would this Deter you from buying used gear????

I can't believe you all are so unsensitive/desentitized to the menace that now threatens us all over the world! And now, in our homes, while pumping gas. If a man can become a sniper right where my Wendy plays, then I and my brethren must do something about it!

My God man, don't you know there's a war going on out there!! Get with it, be a patriot, engrave everything you own, everyone you know, then finally, finally we'll all be safe.

I've got a better idea. While we're out roving for bad guys like snipers at night around suburbia, lets go a step farther, a step that will really help things. If everyone has a small - and yes, it will be small, no messing up our beautiful faces - mica thin computer disc under the skin of my forehead that can be tracked by satellites, then we'll never have anyone get lost from Alziehmer's Disease, and if I get in a car accident then they'll have my full medical records, and...

You know, I just "feel" better knowing that Poindexter - five time felon who said "the buck stops here" when defending his actions in violating US treaties prohibting weapon sales to Iran and having the CIA run coke to raise money for the "freedom fighters" - is now in charge of the Pentagon program that wants to monitor all internet exchanges and create files on everyone they deem a "threat"...

Oh my God, maybe someone just heard what I said!

But hey, at least we're all finally, er, safe.

Yea, putting numbers on boxes to deter serial killers is a great idea!

TWL -
I had to follow up your Hegelian Dialectic comment: Well put! We are halfway there already. A good indicator is to have a look at the text of the "Patriot Act" (quotes intentional), Internet filters in our libraries. One man's income tax is another man's payroll check. Your rising health care costs are someone else's free health care. All the while we run around, looking for spooks under every bed, each day jumping from one "world axis of evil" leader to another in an attemp to divert citizens away from the issue of ever eroding civil liberties. First it was Khomeni, now Khadaffi, Saddam, Noriega, a Somali Warlord, Osama, back to Saddam, Oh oh - now those North Koreans are starting to look evil. We need to erode your privacy and rights to PROTECT you from the boogie man du jour.
Sorry for the rant....

Twl, great post!

Sorry, twl, didn't read far enough - its your great idea :)

Figured I would add my thoughts. Having had my equipment stolen a few years back, the DL number on the item will not make a difference; the serial numbers are the important thing for possible recovery. If you think you still need to put your DL number on your gear, try using a black magic marker on the bottom/ back and tell the police; this will show up with the right light and not detract as much as engraving. Also, the only way you might get your stuff back is if they take it to a pawn shop; a wonferful experience (just kidding)! I also would shy away from engraved gear personally. Best, Charlie