Stalking Buddy's Death- Advice

[ShootyBang]

Hey folks, I have just learned my good friend and stalking buddy has died, heart attack in his early 50s. His wife called me, of course in bits. I'm a bit cut up too, he's been a good friend.

But we have some work to do. The police have taken his guns into holding, and his wife has asked me to please sort them and the ammunition out for her. Does anyone have any general advice or guidance on this issue? Beyond his shotguns, he has two stalking rifles and a few rimfires.

I own weapons/am licensed for all the natures of ammunition that he holds, but no slots on certificate.

 

[Heym SR20]

i would pick the phone up to the police and explain that you are acting on behalf of the wife. Arrange a section 7 temp permit to allow you to take the guns into your possession as part of probate and ultimate disposal to family and friends or to be sold.

The police are well used to dealing with these sorts of happenings.

 

[Pedro]

The ammo is fairly easy if you can possess the same calibres. Just take possession. They'll need entered on your certificate, which would normally be done by the seller/giver but obviously he can't do that. Ask the police, but something like entering them yourself (or the police doing it when you collect them) and include a sentence explaining would probably be the answer, but be guided by what they say. Also obviously offer something to his wife for them if you intend keeping them. The police can and may give you a form allowing you to possess the rifles temporarily, but not to use them, pending them being sold. (A S7 permit). As for the shotguns, again, with the agreement of his wife (or possibly his executor if different) you could take possession of them pending selling. Of course all this supposes that you have the required cabinet space and they'd need to be entered onto your shotgun cert. As an alternative, all the firearms could be lodged with a RFD, who might take them in for a (no doubt paltry) price, or offer to sell them for a commission. Should you want to buy any of his rifles, then you'd need to apply for a variation and all that entails.

However, do cover yourself and have the agreement of the wife/executor in writing for all your actions.

Sorry for your and her loss. RIP.

 

[Cyres]

Not advice but I thought the police could issue a conditional licence to his wife to enable her to keep the weapons prior to disposal.
How did the police hear of his death and how come they have got his weapons. Did they break into the cabinets?
Surely they will have taken the ammunition as well?
You would be advised to seek advice from his shooting organisation.
ID

 

[Rake Aboot]

Police should not have taken them, they should have issued a section 7 , that’s what they are for
Ask for guns to be returned with said cert, then deal with them.

 

[ShootyBang]

Not advice but I thought the police could issue a conditional licence to his wife to enable her to keep the weapons prior to disposal.
How did the police hear of his death and how come they have got his weapons. Did they break into the cabinets?
Surely they will have taken the ammunition as well?
You would be advised to seek advice from his shooting organisation.
ID

Yeah I'm in touch with NGO. I think his wife let them into the cabinets.

 

[Pedro]

Not advice but I thought the police could issue a conditional licence to his wife to enable her to keep the weapons prior to disposal.
How did the police hear of his death and how come they have got his weapons. Did they break into the cabinets?
Surely they will have taken the ammunition as well?
You would be advised to seek advice from his shooting organisation.
ID

It's normal practice for the cops to take firearms when the cert holder dies. That is, until final arrangements are made for them. A S7 permit may well be issued, but that could take time and the police will want to ensure they are being held by a suitable person.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

Hey folks, I have just learned my good friend and stalking buddy has died, heart attack in his early 50s. His wife called me, of course in bits. I'm a bit cut up too, he's been a good friend.

But we have some work to do. The police have taken his guns into holding, and his wife has asked me to please sort them and the ammunition out for her. Does anyone have any general advice or guidance on this issue? Beyond his shotguns, he has two stalking rifles and a few rimfires.

I own weapons/am licensed for all the natures of ammunition that he holds, but no slots on certificate.

From my personal experience, the police are very good with stuff like this.

Have a chat with them and the wife and see what his wishes (if any were in place)

In my case, the police just made me surrender my farthers cert and they put everything on my cert to deal with.

Your alternative is to send the to an rfd who can hold them/sell them on her behalf.

 

[Cyres]

When my uncle died my Aunty was left with his .410. Powys were excellent. Let her keep it until I went up to pick it up. No issues at all.
Good practice for all firearms users to make sure next of kin are aware what happens to their firearms in such circumstances.
In my case mine and my sons are are on each other certs so if either of us pass then ownership/ retaining weapons is not an issue.
D

 

[finnbear270]

This ..
i would pick the phone up to the police and explain that you are acting on behalf of the wife. Arrange a section 7 temp permit to allow you to take the guns into your possession as part of probate and ultimate disposal to family and friends or to be sold.

The police are well used to dealing with these sorts of happenings.

 

[HonestJohn]

Could also be it’s easier for the wife to just surrender them permanently to the police if there’s not much value - done and dusted.

 

[finnbear270]

Just wondering wether the guns were locked up & how they were removed.

 

[cjm1066]

Section 7 allows you to possess. You can keep them at his house if needed as wife won't have key to cabinet.

My section 7 was 3 months, we moved them to RFD to go to the auction.

 

[John Gryphon]

@kimh

 

[Jimboblincs2]

Contact Fox firearms at diggle, he does a lot of this type of clearance

 

[8x57]

This ..
i would pick the phone up to the police and explain that you are acting on behalf of the wife. Arrange a section 7 temp permit to allow you to take the guns into your possession as part of probate and ultimate disposal to family and friends or to be sold.

The police are well used to dealing with these sorts of happenings.

As you say finnbear it's a fairly common occurrence and in my experience something that the police deal with compassionately.
The police don't want to store other people's firearms and ammunition in their usually quite limited space armoury and are only too happy for them to be stored by some other responsible person with the necessary authority be it family member, friend or RFD.

 

[M@tt]

...I think his wife let them into the cabinets.

Just wondering wether the guns were locked up & how they were removed.

This might be the answer.

 

[ShootyBang]

Could also be it’s easier for the wife to just surrender them permanently to the police if there’s not much value - done and dusted.

Nah mate, my buddy Steve did not **** around. He was a man with a decent income and a taste for good things. His stalking rig is in the multiple thousands for the scopes alone.

 

[ShootyBang]

As you say finnbear it's a fairly common occurrence and in my experience something that the police deal with compassionately.
The police don't want to store other people's firearms and ammunition in their usually quite limited space armoury and are only too happy for them to be stored by some other responsible person with the necessary authority be it family member, friend or RFD.

I'm going to see his wife tomorrow to have a chat, and I'll get the section 7 with her. Thanks.

 

[Jeff8861]

The police have done nothing wrong. This happens alot when someone dies. Contact the fld they will assist you with various options. No need to waste time and money contacting solicitors etc.