firearm serial numbers

Question
What year did the government require serial numbers on any guns?  We have been debating over this for a few days and cannot figure it out.  Please any help and proof of where you got you source on information would be great.  Plus, a bet needs to be settled.  :-)

Thank you!
Trish Roberts

Answer
Hi Trish,

Serial numbers became required by the federal government upon passage of the Gun Control Act Of 1968. This does not mean that you cannot find firearms much older with serial numbers. This always becomes confusing when this topic arises.

Prior to the G.C.A. 1968, manufactures serialized their firearms only as a method of internal record keeping and control. This regulation also is required of all firearm imports. On occasion I will receive a question regarding a firearm that someone owns that they cannot locate a serial number on.

Thank you for the question Trish.

Sid Lark