Quote:
Originally Posted by 1brain1
Sorry new to owning a firearm other than my shotgun .I have been given a few psitols and a rifle from my deceased step father .Do I have to register them? I would feel better if I did ,but i can't find anything on the subject (where to go ).I live in northampton county pa.I can't find anything on it and since he has passed I want to be able to prove they are mine .Please help you never know what can happen somebody could steal them or something .
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There is no registration of guns in PA. Please, stop using the word "registration" unless you are talking about sawed off shotguns/rifles, machine guns, suppressors, grenades, or any other NFA device.
Longguns like rifles and shotguns are treated like used furniture when it comes to private sales, trades, gifts, etc. ...no "transfer" paperwork necessary and can be passed around like a cheap hooker or a joint.
Your pistols that you inherited.. Were they given directly to you via a will or through the executor of estate? If they came straight from the will or via the executor, it should have been transferred through a FFL or the Sheriff since your step-dad isn't one of the named exempted transfers.
If that gun was inherited by your wife from her dad, then she gave it to you - then NO transfer paperwork is necessary.
You're not committing any crime by not having that handgun in your name.. worst case is that if stopped, the police will try to give it back to the last owner on record - which will be a dead man. ...Since he is dead, the spouse/heir will get it - which in turn will end up back in your hands.
If it really bugs you, just hand it to your wife, go to a dealer, then have her transfer it into your name. It'll cost $15-$50 and 15minutes of your time.