If the owner of handguns dies, what does one need to do to legally transfer them to heirs, if anything?
Iowa Handgun Laws
- Thread starter 1100011CS
- Start date
The will should be enough to transfer ownership. Next step would be to find out if there are any restrictions on the heir to be in possession of a firearm. After that, find out and comply with gun ownership laws. The heir's county sheriff's office would be a good place to start.
Bury it with the owner. They may need it for protection in the next world. Besides, you won’t be able to pry it from their cold dead hands.
Yah, they aren't purchasing them. Unless I'm missing something.
In Iowa, there are only 2 permits for handguns ... a permit to purchase (which applies to purchases from dealers), and a permit to carry.
There is no permit for simply owning a handgun, and there is no federal or state mandatory registry (yet ...).
You can keep an handgun in your house without any type of anything. Having said that, it would probably be a good idea for the heir to get a permit to carry even if not planning on carrying, just to show that his/her intent was to follow the law if it ever had to be used.
There is no permit for simply owning a handgun, and there is no federal or state mandatory registry (yet ...).
You can keep an handgun in your house without any type of anything. Having said that, it would probably be a good idea for the heir to get a permit to carry even if not planning on carrying, just to show that his/her intent was to follow the law if it ever had to be used.
Agreed. I have a CCP and have never carried my entire life and probably never will.
What state? Some state have statues about this, mostly to prevent/control transfer to felons and such but if it's Iowa or Minnesota than there's no restriction I know of. Illinois has some restrictions.
Any probate lawyer would know the rules for the state or if estate involved heirs from another state. It's their job, they are getting paid so ask them. For me in Minnesota from my parents estate in Iowa it was not even mentioned.
So if I were to ever move to Iowa with everything that I already own, I don't need to get a permit or anything, just if I were to buy one after I moved there? How does the permit to purchase work anyway?
Just amused myself by thinking about what I'd put down for "purchase" or "origin" for some guns I inherited if anything like that was ever required. German Ortgies .32 ACP, won by dad in poker game in WWII. German 8mm G-43, picked up on Normandy battlefield June 1944. Two Mausers, assembled by teen me in the 1960's from parts that Polish slave labor (gun factory) guys gave my dad in 1945 after they provided them food. The origin stories made me chuckle. 
Correct, you wouldn't need anything if you move here with them.
Permit to purchase puts you thru a background check, other than that I don't know.
And there are a number of posters on CF that shouldn't go through a background check....
Ya those are the 2 I meant I should've worded it differently....but I dont think there ever will be a registry
Great point about how the laws vary depending on where you live. I was surprised that when I moved to Omaha I had to register my guns.
Not sure I would trust a probate lawyer to be up to date on gun ownership laws. Especially if it involves some weapons that require a federal license to possess or the heir has a legal history that would restrict his right to possess the weapons. Not really his speciality.
Best to check with your county sheriff's office. They usual run the concealed weapons permitting system. They would be your best source of information so you know how to avoid any future problems. May want to check with the sheriff's office of the deceased's county as well just in case you need the lawyer update any registrations there as well.
JealousJust amused myself by thinking about what I'd put down for "purchase" or "origin" for some guns I inherited if anything like that was ever required. German Ortgies .32 ACP, won by dad in poker game in WWII. German 8mm G-43, picked up on Normandy battlefield June 1944. Two Mausers, assembled by teen me in the 1960's from parts that Polish slave labor (gun factory) guys gave my dad in 1945 after they provided them food. The origin stories made me chuckle.
