I have a friend who recently discovered an old .22 cal. revolver in her late father's?

Living in Michigan does make a difference. Michigan has a law requiring a handgun purchase license from your local law enforcement agency. The form must be filled out by both parties (buyer and seller) and then the buyer must take the handgun and his/her copies of the permit to the law enforcement agency for inspection. Here are more details.

http://crime.about.com/od/gunlawsbystate/a/gunlaws...

Yep, most places just go to any legit dealer and sell it.

Unlike what you see on TV in most of the US a gun does not have to be registered.

Take the unladed revolver in a box, with cylinder open, in the trunk of the car to a dealer.

edit:

Your state does not require registration but some cities do.

So no one cares about paper work. If she is the heir she owns the gun and can sell it.

Owning an unregistered handgun in Michigan is an automatic year in jail. The discovery must be reported to to the police immediately!

That’s a really good question. I wouldn’t think she could legally sell it without documentation. Take it to your local PD and ask them. They could run it through AFIS (automated firearm system) and get the history. Just be sure to box it unload with the chamber opened.

Storage or not, it is not as you know of registered.

Take the serial number and Model number of the weapon to see if it had been registered, if not you now have the numbers to do so.

I would take it to a Gun Shop and see what they say.

My best guess is ask the police on it. Just go down to your local presinct.