We buy and appraise firearms. Licensed Gun Dealer Serving Maine Since 1997
Estate Firearms Collections Wanted. We buy Guns, Ammo, Militaria, and much more.
Located at 681 Bog Road Hermon, Maine only a few miles from Bangor
Estate Liquidation, Junk Removal and House Cleanout Services in Maine
Estate Liquidations, Home Junk removal or House Cleanout services in Maine are great for getting rid of unwanted items however when firearms, ammo, and other firearm or military related items you should contact a firearms dealer. When you know there are items that could be firearm, military, or hunting related in the residence there is a good chance there are firearms around. It is a good idea to have a trust worthy firearms dealer to come in and look around to see what is there before you call to have someone come to clean the house out. Are those working for the company trust worthy? Are they felons or have other history such as domestic violence that would prohibit them from owner a firearm. Do they hire foreign temporary workers that are not legally able to possess a firearm. Just because they own that business does not prove that they or their workers have a clear back ground such as a firearms dealer would have. Where will the items go once removed. The wrong hands? The firearms are registered to the owner and when the estate is liquidated those firearms will be traced back to the executor of the estate. If a trace is done on a firearm that was used in a crime the ATF will be contacting you. It would not be a good thing if you are accused or being irresponsible and reckless in disposing of the firearms, ammo, or other dangerous items. Sometimes there would be more that one charge one for supplying the gun and one for supplying ammo.
The executor of an estate must follow strict federal and Maine state laws when liquidating firearms. To ensure legal and safe transfer, it is highly recommended to work with a licensed Maine firearms dealer who specializes in estate collections.
Maine firearms laws for estate liquidation
As of August 2024, significant legal updates affect firearm transfers in Maine, including those from an estate.
Background checks for advertised private sales: With limited exceptions, firearms sales or transfers between unlicensed individuals must now be facilitated by a licensed dealer who performs a background check on the buyer.
NFA firearms: Items regulated by the National Firearms Act (NFA), such as automatic weapons and suppressors, have a different, more complex transfer process.
Process for liquidating estate firearms
Secure the firearms: The executor should take control of all firearms, ammunition, and related accessories. Do not allow beneficiaries to take possession of firearms without following proper transfer procedures.
Contact a licensed dealer: A licensed dealer will provide safe and legal assistance for the estate. They offer services for appraisals and purchasing of the firearms.
Get a professional appraisal: For fair market value, a dealer specializing in estate collections can provide a professional appraisal. This is useful for insurance, and probate.
Liquidation of the firearms:
Selling to the dealer: Many dealers will buy the entire collection directly. This offers a quick and safe way to liquidate the guns.
Distribute to beneficiaries: If the will specifies that firearms go to certain beneficiaries, the transfer must still happen preferably through a licensed dealer, who will run a background check on the recipient. Transfers to immediate family members are exempt.
Estate liquidation resources
Maine Gun Buyer and Appraiser: A licensed firearms dealer in Hermon specializing in buying and appraising estate collections.
Maine Gun Dealer / Allsport Performance Inc.: Located in Hermon, this dealer also specializes in estate collections and offers appraisals.
Junk removal services are not designed for handling firearms; you must contact your local firearms dealer or police dept for proper disposal, as firearms are illegal to dispose of in regular trash or with a standard junk removal service. Junk removal companies that offer handle safe removal of items but will not take the firearms inside.
Why You Can't Use a Junk Removal Company for Guns
Safety and Legality:
Disposing of firearms is a dangerous and legally regulated process. Junk removal services are not equipped to handle them, and doing so could create legal liabilities.
Federal Firearms License (FFL)
A junk dealer who occasionally sells items from a personal collection may not need an FFL, but any repetitive buying and selling of firearms for profit requires a license.
Even selling as few as two guns could be considered "engaging in the business" if other factors indicate an intent to profit from dealing.
An FFL requires a background check, fingerprints, and an interview with an ATF agent.
Specific Requirements:
Each firearm requires careful handling and documentation according to state and federal laws.
How to Dispose of a Firearm Legally:
Contact Local Firearms Dealer
Your local firearms dealer is the only one that can provide guidance on the legal disposal of firearms in your area other than law enforcement.
They will take possession of the firearms safely and legally. Dealer with offer you a fair price for the firearms, ammo, or other related items.
An estate executor must handle a deceased person's gun collection by first securing the firearms and identifying any National Firearms Act (NFA) weapons, which require specific ATF handling if unregistered. The executor then must ensure any transfer to a beneficiary is done in compliance with state and federal laws, which often involves using a Federal Firearm License (FFL) dealer for background checks and proper paperwork, or applying for an ATF Form 5 for registered NFA items. They must also verify beneficiaries are not federally prohibited from owning firearms and must not transfer prohibited weapons.
1. Secure the Firearms and Identify NFA Items
Secure the collection:
The executor must immediately secure the firearms to prevent theft or misuse.
Identify NFA weapons:
Determine if any National Firearms Act (NFA) weapons, such as fully automatic weapons, silencers, or short-barreled rifles, are part of the collection.
Unregistered NFA weapons: If unregistered NFA weapons are found, they are contraband and cannot be passed to an heir.
Registered NFA weapons: These must be transferred to the beneficiary using an ATF Form 5, Application for Tax Exempt Transfer and Registration of Firearm.
2. Transferring Non-NFA Firearms
Use a licensed FFL dealer:
The safest method for transferring non-NFA firearms is to go through a licensed FFL dealer.
The process:
The FFL dealer will purchase the firearms, facilitate the transfer, handle the necessary background checks for the intended recipient, and complete the required paperwork.
3. Comply with Federal and State Laws
Prohibited persons:
The executor must not transfer any firearm to someone who is federally prohibited from owning one. Categories of prohibited persons include those with felony convictions, domestic violence convictions, and certain mental health issues.
State-specific laws:
Firearms laws vary significantly by state, so the executor must be aware of and adhere to the specific laws of the state where the decedent lived.
Documentation:
The executor will likely need to provide documents such as a copy of the will, the death certificate, and proof of their authority as an executor to the FFL dealer or to the ATF.
Professional appraisers:
For valuable or rare firearms, it's wise to engage professional appraisers to ensure the collection is valued correctly and receives a fair price, especially if it needs to be sold.
You are welcome to bring any firearms, ammunition, military related items ( helmets, bayonets, ordnance, war trophies, and more ), knives, swords, hunting or reloading items here or we can come to you.
We will come and process what is on the property and conduct a safe removal of any firearms, ammunition, or other potentially dangerous or regulated items.
This will give you peace of mind that even though some items may or may not be valuable they will be in the right hands.
The owner also have a broad range of knowledge about antiques, signage, memorabilia, toys, powersports, tools, and much more. We are located in Hermon, Maine only 3 miles from Bangor!
A.P. Inc. Maine Gun Dealer / Maine Gun Buyer
681 Bog Road
Hermon, Maine 04401
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