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When my dh died he had a collection of firearms I now want to sell. I know too little about them to have an intelligent conversation, and don't wish to become an expert either.
Some of what he has are a pair of chrome (?) dirty harry type pistols--357 I think, a couple of ppk and glocks and a bunch of rifles.
He told me before he died that a dealer wouldn't give me what they were worth, and I should try for a collector.
Where would you advertise them, and are guns allowed to be shipped to out of state buyers?
What else should I know about selling them?
Thanks for your help.
You cannot ship out of state to a private individual but can to a licensed dealer. First and before all else check your state and counties laws. Some areas require a buyer have a concealed weapons permit or have a background check before they can get the gun, in some states all guns are registered.
Below are some site to get an idea of what they may be worth and possibly to advertise them or auction them.
On this one they can be advertised in YOUR state which may be a lot safer since the buyer would probably be able to come pick them up. ARMSLIST - Firearms Classifieds
Ask around among your DH's friends; surely some of them know something about guns and may be able to tell you if any are collectible vs. just ordinary guns. Don't take any offers they make, though, especially if they say they aren't worth much.
If it turns out you really do have collectible/valuable firearms, your best bet would be to go through an estate sale auction company. Something like Southeast USA Gun Brokers, We Sell Guns, WE BUY GUNS, Hayesville NC Gun Store, in spite of their unfortunate choice of web address, may be what you need. Look up and find estate auction companies, especially those who specialize in firearms.
Sites like Gunbroker or GunsAmerica are valuable for an individuals trying to learn what they have, but it would require tons of research and at least a little starting knowledge. Your post tells me you wouldn't even know where to begin.
The reason you dad told you not to take the guns to a dealer was most dealer's will give you 1/2 of what they can sell a gun for; so if the gun dealer thinks that they can cell a firearm for $800 dollars, they will give you $400. The dealer has employees to pay, as well other bills associated with that business.
The other methods mentioned hear have been good advice, but something to keep in mind all of the above mentioned methods require time to sell properly. If time is not a factor, then it is good advice. If you are more pressed for time to get rid of the firearms quickly, a dealer is a valid chose, but bear in mind that you will most likely get 1/2 of what the firearms are worth.
As noted above, it depends how much time and effort you want to put into it. Do you want to just be rid of the guns, or are you willing to wait for the right buyer to come along? It also depends on how many of his firearms are actually "collectable." Lots of guys know guys who have FFLs (dealer permit), so they can pick up firearms for $20 over wholesale. Did he have a friend who can help you out?
When my dh died he had a collection of firearms I now want to sell. I know too little about them to have an intelligent conversation, and don't wish to become an expert either.
Some of what he has are a pair of chrome (?) dirty harry type pistols--357 I think, a couple of ppk and glocks and a bunch of rifles.
He told me before he died that a dealer wouldn't give me what they were worth, and I should try for a collector.
Where would you advertise them, and are guns allowed to be shipped to out of state buyers?
What else should I know about selling them?
Thanks for your help.
Didn't your Husband have any friends that were also in to guns that you could consult? They would probably steer you in the right direction. And no, a dealer will not pay you what they're worth, but that's because they're a dealer and will be re-selling them. They have to make a profit. It's hard to tell you where to even start, assuming you have no knowledge whatsoever.
Perhaps you could list the make and model of your guns here on this thread ( example: Glock 19 ) and we could give you a ruff idea of what you can expect to sell them for?
As far as the legalities of selling and shipping a firearm? My best advice to you would be to consult an attorney and/or familiarize yourself with the laws yourself. It can be tricky. I don't think the USPS even allows you mail weapons, but I could be wrong. Things like handguns have to be sent to a Federal Firearms Dealer if you are selling to an out-of-state resident, and the laws could be even stricter if you live in a nutty state like NY or MD. If you live n a deep blue state, DEFINATELY seek legal advice. Many otherwise law-abiding people have mistakenly stepped on anti-gun landmines within the laws and had their lives ruined as a result. It'd be a shame to add another to the list.
UNLESS you can find a TRUSTED friend to aid you, take them to 3 FFL dealers (gun shops), and ask for a bid. Sell to the highest bidder and move on. As noted by others, there's a hodgepodge of local, state and federal laws that you have to navigate - and given your level of knowledge of them, you could accidentally violate one, and spend FAR more in legal fees that you'd gain by selling individually.
For the rest of us......valuable lesson here. My wife enjoys shooting - but isn't into guns like I am. I have a inventory list of all my guns, with their associated value. Something happens to me, she'll have an idea of what they're worth to use as a guide as she sells.
UNLESS you can find a TRUSTED friend to aid you, take them to 3 FFL dealers (gun shops), and ask for a bid. Sell to the highest bidder and move on. As noted by others, there's a hodgepodge of local, state and federal laws that you have to navigate - and given your level of knowledge of them, you could accidentally violate one, and spend FAR more in legal fees that you'd gain by selling individually.
For the rest of us......valuable lesson here. My wife enjoys shooting - but isn't into guns like I am. I have a inventory list of all my guns, with their associated value. Something happens to me, she'll have an idea of what they're worth to use as a guide as she sells.
I'd say the above (speaking as one newer to gun ownership) is solid information.
OP, is there anyone in the extended family who would truly appreciate one of the guns, whether someone new to the sport/hobby, perhaps one who hunted or target shot with your DH, etc?
Some years back my father in law passed, and his extensive collection was just set aside. Only in the past couple years did the family go thru it, some were sold off and a couple handed down. I was fortunate to receive one, it may have been just a basic little .22 (is a 60 yr old Colt) but it was my first gun and knowing it's family history really means a lot to me.
My biggest fear is my wife selling my guns for what I said I paid for em
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