How to Start a Gun Collection

Guns are popular items to collect due to their interesting political history and widespread social significance. For a gun to be considered a collector's item under the National Firearms Act, it must be excluded as a 'destructive device.' Mostly, the consideration is based on how the gun is being used, and whether it will function as collector's item or as a weapon. Items determined to be 'curios or relics' (special interest guns for collectors) can be purchased and sold without a federal license.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Start Your Gun Collection

1. Review the National Firearms Act (NFA) to ensure proper registration and transfer of guns (see Resources below). The NFA is part of the Internal Revenue Code and outlines the proper procedures for registering and transferring guns. Most guns must be registered and can only be sold by federally licensed dealers.

2. Call the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) with any questions you may have about gun collecting or the NFA. Telephone the NFA office at 202-343-0332.

3. Get the official list of curios and relics from the BATF website (see Resources below). The owner of a gun that falls under this classification does not need to be licensed and the gun does not need to be registered.

4. Purchase collectors items at a gun show. Gun shows are open to the public for an entrance fee and feature information and gun vendors. A gun show is a place many collectors start shopping for a collection.

5. Attend a gun auction. Gun auctions are places where dealers and private gun owners place their guns. Guns are auctioned to the highest bidder. Live and online gun auctions are available.

6. Request a curio or relic determination for the guns in your collection through the BATF. Submit a physical description of the item, the reason it should be considered a curio or relic and any historical data about the gun including current market value in writing. Requests should be sent to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Firearms Technology Branch, Room 6450, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20226.

Tips & Warnings

• Store your gun collection safely in a secure place. Keep guns unloaded, and lock ammunition in a cabinet or other storage area to avoid accidents.

• State gun laws vary greatly. Start to review state laws for information on legal transactions before purchasing guns for a collection.

Resources

• Read the National Firearms Act
• Get the Firearms Curios and Relics List