I am the personal representative of an estate and someone seems to have stolen all of the guns...

[Hepburn]

...all are legal and registered.

Where do I start? This was just discovered and the person appears to have taken them out of state. We are talking thousands of dollars worth of guns. And...don't ask about them...I have no clue about what kind, etc. Value, however, is somewhere around $50K to $75K.

[Hepburn]

1. PS

I have been told that the person intends to sell the guns. Would be done in the State of Utah...I think.

[mercuryblues]

2. report it to

the police. I would rather the chips falling than bullets.
If a person would steal, they won't care who they sell weapons to.

[DURHAM D]

3. Was the person an heir? nt

[Hepburn]

5. No

He was nominated at the executor of the estate and had access to the guns and took them.

[DURHAM D]

8. I am confused.

Executor of an Estate is sometimes referred to as Personal Representative. Who is actually in charge at this point?

[Hepburn]

14. I am

I am the administratrix with will annex = personal rep of the decedent.

[1StrongBlackMan]

4. Yes ...

contact the police immediately.

As the personal rep to the estate, you have a fiduciary responsibility to provide a complete and accurate accounting of the estate's assets, and to distribute them according to the wishes of the decedent. Failure to do so, could expose you to liability.

A police report is evidence that you met your responsibility with respect to the missing guns.

Good Luck

[Hepburn]

6. I inherited the entire estate.

Question I have: Is there a federal gun registry where I can pull up all the guns registered to the decedent?

[DURHAM D]

9. You need to talk to your attorney.

Sounds like theft to me.

[1StrongBlackMan]

11. Great advice. eom.

[1StrongBlackMan]

10. I'm not aware of any Federal Registry ...

in fact, I doubt there is ... based on the gun control fight and the right's objection to the creation of one.

However, and to be blunt ... the question you have to answer is "Am I okay with this person (however it was) stealing from me?" because removing assets of an estate before probate, is theft.

A second consideration is whether the remaining assets (when liquidated) are enough to settle the creditor accounts. If not, you may not have a choice, but (to protect yourself) to contact L/E.

[Hepburn]

13. I thought guns had to be registered...

...and I wrong? This took place in CA. So is this a state registration?

[1StrongBlackMan]

15. I believe any registration is at the County or Municipal level ...

and I don't think there is inter-state reciprocity (sharing).

[Hepburn]

16. Thanks...

...I have a pal that is a police detective in the county where the guns were registered and taken and my first call tomorrow AM is to her!

[1StrongBlackMan]

17. Good Business. eom.

[Hepburn]

7. BTW: Thanks for the info

I know less than -0- about guns and registering them, etc.

[aikoaiko]

12. There is no federal database, but the deceased may have insured them

And reported make, model, and serial number. The deceased may have recorded the information in his records.

and yes talk to your lawyer and police.

[flamin lib]

18. It sounds like the estate MAY have been a Curio and Relic collector.

If so contact the BATF&E immediately. Shit, contact them anyway!

A C&R license is a form of federal firearms dealer and records must be kept and when the license expires must be turned over to the ATF. If there are records they will contain full description, serial number, date of purchase and disposition of the arms.

Call the FEDS NOW!

[Hepburn]

19. wow...thank you

On it right now!

[IronGate]

20. Not only did they steal those firearms,

but they took them across state lines, which is a federal offense.
BATFE and FBI should both be notified.