“why would someone obliterate the serial number on their firearm?”
Because the weapon is made from pieces of multiple weapons. You file the old serial number off the replacement barrel
“Because the weapon is made from pieces of multiple weapons. You file the old serial number off the replacement barrel”
The barrell is NOT the serialized and “registered” part. There would be no crime committed of the serial number was removed from the barrell.
That said. On old guns, especially older ones that had the SN ONLY engraved once on the receiver, through age, wear and constant cleaning over time it is possible the serial number will become illegible and therefore become legally a defaced serial number.
Or pre serial numbered guns that were half assed-ly engraved with a single serial number tend to be prone to removal from routine use.
Most (all) modern guns will have the sn engraved in multiple locations.
How ALL sn’s on modern guns could be removed through honest wear and over time unintentionally (IMO) is questionable.
That said, personally, I am unsure, legally, which way this should go.
If the judge is looking at this with fresh STRICT scrutiny eyes. Then it is nothing if not refreshing to hear something like this being taken at face value and considered from scratch.