Handing in an unwanted gun?

Qprmeath · 08-02-2012 8:51pm #1

My father died recently. He was a shotgun owner. I want to get rid of his gun safely and without any messing. Do I go to the Gardai or a gun dealer? Will it cost me money to dispose of the gun? Im presuming the gun is worth very little as its probably over 20 years old. Thanks. If there is already a thread on this I couldnt find it.

robertpatterson · 08-02-2012 8:58pm

Firstly condolences on your loss
Now you can hand it into a gun dealer who might charge to have it destroyed(shouldnt be much)
Alternatively you can licence it yourself and keep your fathers gun or gift it to one of his mates,either if these options will involve a firearms dealer holding it as it is now an unlicenced firearm while the licence is processed.
Hope that helps

4gun · 08-02-2012 9:13pm

why not post it in the for sale section, if your father enjoyed using it in his time, somebody might be interested in it.

sailordog13 · 08-02-2012 9:27pm

Just hand it in at your local Garda station.
They will have it broken for you, at no cost (where I'm from), or you can have it decommissioned, and once the Gardai are satisfied, you can keep it as a replica.

deerhunter1 · 08-02-2012 9:40pm

sailordog13 wrote: »

Just hand it in at your local Garda station.
They will have it broken for you, at no cost (where I'm from), or you can have it decommissioned, and once the Gardai are satisfied, you can keep it as a replica.

You will still have to licence it though even if decommissioned I believe

sailordog13 · 08-02-2012 9:45pm

Couldn't swear on it, and not a gun license holder.
Best not to quote me in court !!

sfakiaman · 08-02-2012 10:02pm

Bring it to a gun dealer and ask if he will sell it on your behalf. He will give you a reciept which you should give a copy of to the guards. That way you're in the clear and someone may get the benefit of the gun. I've done that for a friend.

RICHIE.39 · 08-02-2012 10:17pm

Firstly sorry for your loss. maybe have a good think about passing it onto a family member. shooting is an expensive sport to get into and am sure they would be glad to get the help especially if they are starting out. i know i would.

Local-womanizer · 08-02-2012 10:40pm

sailordog13 wrote: »

Just hand it in at your local Garda station.
They will have it broken for you, at no cost (where I'm from), or you can have it decommissioned, and once the Gardai are satisfied, you can keep it as a replica.

Just on this, during my process of getting my license, when I was in the Local Garda Station a old man was trying to hand in an old shotgun he had no use for and the Sergeant wouldn't take it. Things got a bit heated!

Cass · 08-02-2012 10:50pm

Qprmeath wrote: »

My father died recently. He was a shotgun owner. I want to get rid of his gun safely and without any messing. Do I go to the Gardai or a gun dealer? Will it cost me money to dispose of the gun? Im presuming the gun is worth very little as its probably over 20 years old. Thanks. If there is already a thread on this I couldnt find it.

As with the others you have my condolences on your loss.

The most important thing here is to hand the firearm over to a Registered Fireamrs Dealer or into a Garda station IMMEDIATELY. Unless any of your family is licensed on the firearm then you are technically in possession of an unlicensed firearm.

MY personal opinion, if you are not sure what you would like to do with it, is to hand it into a firearms dealer tomorrow morning. That way you are no longer in possession of it, and have some time to make a decision as to whether you want to sell, destroy or decommission it.

deerhunter1 wrote: »

You will still have to licence it though even if decommissioned I believe

When decommissioned all you need is an authorisation from your Super, and not a license. AFAIK. I'll check that out.

Sparks · 08-02-2012 11:39pm

...and just to add, give the Garda station a ring before you do anything to let them know what you're doing, just to cover yourself in case you're stopped at a random checkpoint along the way or something like that. (Also, it's kindof nice to let them know before turning up in their office with a shotgun, saves wear and tear on the nerves

).
I take it it's not necessary to recommend you double-check that the firearm is unloaded? I only ask because it sortof read like you hadn't used a firearm much yourself in your post, and the last thing you need is an unexpected accident in the middle of all this.

Qprmeath · 09-02-2012 9:41am

Thanks everyone. Theres a gun dealer not too far away from me. Ill give him a call.

sfakiaman · 09-02-2012 9:51am

It would probably make things easier if you brought you fathers licence with you.

Hunter21 · 09-02-2012 2:33pm

Condolences on your loss.

Also it's worth noting get the gun valued as it might be worth away more then you think. Also consider the sentimental value of it to you or other family members.

Throw up the manufacturer of the gun and a brief description here and we'll be glad to help you with a valuation. I wouldn't get a gun dealer to value it as they will undervalue it and chance buying it off you for their gain if it was any good of a gun.

Qprmeath · 09-02-2012 4:24pm

I think the gun is a silver shadow? Double barrel as I said and at a guess about 25 years old? Any idea of value?

landkeeper · 09-02-2012 4:43pm

silver shadow or silver sabel ? is it sxs or o/u

No6 · 09-02-2012 4:47pm

Landkeeper the OP isn't very familar with firearms!! SxS = side by side ( the barrels are beside each other!) O/U = over and under, one on top of the other!!

garv123 · 09-02-2012 5:17pm

Qprmeath wrote: »

I think the gun is a silver shadow? Double barrel as I said and at a guess about 25 years old? Any idea of value?

You could post some pictures of it and people on here would identify if. Just because its 25 years old doesnt make it worthless.

Some family members may take it if they want to get into shooting?
shame to have it cut up by the guards.

harmoniums · 09-02-2012 6:19pm

Iver Johnson had a over under shotgun called the Silver Shadow.

Qprmeath · 09-02-2012 7:17pm

Ill have a good look at it tomorrow. Maybe even take a picture. The "silver shadow" is just something I think I can remember. Could be totally wrong.

meathstevie · 09-02-2012 9:54pm

Op, sorry to hear about the circumstances that brought you in here, please accept my condolences. Had a look at those Iver Johnson silver shadows for you, not worth a whole lot I'm afraid but make sure you do your homework right.

If you post all the engravings that could possibly relate to a manufacturer on here you can be well assured that the summary of all replies will be a fairly honest reflection of what your gun is potentially worth.

But first things first, you can be the lawful owner of the gun but to have it in your possession you need a licence. Sparks' advice is sound when it comes to that...bring it to a gundealer and let your local Gardai know what you're at. Although you will still be in possession of a firearm while on your way to the dealer Gardai in general tend to be very accommodating in situations like yours.

Qprmeath · 10-02-2012 12:28pm

http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/detail.php?NewGunID=110615155604008

Seems to be one of these. Only words I can find on it are Shadow, Made in Japan and 2 and 3/4 gauge.

lee70 · 10-02-2012 12:46pm

Qprmeath wrote: »

http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/detail.php?NewGunID=110615155604008

Seems to be one of these. Only words I can find on it are Shadow, Made in Japan and 2 and 3/4 gauge.

Licence it for yourself you'll have great crack with it.

mrbrianj · 10-02-2012 3:27pm

Don't be too quick to give a gun away, 25 years old is still only a baby in shotgun terms. My own one is over 70, and worth more than a brand new entry level shotgun.

It would be a pain to find out that holland and holland or purdy had a "shadow" range of shotguns.

All the rfd's I know are sound, decent guys that don't spoof---- but so are all the car dealers I know.

FISMA · 11-02-2012 2:41am

Qprmeath wrote: »

My father died recently. He was a shotgun owner. I want to get rid of his gun safely and without any messing. .

Qprmeath,
Sorry for your loss.

You could always practice a random act of kindess - a sort of pay it forward moment.

With the economy the way it is, I am sure you could make some young fella's dream come true who does not have a shot gun with a giveaway.

Indeed, you could probably make some auld fella's day as well!

If it were my gun, I would much rather it go to someone that was going to appreciate it and take care of it, than become a wall hanger, put beyond use, or go to the highest bidder.

Make someone's day.

cookimonster · 11-02-2012 10:30pm

Sorry for your loss,

I was in the similar situation early in 2011 when my Father passed away, the only differnce is I was a
Licensed gun owner, any hoo I went to my local Garda Station and told them of the situation and that it was my Dads wish for me to pass it on to my sons. There was no issue at all with me getting the gun changed over. So have a go.

Having said this let me recant a more recent story. My wife recently decided that she was not going to renew her gun licence next year and I jumped on the opportunity to help finance a new project. She filled in a FAC 2, allowing me to trade it against another gun. Basically she cancelled her licence and it went to a Gun Dealer all legal like.

There is a section on the form that deals with the reason of cancelation ‘deceased’
As with the other members I would act fast but think strong about licensing into the family.
http://www.garda.ie/Documents/User/FCA2 Firearm Certificate Amendment or Cancellation Form[1].pdf

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Handing in an unwanted gun?

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