How You Can Safely Dispose of Used Firearms

By Ready to Fire News On May 21, 2018

What do you do with a firearm that is old, broken down or can no longer safely be fired? Obviously, you don’t want to simply toss a gun in the trashcan, but what can you do instead?

Working guns can often be sold to a gunsmith, but a non-working gun is worth little to nothing. Despite this, rusty weapons can still cause damage in the wrong hands or if left lying around.

The safe and responsible thing to do is to determine how to safely get rid of a gun that is no longer being used. Not surprisingly, walking up to your local police station and offering to hand over the gun could have some unintended consequences, so tread carefully!

Consider the Type of Gun

Is the firearm you want to dispose of one that has some sort of historical value, such as from the Civil War or other ages-ago battles? If so, you may wish to donate it to a local historical society or museum for display.

Even if your weapon is legally registered (to you!) you may have some difficulty selling them at a gun show or other large venue. You may have better luck with a local gun store, but it can still be challenging considering that the guns could potentially have a background of which you’re unaware. The response is likely to be quite different to a small handgun that is generally used for personal protection versus an AR-15, for instance.

Voluntary Surrender

One option is always voluntary surrender to the police. Many police departments throughout the country have a day several times a year when you can bring in firearms for disposal, no questions asked.

If this isn’t happening in your area anytime soon, there are some considerations before turning your guns into the police. Have your guns always been in your possession, and you legally licensed to have them? If you are not, there may be some uncomfortable questions. Also, you will want to contact the police station before bringing the guns in. Walking into a police station with a bag full of guns — even with the best of intentions — is unlikely to end well for you.

Upcycling Your Weapon

According to the government’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), making a gun permanently inoperable means that it technically is no longer a firearm. One of the key ways of doing this is to fusion weld the barrel to the frame and fill the chamber with cement. Once this has been completed, you’re free to upcycle your weapon and create some fascinating works of art!

Make a commemorative plaque or a neat lamp from your used firearm and you can safely keep it in your home without fear of reprisal.

It is important to know how to safely dispose of aging firearms. Having these weapons around the house in a broken condition can be even more dangerous than having a fully-working gun as they could discharge prematurely or accidentally. Follow these guidelines and always use appropriate gun safety measures!

~ Ready to Fire News