Where Do Orphaned Thompsons Go?

[Sgt]

What happens to registered Thompsons if an owner dies and didn't leave a will, and has no kin? Does the Thompson registration die also? Or, will the state put the Thompson back on the market?

[John Jr]

I would estimate that this so seldom happens, its never come up among NFA owners. Property very seldom escheats to the state.

 

Jr

[Bill in VA]

As far as John, Jr. said, I agree that the guns would likely not roll over to the state (but always check state and local laws just to be on the safe side.) OTOH, I wouldn't put it past some policemen or other county/local officials to quietly appropriate it (and thus be in illegal possession.) OTOH, quite a number of BATF and GAO audits, plus individuals' testimonies, have indicated that the NFRTR is in somewhat of a mess, and that there are numerous guns that are likely still registered to long-dead registrants. (See:

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/use.../rip/index.html )

 

IMHO, I'd guess that in the case of intestate decedents who owned registered NFA devices, the NFRTR would still list the decedent as the registered owner and until the gun "turned up" or a transfer was attempted, no action would be taken. I also know that some states (such as Virginia) can and will appoint an executor to log and inventory an intestate decedent's estate and to occasionally act as an ombudsman in the case that an heir (however distant) is found.

 

Of course, if you have no heirs, and would like to appoint me as an heir to receive your TSMGs after you pass over to the other side, feel free to contact me! http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/smile.gif