Upon death

[@nd]

Hi All
After a recent death in the family I got thinking about my own mortality.(not morbid just curious)
What is the best thing to do with my firearms in the eventuality of an untimely death?
My guns are kept in a locked safe with only me knowing where the keys/spare keys are kept.
Then on my death who do my family contact for there collection and sale.
I don’t want them left all of a sudden with my guns not know what to do with them and certainly don’t want the police taking them never to be seen again.
Should I write the instructions down with the details of where the keys are kept and which RFD I would like to collect and sell them and leave it in a sealed envelope with my solicitor, only to be opened on my death.
Thanks @nd

[ukrifleman]

I had the same thoughts a while back and like you, my family have no access to my firearms.

I left instructions with my solicitor, who will carry out my wishes for the sale/disposal of my firearms and associated paraphernalia.

ukrifleman

[David Nimrod]

Good point... has got me thinking!

[GeeRam]

Should I write the instructions down with the details of where the keys are kept and which RFD I would like to collect and sell them and leave it in a sealed envelope with my solicitor, only to be opened on my death.

This is what was advised to us to do, when we went through this last autumn with a friend and fellow club member who had been given the 'can't do anymore for you' talk from his doctor regarding his cancer fight.
Sadly, he never got around to it before passing away, so guns ended up with Plod.

[Blackstuff]

This note is in the Firearms Licensing guide for Police;

1.10. What happens to the firearms in the event of the death of the owner?

In the event of the death of a certificate holder the person inheriting the effects must surrender or declare the weapons to the police or a registered firearms dealer. Failure to do so would result in the inheritor being in breach of the law by having the firearms in their possession; it is the responsibility of the inheritor to find out whether firearms are part of the deceased effects. Registered firearms dealers will be able to advise on the value of the items and how best to proceed in accordance with the inheritor’s wishes. Options include applying for a firearms licence,
selling/transferring the firearm (to a museum or collector) or destroying it.

See Chapters 5, 15 and 25 for further details.

From the point of view you're coming at it, I think you would need to either have instructions which could be acted upon immediately after the shooters death (rather than through probate) to either disclose the location of some keys/codes to access the guns for an RFD to collect, or for someone to apply for a temporary certificate to take control of the guns themselves. Otherwise I presume the police would be coming to either search for the keys or break into the cabinet/safe, I can't imagine they'd be happy to wait for 5-6 weeks with the keys potentially sitting in a drawer next to the shooters bed/in his pocket etc

[froggy]

When my time will come, I'll bring mine to Valhalla and will have a "3 Guns challenge" with Thor

[Racalman]

I had the same thoughts a while back and like you, my family have no access to my firearms.

I left instructions with my solicitor, who will carry out my wishes for the sale/disposal of my firearms and associated paraphernalia.

ukrifleman

I imagine a solicitor would charge a hefty fee for sorting that out. I would address the letter to your executor instead, enclosing details of where to find the keys and friendly RFDs.

[saddler]

My experience has normally been that the remaining spouse is given a temporary Section 7 permit.
THAT is the MAIN use for Section 7's & I've seen it in safe usage loads of times.

Have just had a polar opposite experience.
Over three months after his passing from cancer, the family concerned are still trying to make contact with the FEO that took away the firearms, powder, primers, airguns & night site.....without ANY receipt being provided: either on the day or subsequently. The FEO was in & out before the blokes body had even been removed from his house! FEO not answering phone calls, texts or emails....either busy or on leave, etc.
The blokes kit was all high end stuff = methinks a rabbit is away with this FEO!!

A temporary Section 7 would have prevented this, er, "incident"??
Oh. The above is in England, under Staffs/West Mids.
Lived under one of them at Uni. Doesn't surprise me at all!

[David Nimrod]

When my time will come, I'll bring mine to Valhalla and will have a "3 Guns challenge" with Thor

My money's on Thor...

Have you seen the size of his Hammer..?!?

[bradaz11]

I've spoken to the Mrs, told her a couple of friendly RFD's, some on here, and told her to contact them and they will sort it. I wouldn't worry too much about keys if your Mrs already doesn't know where the keys are, then it's not too hard to open one up if you have time and knowledge of the homeowner

the one thing I have made totally clear is to keep the police well away. If they are locked up and the police are happy with her being in the house with them alone while i'm alive, what changes in the short term the second I die? it's not as if she suddenly gets all my inventory like in a game, and so my keys pop into her hands. no, they can wait and have the RFD collect and sell.