Hi Guys,
Yep, I'm too lazy to sift through Google...
The situation, the Mother In Law handed in 2 old Rifles to the police (in Melbourne - Vic) the other day...
One of them was a beautiful weapon... And potentially worth at least $2k... Probably more... ???
No one in the family has a license, and they were technically being stored illegally, under the house... And never used...
Question - can we go and collect the weapon (any chance!)... and sell it through a dealer... or something... ??? ... The guns belonged to the old man, who is now in old age care... I suspect we can't, and it is now gone for ever... It is a shame, because the Mum In Law could have used the money, even though she handed them in!!
Thoughts??...
Same thing happened with my family. When my grandfather died, a mint condition WWII Italian army issued Beretta automatic pistol was found in the garage.
My uncle took it straight the police and handed it in before most of the family even got to see it. Worth a pretty penny to a private collector. 
I can only comment on WA firearms laws but the equivalent here would be:
Did she (a) surrender them or (b) hand them in for safe-keeping?
If she (a) surrendered them and possibly authorised them for destruction they are technically gone but they are probably still at the station she handed them in to and you might be able to negotiate getting them back.
If they were surrendered and you negotiate them back, or they were just handed in for safe-keeping then there should be a mechanism that would allow them to be released from Police custody and transferred to a licensed dealer, either by an approved courier or with the issue of a temporary permit. Once it's at the dealer you can make whatever arrangements you want to sell it. Either pay the dealer to hold it while you make a private sale, negotiate a sale through the dealer or start the process to get a license for them.
Probably best to get something in writing authorising you to deal in the firearms from your dad, or whoever has legal control of his affairs/enduring power of attorney if he isn't able to sign.
If the firearms were never licensed then it gets a bit harder no matter what you try and do. Just keep in mind firearms licensing is designed to annoy and frustrate you so the easiest option is to not bother owning a gun at all.
Select to expand quoteHarrow said..
Same thing happened with my family. When my grandfather died, a mint condition WWII Italian army issued Beretta automatic pistol was found in the garage.
My uncle took it straight the police and handed it in before most of the family even got to see it. Worth a pretty penny to a private collector.
Next time, unless it's a bucket of snot worthless .22 single shot rifle contact a local firearms dealer and see if they can hold it while you work out what to do with it. Or, if you do hand it into Police be clear it's from a deceased estate and you request it be held for safe-keeping while your family works out what to do with it. Both will probably charge a small holding fee but at least it gives you options.
In WA they can only destroy them in the first instance if authority for destruction is given in writing. I suspect a lot of people will sign them because they don't like having pop's guns in the house now he has passed away and are blissfully unaware what some of them are worth.
Just tell them your mother has dementia and they have significant sentimental value and you want them back. 
Let us know how you get on.
Select to expand quoteChris6791 said..
Just tell them your mother has dementia and they have significant sentimental value and you want them back.
Let us know how you get on.
This one works well over here^^^
Similar should apply in Victoria, the quicker you contact the Police station [and officer] involved your chances are better to recover the firearms.
Stress to them that your Mum in law had no idea the firearms could have been licensed or sold - if she had known there is an option of legally selling or keeping the firearms she would have taken it.
Contact your state branch of Sporting Shooters Association of Australia - they will be able to help with "Victoria specific" advice much better than we can from our side of the borders.
SSAA might want you to become a member - this is around $90 a year, but is well worth the money in your case.
They may also help with valuation and sale of the firearms too - or if one of your family want to keep the heirlooms, assist with your license conditions.
stephen
Crisis averted!
Thankfully, the son Dino had the common sense to have them licensed, and put them in his possession!!
Seems that there might have been a few more at the house than I thought!...
So, the special Beretta Under Over (mint condition, and never fired), is safe!... The other guns were average used condition...
It is similar to this one... from memory...
www.google.com.au/search?q=beretta+under+over&rls=com.microsoft:en-AU:IE-Address&tbm=isch&imgil=6EVu3p-S4Yr5gM%253A%253BjPb7DkkMN74ISM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.gunsamerica.com%25252F969625020%25252FBeretta-Silver-Pigeon-Over-Under-2-barrel-set-20ga-and-a-set-of-28ga-barrels.htm&source=iu&pf=m&fir=6EVu3p-S4Yr5gM%253A%252CjPb7DkkMN74ISM%252C_&usg=__KUEROTEuMdtHcNgDHw2rxhi6gTM%3D&biw=1684&bih=816&ved=0ahUKEwiW6obEv7PRAhUDW5QKHcLFC9AQyjcIMQ&ei=o69yWNaMA4O20QTCi6-ADQ#imgrc=bm3546bnRhh2cM%3A
^^ No, not for an operational modern gun. Not at all.
You need a 'theme' on what u wish to collect, and it needs to be a bona fide collection of many firearms.
Otherwise everyone would get a collector's licence for grandad's AK47 he brought back illegally from Vietnam.
Chris was spot on, I am gobsmacked at people who hand them in for destruction when a competition shottie can be worth $5K - $15K easily.
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
worth $5K - $15K easily.
and that's for a cheapy 
