Stolen Luger

[John Sabato]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Sandi:
<strong>Ok.... I will get off my soapbox, I'm done....
Thanks for letting me vent a little at the end...

Sandi</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">thanks for the response Sandi... and you are correct, this forum is unlike any other gun forum I have been exposed to, or participated in. It IS much like a family, but would more likely be described as a fraternal organization... Welcome to the group cousin!

Now about the missing Luger... You are correct in your assumption about the uniqueness of the theoretical Luger you described above... but the fact that the suffix letter was not on the papers authorizing its entry into the USA, is problematic if it had one... you would face the same issues I have mentioned above.

Not only that, but consider the innocent owner of a similar 1938 Luger with a different suffix, who has his gun examined by a peace officer who has no familiarity with the serial number history of german guns... in all probability, the gun would be siezed as stolen and cause him a bunch of grief and red tape until the facts could be determined to the satisfaction of the particular police department or judge... not a pleasant experience...

Just how would you suggest that this forum, or any other forum for that matter, provide for restriction of posts to folks as you describe. The only way would be for folks to submit information to a human who would evaluate the situatuion and then either grant or deny the posting... there would be no automated way to do it, and since all labor dedicated to the operation of this and other sites is donated, there would be no way to consistently staff the function... Don't get me wrong. I think the idea is great, but the devil is in the details...

One other scenario to consider... should a person check this list of stolen guns and find that a gun they have interest in is on it, there would be no way to ensure that law enforcement would be notified of the sighting...

Unless these types of details can be economically resolved, staffing could be guaranteed, and operation could be properly financed, I am afraid that this problem will have to sit in the "too tough" box for resolution.

I urge all Luger and other owners of historical guns to record all information about them including good photographs and put the info in a safe place, and when (not if) you are a victim of crime, make sure you report all the details promptly. Also, if you discover a shady firearm, step up to the plate and do the right thing about it.

One last thing Sandi... thanks for addressing someone you really don't know yet with respect, and I don't know how old you are, but "Mr. Sabato" is my 84 year old WW2 veteran father... my name is John.