{"id":2164,"date":"2024-05-09T23:03:33","date_gmt":"2024-05-09T23:03:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=2164"},"modified":"2024-05-09T23:03:33","modified_gmt":"2024-05-09T23:03:33","slug":"should-you-display-your-collectible-firearms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=2164","title":{"rendered":"Should You Display Your Collectible Firearms?"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By Peter Suciu<\/a><\/p>\n

T<\/span>here are many kinds of gun owners, but there are two types of firearms collectors. First, there are those who like to maintain secrecy when it comes to their collection. Their firearms tend to be locked away in fireproof safes or otherwise secured. Then there are those who display their antique and collectible firearms.<\/p>\n

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What are your options for displaying your collectible firearms? The author explores some ideas and touches on some of the preservation and legal issues of which you should be aware.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It would be easy to simply say, \u201cTo each their own\u201d and leave it at that, but the truth is firearm laws are changing, and depending on where you live, it might be time to consider whether you can and should display firearms as you once did.<\/p>\n

Preservation Concerns<\/h2>\n

The first consideration is how firearms are preserved. Moving quickly past the \u201cyou own it, treat it how you will,\u201d we should still remember that dust, humidity, and excessive heat aren\u2019t really good for the long-term preservation of that old Winchester or Rolling Block. Likewise, there might have been a time when a wall of old rifles in the \u201csmoking room\u201d was considered appropriate decoration, but we\u2019ve come to learn that smoking isn\u2019t just bad for one\u2019s health, it isn\u2019t good for collectibles either.<\/p>\n

\"historical\n<\/picture>
A secure room houses this impressive display of First World War-era German firearms and replica tools\/gear.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thus firearms that are put on display should be kept out of direct sunlight, while keeping humidity adequately maintained. That is true whether the guns are hanging in the wall in an upstairs room or a basement. Many parts of the country are all too cold in the winter, far too hot in the summer, and humidity swings just as wildly.<\/p>\n

Dust can be an enemy as well, getting into the nooks and crevices \u2014 so along with a humidifier\/de-humidifier depending on the season, an air purifier is recommended. This constant clearing of the air can also reduce the need for regular dusting.<\/p>\n

Safety Issues<\/h2>\n

Of course, a far bigger issue is one of safety. It goes without saying that no firearm should ever be left where a minor or unauthorized person can easily access it. Thus one should consider carefully the display of World War II handguns in the den, and such firearms should be kept under lock and key. Remember, the most trustworthy teenager might not have the most trustworthy friends.<\/p>\n

\"gun\n<\/picture>
The alternative to displaying firearms is to store them in a safe or locker. However, they may not bring the same joy as they might if they were in a display.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then there is the issue of whether you need the neighbors, family friends or colleagues to see the antique musket on the wall in the family room. It may not even be functional, but surely someone will get their nose bent out of shape. We live in sad times where maybe we can\u2019t always trust what a delivery person, plumber, contractor or other individual sees. No doubt, many such individuals already see collections of baseball cards, artwork and other items \u2014 but we don\u2019t need to advertise to the world that our house has treasure worth pilfering!<\/p>\n

Handle With Care<\/h2>\n

Something that might not be considered is that rare firearms should be treated with care. Like any collectible, rare firearms shouldn\u2019t be excessively handled, yet a lot of people don\u2019t get that.<\/p>\n

\"gun\n<\/picture>
Shown is a display room of the late machine gun collector, Robert Segal. He clearly took firearm displays to another level.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is amazing as few would dare take a rare comic book out of a plastic sleeve to flip the pages, or most wouldn\u2019t even consider handling a Babe Ruth autographed baseball \u2014 yet, firearms practically scream \u201ctouch me\u201d with some people. That can include the buddy who has a nice AR-15 and sees no harm in inspecting your 18th<\/sup>-century Brown Bess,<\/a> or the weird cousin (we all have one of those) who watched\u00a0Saving Private Ryan<\/em>\u00a0in the past week and feels the need to pick up the M1 Garand<\/a> and decide to charge it like he does in\u00a0Call of Duty<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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Sometimes it may be necessary to say, \u201cLet me know if you\u2019d like to see anything,\u201d while you hand them white gloves, as that should dissuade the need for touching the goods!<\/p>\n

Gun Laws Are Changing: It\u2019s Complicated<\/h2>\n

We also need to make sure that if we\u2019re displaying firearms in the home we\u2019re doing so legally. This may seem odd to even suggest, but the fact remains that gun laws around the country are changing. This year, several states introduced new legislation that required firearms essentially to be locked up.<\/p>\n

\"English\n<\/picture>
This display of British firepower from the late 18th to late 19th centuries was created with a few pieces of framing lumber and some paint.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

California\u2019s existing gun storage law now requires that all firearms \u2014 whether they\u2019re loaded or unloaded \u2014 be secured using a method such as a gun safe or trigger lock in places where they could get into the hands of a minor, a felon or anyone prohibited from possessing a firearm. New York and Massachusetts have similar laws on the books.<\/p>\n

Illinois requires gun owners to keep their firearms secured in a safe or locked container, or be equipped with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock or other safety gadgets. Michigan recently adopted legislation that requires guns to be secured if it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present on the premises.<\/p>\n

\"NFA\n<\/picture>
A transfer stamp for an NFA item. Such firearms come with added responsibility in terms of storage, and they limit the options for display.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even without the laws, this should fall back into the good judgment and safety issue realm.<\/p>\n

And while there is no universal federal law (at least, not yet), on the display of most firearms, it needs to be stressed there are specific rules in place for NFA (National Firearms Act) items, including automatic weapons, destructive devices and short-barreled rifles\/shotguns. Such items are required to be under lock and key of some sort and only accessible by the owner (the person who holds the transfer stamp).<\/p>\n

The Options for Displaying Firearms<\/h2>\n

While this is by no means meant as legal advice, for those who do feel the desire to display their firearms, perhaps it is wise to do so in a less-trafficked part of the home. This could, and perhaps even should, be a locked room that those doing home repairs might never see. It should have climate control to maintain a relatively constant humidity of around 30 to 35 percent, shouldn\u2019t get too much direct sun, and could allow for the firearms to be further locked up or controlled if necessary.<\/p>\n

However, even such a locked room might not fulfill some states\u2019 restrictions.<\/p>\n

Protecting these collectible firearms may require a bit of due diligence \u2014 to satisfy laws and to preserve them for future generations.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in!<\/em><\/p>\n

Join the Discussion<\/span><\/h5>\n

Go to forum thread<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


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