Who do you leave your guns to, if no one in your family wants them?

[george burns]

In my case I have no one who I have no one who would take my guns without just selling them for the buck.
I have 2 step kids, both of which grew up in NY, and both hate, or dislike guns, and with 4 girls, none want guns. My 3 cousins between them have 2 girls who also don't shoot or care for guns. So who do you leave them to?
Please no "I'll take em" ideas.
Perhaps the NRA has a program or some other agency that would use them for new shooters? I don't plan on going anywhere for 20 or more years, but still in your 60's you should plan for such things. My wife will just sell them.
So what is your plan if you have this situation?
The wife doesn't need the few bucks my half dozen guns will bring, although decent, none is valued at over a thousand dollars, maybe that will change, but for arguments sake, that is the number. All are mid and upper mid range guns, with Glock being the least expensive.

 

[Sam1911]

Is there a local shooting club you belong to? Might consider bequeathing them to the club for either sale toward range improvements or possibly for use in a special raffle or drawing?

 

[Odd Job]

The ultimate aim is for someone to enjoy and continue using the guns, right?
To that end it makes no difference whether the new owner got the guns free or bought them for a reasonable price.
I recommend letting the guns be sold with your residual assets. Your wife wins by getting some money back to offset funeral expenses, and the new owner gets some nice guns.

 

[stchman]

Take your step kids shooting. Once they realize the error of their ways, they will want to become gun enthusiasts.

 

[bikerdoc]

My local gun store will sell estate guns for a widow for a reduced fee.

 

[Schwing]

The ultimate aim is for someone to enjoy and continue using the guns, right?
To that end it makes no difference whether the new owner got the guns free or bought them for a reasonable price.
I recommend letting the guns be sold with your residual assets. Your wife wins by getting some money back to offset funeral expenses, and the new owner gets some nice guns.

I actually agree with this. Even if they go for less than they are worth, your wife gets something out of it and some lucky gun lover will have a new piece. I am in a similar situation. I have 3 girls who have no interest. None of my girls are married yet so I still have some hope that I will have a son-in-law who is deserving

 

[george burns]

All good idea's. I just want someone to get them that enjoys the shooting sport, and don't really care about the money in the sense that it won't make my wife's life any different and it might enable someone who is starting out in life able to enjoy something that they otherwise would not be able to do yet.
I had an uncle who was a sportsmen all his life, and he passed with altimeters, some of his guns are still in my aunts house, but she and her son, "my cousin" won't even discuss them. My cousin is not the slightest bit interested in his fathers passion, and is content to let them rot in the basement of his mothers house.
I just don't understand people like that.
At least his dad knew he was getting the disease, because at my wedding, he told me he was selling all of his guns to close friends at his range. Guys like the chief of police, people who had similar interests, I was surprised he didn't offer me the chance to purchase on or two of his custom long guns, as he did ask me if I came across a snubby in clean condition to pick it up for my aunt.
people surprise you even when you think you know them all your life.

 

[tekarra]

I faced that same issue a few years ago and decided to start selling them off and using the money for travel.

 

[Tinpig]

I don't know what's in your collection, but the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) accepts donations of certain rifles which may then be sold to further their mission of training US citizens in firearm safety and marksmanship. It's a worthwhile, high class organization; many of us have bought rifles and ammunition through their program.

If you want to find out more:

[email protected]

or

http://thecmp.org/contacts/

Tinpig

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

Hi George.

I know this may sound a little crazy, but it could be a good way to make yourself a new friend. If you really want to give them to someone who appreciates and loves them, then perhaps the best way to do so would be to give them to someone who both appreciates guns, and you. I cant tell you how overjoyed I would have been if someone offered to take me shooting as a younger man. Why not snoop around until you find someone you may think is deserving of your time and effort, and teach and mentor that person. Then leave the guns to that person when you kick the bucket?


*you could even give that person a few before you kick the bucket, and get to see some positive reaction.

 

[wally]

I'm sure I'll sell some and give some away before I go, but the bulk are in our wills to be donated to the NRA and TSRA.

 

[lxd55]

mine are slated to go to the NRA. I feel they can/will make a decision I would trust.

 

[LT.Diver]

I'm in the same boat. I've amassed a pretty nice collection over the years, but no interested heirs. When I start getting too old to enjoy shooting as often as I do now, (once or twice a week), I'll start to sell them off, keeping a few of the nicer ones, which I will eventually leave to my local GOAL.
They auction them off to members and use the proceeds to further the cause.
It's not as fun as leaving them to a young family member, but at least they'll go to other shooters.

 

[Teachu2]

I'm in the other boat - three stepsons who all enjoy guns. I finally turned the wife my way the other day....I bought a RIA 1911 9mm Tactical a couple of months back, really like it, and don't expect to see more after Dec. 31st. I told her I should get a couple more so each of the boys would have one when I'm done, and she agreed!

 

[redneck2]

I'm kinda in the same boat, being 64 and knowing the clock is winding down. I have two S-I-L's that shoot. One actually shots very little, the other is an avid shooter. Mine all together are worth maybe 30k.

So, for the avid shooter, I'm gonna pick three or four that I think are appropriate for the shooting he does. Other one will get one, not that he will ever shoot it, but he will very much appreciate the fact that it's from me and he will always keep it

Others, I am selling off to pay for hunting trips I thought I could never afford. I can afford them if I sell the guns. Whoever buys them will hopefully appreciate them as much as I do. No use agonizing over it. Things far, far more rare or valuable have been passed down to heirs with zero appreciation.

I believe that I never really own a solid asset. You simply rent it with your short time on earth. Everything has it's season.

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

Its tragic that this is a common issue.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Who do you leave your guns to, if no one in your family wants them?

There is a guy on this forum, a Deaf Smith, who as offered to take any and all guns that cannot find a home.

He is a member of Adopt-a-Gun-a-Month Club but has been known to adopt them alot faster than that.

He is a good natured gent who takes them in like stray cats. He has a lot of cats and want's more.

Deaf.. ops I mean Mr. Smith.

 

[redneck2]

There is a guy on this forum, a Deaf Smith, who as offered to take any and all guns that cannot find a home.

He is a member of Adopt-a-Gun-a-Month Club but has been known to adopt them alot faster than that.

He is a good natured gent who takes them in like stray cats. He has a lot of cats and want's more.

Deaf.. ops I mean Mr. Smith.

Uhhh, maybe you should actually read the OP

Please no "I'll take em" ideas.

you obviously can't read or you're just a jerk

Damn

 

[Reloadron]

Who do you leave your guns to, if no one in your family wants them?

Don't have that problem. Kids and grand kids get pick of litter and then Kathy can do as she wishes with the remainder. If by chance we both check out within 30 days of each other my sister is the executor and everything goes to grand kids divided equally in a trust. Doesn't get any simpler than that.

 

[Cloud]

Told my wife I was leaving them to our oldest son who is 22. She told me that she did not want hm to have them and if I die before her she is gong to call the sheriffs office to come get them.

 

[Bobson]

What about friends or coworkers? Church friends or acquaintances? Favorite employee at a local library? A fellow enthusiast who frequents the same range as you (maybe you've seen him or her bring a son or daughter along). Surely there's someone who would sincerely appreciate a gesture like this. It's not like we're looking for people who've walked on the Moon.

Failing all that, consider using this opportunity to do something unique. Take out a PO Box for a month or three and hold an essay or video contest in the local paper or Craigslist, and review submissions from that, with the awards being guns.

Or will that they be sold upon your death, with all the proceeds going to your preferred charity.

Told my wife I was leaving them to our oldest son who is 22. She told me that she did not want hm to have them and if I die before her she is gong to call the sheriffs office to come get them.

Put it in your will; problem solved. Doesn't matter what she wants.

 

[Al Thompson]

I've got one nephew who may get some, but most will go to my shooting buddies.

 

[Teachu2]

Told my wife I was leaving them to our oldest son who is 22. She told me that she did not want hm to have them and if I die before her she is gong to call the sheriffs office to come get them.

Make sure you transfer them before you die, place them in a trust, or sell them. Or will them to a non-felon stripper....

 

[jlr1962]

- Take em with you when you go. Willie The Wimp style.

- Family can get torn apart about this kind of thing. Sell them at auction and make it part of your estate.

- Have them sold at auction with the proceeds going to your favorite charity.

 

[jcwit]

Wife already has the name of auction house that firearms is one of their specialties. Highest bidder gets the arm, wife comes out the winner.