Does anybody have data on how many prosecutions of crimes involving the use of a firearm are founded SOLELY on the tracing of a serial number? (not paperwork offenses, but gun left at scene of crime where perp got away, bullet matches gun, etc.)
If this method was producing results, why wouldn’t the FBI publicize the data?
Well, I have some experience on this. My car was broken into last year and my backpack with a Ruger 9mm autoloader was stolen. I reported it to the police. However I was unable to find the serial number for that gun at home. So I just wrote it off. Then last month I got a letter from the USDoJ stating that it had been found in a drug raid not far from where it was stolen and they were seeking forfeiture. Apparently they have an illegal gun database now. As I’ve suspected for years. The gun has never been registered or otherwise recorded in any fashion except by the instant check and form filed at the time of purchase.