Transfer of ownership

[TakDwn]

A question came up tonight during a conversation between my in-laws and myself and thought I would post/ask here to see what answers we got before calling a local gun shop Monday.

My father in law has several firearms from his deceased inlaws. I know...confused?
My wife's grandparents died 10 years ago and had owned several guns. Her father, my father in law, took the guns from the home after the home was put up for sale. They have been in his possession for all this time but there were never any documents made to gain ownership of the firearms (shotguns, rifles, handguns).
So, what does he do now? The legal owner is deceased. We have been unable to find any of the papers of transfer or purchase from years ago made by her grandfather.
We were going to take the firearms to the local store if there's a way to do a proper transfer of ownership. My father in law wants to pass some of these to me.

Suggestions? Or can anyone point us in the right direction please.

Thank you.

[Pa. Patriot]

This is very simple.

Long guns (rifles/shotguns) do not need any paperwork in PA when transfered between private parties.

Handgun transfers are required to go through an FFL so a SP-4 (Application/Record of Sale) can be filed. Exceptions for parent/child/grandchild/grandparent/spouse

So your FIL has obtained them from his parent and no transfer was needed.

As a side note the duty is on the transferer, so even if the current possessor, your FIL, was not an exempted part (parent/child) he would be under no obligation to do this. As long as they are not on the PSP "lost/stolen" list, they are legal possessions. [/sidenote]

When he wants to give them to you you need do nothing for the long guns and you can simply go to an FFL/Gunshop to transfer the handgun(s)

[TakDwn]

Thank you for posting so quickly...
Great, useful information that I'll tell him about in the morning.

[Chevmeister]

Oh honorable gorilla. Correct me if im wrong, but cant his father in law legally just hand them over to his daughter, OPs wife adn no transfer is needed?

[Pa. Patriot]

Oh honorable gorilla. Correct me if im wrong, but cant his father in law legally just hand them over to his daughter, OPs wife adn no transfer is needed?

Of course. Father to daughter no transfer needed. Then no transfer between spouses.
Twas late when I wrote that, , good catch, I missed that.

[s.vermeire]

Oh honorable gorilla. Correct me if im wrong, but cant his father in law legally just hand them over to his daughter, OPs wife adn no transfer is needed?

Yes, and she may then give them to him if she wishes

Exceptions for parent/child/grandchild/grandparent/spouse

Ya beat me to it....

[TakDwn]

Thanks guys.
The FIL is keeping things till end of summer it looks like.