A bill of sale dated between the two of you signed by both would have stopped that cold. You would have your rifle back then. Not a record anywhere except in your hands. Proof you owned it. Plus if the firearm he sold you had been stolen by him it would have shown you had bought it in good faith and had not been the one who stole it. So always get a bill of sale and hold onto it even if you wind up selling it later. CYA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!