How to transfer?

[chutestrate]

I lost my best friend to suicide. Now I am going to take possession of his guns which would be a transfer from Va to Pa. I talked to my lgs, and they were all about transferring ffl to ffl. I think if I provide a bill of sale to be signed by one of his sons that would suffice. I would take possession in person. Does anyone have an opinion or better advice?

[Recycled bullet]

Please contact a lawyer as all the rules may have changed. Virginia recently approved democrat style draconian gun control.

[muskeg13]

Any possibility of driving down there and picking them up in person without having to go through an FFL?

[Balrog006]

Any possibility of driving down there and picking them up in person without having to go through an FFL?

IIRC interstate transfers (VA to PA) would require FFL to FFL to satisfy Federal Law.

[Shiloh]

FFL to FFL.

Last time I had it done, it was $25 per rifle, state to state. Shop your FFL people to find a fair price. Some can get exhorbitant.

Shiloh

[Delkal]

IIRC interstate transfers (VA to PA) would require FFL to FFL to satisfy Federal Law.

I believe this to be the case too. And in PA ALL handguns have to go thru an FFL unless you are immediate family. Only spouse, kids, parent, grandparent and I don't think in laws count.

[muskeg13]

I don't believe this is correct. It might for a purchase from a licensed dealer, but not for a gift from one private party to another private party. I know nothing of PA law, but firearms aren't individually registered in VA yet. I brought back several firearms from my late father's estate in VA to AK a few years ago. The only problem was the TSA bitches at Richmond International Airport who did their best to pry into the hard sided case secured by 4 locks to say it wasn't adequate. This wasn't a legal application of the law or federal transport regulations, and when I questioned their activity, they backed off and said I needed to buy a better gun case next time. BS! I read the regs before hand and told them they could saw into the case to get to the guns, but that's not what the federal requirement states. PA laws may require FFL transfers, but VA-AK did not if done in person.

[jonp]

A private transfer with a bill of sale is fine as long as both states allow the private transfer of firearms without involving an FFL. What does your state law say? The FFL should know and even though it might look like they are drumming up business they probably are trying to save you any heartache in the future. For example, if the selling party or his estate transfers a firearm to you and it is stolen, recovered and discovered by police to have been stolen by someone who sold it to your friend and then was transferred to you are you in possession of stolen property? Are the cops in your state that hardcore that they would go after you even though it's clearly not your fault? Personally, depending on the worth of the firearms I'd just let an FFL handle it.

My home state doesn't or didn't, not sure about now, require an FFL be involved and I bought a number of firearms off people with no problems. Now, I'm not sure if I would unless I personally knew them and where the firearm came from. If they had bought it off someone else I'm not sure I'd go near it.

[schutzen-jager]

if they were left to you in a will, by federal law you can take possession of them across state lines as long as a state statue does not forbid it -

[JimB..]

Sorry for the loss of your friend.
More details about the nature of the transfer will help.
Are you inheriting the guns from his estate or are you buying them from his estate?
Note that a bill of sale for unregistered assets between private parties isn’t worth anything.
Is transporting them yourself an option?

[Daver7]

Get a lawyer, I’ve never trusted free legal advice.

[Delkal]

Get a lawyer, I’ve never trusted free legal advice.

This. But just paying an FFL for the transfers is probably cheaper. The federal law is clear that two unrelated individuals in different states can not trade firearms without an FFL. Estates and immediate family members are exempt but you would have to be listed in his will. Private transfers within the same state are allowed federally but then it will depend on your state laws.

Look on Gunbroker for their list of local FFLs and give them a call. Many will give discounts for multiple transfers and some will accept shipments from non FFLs. This would be the cheapest and easiest option with no risk.

[Delkal]

Thinking about this more shipping is going to cost a lot more than the transfers. If you go to Va often have someone in the family bring the rifles and shotguns to an FFL and they should be able to legally transfer them. You can not do this with handguns though.

You also might be able to have the Va owners to drive them to a Pa FFL. I assume handguns will be OK too.

But obviously clear this with the FFL doing the transfer first. They will know what is legal.