Section 16-164 Serial numbers on articles.

(a) Removing, covering, altering or defacing. No person shall destroy, remove, cover, conceal, alter, deface or cause to be destroyed, removed, covered, concealed, altered or defaced, the manufacturer's original number, or serial number or other distinguishing number or mark, on any firearm, tape player, phonograph, radio or television receiver, combination thereof, radio device or accessory, outboard motor, piano, power tool or other article which bears a manufacturer's original number, or serial number or other distinguishing number or mark, for any reason whatsoever.

(b) Sale of article after removal, etc. No person shall sell, offer for sale, pawn or use as security for a loan, any firearm, tape player, phonograph, radio or television receiver or combination thereof, radio device or accessory, outboard motor, piano, power tool or other article which bears a manufacturer's original number, or serial number or other distinguishing number or mark, from which the manufacturer's original number, or serial number or other distinguishing number or mark, has been removed, or which has been destroyed, covered, concealed, altered or defaced.

(c) Purchase or possession of article after removal, etc. No person shall buy, receive as security for a loan or in pawn, or in any manner receive or have in his possession any article mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, on which the manufacturer's original number, mark, serial number or other distinguishing number or mark has been destroyed, removed, covered, concealed, altered or defaced, and possession of any such articles shall be prima facie evidence of violation hereof.

(d) Articles in possession prior to enactment of section. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, any person who has in their possession on May 16, 1977, an article described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section shall not be in violation of the provisions of this section and in addition such individuals may sell or offer for sale such articles in their possession, provided they registered the article with the chief of police by June 15, 1977. The chief of police is hereby authorized to establish procedures for the registration of such articles.