Can I throw a gun away?

**JoshIronshaft** · December 6th, 2023, 09:33 AM

Since this thread was started, the wonderful ATF has provided clear instructions on their website that show how to destroy a firearm:

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/how-pro...stroy-firearms

**SevenMilePete** · December 6th, 2023, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by JoshIronshaft

Since this thread was started, the wonderful ATF has provided clear instructions on their website that show how to destroy a firearm:

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/how-pro...stroy-firearms

Seems simple enough. lol

**JaySmith** · December 6th, 2023, 01:38 PM

Any and all unwanted guns you can send my way. I'm not picky, and will even drive a good distance to take guns off your hand.

**1st8th83** · December 6th, 2023, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisF4i

Bring it to a "Gun Buy Back Program"

Might as well get some money for it

How do those programs work? Drop off a gun and get a gift card no questions asked? Or is it identification required ordeal?

**Brick** · December 7th, 2023, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by Brick

So lets expand the question a little. Let's say, I have a Series 70 Colt Gov't Model that at one time was my favorite Bullseye pistol. During the early 80's I had a frame mounted scope base installed so I could mount a red dot. Over the years, with much use, the frame cracked through the dust cover and bent down about 1/16". So I stripped the frame and saved all the parts as spares and now have a bare frame (which does bear the serial number and is the part considered to be the firearm), but legally how do I dispose of it?

Called PSP and asked that question.....Their answer throw in the garbage.

**SevenMilePete** · December 8th, 2023, 12:26 AM

Originally Posted by Brick

Called PSP and asked that question.....Their answer throw in the garbage.

I foolishly took a pistol into the PSP barracks to be disposed of. Of course called ahead, saying I'm coming to the barracks with a gun. :-) Anyway, it took about an hour. I should have just thrown it in the lake. First I had to wait for someone to come out and ask me why I wanted to get rid of it. Then he took my ID.
Then ran a check on the gun. What BS.

**Tommy T** · December 8th, 2023, 10:43 AM

Am I the only one who finds this thread laughable? If you want to dispose of a pistol and not give it to anyone else or sell it, I suggest the following. Go to your back yard, take your post hole digger, dig an 18-inch hole. When no one is around surreptitiously drop the gun in, fill in the hole. Mission accomplished! In SE PA, except maybe for stainless pistols, your gun will be a corroded hunk of rust in 3 years!

**SevenMilePete** · December 8th, 2023, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by Tommy T

Am I the only one who finds this thread laughable? If you want to dispose of a pistol and not give it to anyone else or sell it, I suggest the following. Go to your back yard, take your post hole digger, dig an 18-inch hole. When no one is around surreptitiously drop the gun in, fill in the hole. Mission accomplished! In SE PA, except maybe for stainless pistols, your gun will be a corroded hunk of rust in 3 years!

A lot of folks aren't lucky enough to have back yards.

**bortle** · December 18th, 2023, 03:13 PM

So, according to the ATF if I cut a gun with a band saw into 1" slices it's still considered a firearm? Barrel, bolt, receiver all cut into 1" pcs. still a firearm?