i had a handgun that was stolen how do i get the serial number?

You didn`t say how you bought it.

Private sale without the box and you did not write the number down=SOL

Bought new at a gun shop...thieves usually do not have the opportunity to steal the plastic case along with the gun or the extra magazine so the serial number is in the bar code on the box with serial number.=possibility of recover or insurance claim.

Go back to the place you bought it. It will take some looking but the form is still there that you filled out. Otherwise, you should probably have written it down twice and stored the information. Unless you bought it second had. Then, unless you saved the number you are SOL for any satisfaction beyond filing a theft report! No serial number, no one knows if it is hot.

If you have all the paperwork from when you bought the firearm the Serial number can be found there.

Well it should be on your purchasing permit if you have one. I know I have to write down the serial number every time I buy or sell a hand gun in Michigan.

If you have ever pawned it, the pawn shop may have a record of the serial number in their computer...other than that, you're probably screwed.

Get it off of the original box or your original receipt. Oh, you didnt keep either? You are an idiot on 2 counts. 1st you did not keep good records, 2nd you did not keep it safely or responsibly locked up.

if it was bought recently from a shop, you may be able to get the shop to cooperate with you and look up your paperwork .. theyre required by law to keep it .. if it was years ago though its lost in a box somewhere and i doubt they will want to go through all that ..

Your firearm was "Stolen". If said firearm is used in a criminal act and traceable to you, You should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for allowing your firearm to be stolen by not securing it properly.

Stupidity should hurt!!!!

Time machine