Friend with dementia has weapons locked in safe

[Rumblemonkey]

So sadly, I have a good friend who quickly has become dramatically impaired by dementia. Horrible disease! When he was better, he showed me some pistols and rifles in a couple of big'ol safes. They appeared very complicated to open. How will his wife be able to open the safes and what would the process to sell the weapons? She is not a gun person. I doubt he showed her how to open them when he was better. He is probably not long for this world. Thanks!

[M1NM]

First search around for the combos. In and under desk drawers, shelves, etc. He probably wrote them down somewhere. Lacking that a locksmith can open them. Consignment sale is easiest - but with ease comes cost (about 1/3 the sale price). You could list them for her but she would need to do the transfers. There may be a way she could give you a power of attorney to handle the sales. CA being a joint property state means they are also hers even if they are registered to the husband.

[BigPimping]

When he kicks the bucket, call locksmith.

[4DSJW]

I'm sorry to hear that this is happening to your friend. Dementia can act in odd ways. He may have moments when he remembers the combination. Unless he has slipped too far, I would ask him as often as possible to try to open the safes, you may get lucky. Have a pen and paper with you every time. GL!

[Yuki]

Sorry about your friend. That’s rough. Have his wife check with his close friends. He may have given the combos to a shooting buddy.

[CaliforniaLiberal]

McCoy Auctions, formerly Lock, Stock and Barrel in Simi Valley have a great auction service.

They'll come by your house and pick up whatever you want to list on Gun Broker, handle all the paperwork, have an in house firearms photographer to make your guns look great, manage the Gun Broker listing, receiving payment and shipping.

They offered to buy various other firearms related items for a decent price. And you get to watch the bids go up as the auction proceeds. Sometimes can be exciting the last minutes.

I got 75% of the final sale price. Not sure if this varies. Took them a month after the auction closed to finish it all up and send me a check.

Gun buyers from across the country are looking at Gun Broker so you get a better. price than you would at a gun store consignment.

The gentleman picking up said that they usually make a trip around the State every month or two depending on need. Maybe come sooner for large consignments.

[lastinline]

McCoy Auctions, formerly Lock, Stock and Barrel in Simi Valley have a great auction service.

They'll come by your house and pick up whatever you want to list on Gun Broker, handle all the paperwork, have an in house firearms photographer to make your guns look great, manage the Gun Broker listing, receiving payment and shipping.

They offered to buy various other firearms related items for a decent price. And you get to watch the bids go up as the auction proceeds. Sometimes can be exciting the last minutes.

I got 75% of the final sale price. Not sure if this varies. Took them a month after the auction closed to finish it all up and send me a check.

Gun buyers from across the country are looking at Gun Broker so you get a better. price than you would at a gun store consignment.

The gentleman picking up said that they usually make a trip around the State every month or two depending on need. Maybe come sooner for large consignments.

They made everything very easy and profitable for a family I helped with a situation very similar. They came over to their house, spent two hours examining all the gun stuff, took it all to Simi Valley and had it on the auction site. After a few months, widow got a check for $80K. Stuff auctioned for around $100K. He had a bunch of guns and safes. We sold the safes for her. Our efforts got us a truckload of good ammo.

[Rumblemonkey]

Thanks to all, he is pretty much non verbal now. I did see a while ago he had the combo on a small scrap of paper. Maybe somewhere in the future, his wife and myself will discuss it. Thanks again!

[nadodave]

If it's all located in san diego, give me a shout, I'd buy some c&r guns cash, and maybe a bulk buy of modern stuff at a LGS.

[walmart_ar15]

Put up a list in market place. Maybe get some private buyers first. Then contract an auction service to liquidate the rest.

There maybe some collectible ones that someone here is CA is looking for.

Also if some are RAW, now sure how that will work. The idea of RAW is when you die, the gun dies with you (removed from circulation)

[Rumblemonkey]

Thanks, I have no idea what he has in there. I know he was an FFL guy back in the 70's-80's. Thought I would get some ideas to help his wife with options on figuring out how to access them in the big 'ol safes. How would one find a list of RAW guns, or does it depend on age and other intangibles?. What makes a weapon qualify as a RAW? Thanks again for the help!

[packnrat]

my mom suffers from this, and has week bones, she keeps falling, and while in the hospital fights with the staff to let her out of bed (right now suffering a broke pelvis). third major broken bone in two years, and a full hip replacement.
get a registered lock smith to pick open the safes. (yes$$) a proper lock smith can pick the locks. a crap thief will cut or drill to open.
but then change the combos, keep a copy of the combo in your home, this way he does not have access to them. it will be for his and hers safety. then deal will selling them after he is gone.

but have the wife contact a lawyer now.

[Rumblemonkey]

Thanks for the scoop. Good to know, I doubt he can open them, can't even remember how to put on a seatbelt. Thanks-

[phil conrad]

Like others have said call a licensed locksmith - safe cracker. I have been in the lock and safe business for over 40 years. This happens more than you realize.

[Librarian]

. What makes a weapon qualify as a RAW? Thanks again for the help!

RAW is 'Registered Assault Weapon' - declared to the State when registration was possible.