Ever wonder why so few National Crime Information Center (NCIC) inquiries on firearms result in hits? Or why so few entries seem to be recovered? Perhaps you complain about ATF tracing, that rarely finds the information you’re looking for. The answer may be in the old computer term, GIGO—garbage in, garbage out.
I recently read a column on officer survival that commented on the lack of firearms knowledge among the current policing generation. Back when dinosaurs such as I entered the job, most cops had a firearms background—hunters, sport shooters, military, etc. Today there’s a much smaller component that comes from those backgrounds. Thus, knowledge that was taken for granted among the troops is now lacking, but overall the system hasn’t addressed this shortcoming.
We’ll start by looking at the current entry information for NCIC entry of a stolen or recovered firearm. Today it’s much simpler than years ago, as the number of fields has shrunken tremendously. However, that information may still be confused without guidance.
The serial number (s/n) sounds like a simple entry—but not quite so. First, which number is it? Many firearms may have multiple numbers—serial, model and parts-matching—on the firearm. Once, the S&W s/n appeared on the butt of the grip; now it’s found on the frame, inside the crane. Early Ruger revolvers had the s/n on the butt; today it’s on the side of the frame, below the cylinder. Since 1968, ATF has required that the s/n appear on the frame of a firearm. Thus, on any current handgun it will appear on the frame and not the cylinder, barrel or slide. However, older firearms (pre-1968) may find the number in some other location. Many older double-barrel shotguns will find the s/n hidden on the bottom of the barrels or on the flat of the frame where the barrel rests when closed.
With the importation of so many former Soviet bloc firearms, the ATF had to address the choice of alphabet. Thus, only Latin letters (English alphabet) and Arabic numbers (0-9) may be used for a serial number. Importers of firearms with foreign alphabets used in the serial numbers must apply a new serial number that meets the rules, and use this new number as its official s/n for all subsequent purposes. Thus, the original serial number on Russian or Yugoslavian SKS rifles, Tokarev or Makarov pistols, or Nagant revolvers will be reapplied in English and this becomes the official s/n for all American transactions.
Relatively recently, the ATF established a rule that no manufacturer may reapply an s/n on any other firearm made by that firm. Previously, manufacturers could apply an s/n to a model and repeat them with other model lines. It’s important therefore to collect the model information for a firearm: A Mossberg Model 144 s/n 12345XXX isn’t the same firearm as a Mossberg Model 352 s/n 12345XXX.
Don’t let the term manufacturer lull you into a false sense of knowledge. Over the years, many manufacturers have spun off new firms, merged with other firms or gone out of business only to have their name rise as a new manufacturer. Also, don’t consider the “look” to mark the manufacturer. Look at law enforcement firearms alone—how many different manufacturers now produce rifles based on the AR-15 platform? Indeed, few AR-15s today are Colts; far more are produced by a wide variety of companies. Another is the 1911 Government model. Although Colt still manufactures them, many others are now supplying “Old Slabsides,” such as Kimber, Springfield Armory and Wilson.
Another pitfall in identifying manufacturer is when dealing with military surplus firearms. Few are openly marked with the name of the manufacturer—usually its code, as militaries may have multiple sources supplying otherwise identical firearms. NCIC permits use of a nation code when dealing with these military firearms. However, even here, care must be taken to ensure the correct nation identified. The ubiquitous SKS was manufactured by most former Soviet bloc nations; identification of the source nation might only be made through code marks on the firearm. Another pitfall is assuming that foreign alphabets are distinctive to a nation. For example, Cyrillic letters are used not only in Russia, but also were used in the official writing of the former Yugoslavia. Take the time to research the firearm and ensure its source.
Model information varies by manufacturer. Many use a number or number and letter system, such as an S&W Model 19-5, Glock 17, Sig P230 or Berretta 92F. Others use a name, such as the Colt Python, Government Model and Peacemaker. Others use both, such as Ruger’s earlier models that had a model number (the first three digits of the serial number) but were known popularly by a name, such as the Police Service Six or Mini-14.
Caliber is a very confusing notation. A caliber may have several difference names. The popular .380 Automatic is found as the .380ACP, .380 Colt, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Short and by other names. A good reference such as Cartridges of the World or The Ammunition Encyclopedia is valuable around the office, permitting officers and dispatch personnel the ability to research synonyms for the name obtained from a firearm. The NCIC system uses a single name for any specific caliber. Converting to that universal name from the one appearing on the firearm helps ensure quality information.
The final, mandatory descriptor is firearms type. This is actually a much simpler descriptor than in the practical shooting world. For the sake of NCIC entry, it is either a pistol, a revolver, a shotgun, a rifle, or a machine gun. Occasionally some question may arise as to where a firearm does fall. For example, Mossberg ships many Model 500 shotguns with a pistol grip, and when transferred by a dealer, they fall under the waiting period, as do other handguns.
However, they are still shotguns for overall classification. Federal law still defines it as a shotgun, having over an 18″ barrel and 26″ overall length. Prior to 1934, several manufacturers produced shotgun caliber pistols, such as the H&R Handi-Gun. Today valuable antiques, these would qualify as a pistol, being a pistol gripped firearm with less than 18-inch barrel and under 26 inches in overall length. However, these are few and rarely encountered in investigative circles. Sawed off shotguns and rifles (illegally modified firearms) are still shotguns or rifles, despite modification.
Although the NCIC entry format once required much detailed descriptive information, today it has been simplified to the above fields. However, there’s one additional field— miscellaneous —that permits the entry of further descriptive information. Such information as barrel length, finish, importer marks or unique features can be entered in this block. What’s important is to include only accurate information about the firearm in question. Just because a gun has a military appearance doesn’t make it either an assault rifle or a machine gun. Each of these has very specific definitions in the firearms world. The fact that a firearm has a silvery color to it doesn’t make it nickel-plated. It may be nickel plated, stainless steel, chrome or even paint finished. It’d be described in that case as a silver-colored firearm (much like describing a piece of jewelry that may be silver, white gold, platinum or stainless steel), unless it could be positively described as nickel plated.
In a later column measurement of barrel length will be discussed, as well as field tests for full-automatic functioning (machine guns). Suffice to say that the more information that can be accurately described and placed into this block, the easier it will be for another agency to determine that the firearm they recovered or perhaps reported lost (when you are entering a “recovered gun”), is the firearm of interest to them, and bring both agencies into contact.
Every year a considerable number of stolen firearms are not entered into NCIC because of poor information or are entered but have such a paucity of accurate descriptors that they can’t be hit later. Others aren’t recovered because the agency that encounters them on the street does not correctly inquire on its status. This falls back partly to the reporting party: They failed to keep accurate records for this potential, limiting law enforcement’s role. (Ask yourself: How complete and safe are your records, as well as your agency’s records for department-owned firearms?). However, fault also falls at law enforcements’ feet for failing to collect the appropriate information, or use it properly when in its possession. We owe it to our public and our fellow officers to collect adequate information on stolen, lost and recovered firearms that we can take illegals off the streets, return them to their owners and, in doing such, possibly prevent crimes and tragedies from occurring.
Note: Thanks to Self Defense Guns and Archery, Stuart, Fla., for use of stock for some firearm models.