to Keep or not to keep that is the question

[alex_h]

Well a while back My girlfriend's uncle gave me a old double barrel that I later found out from her great uncle that it belonged to her great great grandpa.

Well long story short after seven years it seems we are splitting up, so the question is I am thinking about giving her the gun. I know it would mean more to her to have it than it would mean to me but don't know if it would offend her or her uncle. What would you do?

 

[waterhouse]

It is part of her family heritage. I'd certainly offer it back to her.

If she bought you a new gun as a gift, or you bought her new jewelry as a gift, I'd say you get to keep those items, but a "family" item (be it a gun or your grandmother's pearl necklace) should be returned to the family of origin, in my opinion.

 

[SigP229R]

I said keep but that is a very reserved keep. I would ask her and see what she says, she may have no interest in it at all.

 

[ccsniper]

man after seven years? Is there no way to work it out?

 

[WardenWolf]

Ask her. She probably won't want it back, but she deserves the opportunity.

 

[Straight Shooter]

I'd offer it back to the uncle who gave it to you. It should probably stay in the family. He may say keep it.

 

[glove]

What Straight Shooter said. Never know he may just say keep it.
Dave

 

[wishin]

Offer it back and hope she refuses.

 

[Domineaux]

Offering it back to the uncle or her at the very least seems the most decent thing to do.

 

[leadaddict]

Definitely make the sincere offer to give it to her.

 

[Officers'Wife]

It is a link to her ancestor, it says much of how her uncle thought of you to give you his grandfather's weapon. It would seem at least appropriate to show his opinion was valid by offering to give it back.

 

[Old Shooter]

Give it back to her Uncle and get on with your life. It will mean more to that family than it will to you.

Nothing good will come of keeping it for yourself.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Ask the uncle. Seems to me it's between you and him. She wasn't involved in the original transaction, I wouldn't personally involve her now. I'd defer to him on this one.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Offer it back to the uncle. No reason to involve her, and it was his choice to give it to you. As it's a family item, I'd say you should at least give him the opportunity to get it back.

 

[alex_h]

well i guess i need to give a little more info on the gun what happened is the uncle did not want the gun it ment nothing to him at all he was going to sell it to his father in law for $100 but he found out the father in law only wanted it because he had sombody who would pay him $400 for it so the uncle decided to just give it away and gave it to me because i was the first person he thought of.

when it was given to me it created some very strong waves in her family from her brother and her mom. my ex loved to go out shooting and i know she would take good care of it and it would meen alot to her. i will probly be giving it back to her.

man after seven years? Is there no way to work it out?

At this point i am not shure i dont think we will she wants me to change in ways i just dont think that i can i have already changed quite a bit for her but dont know if i can anymore.

to be honest i dont care to much for the gun know mater what load i shoot it feels like its going to break my arm i am a big guy who can handle alot of kick but this thing just kicks hard.

 

[FTSESQ]

I would make the offer. if she declines, then you can enjoy it without regret. If she takes it back, then you just made a deposit in the bank of Karma.

 

[inherentical]

Offer it back to the uncle.

 

[Domineaux]

A very hard recoiling double rifle? What exactly is it?

 

[alex_h]

A very hard recoiling double rifle? What exactly is it?

sory i should have been more clear it is a double 12ga

 

[Sgt_R]

Politely offer it back. If they don't want it, keep it.

R

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

judge judy always says gifts do not have to be returned. usually in a rude manner. keep it

 

[IlikeSA]

One thing I have found true in marriage is this: if it's important to her, it should be important to you. That goes for ideas, possessions, and desires. If she feels strongly about it, I'd give it back to her.

 

[NG VI]

Grudgingly, but extremely politely offer it to her. Just test the waters noncommittantly, if she REALLY wants to keep it in the fmily, it's only right to re-gift it, back into the family from whence it came.

If she will likely forget about it or sell it off, keep it. A seven year relationship, one where you obviously got to know her family quite well, well, dude you WERE family to them. Keep it if you will cherish and appreciate it more than you expect she will.

Even better, talk to the uncle about it, not her. It was his choice to give it to you, see if he wants you to keep it or if he wants it to stay with the strict definition family.

 

[gunnutery]

Thanks for clarifying the situation Alex. I say offer it back to her, and even if she doesn't want it, her future kids might down the line. Since you say you really don't care for it, I think it should go back to the family.

 

[Red Tornado]

Dude, that's a fifth generation family heirloom, you've got to offer. If they don't want it, fine. But karma and decency really demand that you offer it to her.