Relatives and un-authorized gun sales.

[Rex in OTZ]

I have a question I just found out my 65yro father had sold 3 my gun's without my knowing about it, one them was a all original Marlin & Son's mfg Ballards model #5 in 45-70 (Pacific?), the other was a Winchester model1400 12ga shot gun. I dont think i can call issue when relatives are involved??
I thought I could have trusted my father, but now know better.

[rickyp]

why not find out who he sold them to and go to them and explain to them they bout a firearm that was sold illegally, I hope you have proof that they where yours

[woodchukhntr]

Does your father know now that they were your guns?  If so, he and you need to contact the buyers and explain the situation and ask to buy them back.

[1marty]

When I came from from the service my dad sold 2 of my guns. Browning sweet 16 and a win 94. He told me since he gave them to me he had a right to sell them!! I chalked it up to his senility in his old age or possibly he didn't think I'd return from Vietnam. Didn't really matter, I still loved him.

[Hairtrigger]

WOW
I am assuming the guns were not in your posession? Had you been asked to get them out of his house?
This is a sticky situation
Good luck

[Rex in OTZ]

No for the last year he has been hooked on one them offshore lottery scams, since then has gone plumb dingey, cleaned out the joint savings,and checking, maxed out a charge card and in the last 11 months has been pretty belligerant to my siblings and Mom (working her butt off to pay bills) I had forgotten bout the rifle.
The shotgun was a gift from him on my 15th B-day, had been in a guncabinet In my bedroom upstairs at the home place for the last 21 years, Dad has his own guncabinet and guns, the Marlin Mfg Ballard #5 was a investment for my Oldest boy (tuition) I guess that was a mistake leaving that stuff there since he had never display'd any this behaviour before.
Shucks this guy just dig out all the scrap metal by the shop and sold it for gas money from what my relatives said, I can choose to let this slide but he did Lie to me about what he did and that just makes it worse.
as the guy that seen it & told me has nothing to gain either way from this It just dident seem right and he let me know.

[Winter Hawk]

Geez Rex, you have my sympathy.  It sounds like a gambling addiction for sure!  That's the reason why so many states used to keep out the casinos, etc.  Now their governments just see taxes coming in and don't care about the lives which are ruined.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox.  It is your decision what to do.  You can contact the authorities and try to get the guns back, or your can ignore it for the sake of family piece.  If he is making life hell for your mom and the rest of the family, your turning him in could be what he needs to straighten up.  It will probably make an end to your relationship with him, though.  On the other hand, if you do nothing, he knows what he did which will also put a strain on the relationship.

Again, you have my sympathy.  You have a tough decision to make here!

-Kees-

[okieshooter]

Different deal but I know a guy here that his son sold every gun he ( the father) owned. Dad actually tried to press charges in order to get the guns back. Since the son was still a minor the father was responsible for his actions so to get his guns back he would have actually been risking going to jail himself. It was a pretty crappy deal for him and he lost them all.

Good luck.