Inherited a Suicide Gun - Page 2

armsmaster270 · January 1, 2014, 04:00 AM

As posted the gun reminds me of the good times. He once said when he was healthy "If I get to where I can't take care of myself, I'll take care of myself" and he did.

Rifleman1776 · January 1, 2014, 09:27 AM

I answered "use it".
But, really, that is a personal decision. If you have qualms, sell it.

shortwave · January 1, 2014, 11:38 AM

Totally a personal call.

ChasingWhitetail91 · January 1, 2014, 11:42 AM

As long as it reminds you of the good times shared with him i'd keep it as an heirloom, but as everyone else has said it is a very personal choice. Sorry for your loss buddy.

Omaha-BeenGlockin · January 1, 2014, 12:51 PM

One of my guns was used in a suicide---I told the cops to keep it and destroy it.

I could no longer be the proud owner and didn't feel right letting someone else have it.

That's all I'm going to say on the subject.

Peace

Pahoo · January 1, 2014, 03:01 PM

As stated before; hard call to make and very personal. At this time, one thing that I can safely say, is that I would not destroy it. I might give it away or sell it but not destroy. ....

Be Safe !!!

Mainah · January 1, 2014, 07:02 PM

I can't think of anything helpful but follow your gut. And I'm very sorry for your loss. My favorite uncle shot himself after running out of treatment options for his cancer. The gun was destroyed.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · January 1, 2014, 10:30 PM

FWIW: Bad karma that rifle carry's to its next owner. You are aware of its past history. Don't sell it. >Destroy it.

orangello · January 2, 2014, 04:45 PM

The firearm did not make the mistake, so I would not blame it, myself. I can understand how it could cause uncomfortable memories for you, though.

Were it me, I would keep it if I liked it or sell it if I didn't like it or perhaps give it to a friend in need of a firearm with an explanation and option to pass.

Skans · January 2, 2014, 05:29 PM

Quote:

FWIW: Bad karma that rifle carry's to its next owner. You are aware of its past history. Don't sell it. >Destroy it.

Don't destroy it. And, please don't attribute a "soul" or spiritual being to a hunk of steel. I can understand not wanting a gun that a family member used to kill him/herself - that is completely understandable. Just sell it.

FWIW, I lived in a murder-suicide house for about 7 years. The husband/wife that died in it weren't related to me, so I had no feelings about it one way or another, other than it was a tragic event. And, the house didn't have any "bad karma", ghosts, spirits, demons, angels or anything spooky in it either.

Jaykwish · January 2, 2014, 06:31 PM

A gun is a tool no more no less I would have no issue with keeping it.

Dc777 · January 2, 2014, 07:55 PM

It depends on what you want to do. Your asking a bunch of strangers what to do when we don't know the whole story and obviously we have no connection to the deceased. Lets talk about the " destroying it option" though. If the person that committed suicide had $10,000 in his or her possession when it took place and you inherited the $10k, would you consider lighting the money on fire and destroying it? A gun has a monetary value on it, period!

Microgunner · January 2, 2014, 08:04 PM

If he/she choked themselves to death with the $10, 000 I would destroy that too.

TXAZ · January 2, 2014, 09:36 PM

If you are uncomfortable with it, sell / donate it. If your not keep it.

CajunBass · January 2, 2014, 09:39 PM

A gun is no more to blame for a suicide than for a murder. We spend how much time telling peole "Guns don't kill people, people kill people."

That's just as true when they kill themselves as when they kill someone else.

And yes, I've had two murder/suicides in my family, so I have first hand experience. I don't have the guns involved, but they wouldn't bother me if I did.

Justice06RR · January 3, 2014, 01:56 AM

Weird scenario...

It will boil down to how comfortable you are with keeping it. If it doesn't bother you at all, then why get rid of it?

On the other hand, if it bothers you or any other family members, then get rid of it.

It really depends on you. I voted to keep it because i'm not easily bothered by such things. YMMV

Double Naught Spy · January 3, 2014, 07:53 AM

My first 1911 was a suicide gun of a loved one. I CCW'd it for a while, but it had target sights that kept grinding into my side. It also had one hell of a hammerbite. It is now a safe queen, but only because of functional reasons, not emotional.

It is a tool, nothing more.

Microgunner · January 3, 2014, 10:17 AM

If my uncle hanged himself I would destroy the rope too, even if it was still a perfectly good rope.
It doesn't have anything to do with guns but rather the implements, any implement, of suicide.

dodge · January 3, 2014, 12:14 PM

I've had two over the years. One was a Winchester Model 1895 kept that one and the other one was a single shot 22 gave that to my brother.

Tinner666 · January 3, 2014, 12:56 PM

Sorry for your loss, but, that said;
Shooting the one my brother shot himself with didn't and doesn't bother me in the least.

Besides, it was him, not the pistol.

Dc777 · January 3, 2014, 04:01 PM

Microgunner- I don't see how someone could choke their self with $10,000 but regardless with a statement like that you must be a millionaire. You could take the $10k to the bank and exchange it, just like the gun in question could be swapped for another. Btw, destroying the money would be a federal offense.

45_auto · January 3, 2014, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by microgunner

If my uncle hanged himself I would destroy the rope too, even if it was still a perfectly good rope.

A rope by itself wouldn't have allowed him to hang himself. Would you also destroy the tree, garage rafter, curtain rod, porch beam, or whatever particular object the other end of the rope was attached to?

If it was a tree, how about the dirt holding the tree up? At what point do you consider enough inanimate objects to be destroyed?

Microgunner · January 3, 2014, 09:42 PM

Following your hypothesis we'd have to destroy the entire universe, seeing how everything is interconnected.
No, I'd be satisfied with just the rope.
It's purely personal, I'm not trying to sway anyone.

mavracer · January 4, 2014, 12:35 AM

I wouldn't keep it around.

SocialAnarchist · January 4, 2014, 01:46 AM

How about this idea. Put a gun lock on it, put it in a case and put it away for a while. That might be a month, a year, 5 years. Then re-evaluate your feelings on it. If you still can't handle having it around dispose of it however you wish.

View Poll Results: What to do?
Sell it to buy another gun.	51	38.64%
Keep it as a family heirloom/keepsake.	13	9.85%
Use it like any other gun.	58	43.94%
Destroy it.	10	7.58%
Voters: 132. You may not vote on this poll

January 1, 2014, 04:00 AM	#26
armsmaster270 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,951	As posted the gun reminds me of the good times. He once said when he was healthy "If I get to where I can't take care of myself, I'll take care of myself" and he did. __________________ http://www.armsmaster.net-a.googlepages.com http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/f...aster270/Guns/ Retired LE, M.P., Sr. M.P. Investigator F.B.I. Trained Rangemaster/Firearms Instructor & Armorer, Presently Forensic Document Examiner for D.H.S.

January 1, 2014, 11:42 AM	#29
ChasingWhitetail91 Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 336	As long as it reminds you of the good times shared with him i'd keep it as an heirloom, but as everyone else has said it is a very personal choice. Sorry for your loss buddy. __________________ Abraham Lincoln made all men free, Samuel Colt made them equal.

January 1, 2014, 12:51 PM	#30
Omaha-BeenGlockin Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2001 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 1,183	One of my guns was used in a suicide---I told the cops to keep it and destroy it. I could no longer be the proud owner and didn't feel right letting someone else have it. That's all I'm going to say on the subject. Peace __________________ I take the leech that's bleeding me Can't stop to save my soul I take the leash that's leading me -------Metallica

January 1, 2014, 03:01 PM	#31
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	I would not destroy As stated before; hard call to make and very personal. At this time, one thing that I can safely say, is that I would not destroy it. I might give it away or sell it but not destroy. .... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

January 1, 2014, 09:27 AM	#27
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	I answered "use it". But, really, that is a personal decision. If you have qualms, sell it.

January 1, 2014, 11:38 AM	#28
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	Totally a personal call.

January 1, 2014, 07:02 PM	#32
Mainah Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2007 Posts: 1,119	I can't think of anything helpful but follow your gut. And I'm very sorry for your loss. My favorite uncle shot himself after running out of treatment options for his cancer. The gun was destroyed.

January 1, 2014, 10:30 PM	#33
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	FWIW: Bad karma that rifle carry's to its next owner. You are aware of its past history. Don't sell it. >Destroy it.

January 2, 2014, 04:45 PM	#34
orangello Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Posts: 566	The firearm did not make the mistake, so I would not blame it, myself. I can understand how it could cause uncomfortable memories for you, though. Were it me, I would keep it if I liked it or sell it if I didn't like it or perhaps give it to a friend in need of a firearm with an explanation and option to pass.

January 2, 2014, 06:31 PM	#36
Jaykwish Member Join Date: December 13, 2013 Posts: 22	A gun is a tool no more no less I would have no issue with keeping it.

January 2, 2014, 07:55 PM	#37
Dc777 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2013 Location: South West, Alabama Posts: 609	It depends on what you want to do. Your asking a bunch of strangers what to do when we don't know the whole story and obviously we have no connection to the deceased. Lets talk about the " destroying it option" though. If the person that committed suicide had $10,000 in his or her possession when it took place and you inherited the $10k, would you consider lighting the money on fire and destroying it? A gun has a monetary value on it, period! __________________ NRA member Paintings were made to look at, and guns were made to be shot. If you aren't going to use them as they are intended for, get rid of them and buy a Picasso.

January 2, 2014, 08:04 PM	#38
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	If he/she choked themselves to death with the $10, 000 I would destroy that too. __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

January 2, 2014, 09:36 PM	#39
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	If you are uncomfortable with it, sell / donate it. If your not keep it. __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

January 2, 2014, 09:39 PM	#40
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	A gun is no more to blame for a suicide than for a murder. We spend how much time telling peole "Guns don't kill people, people kill people." That's just as true when they kill themselves as when they kill someone else. And yes, I've had two murder/suicides in my family, so I have first hand experience. I don't have the guns involved, but they wouldn't bother me if I did. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

January 3, 2014, 01:56 AM	#41
Justice06RR Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2010 Location: Central FL Posts: 1,360	Weird scenario... It will boil down to how comfortable you are with keeping it. If it doesn't bother you at all, then why get rid of it? On the other hand, if it bothers you or any other family members, then get rid of it. It really depends on you. I voted to keep it because i'm not easily bothered by such things. YMMV

January 3, 2014, 07:53 AM	#42
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	My first 1911 was a suicide gun of a loved one. I CCW'd it for a while, but it had target sights that kept grinding into my side. It also had one hell of a hammerbite. It is now a safe queen, but only because of functional reasons, not emotional. It is a tool, nothing more. __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

January 3, 2014, 10:17 AM	#43
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	If my uncle hanged himself I would destroy the rope too, even if it was still a perfectly good rope. It doesn't have anything to do with guns but rather the implements, any implement, of suicide. __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

January 3, 2014, 12:14 PM	#44
dodge Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2001 Location: ridgerunner from Northern PA Posts: 291	I've had two over the years. One was a Winchester Model 1895 kept that one and the other one was a single shot 22 gave that to my brother.

January 3, 2014, 12:56 PM	#45
Tinner666 Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2012 Location: Richmond, Va. Posts: 353	Sorry for your loss, but, that said; Shooting the one my brother shot himself with didn't and doesn't bother me in the least. Besides, it was him, not the pistol. __________________ Frank-- Member, GoA, NRA-ILA, SAF, NRA Life Member

January 3, 2014, 04:01 PM	#46
Dc777 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2013 Location: South West, Alabama Posts: 609	Microgunner- I don't see how someone could choke their self with $10,000 but regardless with a statement like that you must be a millionaire. You could take the $10k to the bank and exchange it, just like the gun in question could be swapped for another. Btw, destroying the money would be a federal offense. __________________ NRA member Paintings were made to look at, and guns were made to be shot. If you aren't going to use them as they are intended for, get rid of them and buy a Picasso.

January 3, 2014, 09:42 PM	#48
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	Following your hypothesis we'd have to destroy the entire universe, seeing how everything is interconnected. No, I'd be satisfied with just the rope. It's purely personal, I'm not trying to sway anyone. __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

January 4, 2014, 01:46 AM	#50
SocialAnarchist Junior member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 508	How about this idea. Put a gun lock on it, put it in a case and put it away for a while. That might be a month, a year, 5 years. Then re-evaluate your feelings on it. If you still can't handle having it around dispose of it however you wish.