Your post runs deep and asks probing questions. My first answer is do what feels right to you. It doesn't have to make sense to anyone but you. If you truly want my opinion here it is. Guns don't kill people , people do. Maybe the gun brought peace to this troubled one. I don't believe in karma or curses. If you like it keep it. If you don't then sell it or trade it. Why someone would suggest you destroy it is beyond my comprehension. I would hope we are all beyond blaming the gun for an act of a troubled person . It makes no more sense and perhaps less than blaming a crime on a firearm.
Inherited a Suicide Gun
- Thread starter hells.saints
- Start date
This is a very personal situation/question and only you can decide what to do with it. There is no right or wrong answer as far as I'm concerned.
Strange to see this topic today because last week my favorite uncle who I was very close to shot and killed himself. He left all of his possessions to his only child. And I found myself wondering what I would do with the gun in that kind of situation.
Personally, I think I would sell it. Either that or it would be locked up in a safe never to see the light of day. One thing I know for sure, I wouldn't be able to enjoy the gun. My mind would automatically go to "what happened" each and every time I shot it.
Strange to see this topic today because last week my favorite uncle who I was very close to shot and killed himself. He left all of his possessions to his only child. And I found myself wondering what I would do with the gun in that kind of situation.
Personally, I think I would sell it. Either that or it would be locked up in a safe never to see the light of day. One thing I know for sure, I wouldn't be able to enjoy the gun. My mind would automatically go to "what happened" each and every time I shot it.
armsmaster270
New member
My dad committed suicide with his off duty Colt Detective Special He had terminal brain cancer and was told he had two months to live and even with morphine it would be hell. I miss my dad but understand why he did it. I don't have bad feelings about the gun, instead it reminds me of the good times we had together with him teaching me aimed fire and hipshooting. The hipshooting saved my life one night
My Dad Al E Nichols
https://sites.google.com/a/armsmaster.net/www/dad-ale.nichols
My Dad Al E Nichols
https://sites.google.com/a/armsmaster.net/www/dad-ale.nichols
First off, I am sorry for your loss.
Second, I think your decision to keep the weapon is a very personal decision, and it's hard to give suggestions without more input from you. In short, I think any suggestion I would make would hinge on 2 questions: a) Does being around this gun remind you of happy memories, sad memories, or none of the above?; and b) Is this a gun that you want/need/can put to good use?
My grandfather shot himself, and eventually died from the wounds. I inherited his shotgun and a couple of pistols from my father, and wouldn't be surprised if one of them were the gun he had killed himself with. I never met him, as this happened about 3-4 years before I was born. I keep his shotgun in the closet for home defense. For me, I have no memories associated with the shotgun, and it serves a purpose, so I keep it. If, however, you see that gun and are pained by memories of a lost loved one, then I would reccomend selling the gun. There is no obligation to keep such a weapon, and no need to punish yourself with those kinds of feelings. Only you can make that call, and know that if you want to offer more details, we would be happy to read and reflect. You can also feel free to PM me if you don't feel comfortable posting details like that on an open forum.
Second, I think your decision to keep the weapon is a very personal decision, and it's hard to give suggestions without more input from you. In short, I think any suggestion I would make would hinge on 2 questions: a) Does being around this gun remind you of happy memories, sad memories, or none of the above?; and b) Is this a gun that you want/need/can put to good use?
My grandfather shot himself, and eventually died from the wounds. I inherited his shotgun and a couple of pistols from my father, and wouldn't be surprised if one of them were the gun he had killed himself with. I never met him, as this happened about 3-4 years before I was born. I keep his shotgun in the closet for home defense. For me, I have no memories associated with the shotgun, and it serves a purpose, so I keep it. If, however, you see that gun and are pained by memories of a lost loved one, then I would reccomend selling the gun. There is no obligation to keep such a weapon, and no need to punish yourself with those kinds of feelings. Only you can make that call, and know that if you want to offer more details, we would be happy to read and reflect. You can also feel free to PM me if you don't feel comfortable posting details like that on an open forum.
armsmaster270
New member
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
New member
I answered "use it".
But, really, that is a personal decision. If you have qualms, sell it.
But, really, that is a personal decision. If you have qualms, sell it.
ChasingWhitetail91
New member
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
New member
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 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
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
FWIW: Bad karma that rifle carry's to its next owner. You are aware of its past history. Don't sell it. >Destroy it.
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.
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.
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.
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
New member
If he/she choked themselves to death with the $10, 000 I would destroy that too.
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.
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.