"Passing on", or "going to Heaven", or "departing" or whatever we call it, it will happen to all of us. So a couple of things to think about, now, while we still can.
Let your heir(s) know what guns you have and their approximate value. If you don't feel comfortable giving someone a list ("I scrimped and saved, while you bought all these guns...") leave it in an envelope in your safe deposit box. We might not want to admit it, but some folks will try to "rip off" a widow who does not know the value of an inherited collection. ("I like that Colt Paterson, Suzie, and I'll give you $100 for it", says your "old buddy".) Update the value every year or so.
If you have NFA items (machineguns, short barrel rifles, silencers, etc.) that are registered, get copies of the ATF Form 5 (non-tax transfer) and fill out the weapon information, so your executor knows what you have and can legally get them transferred to your heir. If you have unregistered NFA items or other illegal stuff, clue someone in so they will know and not get into trouble. If they choose to keep the stuff and say nothing, that is their business, as you are no longer around. If they turn it in, it still is their business. Don't stick your heir with big trouble or even jail time because you didn't look ahead.
On all guns, but especially registered NFA stuff, make sure your heir/executor knows everything is legal so they don't panic and turn it over to the police when they could have gotten a lot of money out of a legal sale.
Just some thoughts about that thing we don't want to think about called dying.
Jim
Let your heir(s) know what guns you have and their approximate value. If you don't feel comfortable giving someone a list ("I scrimped and saved, while you bought all these guns...") leave it in an envelope in your safe deposit box. We might not want to admit it, but some folks will try to "rip off" a widow who does not know the value of an inherited collection. ("I like that Colt Paterson, Suzie, and I'll give you $100 for it", says your "old buddy".) Update the value every year or so.
If you have NFA items (machineguns, short barrel rifles, silencers, etc.) that are registered, get copies of the ATF Form 5 (non-tax transfer) and fill out the weapon information, so your executor knows what you have and can legally get them transferred to your heir. If you have unregistered NFA items or other illegal stuff, clue someone in so they will know and not get into trouble. If they choose to keep the stuff and say nothing, that is their business, as you are no longer around. If they turn it in, it still is their business. Don't stick your heir with big trouble or even jail time because you didn't look ahead.
On all guns, but especially registered NFA stuff, make sure your heir/executor knows everything is legal so they don't panic and turn it over to the police when they could have gotten a lot of money out of a legal sale.
Just some thoughts about that thing we don't want to think about called dying.
Jim