Found dead relatives firearm - how to register/transfer

[Larken575]

My father in law has been dead for over 32 years. Found his firearm in our home, serial number dates to 1989. He died in 1989 also. Would like to register/transfer and make it legal. We have no way of knowing if he registered it or if it was required in 1989. We do have a death cert. Mother in law passed over 10 years ago also. Does my wife need to do this? Can I do this, her husband of 30 years?. Please help. Thanking you in advance

[DRoberts12345]

Take it to a gun shop/ pawn shop and pawn it for 30 days. You will then be able to do the paper work and wait your 10 days and it’s yours. It worked for me��

[M1NM]

Take it to a gun shop/ pawn shop and pawn it for 30 days. You will then be able to do the paper work and wait your 10 days and it’s yours. It worked for me��

Why? It's yours you've possessed/owned it for 32 years. Who is around to say differently? Back then if he bought it at an FFL he filled out the Fed form and waited 10 days. "Registration" didn't start until much later and until that time you could still buy guns face to face with no FFL or paperwork involved.

[foxtrotuniformlima]

I'm pretty sure your wife can just file the OP Law form saying her father gave her the gun(s).

[DRoberts12345]

The gun I pawned was from a friend that died 8 years ago. It wasn’t registered in his name. The DOJ said they don’t care where it comes from (unless it’s stolen) they just care where it’s going. My gun shop owner called the DOJ and that was the advice .

[taperxz]

It became your wife’s legally in 1989 when he died. There was no requirement to register the gun back then.

Unless you just need to register it to be able to get an instant background check for ammo, you don’t need to do anything really. It’s really a situation that there isn’t really much anyone can do or needs to do.

[u04601]

Long gun or hand gun?

[Librarian]

It became your wife’s legally in 1989 when he died. There was no requirement to register the gun back then.

Unless you just need to register it to be able to get an instant background check for ammo, you don’t need to do anything really. It’s really a situation that there isn’t really much anyone can do or needs to do.

This.

If you're in one of those 'gotta be registered' situations, use the VOLREG, "Firearm Ownership Report"

ETA: this really is not an FFL question, since no FFL is required to keep the gun - but not everyone knows about that.

[Gryff]

Are you possibly just forgetting that he gave it to you in 1989?

Beyond that, I'm wondering how you forgot the gun was in your house for three decades.

[acespawnshop]

I be curious why wait 30 days?

[DRoberts12345]

I think there’s a law or rule that you can’t pick it up early. I was told that I had to wait 30 days.

[Librarian]

I think there’s a law or rule that you can’t pick it up early. I was told that I had to wait 30 days.

Yes, CA law - Business and Professions Code - requires the 30-day wait to sell; one can start the 10-day wait on day 21.

[acespawnshop]

Yes, CA law - Business and Professions Code - requires the 30-day wait to sell; one can start the 10-day wait on day 21.

Right, that has to do with when a pawn shop buys the firearm from the customer. It has nothing to do with pawning.