OT Question

I have a off topic question that I needed to get out to our friends in the UK.

I have a friend, who lives here in the States now, who's father recently passed in the Uk and has left him a pile of shotguns/rifles. I have instructed him to obtain the proper documents, if applicable, in his state for legal ownership. An importer is not the issue but rather, the procedure he need to do in the UK. I know he is required to notify the local police and possibly apply for a temp. permit to allow him the access to the firearms to move them to a proper place for storage but can he just move to export them ? Any help in this procedure would be greatly appreciated. I would hate to see such a fine family heirloom go to waste.

You might see if Brian Dick can help as he does imports and exports all over.

---------- Post added at 06:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:01 AM ----------

He might have some useful pointers, or IF you have an importer already queued up, talk to them...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SpikeDD

I have a off topic question that I needed to get out to our friends in the UK.

I have a friend, who lives here in the States now, who's father recently passed in the Uk and has left him a pile of shotguns/rifles. I have instructed him to obtain the proper documents, if applicable, in his state for legal ownership. An importer is not the issue but rather, the procedure he need to do in the UK. I know he is required to notify the local police and possibly apply for a temp. permit to allow him the access to the firearms to move them to a proper place for storage but can he just move to export them ? Any help in this procedure would be greatly appreciated. I would hate to see such a fine family heirloom go to waste.

---

First question: in whose possession are the rifles & shotguns now? If the deceased dad was the licence holder, then the weapons will now have to be either with an RFD (registered firearms dealer) for safekeeping, or the Police. If its the Police, the weapons may already be scrap, depending upon the circumstances of the case.

Second question: if the firearms still exist, is ownership proven by an executed will or other document? If not, the firearms will not be going anywhere.

If the weapons are in the possession of an RFD, then they should simply be passed to a specialist firearms exporter/freight forwarder. There are a few that specialise in the (careful) packing of guns for export.

For a non-resident foreigner to try and get a temporary certificate to hold the weapons is probably going to be very complicated and time-consuming, even if its possible. Normally, temporary certs are issued to those bringing guns into the country on a temporary basis (eg sportsmen). I have to confess I do not know about temporary certification to acquire and export guns.

Hello thunderbox and Jmoore... thanks for your input.

The firearms were willed to his son, my friend, by order of a executed will and they are currently where they have been for the last 50+ years... in a safe room at the residence. I guess the question now is, can he move them to a RFD for safe keeping until export can be arranged ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SpikeDD

Hello thunderbox and Jmoore... thanks for your input.

The firearms were willed to his son, my friend, by order of a executed will and they are currently where they have been for the last 50+ years... in a safe room at the residence. I guess the question now is, can he move them to a RFD for safe keeping until export can be arranged ?

---

O.k. first of all, the firearms are not legally stored right now - they have to be in the possession of someone authorised to hold them. The Police will seize them as soon as they discover that the former licence-holder is deceased. Whoever still lives at the address is technically in illegal possession of firearms, which is - again technically - a mandatory five years jail term. Even the act of moving the firearms to an RFD after a period of time has elapsed can be treated harshly by the courts. If this all sounds unreasonable - plenty of people have been prosecuted in these circumstances.

The best option is to quickly contact a suitable local RFD and get him to come over, collect the firearms and any ammunition, and provide a receipt.

Whereabouts in UK are the firearms? We may be able to give you a lead on a suitable RFD.

Hello Thunderbox... I will collect all the information asap and private message you the details. I very much appreciate your assistance.

Spike/TB,

If its in my neck of the woods let me know, my storage is full (as from today) but an RFD at my club would help out.