[QUOTE=Broomstick]
If I were you I’d go to my local gun shop or gun range (we have several in the area) and say something like:
“I am not currently a gun owner but my father is thinking of leaving me his collection when he passes away - can you direct me to information about relevant laws, and also how to properly care for, store, and use these firearms?”
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Caveat: the quality and bredth of knowledge about firearm laws, and indeed often the value and technical aspects of firearms by gun store clerks is highly variable. Don’t take anything you are told without a few grains of salt. Check the is Minnesota statutes (Chapter 624) pertaining to firearms and explosives, and NRA-ILA provides a reasonable comprehensive summary of state and federal firearms statutes with regard to ownership, transfer, and transportation.
[QUOTE=Argent Towers]
Of course you’re not too old to go to a gun safety course. Lots of people do it. Your local police department may have one.
Remember these gun safety rules. Recently I broke rule number three (in a photo I had posted) and boy did I hear it from the gun guys here. It won’t happen again. If you have kids, you should probably lock the guns up in a safe, I guess. I don’t have kids so someone who does will surely be along to give you better advice on how to ensure the safety of your kids.
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I completely agree with Argent Towers that if you have not had a gun safety course and were not otherwise instructed in safe firearm handling while growing up you would be well advised to take such a course, and furthermore enroll your children (and other adult household members if they’ll permit) in the same when they are of appropriate age. Even if you intend to keep firearms secured in a safe (highly recommended) it is still advisable that children understand appropriate and safe handling of firearms in any incidence where they encounter them, either at home or otherwise. The first rule with children and guns, of course, is that they should not handle them without adult supervision, and should go inform an adult if they find an unsecured firearm. The NRA used to have a very good child safety program (including videos and coloring books) that are inexpensive and appropriate for small children; I assume they still offer this, though it’s been a long time since I’ve been involved in firearm instruction. (And Argent Towers, you can officially stop beating yourself up about the previous incident now.)
Beyond this, you should consider a marksmanship or hunter safety course to learn more about operation, maintenance, and field handling of firearms, if this is in your interest. If you want to sell firearms I would consult a competent gunsmith or knowledgeable gun enthusiast to get an honest apprasial of condition and value before going to a gun seller. Airman Doors is correct that most sellers will not give you full value on them versaus a private sale, so bear that in consideration.
[QUOTE=DrDeth]
Yes, get trigger locks. No don’t put them in glass cases. Get either a gun safe (in which case you don’t need trigger locks) or hide them under the bed or somewhere. *Where *being someplace dry and without kids.
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I agree that you should not store them in display cases unless the cases themselves are secure and not visible to the general public; however, I wouldn’t store them “under the bed” where they’ll attract dust and provide nesting for spiders. A good safe (as described by GaryM) is the best option, but may not be practical for you; a locking metal cabinet is adequate for a house with smaller children and responsible teenagers but won’t keep out a determined effort. Trigger locks and cables are really only adequate for transportation in my opinion, as they can be defeated really easily. The wafer tumbler key locks on cheap cabinets and trigger locks can be easily bypassed by a locksmith or experienced amateur lock hacker, so loosing the keys isn’t really a concern. Modern combination lock safes, on the other hand, pretty much need to be drilled out if you lose the combo, so bear that in mind. If you aren’t going to store them in a safe at least store them in gun cases to prevent accrual of dust and incidental moisture.
For long term storage, the metal parts of the gun should be lightly oiled with a non-petrol lubricant (no WD-40, in which the volitiles will evaporate leaving a hygroscopic residue; use some kind of spray Teflon lubricant) and the wooden stocks should be rubbed with linseed oil or some other wood preservative annually to prevent drying and cracking. Firearms should always be field-stripped and thoroughly cleaned after use, especially if they’re going to be stored thereafter.
Stranger