question regarding selling guns.

[gomdon2015]

Thank you all..

[Batman]

First off, my condolences on your loss.

If you're looking for the fastest way to get rid of the guns, taking them to a gun shop will be a one-and-done, but also expect them to only pay you maybe 1/4 to 1/2 of what they're worth.

You should be able to sell them as private party as the heir to the firearms. Were there any stipulations in the will or trust (if he had one) that certain guns go to someone specific? If no will or trust, there's a good chance it'll need to go to probate first. This may also be a good spot to spend a couple hundred dollars on a lawyer that specializes in gun law to assist you.

Again, sorry for your loss.

[baih777]

Location ?

Someone might know a gunstore near you that will help you.
You don't need a lawyer.

[August]

Sorry for your loss

[Garv]

You cannot look up what is in his name online.
There is a form to fill out that will eventually give you a report.
(One of our guys will probably provide the link.)

Depending on when the gun was purchased, there may not be a record.
Unless there is some doubt about them all being his, I am not sure you need to worry about what is listed in his name.
(Let us know.)


Assuming you are in CA, you can sell them here for more if you need the money, but it will take more time and trouble.

There are also auction houses that will typically be better than a gun store.

If you have any friends that know about guns, talk to them a bit to understand what is needed.

There are many people out there that will try to take advantage of you and undercut the prices.

Let us know where you are for better recommendations.

If you have questions, please keep asking. It gives us stuff to do.

[003]

https://lsbauctions.com/a dailybasis.

Contact these folks, they handle this sort of issue on a regular basis. Honest and fair. They understand the law and can help answer your questions.

[heidad01]

Sorry for your loss.
This reminded me of KSG00.

[jorgi23]

Maybe I should have the Talk!


Last thing I would want my spouse to say is what to do with this crap, when I'm 6 feet under.

Husband's best friend should give you the best advise. or the nearest local FFL.

Do some homework, search up prices, and you should get full price less FFL
fees, of course depends on usage too. if mint you may get even more.

good luck and be safe

[Pofoo]

I'm assuming that you are now the legal owner through survivors rights, will, trust, etc.
As above, I would contact a auction house near you. It would be the easiest for you, you should get a good price, and they should know all the laws involved with the transfer.
Sorry for your loss.

[BrokerB]

The best way to sell... you want most money or speed of selling?

A gunshop will buy them but you will get pennies on the dollar.

Is there 5- 10- 15 or 20 firearms or is this 50+? Makes a difference on what route you can choose.

Or you find one of us to buy them all for a much better price. Put your general location up and you may find a good cal gunner to give you a better idea of value and convenience.

Sucks for your loss, hope your family is hanging in there.

[ojisan]

Ammunition:
- CA law limits the sale to 500 rounds a month or less to an individual.
- The sale must be processed at a gun dealer.
- You can not sell hand loaded / reloaded ammunition.

LSB in Simi Valley mentioned above or other auction house can take all guns, factory ammunition, reloaded ammunition (will be sold for components value only), reloading equipment and supplies, gun cases, scopes, accessories, knives, swords and related militaria.
LSB can purchase them outright or put them up for auction less a commission.

[Calif Hunter]

I would also suggest an auction service specializing in firearms. They can take everything in one smooth move and auction them for the best prices. I am not an attorney but I believe the guns are now yours as community property.

Little John's in Orange, Carol Watson Orange County Auction, Lock Stock and Barrel in Simi or Gunslinger Auctions in Glendora. I have not sold firearms through them, but have purchased through Little John's and Carol Watson's. Carol Watson's has the best prices for purchasing and may offer the best deal for selling as well. Check with them all and see who has the lowest cost. I am sure you can Google them for contact info.

Do not sell to a gunshop unless you want to get a lot less money. They have to pay less in order to make a profit when they resell them.

[sigstroker]

Read the fees before selling them at auction. They are usually in the 20 to 30 % range. Unless it's gunbroker.

[ComBlocAddict]

You can move nearly anything on Calguns classifieds fairly quickly. If you're able to post photos of everything in this thread people can give you ballpark values. Then you just get buyers and go transfer them at a gun shop.

[SailorDan]

OP,

My condolences for you loss.

Are any RAW or BBAWs in the collection? Any off roster pistols?

RAW - Registered Assault Weapon
BBAW - Bullet Bullet Assault Weapon

- If he owned anything that looks like an AR15 or AK47 prior to 2017 he may have one of these in his collection. If he complained about any type of state mandated registration in 2000 or 2017, he may have one.

If your late husband's collection included either of these, my understanding is they may not be transferable to you or even sellable in CA in their current configuration. You will need to transfer out of state or reconfigure with an FFL that has a CA AW permit (I would imagine an auction house would have this, but worth asking about). Also, I believe there is a requirement to surrender to the state or dispose of these types of weapons within xx numbers of days following the registered owners passing. I don't know how integrated the state's systems are, but believe it is conceivable that that they could eventually come knocking looking for them.

Stolen from Quiet (whom I believe to be a smart guy around here) in a separate post:

Only the registered owner of a RAW can legally deregister the RAW.
^A suriving spouse or executor of the deceased's estate can not legally deregister a RAW.

For the RAWs, the executor of the estate has 90 days to do one of the following:
A. Render the RAW permanently inoperable (destroy receiver per BATFE specifications).
B. Transfer the RAW to a CA FFL dealer with an assault weapons permit or to an out-of-state FFL dealer.
C. Transport the RAW out-of-state for storage or to transfer through an out-of-state FFL dealer.
D. Surrender the RAW to law enforcement for destruction.

***

Off roster - pistols that currently can not be purchased from outside of California (these command a price premium for in-state sales)

Depending on how long your husband has been collecting, he may have handguns that are particularly valuable only within the state of California. Due to CA's handgun roster these firearms can only be purchased from another person who currently owns it in the state.

Again as others have said a reputable auction service may be the quickest and easiest method to wash your hands of them and get some return. With that said certain types of firearms are currently selling for significant premiums on the used market, an auction service can help you realize those gains, but they will take a cut. Any off-roster pistols will likely see the biggest sale value from selling in state.

****

Ammo - commanding a premium nationwide. Hard to find and people are paying through the nose for specific calibers.

Reloading components (primers particularly) are currently selling for 2x-3x normal value - if they can be found. These will sell immediately.

****

Don't underestimate the value of your husband's collection - my wife would shoot me if she knew I had a car or two sitting in my gun safe. - The value can add up fast for an avid collector, especially with todays prices stoked by fears of new legislation.

Most members here are friendly and helpful, and would be willing to help identify and give a rough idea of value. If you post any picture for identification, tape over/obscure the serial number.