Question of the Day: Do The Cops Know You’re A Gun Owner?

[gejoslin]

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Link Removed | May 28, 2013
“The other day I was listening to Kittitas County [WA] Dispatch send a Deputy to a reported domestic violence call,” a TTAG reader writes. “As part of the call the Deputy was told that the male had several handguns registered to him. They gave specific make & model of the guns. My question is how do the Dispatchers know? I can understand that if the person has a Concealed Pistol License that this info would be available. But I’m very concerned about where they got the specific gun ownership information. I asked a Deputy ‘friend’ and he didn’t answer me, he got very evasive and changed the subject.” The Federal Firearms Owners’ Protection Act (FOPA) outlaws gun registries. But what are the odds that the local, state and/or federal po-po already know exactly how you roll firearms-wise?
What's your take on this?
Does your state, city or county know you have guns in your home?

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[BC1]

NYS hasn't linked the DMV with permits so when getting pulled-over, LEO don't have any way to know. There is no duty to inform them either. If executing a warrant they may have obtained the info before coming. The local PD knows about me only because I sponsored many of them at my local club. I give the department range time as well.

 

[rifleshooter474]

I know in Oklahoma they the cops know by running your drivers license, if you are a CCW permit holder.

 

[wolf_fire]

Also, if the male had been in trouble with the law before, they may have had the information about him and what weapons he owned.

 

[Almost_Blameless]

most times when a domestic disturbance is called in, the caller is asked if they know if any guns are on the premises or present during the disturbance....if yes, they then ask if the models and calibers are known...

I have listened to traffic stops and heard dispatchers advising the officer/s on scene that the person registered with the vehicle being stoped is known to have/carry guns, or has a permit...

 

[gejoslin]

Some States you have to get permission to buy a weapon. And some the same plus register that weapon also. In Texas and Arkansas you don't have to do either.
For clarification I was wondering how it is in other states around the country and if the police know about your guns.

 

[whodat2710]

As far as I know, the only record of the firearms I have purchased (other than the NICS check) is the store reciept that the store is required to keep for a certain ammount of time. (VA/SC)

 

[CharlesMorrison]

In Vermont there is nothing but the 4473 filled out and a sales receipt. No permit system for OC/CC so I don't think that LE would know what I own without a BATF sponsored trip to the several gun stores to "check" records of sale.


Sent from behind enemy lines.

 

[Treo]

I'm fairly certain Washington doesn't have firearms registration which makes this entire story suspect to me.

I know Colorado law specifically forbids the (state) government from keeping firearms owner databases or registering guns. Registration is also forbidden on the Federal level so in my case they wouldn't know

 

[dad45acp]

Unless the caller/complainant is giving the specific firearm info over the phone, a dispatcher wouldn't be able to just "bring up" the info on a computer.

 

[JimTh]

The government knows who you talk to, for how long, how often, when, keyboard strokes,...are guns a far stretch. Do I need a tin foil hat to think that a government IRS agency targets conservatives and they don't know what I have?

 

[Nightmare45]

Yep and most of the ones I shoot with hate anything to do with violating the 2n amendment. They also know trying to take a weapon I own would be a tactical error of the first magnitude. At 67 years old only own two weapons bought in a store, one 22 other 40. If you want the serial numbers off the other handguns you better be able to read them while the slide is cycling. Peace, Love Colt 45.

 

[VT Patriot]

The government knows who you talk to, for how long, how often, when, keyboard strokes,...are guns a far stretch. Do I need a tin foil hat to think that a government IRS agency targets conservatives and they don't know what I have?

Suggestion, NEVER on web sites etc mention anything re type, brand or any other evidence that could be seen by thousands and stored in Utah digital storage facility. I don't have any g u ns, they were all lost in a tragic boating accident last summer.

 

[XD40scinNC]

My CHP is linked to my drivers license, but that only shows I am a permit holder, not a gun owner.

Reason says if a person has a CHP they own a gun, but I know several people that hold a CHP and do not own a gun.

 

[Deserteagle]

Also, if the male had been in trouble with the law before, they may have had the information about him and what weapons he owned.

This. People that get in trouble with the law which causes the police find out the person has firearms, they may make note of it for their safety.

 

[piesyor]

I found out, after the fact, that in our county (Maricopa, AZ) if you purchase more than one gun at a time the FFL dealer where you purchase is required to advise the county sheriff of the transaction & information on you & the weapons.

 

[apvbguy]

some states link the firearms data to their motor vehicle database so in those states they know if the owner of the vehicle owns firearms just by running the plate.

 

[wcd]

I'm fairly certain Washington doesn't have firearms registration which makes this entire story suspect to me.

I know Colorado law specifically forbids the (state) government from keeping firearms owner databases or registering guns. Registration is also forbidden on the Federal level so in my case they wouldn't know

I am shocked at treos response here lol, just like the IRS does not target specific groups for tax exempt status. Or The NSA does not monitor phone calls or perform data mining.

 

[carracer]

I don't think we presently have as much to worry about the state level as we do the Fed level. That said... I was on the same fishing boat as shirtz1. Awful storm, came up real fast!

 

[gejoslin]

I found out, after the fact, that in our county (Maricopa, AZ) if you purchase more than one gun at a time the FFL dealer where you purchase is required to advise the county sheriff of the transaction & information on you & the weapons.

I'm not a criminal or deranged so they can tell the Pope for all I care! If it's legal and they sold it to me, they can call Biden. :haha: