Disposing of 'unwanted' guns

[memilanuk]

So... possibly a controversial topic, but one I'm facing.

No, I haven't been convicted of anything - that I know of!

I was going through the gun safe recently, tidying things up, deciding what to keep and what to 're-home'.

Unfortunately, along the way I've accrued some odds n ends firearms that could best be described as 'junk'. Mostly old, old stuff from aging family members that were moving to the full-time RV life, into a retirement home, or some similar sort of situation. Stuff that is either a) older than I am, or b) of such low quality to begin with that I would hesitate to ever fire a round in it, or c) both. Ancient .22 rifles that look like they were dragged behind a tractor, and then used to prop open the door on a chicken coop - for years. A little 'Saturday night special' .25 auto. Among others. Cash value of zero, if that.

Now, this stuff is taking up space in my safe. Given some changes in WA state rules the last few years involving weapon storage and owner liability... I really don't want to be on the hook for this crap.

Options? I'm guessing if I took this stuff down to a local gun store and offered to *give* it to them, they'd probably decline based on the items not be worth the employee time to fill out the paperwork. What else? 'Surrender' them to the local police department? Boating accident?

 

[Big_Daddy]

I understand your plight. I run into this situation when buying estates.

Find someone or multiple someone's to take them.
Post a list at your local gun club and share the list with friends.
Please do not surrender them to the police.

 

[potatojudge]

You ever have gun buybacks in your area? Might be able to turn those useless guns into a useful one. Win/win

 

[memilanuk]

Post a list at your local gun club and share the list with friends.

Pretty much all my friends/acquaintances have similar (or better) tastes in firearms to my own. These are items I wouldn't wish on anyone.

Please do not surrender them to the police.

Just out of curiosity... what exactly is the downside here? They'd be getting functionally worthless items; it's not like keeping them 'in circulation' accomplishes anything.

 

[jepp2]

They'd be getting functionally worthless items; it's not like keeping them 'in circulation' accomplishes anything.

There might be "parts" in them that cannot be obtained anywhere these days. Before I ever gave a firearm to law enforcement, I would donate them elsewhere. Put them on GB with a $0.01 start bid amount and have the buyer pay the actual shipping. You might be very surprised at what they would bring.

 

[gambleone]

Maybe a smith could use some for parts if any are usable.

 

[Bill Rodolph]

Contact Numrich, they buy old guns for parts.

 

[PigButtons]

Contact Numrich, they buy old guns for parts.

*******
Good advice here.

There are places that specialize in Savage, or Mossberg, etc. And often times odd brands are really just rebranded of one of those. I'm sure if you really look you'll find someone willing to at least pay for the shipping.

 

[Big_Daddy]

Just for the OP's question and my response, which were deleted by someone....

Initiative 1639 Gun Transfer Exceptions​

The background check requirement does not apply to:

• A transfer between immediate family members.
• Sale or transfer of an antique firearm.

Obviously if the guns do not meet either of the 2 above examples, then they need to proceed under the I_1639 rules.

 

[snert]

Yep, if they are really junk, then Numrich, or outback Gun parts. Or even a buy back...though I detest such BS, in that case you are in a win-win...you get to turn "zero dollars of value" into something of value, and the ironic thing is in this case you are getting a tax return, meaning the anti-gun people are actually supporting your gun habit with the dollars they stole from you. The irony of that is so totally awesome I would do it just to screw with them. I like that better than a dirtbag getting a new pair of Air Jordans for turning in a gun stolen from granpa.

Or, you can chop em up and smash em in a vise, and dispose of them. Barrels make good tomato stakes, concrete reinforcement, etc.

As far as turning them in to the Sheriff's department, in my opinion that is a non-issue. You are using your tax dollars to lawfully dispose of unwanted (and in this case) worthless items. I was responsible for that division when I was in LE. It only hurt when some antigun phobic demanded that we chop up dead Uncle Lou's SAA. (Yes, it happened). But 99 percent of the time we chopped up Marlin single shot bolt action shotguns missing the bolt, or stock. It was really garbage no one wanted.

Really no loss. And at least where I live, the cops are understanding. We did our best to discourage people from junking good stuff. We directed them to FFL, or we would offer to buy it ourselves, following the applicable laws. That way they actually got $ and reliable people who were obeying the laws got to buy the gun

 

[Catfur]

I understand that, in many cases, they are of such low value presently that they border on junk. But I can't help but think that in 100 years, they will be of some historical value, simply because so many of these will disappear because they are worthless now.

 

[ckaberna]

You could always box them up and send down to Ga. I’ll take your worries away and I’ll deal with it....LoL

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Take to a salvage yard and ask to observe them being tossed into a shredder.

 

[BlueWater]

For a variety of stuff, like that, where I knew none of it was "contraband" (ie, of questionable prior use), I'd likely haul it in a box to my favorite nearby LGS. If they wanted it, if for no other reason than as examples of cleaning up old gear, great. If they could use it, or sell it, great. But, like as not, if it's effectively got zero cash value, I suspect a FFL shop wouldn't want to go through the FFL transfer pain for each and every "junk" gun in the box. Might well be a better choice to head to the next cash-for-guns trade-in thingy that many towns offer (in the vain hope it'll make any difference). Might well get a few bucks for it.

 

[DiffEQ]

Where in WA are you?
I know a few gunsmiths who might be interested in taking them off your hand.
I, myself, am a dumpster diver by nature.
I've been tinkering with guns more and more -- if you're within 150 miles of Vancouver, WA, I'd be glad to drive out and get them from you if there's a place that does multiple transfers for one fee like they do here in Oregon. Having a few junkers around to work on and not care if I ruin would be a great learning opportunity.

 

[jds holler]

Don't forget that every gun screw is worth pretty good money if it isn't boogered too badly.

I've got an armload of 22 "boys rifles" that are in need of a few screws, springs, ejectors, and such. These parts sell for a premium on e-bay. jd

 

[snert]

I guess maybe we should ask what exactly is junk now but might be of value in 100 years??

I know of a guy who sold his junk "stevens single shot" to an unscrupulous POS Captain in LE for $100. It was a cartouche complete civil war Spencer. ..

 

[1bamashooter]

I've been wondering what to do with the guns I lost in the fire. Can't just throw them away.

 

[ronsatspokane]

You ever have gun buybacks in your area? Might be able to turn those useless guns into a useful one. Win/win

That's what I was thinking but then the Numrich idea is probably better.

 

[ebb]

Why do they need to go anywhere maybe some of the 22 rifles could be cleaned up and fixed up and used to teach youngsters to shot with?