Blurring serial numbers?

[sailor723]

I've never quite understood why a lot of people do this (although I have to admit do it myself because it seems like the normal thing to do).

What kind of risk are you exposing yourself to by letting people know/see the serial number of a gun you are selling or posting photos of?

What's the scam they could try to run?

 

[Gmwebs]

why do you have blinds on your windows at home? Privacy

 

[Kosmonument]

Yes, privacy. Also another good way is to just avoid taking photos of your guns.

 

[trebor2880]

Risk is nil, if no serial numbers are shown, so why not.

 

[sailor723]

Yes, but I still don't understand the potential risk of people seeing the serial number of your firearm. Is there actually a real risk or is it just GOP(Gun Owner Paranoia)?

 

[Wendell]

Why does Google streetview blur faces and license plates, but not house numbers?

 

[Master-G]

In the States the deal is supposedly a guy could see the serial number then report it to police that it was actually stolen from him. I think that’s far-fetched, myself. In Canada, the government already know what handguns I’ve got so I can’t see any problem with randos on the internet seeing them...if I was worried about privacy I wouldn’t post pix.

 

[Kratos]

Information is power. You never know what someone can do with your information, better safe then sorry. That, and the internet is forever, once it is out there it’s not under your control anymore.

 

[sailor723]

In the States the deal is supposedly a guy could see the serial number then report it to police that it was actually stolen from him. I think that’s far-fetched, myself. In Canada, the government already know what handguns I’ve got so I can’t see any problem with randos on the internet seeing them...if I was worried about privacy I wouldn’t post pix.

My thoughts too. I just don't get the paranoia. I wondered if I was missing some kind of clever scam.

 

[tiriaq]

Post the serial of a pistol and the powers that be can identify you...
And the LGR still exists...

 

[DILLIGAF]

Post the serial of a pistol and the powers that be can identify you...

They can do that just with your IP... no need for serial #'s

 

[Master-G]

Post the serial of a pistol and the powers that be can identify you...

That's a good point—I hadn't considered that.

 

[legi0n]

They can do that just with your IP... no need for serial #'s

unless you decide to pay for a VPN

 

[TT1900]

unless you decide to pay for a VPN

If they’re truly interested they’ll find out. May just take a little more time.

No harm can come from posting serial numbers. I don’t bother blurring mine in the EE; waste of time.

 

[legi0n]

If they’re truly interested they’ll find out. May just take a little more time.

No harm can come from posting serial numbers. I don’t bother blurring mine in the EE; waste of time.

nope and whatever floats your boat

 

[Ironheart]

I don't have a problem taking pictures with visible serial numbers....I just don't really give a $hit

 

[Horilka]

A. Seller's privacy.
B. Courtesy to the buyer, he might not like his new firearm serials on the net.
C. Prevents scam with stolen pictures.
D. Buyer assurance. Seller can easily prove it's your firearm and your pictures by exposing another part of serial or full serial.

 

[Juster]

Because the CFC will be able to track down all the posts wherein I make humorous reference to their collective mental capacity, and bring it up as a good-natured joke the next time I want a transfer, or forget to renew my licence, with the inevitable hilarity ensuing.

 

[NAA]

Post the serial of a pistol and the powers that be can identify you...
And the LGR still exists...

+1 .... sums it up for me, too.

------------------
NAA.

 

[Big Uke]

I don't bother obscuring the serial number on any photos or posts. That's a bit too paranoid even for my tin foil hat.