person does not have a license, and the gun in question is required to be registered, you and the seller can go to prison.For more information, please see:http://www.reference.com/browse/guns