A common question when selling a loved one’s home is what to do with weapons like guns and rifles.

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We are assuming that the estate did not specify the weapons transfer nor sale in a will and that none of the heirs are interested in keeping them and also that you don’t want them. So you need to get rid of them. But how and where?

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Identify the weapons

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The first step is to identify the weapons. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives or the ATF is your best first resource. The below link will help you start the process of identification.  

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https://www.atf.gov/firearms/properly-identify-firearm-purpose-tracing

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The website states, “Please do not hesitate to contact ATF for assistance in properly identifying a recovered firearm”. But of course provides no phone number nor email to do so. However, we were able to locate a link to a pdf file with some contact information: https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/guide/federal-firearms-telephone-directory/download

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Other resources to consider for purposes of identification include a local firearm safety school or range, local gun dealers and local pawn shops. You may want to consider taking some photos and videos of the weapons to take with you to visit gun ranges, gun dealers and pawn shops to help in the process of identification. Never show up anywhere without a prior appointment with guns in your possession.

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No matter how you decide to liquidate the weapons, you’ll benefit in any conversations with accurate knowledge of what you possess. 

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Storing, Moving or Transporting the Weapons

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The second step is to determine a safe way to store and relocate the firearms. You may want to have the estate purchase some gun lockboxes or gun safes. You may even want to attend a firearm safety class at the expense of the estate for these purposes. Alternatively, you could hire a gun expert as a consultant or contractor to ensure proper handling and storage of the weapons. 

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All firearms should be properly unloaded and the ammunition should be stored in a separate sealed and locked container. 

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Liquidating the weapons 

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Now that you have identified and secured the weapons, you can begin to work on the question of what to do with them. 

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You’ll need to determine:

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1) Do you want to destroy them? 

2) Do you want to gift them? 

3) Do you want to donate them? or 

4) Do you want to sell them? Remember if you choose to sell them, the proceeds of the sale should go to the estate’s account rather than your personal account. 

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Destroying the weapons 

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If you want to destroy them, you may want to learn if there are any antiques among them beforehand as that may influence your decision, especially if they are historical pieces. We found this link that outlines the 32 Gun Museums & Collections in the country that you may find useful: https://bennicholson.com/guns/Gun-Museums-&-Collections-in-the-USA.html 

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To destroy firearms, there are some options for those in the Greater Puget Sound area. The Seattle Police Department, King County Sheriff and the Tacoma Police Department can assist with and the links to each is below. 

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Be mindful that firearms that are considered antiques, curios, relics, or greater than 50 years old will not be destroyed per the RCW and ATF laws. See RCW 9.41.098

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This is another reason you want to research and identify what kind of firearms you’re dealing with before deciding what to do with them. 

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It’s extremely important to reach out by telephone first to ensure the program is still in effect and to make arrangements to bring them in. Never show up anywhere without a prior appointment with guns in your possession.

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Here are some helpful resources when it comes to destroying firearms:

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Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Acceptable method of destruction is to completely melt (smelt), shred or crush the firearm receiver

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/how-properly-destroy-firearms

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Seattle Police Department - Surrendering a Firearm

https://www.seattle.gov/police/need-help/services/surrender-a-firearm 

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King County Gov - Disposal of unwanted firearms or ammo

https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/sheriff/courts-jails-legal-system/sheriff-services/firearm-disposal 

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Tacoma Police 

https://youtu.be/bqAoeP_wi9s?si=Gr6k3wy27p_vbq3r 

Tacoma Police HQ Main Info Line:  (253) 591-5950

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Gifting or Donating the weapons 

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If you want to gift or donate them, it’s imperative you make sure the intended receiver would want to receive such a gift and ask yourself if you feel that they would be a responsible gun owner and that they are not at any risk of causing harm to anyone, to include themselves. 

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Additionally, it’s a federal felony to transfer a firearm to someone you know - or have reasonable cause to believe - that they can’t legally own a weapon. So be careful when gifting or donating. 

If you are the Executor or Personal Representative and one of the heirs is willed a firearm and you even think they might be legally prohibited from owning a gun, seek the advice of an attorney before transfering the weapon. 

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You’ll want to do careful research on the laws in your state regarding gifting firearms or weapons.There are thousands of laws regarding gifting firearms, you may want to document your research and make detailed notes on the process of gifting or donating these weapons. The documentation should include any background check requirements and fulfillments of those requirements as well. 

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If you are gifting across state lines you must transfer through a licensed retailer in the state where the person resides. 

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Selling the weapons 

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If you want to sell them, check with local gun dealers and pawn shops. You’ll want to call them ahead of time to discuss if they are interested and what the procedures are for bringing them in. 

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The steps to take when selling a firearm:

1. Check the business license of the entity you are considering for the purchase. 
2. Are they a certified FFL (Federal Firearm Listing) you can look them up here: https://www.atf.gov/firearms/listing-federal-firearms-licensees 
3. Research the guns value beforehand at sites such as True Gun Value and Blue Book of Gun Values
4. Be prepared for a background check yourself. You may want to take a government ID and copies of all documentation of your authority to sell the weapons. This documentation may include a copy of the will, death certificate, release of interest from other heirs or other estate documentation. 

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In addition to the links above, we found the following websites to be extremely helpful in our research:

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https://www.washingtongunlaw.com/transferring-or-selling-firearms 

https://www.rivercitypawnshops.com/4-useful-tips-for-selling-your-firearm-to-a-pawnshop 

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Never, ever, ever… 

Never show up anywhere without a prior appointment with guns in your possession.

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In all the above situations, it’s imperative that you put the weapons in a box or bag of some sort. Do not walk into a police station or retail business holding a gun. This is a good way to get shot yourself.

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If the weapon you are disposing of is too large to put in a box or bag, discuss an appropriate way to transport the weapon with whomever you are meeting with to transfer possession. 

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‍Are you overwhelmed by the task of sorting through your parents’ household after they’ve passed or moved?

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You’re not alone.

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Liquidating an entire estate is emotional and exhausting, and figuring out what to do with a lifetime of items — from furniture to appliances to family keepsakes — can seem impossible. But it doesn’t have to be.

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In our upcoming 45-minute webinar, “How to Get Rid of Mom and Dad’s Stuff When You Have to Sell Their Home,” we’ll walk you through step-by-step strategies to turn chaos into a plan of action.

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You’ll gain access to free templates, insider tips, and a comprehensive guide on how to:

• Prioritize and organize what to keep, sell, donate, or dispose of
• Understand the pros and cons of garage sales vs. estate sales
• Navigate the complexities of hazardous material disposal (like old electronics and paint)
• Set up a realistic timeline so you can reduce stress and avoid last-minute hassles
• Delegate tasks to family members so you’re not carrying the burden alone
• Honor your loved ones’ memories by finding thoughtful ways to repurpose or donate items

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By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear roadmap to follow, so you can focus on what matters most: honoring your loved ones’ legacy while preparing their home for sale.

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This webinar is designed for anyone who’s overwhelmed, doesn’t know where to start, or just needs a little guidance. Let us help ease the burden — sign up now and take the first step toward simplifying the process.

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Reserve your spot now for one of our free, 45-minute webinars https://www.raincityre.com/education-events

Space is limited, so register today and gain the tools, templates, and strategies you need to confidently navigate the estate liquidation process.

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