Do you have a "master plan" on what you will do with your guns as you get old?
I am still a relatively young man. Ok, make that, middle-aged man at this point. But, as I look around me, I see a lot of senior citizens moving about...sometimes doing things they can barely do. Like 90 year olds that are still driving.
Now mind you. Everyone is different. I've seen 90 year olds that were better drivers than 60 year olds. A few years back I met a man that was 82 that I actually thought was 60 - he was a businessman and he was THAT sharp.
Never-the-less, I am not sure that my genes are going to allow me to be a robust thinkin 82 year old. So, I've sort of been planning in my head what I will do as I get older; particularly when it comes to my gun collection.
I figure I will start selling all but about 20 of my guns between the ages of 65 and 70. Probably sell my home and move into a senior living community around the same time - just to lighten my load both physically and mentally.
Am I the only one that thinks this way? I just don't want to be 80 years old with diminishing mental capabilities and have all sorts of firearms around me that I may use in an unsafe manner.
Oh, and I am sure I will get a number of "Oh no. Not me. I'll be just fine when I am older.", replies to this. But, I still remember when I graduated from college and was buying business suits for my first real office job. The tailor was leaving room in them to be left out later and he was saying, "You'll need this later on...to let them out...when you gain weight." My reply? "Oh no. Not me. You have to be kidding. Ha ha." Thinking, 'Can't he see that I take good care of myself? I lift weights - workout. I run and jog. That stuff only happens to lazy people". Of course, I've since added 6 inches to my waistline since the day I was being fitted for my suits.
wvhunter1292010-02-02T06:31:47Z
Favorite Answer
I have also given this much thought. My father-in-law is 80 years old and legally considered blind, he can't drive and can't hardly read even with glasses. He has a large gun collection and I wonder what he is going to do. He won't talk about getting a will made or anything, he just says this gun goes to so and so and this one to so and so.
Well I have been there done that with my mother when she passed away. If there is no will made then your wishes might not get done. That was the way with my mother's estate.
So, I have been really considering having a will made and the biggest reason is that I want my firearms to remain in the family. So I want to give my oldest son all of my firearms, except for three of them. I want three particular firearms to go to my youngest son. These three he has admired ever since I got them. He (my yongest son) has his own firearm collection and it pretty much is exactly what I have except for the three that he has admired.
Honestly we all should think about what we have and who we want having it. I hated to see my mom's estate being sold.
Most if not all senior community buildings WILL NOT allow firearms of any kind. Reasons are obvious. Before you or if you are forced to move to a senior home/apt you better have a plan... and Will..... before hand unless you want your guns sold off for money to your heirs.
Depending on your health you may want to have a will made out now in case you sick or have a accident and are killed instantly. If you die tomorrow what will become of your collection that you have worked hard for?
Will them to your kids and give/sell away the ones you don't need when your get old enough.
Will them to someone who will appreciate them and take care of them.
If no one in your family likes or has guns.....sell them all except a HD pistol or shotgun and go enjoy a vacation or move to FL and enjoy life a little where your old bones will fell good in the warm climate or AZ. Both or gun friendly States.
After someone dies the family turns into vultures grabbing what they can. I thought I had a nice family until a few family members died and the house and bank accounts were cleaned out before I got home from the Military because they had no will.
Per will all of my guns will be going to my kids, little lady, family, and friends.
My personal favorites will go to the kids, once they reach suitable age, and provided that they are responsible. They are to be held and maintained by other close family until then.
Other close family members will inherit most others.
More to my friends...Especially one who hunts with a Remington 710. I'll leave him a real rifle.
I have one pistol that I inherited from a friend who was killed, way too young. It will go back to his dad/brother/nephews, whoever is alive and well at the time.
By the time I reach an advanced age this will have seen some changes, more than once, I'm sure. No use leaving guns to other 85 years olds, right?
May this be a long way down the road, for all of us.
I'm 60, and have one grandson, who is 8 years old. I'm hopeful that he gravitates towards the shooting sports, as I'd hate to not pass along my firearms as heirlooms. I have a new in the box K-38 Combat Masterpiece, the first gun issued to me in the Air Force (S&W Model 15), and its never been fired. Its my Vietnam tribute gun. I also have an M-1 Garand that I spent days refinishing the furniture, and its a fine shooter. I bought it as a tribute to my Dad's service in WWII. The rest of my accumulation of guns are fine arms, and they will be his to do with as he wishes. The K-38 and the M-1 will hopefully pass to his children. That's the plan, but as we all know, no plan survives the first obstacle thrown at it. If he doesn't want the guns, I'm gonna sell them and go to Las Vegas for one final splash.
First I need to make sure my parents dont sucker me into selling them and/or go into my safe when I'm not home and pawn them on me using an guilt trip justification so I don't press charges (I have told them I will). Then I have to make sure if I ever get married that they don't force me to sell them. If they tell me to choose there gone. Then introduce my children early if I have any so that when I die they won't just go and sell them all.
But the thing is I'll probably never be married or have kids or even live with someone.