I bought an SKS via AuctionArms.com.

Sent the guy an FFL from a local gun shop.

Gun arrives not at the gun shop, but at my house!

Then, it turns out the gun has the serial numbers ground off!!! Just having a gun like that is a Big Crime.

I take the gun to the shop, cut it into bits, I'm out a bunch of money. I called the BATFE, they say "We're sorry to hear you had a problem" and that's the last I heard of them.

The guy is, of course, long gone. I have no recourse. The money is gone.

Don't buy guns online.

That is really a drag. You are probably out quite a bit more than the average Ebay scam. I'm not familiar with AuctionArms.com. Do you have any recourse thru them? I have only bought one gun on line. It was through GunsAmerica and I had a pretty good experience. Thanks for the warning though--I'll avoid that site in the future unless you receive some satisfaction.

Unless you're HOPING to find a throw-away... and are ready for a possible visit from the Fed.s.

Troy

By the way, sorry to hear you got stuck, hope the site can help you out.

Not the first case of this I've heard. I wouldn't do this through any site. The entire idea is greying into GCA68 territory a little to fast for my taste.

But this is the worst case like this I've heard.

I'd contact the buyer's home AGs office, see if they want to do anything with it. You have picture of the firearm, right, along with all the paperwork to show it was rendered perminantly non-operable? You did it by the book, the other guy didn't, so you should be fine. And I'm not terribly suprised ATFE doesn't want to do thier job.

Sorry to hear of your bad luck. I've had great luck with AuctionArms, including finding a real deal on a .40 Browning HiPower.

I wouldn't be surprised if the reason the ATF didn't care is that they were the seller, trying to sting someone. That isn't unheard of. They have been known to do that with drop in full auto kits for AR15s.

Isn't there a chance the gun had been used in a crime? Is it the kind of thing the police would be interested in doing ballistic checks on?

Yes, you would think so. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

If this had happened in my jurisdiction, the firearm would be at the crime lab within an hour for ballistic tests and to "pull out" the filed off serial number. Then the investigative fun would begin.

Unfortunately, my experiences with ATF is that they are very interested in collecting taxes and fining those who do not pay those taxes. They will ADVISE on a criminal case, but have no interest in investigating a case. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

WHICH serial numbers were "ground off". Remember, many mil-surp rifles have TWO serial number sets. The original numbers that are usually stamped or etched into the receiver (and often the bolt, mag well plate, barrel, and many other places, particularly on Eastern Bloc guns) and the IMPORTER serial number, listed under the importers name, and always on the ATF designated "receiver". So it is possible (and legal) to muck with the original serial numbers so long as the importer number is intact (some unscrupulous sellers try to force the original numbers to match, gleaning a few more coins from the unsuspecting collector). Also, anyone with a Type 03 FFL (so called "Curio and Relic" License) can receive C&R firearms at their home. Perhaps your seller got confused?

While you are probably correct that this was a "hot" gun dumped for cash, it is possible for this to be a legitament misunderstanding.

That's hard news Marty!

Are you willing and able to share any more details? What was the seller's feedback like?

The guy who sold you that gun will probably do it again, and next time the person he sells it to will use it to commit some horrific crime and the law abiding folks will be punished by more restrictive laws. This is a perfect example of lack of enforcement not lack of laws.

Sorry for the rant.

P.S. Martin you did the right thing. One way or another, you hanging on to that thing was going to bit you in the butt.

Marc