Firearms given in a verbal will

[bubba5320]

My father passed away a few years ago. He said I could have his handguns and shotgun when he passed away. I finally found them this last week. How do I legally transfer them to myself? We all live (lived) in CA. Thanks all for any advice.

[Librarian]

OPLAW form or CFARS account and inheritance.

CFARS is faster, if you think you need an acknowledgement.

[bubba5320]

Hello. Thanks for getting back. A couple of follow up questions.
1) Will I get, eventually, any type of acknowledgment, proof using the 0PLAW?
2) Not sure if my dad registered all of the firearms. A couple may have been given to him by his brother-in-law. Is that an issue? In other words do they check the serial numbers for prior registration? They may still be in the name of my uncle who passed away 10 years ago. (Also from California)
Thanks again for the help.

[SkyHawk]

Hello. Thanks for getting back. A couple of follow up questions.
1) Will I get, eventually, any type of acknowledgment, proof using the 0PLAW?
2) Not sure if my dad registered all of the firearms. A couple may have been given to him by his brother-in-law. Is that an issue? In other words do they check the serial numbers for prior registration? They may still be in the name of my uncle who passed away 10 years ago. (Also from California)
Thanks again for the help.

1) You will get an immediate confirmation that the form was submitted. So be sure to print the confirmation. It could take months to year + before you get an acceptance letter. But the law only requires that you submit the form.

2) It is no problem unless any are listed as stolen.

[bubba5320]

Immediate reply from the OPLAW? I thought that one is sent in in the mail?

[Librarian]

Immediate reply from the OPLAW? I thought that one is sent in in the mail?

Yes, it is - the 'immediate' thing is for CFARS.

[SkyHawk]

Immediate reply from the OPLAW? I thought that one is sent in in the mail?

OPLAW can be filed electronically on CFARS, as can many other firearms related forms. And yes you will get an immediate confirmation of your submission and also a receipt for your $19 payment. Note that 'confirmation of submission' is not the same as the completed/acceptance letter which will come to you by mail in days, weeks, or years.

[bubba5320]

Thanks for all of the input. I am on the website filling out the form for the first firearm. It is a Glock 19. I had a question. The serial number is listed in three places. Under the barrel and two on the slide. The one under the barrel Has the letters US following the serial number the two on the slide do not. It says. made in Austria. Which one do I use on the form? Thanks again.

[mrdd]

In the U.S., only one "part" is considered a firearm. In the case of a Glock, it is the receiver. Ignore the serial numbers on the slide and the barrel. Austrian and German law require them, but we do not.

I was gifted a Glock about 8 years ago, and had to OPLAW it. I used the full inscription on the receiver, including the trailing "US". Went through okay.

It was a Generation 2 G19, by the way.

[hermosabeach]

Who is the executor? If none, the state appoints one and it is up to them to say who gets what....

There is no such thing as a verbal will. The surviving spouse gets it all when one spouse passes in most cases.


So who is the legal executor?

[Dvrjon]

Thanks for all of the input. I am on the website filling out the form for the first firearm. It is a Glock 19. I had a question. The serial number is listed in three places. Under the barrel and two on the slide. The one under the barrel Has the letters US following the serial number the two on the slide do not. It says. made in Austria. Which one do I use on the form? Thanks again.

[bubba5320]

Thanks everyone. Especially for the quick replies. All done. With acknowledgements.