Inheritence

**Feddog82** · May 13th, 2008, 03:12 PM

This is a question that my father and I we just wondering about and I figured I would post it up here for you guys to think about and hopefully have a good answer for. My Father has a healthy collection of bolt-action and semi-auto rifles and several shotguns; he also has several pistols. We were wondering what has to be done for me to legally inherit these firearms after he is gone.

I assume that since you can sell any long guns privately in PA without any paperwork or FFL transfer then he could just leave them to me and they would be legally mine. But what about the pistols? Is there a clause that states since he is my Father he can legally leave them to me without paperwork to be done or do they have to transferred first. Or maybe he can leave them to me and I can then register them with the sheriffs office through some type of paperwork.

If anyone has any definite info on this type of situation this would be a big help.

P.S. -----> Don't worry, my father isn't sick or dieing. We were just wondering what would have to be done.

**BearTitan** · May 13th, 2008, 03:20 PM

Your Dad or Mom can gift all of his or her pistols and rifles to you. No paperwork required.

Now NFA stuff, that's a whole other issue.

**rwilson452** · May 13th, 2008, 03:21 PM

Right now he can give them to you with no paper trail. this assumes both of you are residing in PA and the transfer takes place there. after he is gone you get them via the executor of his estate if he wills them to you. If there is no will and his wife succeeds him she gets them. She can give them to you with no paper trail. I'm not too sure how firearms are handled via an executor. Unless it's sudden I would suggest he give them to you when the end is near. As alway I suggest a will be drawn up. it makes things simple and less costly.

**autotech6506** · May 13th, 2008, 04:40 PM

I have a similar situation. My grandfather is going to give me a pistol. He lives in MD. Is it legal for me to go down there pick it up (unload it and remove magazine and separate them in my car) and drive it up to my house and keep it there? do i need any special documentation that it was given to me by my grandfather? sorry to jack your thread put reading the OP's post reminded me of this situation. thanks all.

**knighthawk06699** · May 13th, 2008, 04:50 PM

The only thing you have to do is enjoy them. There is no need for FFL work for handguns from direct family to direct family.

**Feddog82** · May 13th, 2008, 05:00 PM

That's really cool to hear, thanks guys!

**Karl/PA** · May 13th, 2008, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by knighthawk06699

The only thing you have to do is enjoy them. There is no need for FFL work for handguns from direct family to direct family.

...ASSUMING that you're not legally prohibited from owning/possessing firearms.

**knighthawk06699** · May 13th, 2008, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by Karl/PA

...ASSUMING that you're not legally prohibited from owning/possessing firearms.

well that goes with out saying, but if I didn't say it he did lol.

**rwilson452** · May 13th, 2008, 05:11 PM

Nope, it has to go via an FFL in your home state.

Originally Posted by autotech6506

I have a similar situation. My grandfather is going to give me a pistol. He lives in MD. Is it legal for me to go down there pick it up (unload it and remove magazine and separate them in my car) and drive it up to my house and keep it there? do i need any special documentation that it was given to me by my grandfather? sorry to jack your thread put reading the OP's post reminded me of this situation. thanks all.

**Statkowski** · May 13th, 2008, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by autotech6506

I have a similar situation. My grandfather is going to give me a pistol. He lives in MD. Is it legal for me to go down there pick it up (unload it and remove magazine and separate them in my car) and drive it up to my house and keep it there? do i need any special documentation that it was given to me by my grandfather? sorry to jack your thread put reading the OP's post reminded me of this situation. thanks all.

Of course, if your grandfather came to Pennsylvania for a visit with his pistol, he could present it to you in person, and no FFL would then be required. If he has Maryland's version of an LTCF, then he wouldn't be breaking any vehicle transport laws in Pennsylvania.