Can a firearm be passed down to an heir?

They can’t be passed down to an heir and can’t be registered after the fact. If the executor of the estate discovers unregistered NFA firearms, he/she must contact the local ATF office to arrange for them to be “abandoned” – in other words, turned over to law enforcement.

What should you do with an inherited gun?

Either way, you have to decide what to do with inherited guns. On top of that, you may or may not be comfortable with firearms in general. Each State has different laws and regulations on the transfer of firearms. Connecticut is among the most strict States for gun transfers in New England.

What’s the average value of an inherited gun?

Condition is key – your average gun could be worth between $200 to $2,000, with the condition being the sole difference between each example. Take your list of firearms with the make and model and compare against reputable gun value books. Some inherited firearms must have an appraisal to assess the value.

Can a FFL transfer a gun to a family member?

Many states also regulate certain intrastate transfer of guns (e.g., handguns, or transfers to individuals who are not immediate family members). For a fee any FFL local to you can ensure that any transfer is compliant with local, state, and federal law.

What should I do with my family’s guns?

If you’re in doubt, check with a lawyer who is familiar with your state’s gun laws and rights. If you have no interest in owning any of the firearms passed down to you, and the guns have considerable value, you can sell them to a licensed dealer — the same type we mentioned above to assist in transferring ownership.

What happens if I leave my gun collection to my daughter?

Let’s say that in your Will you leave a collection of non-NFA guns to your daughter, who lives in another state. Federal law doesn’t prevent her from picking them up and driving them home across state lines. But she must comply with the laws of both her own state (or city) and yours pertaining to registration and transportation of firearms.

Can a person bequeath a gun to someone else?

You can bequeath firearms to anyone you choose, but they will not be able to take possession of the guns if they are a “prohibited person” as defined by the ATF, or if they fall into certain additional categories that may be specified in the laws of your state.

What’s the legal way to transfer a gun?

Laws and procedures for transferring ownership of your firearms — whether you’re alive or dead — differ depending on the type of gun (s) and the state where the decedent last resided. From a legal standpoint, broadly speaking, guns fall into two classifications.

What happens to a gun when the owner of the estate passes?

When a firearms owner passes away, the Executor or Administrator of the decedent’s estate may legally possess the guns in question for up to fifteen days for the sole purpose of lawfully transferring or disposing of the firearms. If more than fifteen days is needed, the Executor must surrender the firearms to a law enforcement agency.

Can a gun be transferred between family members without a background check?

The exception to this rule is a transfer between immediate family members. As most gun owners leave their firearms to immediate family members, the transfer can often be completed without a background check.