What to do with DH's gun?

[Deleted]

DH had a handgun.  As a military veteran, he enjoyed going to a local firing range and shooting.  Obviously, he hasn't done it in a few years, but the handgun is still here.

What to do with it? I don't want it.  My father committed suicide when I was five so I don't want it in my house.

I asked DH once, and he suggested that I take it to the local police department for them to get rid of.  I know I may be able to take it to the firing range (they sold it to him) to see if they would sell it on consignment.  My daughter-in-law said to just give it to her mother, who has a permit.  Aren't handguns registered to specific people, though?  How do you change the registration?

My son said if I give it to his mother-in-law, make her come pick it up.  He doesn't want it near his four kids.  He also told me that if I take it to the police department as DH suggested, make sure that I call them first so I don't get arrested.

Which is your choice?

[Tennesseer]

As your son doesn't want it anywhere near his kids, I would go with the firing range first and the police second.  (Good advice to call the police ahead of drop off and ask them how you should present youself with the weapon).

[CCL]

I wouldn't give it to the MIL. You don't really know how vigilant she would be about keeping it away from the kids.

[Deleted]

Oct 24, 2019 17:34:54 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

As your son doesn't want it anywhere near his kids, I would go with the firing range first and the police second.  (Good advice to call the police ahead of drop off and ask them how you should present youself with the weapon).

Yes.  But I wouldn't be holding it in my hand or even have it in my purse.  It is some sort of gun case thing.  Still, they probably have metal detectors or something.  So I think he is right that I could get into trouble for simply showing up with a gun.

I could wait for the gun buyback day, but I have no idea when that is.

[msventoux]

I think you can donate guns to certain veterans organizations and they either sell them or raffle them off. Or I believe the NRA accepts donated guns. I wouldn’t give it to the MIL, I would either contact a veteran’s organization or surrender it to the police.

[Blonde Granny]

I would take it to the gun range and either sell it to them, or whatever they suggest.

When driving to the range, carry it in the trunk of your car. That way you're protected if stopped.
I sold DHs guns to a pawn shop , easy way to do it.  Don't get yourself into a tizzy over it.

BG who has a carry permit and 2 handguns.

[dannylion]

Because the provenance of the weapon will probably always include your DH, the only options I would choose would be taking to the police for disposal (and appropriate documentation) or taking it to the gun range to be sold (with proper documentation).  I am paranoid about things like that and would feel more comfortable having documentary proof that whatever transfer took place was done appropriately and with paperwork and whatnot.  

Since you want it out of your house, I would evaluate which option between taking it to police or taking it to the gun range would involve the least effort, difficulty, and follow-up activity for me, then I'd do that one.  

[tractor]

Well, the proper thing to do would be to sell it back to the gun range, or any dealer that buys used firearms. There is a transfer permit/paperwork that both the buyer and seller fill out (don’t remember the form # right now). That establishes the legal trail necessary to demonstrate that the transaction was handled legally. You hang on to your copy of the form, just in case something illegal happens with the firearm, so you can demonstrate that it was a legal transfer.

If sold to a private seller, make sure they have either a purchase permit, or a CCL before transferring the firearm and filling out the form. The dealer is probably your best bet. I’d be very interested if I wasn’t so far away.

[NoNamePerson]

No matter what you do keep your paper work for life! Never get rid of it.

[ednkris]

I would take it to the police dept. When my father passed I found dynamite in his dresser I took it to the police dept the were scared shit less when I presented it.

[tskeeter]

You want to take the gun to someone with a federal firearms sales license.  Someone who sells guns as a part of their business would have the appropriate license.

A family friend sold some of a deceased relative’s guns (hand guns and rifles) to Cabela’s.  Bass Pro Shops may also buy your guns.

Note that guns are valuable.  A used hand gun will often sell for between $400 and $600.  Sometimes more.  Just sold my Dad’s old .22 caliber squirrel rifle and single shot shotgun today.  Strictly utility guns that were probably bought for less than $5 back in the early ‘40’s.  Got  $200 each, and estate sales aren’t the place to get the best prices.

[Sharon]

In our area the police will come to the house and pick up unwanted firearms. 

[Tennesseer]

Oct 24, 2019 20:29:42 GMT -5 ednkris said:

I would take it to the police dept. When my father passed I found dynamite in his dresser I took it to the police dept the were scared shit less when I presented it.

The ROFL is for the dynamite in your dad's dresser. What the heck was dynamite doing in your dad's dresser let alone in the house!

[alabamagal]

I would sell it to the firing range/gun shop. There are several big ones in the area. Call them and ask what they need.

Put it in the trunk or back of your car and have DH license with you. On the off chance you are stopped, just explain the situation to the police officer (you are in AL, shouldn’t be a problem. They will not arrest a widow taking her husbands legal gun to sell!).

I am as skittish as you about guns, but somehow ended up with 2 in our house. One shotgun we got after FIL died, which we have never registered in GA, AL, or KY yet. And we also have a handgun that belongs to SIL who could not take with him to Germany. I think it is registered to him.

If you cannot get any money for it, then call the police, I’m sure they would be glad to come deal with it.

[swamp]

I don't know what the rule is for hand gun possession in Alabama, but I can tell you that in NY, you need to have a pistol permit to possess one.   You have to call the cops or someone with a federal firearms licensed to come get it. 

Possession without a permit is a crime.    If it's loaded, possession is a violent felony.    

I'm sure Alabama is much more lax than NY, but I'd have the cops pick it up anyway. 

[andi9899]

A pawnshop would buy it.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Oct 25, 2019 8:01:23 GMT -5 swamp said:

I don't know what the rule is for hand gun possession in Alabama, but I can tell you that in NY, you need to have a pistol permit to possess one.   You have to call the cops or someone with a federal firearms licensed to come get it. 

Possession without a permit is a crime.    If it's loaded, possession is a violent felony.    

I'm sure Alabama is much more lax than NY, but I'd have the cops pick it up anyway. 

NY is nothing like any other state.  Susana can drive it around in the truck of her car in its case legally.  It won’t be a problem.  NY would not even allow us to transport a gun, even though both my sister and I have CWP for our own states.  NY does not even recognize them.  We secreted the guns out of NY in a case, and flew them legally out of VT.  

I would take it to Cabala’s and ask if they sell second hand guns.  They will very likely have an FFL on staff to deal with transfer of guns, and you can do this legally.  It is going to be worth something, I would not give it to the police.

[Deleted]

Oct 25, 2019 9:34:34 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Oct 25, 2019 8:01:23 GMT -5 swamp said:

I don't know what the rule is for hand gun possession in Alabama, but I can tell you that in NY, you need to have a pistol permit to possess one.   You have to call the cops or someone with a federal firearms licensed to come get it. 

Possession without a permit is a crime.    If it's loaded, possession is a violent felony.    

I'm sure Alabama is much more lax than NY, but I'd have the cops pick it up anyway. 

NY is nothing like any other state.  Susana can drive it around in the trunk of her car in its case legally.  It won’t be a problem.  NY would not even allow us to transport a gun, even though both my sister and I have CWP for our own states.  NY does not even recognize them.  We secreted the guns out of NY in a case, and flew them legally out of VT.  

I would take it to Cabala’s and ask if they sell second hand guns.  They will very likely have an FFL on staff to deal with transfer of guns, and you can do this legally.  It is going to be worth something, I would not give it to the police.

I called the tactical range where he bought it.  While they don't buy guns themselves, they do take them on consignment.  So that is what I did.  They helped me set the price.  She said with a laser sight, I could probably get as much as $300.  She suggested that I price it at $300 and make the lowest value $250.  They take 10%, which seems more than fair to me.  If it doesn't sell by the end of the 90 days, I will take it to the police department.

I did like many of you suggested . . . put it in the trunk of my car to transport it.  Thanks for the good advice, all.

[Bluerobin]

A local gun store that sells used guns may also be a possibility. 

[Bonny]

I missed your post on the 21st. I don't normally read the "What are You Doing" thread.

I wanted to express my condolences. I know you posted he was in a bad way but you must miss him terribly. Good for you for doing the organizing thing. I found that doing something helps with the grieving process.

Please take care of yourself. You've been through one heck of a process.

[Tennesseer]

SouthernSusana-I did not know you husband passed away the other day until Bonny's above post.

My condolences on the loss of your husband.  

[bean29]

Oct 25, 2019 9:34:34 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Oct 25, 2019 8:01:23 GMT -5 swamp said:

I don't know what the rule is for hand gun possession in Alabama, but I can tell you that in NY, you need to have a pistol permit to possess one.   You have to call the cops or someone with a federal firearms licensed to come get it. 

Possession without a permit is a crime.    If it's loaded, possession is a violent felony.    

I'm sure Alabama is much more lax than NY, but I'd have the cops pick it up anyway. 

NY is nothing like any other state.  Susana can drive it around in the truck of her car in its case legally.  It won’t be a problem.  NY would not even allow us to transport a gun, even though both my sister and I have CWP for our own states.  NY does not even recognize them.  We secreted the guns out of NY in a case, and flew them legally out of VT.  

I would take it to Cabala’s and ask if they sell second hand guns.  They will very likely have an FFL on staff to deal with transfer of guns, and you can do this legally.  It is going to be worth something, I would not give it to the police.

I was going to suggest Cabela's - DD's boyfriend is a former Marine, now in the Reserves, he used to work at Cabela's one Day a week.  You have to be certified a certain way to sell the guns, and Cabela's used to allow the people that sold Guns to work one day a week.  They became short handed, so they decided to tell the people that sold guns they had to work more hours, so all the staff that sold Guns Quit. 

So, if you decide to go to Cabela's I would make sure they have someone there to handle your transaction before you go.  I agree with those that say you should sell it to someone certified to resell it.   

[Deleted]

Thank you, Bonny and Tennesseer.  

[busymom]

Oh my word!  I totally missed that too, @bamafan1954.  I am so sorry for your loss.  <HUGS>  

[ednkris]

Oct 25, 2019 7:55:25 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Oct 24, 2019 20:29:42 GMT -5 ednkris said:

I would take it to the police dept. When my father passed I found dynamite in his dresser I took it to the police dept the were scared shit less when I presented it.

The ROFL is for the dynamite in your dad's dresser. What the heck was dynamite doing in your dad's dresser let alone in the house!

Way back when without googling it I don't know the year but he helped put a road in a mountain and they blasted. I have no idea why he kept it,  it must have been 40 years or better. When I turned it in mostly they were primed blasting caps with nitro real unstable the state police called me and asked about them they said they would have to set them to get rid of it. The next week I read they blew up their shooting training grounds.

[Tennesseer]

Oct 25, 2019 20:20:57 GMT -5 ednkris said:

Oct 25, 2019 7:55:25 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

The ROFL is for the dynamite in your dad's dresser. What the heck was dynamite doing in your dad's dresser let alone in the house!

Way back when without googling it I don't know the year but he helped put a road in a mountain and they blasted. I have no idea why he kept it,  it must have been 40 years or better. When I turned it in mostly they were primed blasting caps with nitro real unstable the state police called me and asked about them they said they would have to set them to get rid of it. The next week I read they blew up their shooting training grounds.

Funny. You dad sounds like he was quite the character.

[Works4me]

SouthernSusanna - Please accept my condolences for the loss of your husband.

[OldCoyote]

Oct 24, 2019 17:26:18 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

DH had a handgun.  As a military veteran, he enjoyed going to a local firing range and shooting.  Obviously, he hasn't done it in a few years, but the handgun is still here.

What to do with it? I don't want it.  My father committed suicide when I was five so I don't want it in my house.

I asked DH once, and he suggested that I take it to the local police department for them to get rid of.  I know I may be able to take it to the firing range (they sold it to him) to see if they would sell it on consignment.  My daughter-in-law said to just give it to her mother, who has a permit.  Aren't handguns registered to specific people, though?  How do you change the registration?

My son said if I give it to his mother-in-law, make her come pick it up.  He doesn't want it near his four kids.  He also told me that if I take it to the police department as DH suggested, make sure that I call them first so I don't get arrested.

Which is your choice?

SouthernSusana, Call the firing range , ask for some one to pick it up, sell for you.

You will make some money from it, they will charge a commission, they will sell it to some one that is legal to have it and they will do a background check.

The gun may be a collectors item!

[Deleted]

Oct 29, 2019 9:01:38 GMT -5 OldCoyote said:

Oct 24, 2019 17:26:18 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

DH had a handgun.  As a military veteran, he enjoyed going to a local firing range and shooting.  Obviously, he hasn't done it in a few years, but the handgun is still here.

What to do with it? I don't want it.  My father committed suicide when I was five so I don't want it in my house.

I asked DH once, and he suggested that I take it to the local police department for them to get rid of.  I know I may be able to take it to the firing range (they sold it to him) to see if they would sell it on consignment.  My daughter-in-law said to just give it to her mother, who has a permit.  Aren't handguns registered to specific people, though?  How do you change the registration?

My son said if I give it to his mother-in-law, make her come pick it up.  He doesn't want it near his four kids.  He also told me that if I take it to the police department as DH suggested, make sure that I call them first so I don't get arrested.

Which is your choice?

SouthernSusana, Call the firing range , ask for some one to pick it up, sell for you.

You will make some money from it, they will charge a commission, they will sell it to some one that is legal to have it and they will do a background check.

The gun may be a collectors item!

It's not a collector's item.  It is just an ordinary handgun.  However, the firing range estimated its value to be between $250-$300.

Unfortunately, I didn't find the extra ammo until later.  I have emailed the police dept. for their suggestion as to what to do with it.  I did mention that I had consigned the handgun itself to the tactical range where he bought it.

[busymom]

When cleaning out my parent's house, I found a number of boxes of ammo.  After calling the police department in my community, they had me drop some of it off, but told me if I found more, to soak it in water & throw it in the garbage.  Sure enough, I found more, so I did what they asked.