What to do with my guns?

[petemi]

I'm getting old, and I don't know how many years I have left to enjoy my guns.  My kids and grand kids have their own.  I'll probably sell the handguns and repeaters, but I'd like to set up something special for the single shots and muzzleloaders.  Something where they could go to deserving, underprivileged kids thru hunter safety courses or something like that.  You folks have any thoughts on this?

Pete

[Gohon]

Find a large Boy Scout troop in your area that still has a hunter/shooter safety program going.  They can always use the help.  You can always stipulate in a will that if that particular troop ever discontinues the program, they must pass the guns to another troop that is still active.

[petemi]

Gohon, excellent idea, thanks.

Pete

[Sourdough]

May also look at a 4-H group in your area that has a shooting program.  Many of our local High School shooters got their start with the 4-H.  The current U.S. Olympic Shooter Matt Emmons started in 4-H.  They use single shots in 4-H. 

[petemi]

Sourdough, thanks for that idea.  I'm in a farm community with an active 4H, I'll ask them.  I believe kids should start out with single shots, not only for safety, but for better marksmanship.

Pete

[Badnews Bob]

Thats a great thought there Pete, If we can still have guns when I get that old I may do something simular with mine.

[Jimbo47]

Good ideas!

Sometimes and myself included the older we get, we tend to think about these things, and sometimes it's not easy to do.

Just an idea or actually having a plan can prevent them from ending up in the hands of the undesireable.

When my father-in-law passed away a few years back I knew what guns he had but never brought up the subject, and then one day my Mother-in-law told me that I needed to go by and pick up those guns her husband had because she didn't know anything about them.

I felt uneasy about taking them because it seemed too soon after his death, and so I just put the thought on the back burner, and pretty much forgot about them for several months.

She reminded me again, and again I hesitated, which turned out to be a big, big mistake as soon after she went out of town on vacation and someone who had knowledge other than myself helped themselves to the treasure.

They knew which guns to go after and left the others alone, but I could never prove it or even wanted to pursue that issue, as it turned out to be my fault for not acting sooner.

I don't want that to happen to my immediate family once I'm gone so I planned what are to be done with mine.

It's something everyone should think about!

[buckslayer]

very generous of ya!  when i was in boyscouts about 8 years ago, all we used was single shot .22's, and repeater .22's with 1 bullet at a time.  im sure if you find a troop or 4 h group, they wold gladly use them, as long as there is no legal crap to wade through.  very nice of ya, and thanks for wanting to strengthen the shooting sports.

[dpe.ahoy]

Most of mine will be given to my kids before I'm gone,(Ihope) but the rest they can ask for while I'm still around and I'll put it in the will.  'Course with 7 kids, I have my own 4-H, boys & girls club.   I think that is pretty fine of ya Pete.  Makes me doubt all them mean things I heard of about ya.   Just jokein' Pete.  DP

[jsoukup]

I'd just make sure your kids don't actually want any of yours. My grandfather passed away this summer, one of my uncles got his old Jap 7.7. Not worth much money, but I would have liked to have had it, just because it was his.

I do have my other Grandfather's old double barrel 12 ga that my father bought from him 35 years ago and my father gave it to me this summer. It's not worth very much either, it's not a popular brand, and it's not in real good shape. He was a farmer, it was probably the best he could afford at the time (1930's-40's). But I cherish it just because it was his and it's not something I would ever consider selling.

I also have a deal worked out with my dad and my wife. If I die unexpectantly, my father is to gather up all my guns and tools and decide what needs to be done with them, whether it be to save them for future generations of our family (daughter and her children, nephews, nieces) or sell them for what they are worth and help take care of my family financially.

I don't trust any of my other family members coming in and telling my wife, "I'll give you $200 for that old Colt 1911." Then selling it off for a $400 profit.

[petemi]

I'm pretty sure my immediate family would say they wanted all of them, then pick out what they really wanted and sell the rest.  It's the same reason, I want to set up my 120 acre home so it can't be sub-divided and sold.

We didn't have a lot of money growing up, but my dad scounged out $37.50, (I'll remember that number til I die) to get me a new Remington 521T when I was 11.  Our Junior Rifle Club was sponsored and supervised by our local police chief and a couple of his officers.  The values, morals and skills they instilled in us are with me today. I would like to pass that legacy on.

Pete

[Bayou Stalker]

I would just pick a random name, like say Wendall.  Then find a forum member whose name rhymes with it, and give them to him.   


Kendall

[LaOtto222]

Pete - Your stock continually goes up in my book. What a good idea. I may do something like that myself.

[AtlLaw]

I want to set up my 120 acre home so it can't be sub-divided and sold.

Uh Pete ol' buddy ol' pal....    Grab u a "Wills, Trusts & Estates" law book and read up on the "Rule against Perpetuates."     It might could be done though... 

I'm lettin each one of my kids choose one weapon.  The rest are my wife's to do with as she will. 

[petemi]

Thanks Richard, I will do that.

Pete

[petemi]

Pete - Your stock continually goes up in my book. What a good idea. I may do something like that myself.

Thanks, that is a very high compliment.  Your advice and comments are welcomed and appreciated.

Pete