How Do I Sell a Gun I Inherited?

How to Sell an Inherited Gun Legally

You can sell an inherited gun legally by offering it to nationwide gun buyers like Cash for Arms, local FFLs or gun dealers, and eligible private individuals.

Here are the steps for selling inherited firearms in detail:

• Prepare the inherited gun for sale by cleaning it and noting its details.
• Get a gun appraisal to learn the firearm's market value.
• Choose whom to sell to (we listed your options below).
• Get and accept an offer for the gun from a buyer.
• Transfer the gun to the buyer in exchange for payment.

Where to Sell an Inherited Gun

You can sell an inherited gun to a nationwide gun buyer like Cash for Arms, local gun shops or pawn shops, or to private individuals.

Here are quick notes about the options to help you decide:

1. Cash for Arms

• Easy 3-step sale you can do from home
• FFL status guarantees easy and legal transactions
• Some of the highest offers for used guns
• Free shipping and sales fees
• Multiple payment options

2. Local gun or pawn shops ‍

• FFL status guarantees easy and legal transactions
• In-person sales
• Generally low offers

3. Private individuals ‍

• Non-FFL status involves more legal risk
• Chance for high offers
• Can be found on places like ArmsList or GunBroker
• Generally the most work for the seller

Should I Sell an Inherited Gun?

To decide if you should sell an inherited gun or not, ask yourself these questions:

• Did the past owner have specific wishes for its use?
• Are there family stories or memories attached to it?
• Can you meet the legal requirements to keep the gun?
• Are you able to keep the gun safe and secure?
• Do you know how to use or maintain the gun?

Guns require more maintenance than some realize. They can rust or tarnish. Wooden parts can crack. That can bring down their value too so you may not even be able to sell them later.

Furthermore, some states have specific legal requirements for things like gun storage or reporting.

If you or your family can't meet all of the requirements for keeping the gun, it may be easier to just sell it.

Laws to Consider

We have a simplified guide to the laws to consider in each state when a gun owner dies in the US.

To add to that, here are other laws to note when selling inherited firearms.

National Firearms Act or NFA

If your inherited firearm falls under NFA categories, you could face federal charges if you try to sell it without proper registration.

So, check if your inherited firearm is an NFA item before attempting to sell it. If it is, make sure it’s properly registered. If not, contact the nearest ATF office for help registering it.

Only after that can you sell NFA firearms.

Firearm Registration

Some states require registration of specific guns. You may struggle to sell if yours aren't legally registered for these:

• California. Requires registration of .50 caliber rifles and assault weapons.
• Hawaii. Mandates registration of all firearms within five days of acquisition.
• New York. Requires registration of handguns and assault weapons.
• New Jersey. Requires registration for assault weapons and certain categories for new residents.
• Connecticut. Requires registration for assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
• Maryland. Requires registration for assault pistols.
• District of Columbia. Requires registration for all firearms.

The rest of the states generally don’t require registration, but may have rules like this:

• Michigan. Doesn’t require registration but requires a local license for pistol purchases.
• Oregon. Doesn’t have a traditional registration system but maintains records of gun transfers.

Let Us Make You an Offer That Respects Your Inheritance

Selling an inherited firearm can be easy depending on how you do it. Sell to us and we'll do all of the work to make things smoother for you.

Let us help you with this today. Contact us at (904) 977-5477 or submit your gun details here for a free, no-obligation offer. Our experts will do all that's possible to provide a fast, satisfying sale for you.