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Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: 6.8mmARHunter on July 25, 2016, 03:19:53 PM


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Title: Inheriting firearms from out of state
Post by: 6.8mmARHunter on July 25, 2016, 03:19:53 PM
Hypothetical question...

I have this friend. His Dad that lived in the Mid-West, has willed him a couple pistols and rifles. What is the legal way to bring them into WA. He's thinking about flying out there and flying back with them. Since the transfer is happening out of state I'm thinking I-594 has no bearing. What about interstate transport. Any requirements for reporting? I've never needed to know for myself previously, so I never looked into it...

Thanks in advance if anyone has any thoughts they want to share.
Title: Re: Inheriting firearms from out of state
Post by: jackelope on July 25, 2016, 03:21:51 PM
Hypothetical question...

I have this friend. His Dad that lived in the Mid-West, has willed him a couple pistols and rifles. What is the legal way to bring them into WA. He's thinking about flying out there and flying back with them. Since the transfer is happening out of state I'm thinking I-594 has no bearing. What about interstate transport. Any requirements for reporting? I've never needed to know for myself previously, so I never looked into it...

Thanks in advance if anyone has any thoughts they want to share.

I-594 may not have any bearing but federal firearms laws do as they're crossing state lines.
I had to transfer all the guns I inherited from my grandpa through a federal FFL holder.
Title: Re: Inheriting firearms from out of state
Post by: MADMAX on July 25, 2016, 03:28:39 PM
 :yeah:

I sent all 15 guns I inhertied through USPS and it was about 150 bucks to ship directly to my FFL.
Then he cut me a deal on the price to do the transfers
Title: Re: Inheriting firearms from out of state
Post by: jackelope on July 25, 2016, 04:15:52 PM
Is he going to pick them up out of state in person?  If so there is absolutely no check he would go through in order to bring them into the state of Washington.   Much like military and anyone else who move here, there is no gun check at the border crossings and airports.  If he flies in with them the airline will only check to make sure they are carried in accordance with their rules. 

How's about the other end, when he takes possession in the other state?
Title: Re: Inheriting firearms from out of state
Post by: NRA4LIFE on July 25, 2016, 05:12:21 PM
How would anybody know if they weren't always yours, you were just storing them there for hunting there.
Title: Re: Inheriting firearms from out of state
Post by: jackelope on July 25, 2016, 05:26:55 PM
Not knowing what state makes it all pure speculation, he could be going to California or Hawaii for all we know. 

I can't think of a state that requires a FFL transfer for a face to face exchange of a long gun between family members.  Handguns might be a bit trickier, but only if you actually played by the rules.  I'm quite certain he could load up all of grandpa's guns, put them in the truck and drive them back and no one would ever have a reason to ask.   

Are you thinking he is required to do a FFL transfer at his grandpa's address before he can bring them here?   Not sure that is what the law says.  I'm certain there isn't a mechanism to police that.  Of course you have to assume standard hunting firearms, nothing exotic or special class.


I did everything legally, guns came from NY state. As my grandfather had died, my grandmother had to sign all the FFL paperwork on her end. They were mailed to my FFL shop and a regular transfer was done. It was done this way after a call to the ATF to make sure we were doing everything correctly. Obviously I don't want to knowingly partake in anything illegal, but I really made sure my T's were crossed and I's were dotted because my grandmother was involved. Call it overkill if you want, but that's what they told me needed to be done.
Title: Re: Inheriting firearms from out of state
Post by: sumpnz on July 25, 2016, 05:51:04 PM
Not knowing what state makes it all pure speculation, he could be going to California or Hawaii for all we know. 

I can't think of a state that requires a FFL transfer for a face to face exchange of a long gun between family members.  Handguns might be a bit trickier, but only if you actually played by the rules.  I'm quite certain he could load up all of grandpa's guns, put them in the truck and drive them back and no one would ever have a reason to ask.   

Are you thinking he is required to do a FFL transfer at his grandpa's address before he can bring them here?   Not sure that is what the law says.  I'm certain there isn't a mechanism to police that.  Of course you have to assume standard hunting firearms, nothing exotic or special class.


I did everything legally, guns came from NY state. As my grandfather had died, my grandmother had to sign all the FFL paperwork on her end. They were mailed to my FFL shop and a regular transfer was done. It was done this way after a call to the ATF to make sure we were doing everything correctly. Obviously I don't want to knowingly partake in anything illegal, but I really made sure my T's were crossed and I's were dotted because my grandmother was involved. Call it overkill if you want, but that's what they told me needed to be done.


It's been a while since I looked up the rules on such transfers, but that is certainly a legal way to do it.  Treat it just like a purchase on Gunbroker or the classifieds here (except no money is being sent the other direction) and you'll be legal. 

That said, if the guns are presently in a state without registration or any requirements to document transfers then the only way bringing them home in your trunk or checked bags will get you in trouble is if you post on an internet forum about doing so and the BATFEIEIO reads about it.
Title: Re: Inheriting firearms from out of state
Post by: rasbo on July 25, 2016, 05:54:59 PM
I wouldn't even bring it up here,I would go pick them up and come home...That's just me..I would want something in writing stating they are now mine...
Title: Re: Inheriting firearms from out of state
Post by: Bofire on July 26, 2016, 09:17:31 AM
 :yeah:
Carl
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