I recently experienced a similar situation.
I was purchasing a rifle from a person from another forum. Sent money and the rifle was shipped to my FFL. When I went to pick up the rifle, the FFL in my state calls in buyer information and firearm information.
The rifle cam up as stolen. The FFL was instructed to hold the rifle and the local PD would come inspect the rifle. If the rifle matched the stolen gun report, then it would be confiscated.
Turns out the person selling my the rifle, had purchased the rifle used about two years prior through a dealer in North Carolina using all the BATF forms, ect. He had all that documentation and promptly faxed it to me.
The seller was able to work with the dealer he bought the rifle through and reclaim his money.
I did not feel any liablility because I had no idea the rifle was stolen, nor did I receive the rifle. I was only potentially out the money.
It did make me think about buying local without going through an FFL.
Eric
