Would you steal from a relative?

[pipoman]

If this is "your friend's" aunt, I am guessing she is your friends mother or father's sister. That the guns and knives belonged to your friends mother or father's parent. Your friends grandparent.

This sorted out, rather than your friend going over to take the items, why not have the aunts sibling (your friends mother or father) go and liberate the items for him?

If my sister were living in my parents house with their belongings after my parents were gone and my son wanted something from his grandfather, I would go get it for him weather my sister liked it or not (she would give me anything she has for the asking, this is hypothetical). I wouldn't want him going and helping himself (unless I was dead). My $.02

 

[psycho nut]

Did his grandpa say who they were for? Unless he said that he wanted the aunt to have them how do you know that he wasn't going to give the guns to his grandson?

I would do it in a heartbeat.

 

[625]

Thanks for the replies. This was just a hypothetical question, but I do indeed know of a similar situation. Nobody had anything taken as far as I know, in case you were wondering.

 

[Twycross]

So the basic scenario is: somebody I know has nice stuff. They might be in a position where they could lose the aforementioned stuff (so what?). Should I steal it?

Answer: There is no way in a million years this could be justified. So no, no, and absolutely no.

 

[joab]

Twycross
That's a little too simplistic.
This is not just somebody with nice stuff

This is an irresponsible family member in possession of family heirlooms and will probably dispose of them irresponsibly in order to fund an irresponsible activity.

If the items were specifically left to her in a will then yes they are hers and all you can do is curse to father for his irresponsibility.
If they were not left to her in a will then you have to opportunity to correct his irresponsibility.

I probably would pay her fair market value with consideration for the family tie AFTER I had removed them from the home.
I may not even ever tell her why I gave her the money.

I'm sure the old man did not spend his hard earned money just to have it pissed away on QVC

 

[Trip20]

I think it's odd that the crazy aunt's siblings are uninvolved in the handling of their sister and the property to which she has access… especially if she’s going to “lose everything.”

These matters are best left to the children of those who’ve passed. If they do not know of the situation, tell them and leave it in their hands.

 

[garand_shooter]

Thou shalt not steal.**


** Unless the merchandise belongs to a mentally ill relative who may lose some nice stuff you somehow feel you have a right to. Then it is OK.


Stealing is stealing is stealing is wrong.

When the Alzheimers fully kicks in I would hope that my younger son "steals" my guns before the older one sells them off for half their value to pay for a party weekend or to pay off the debts caused by a previous party weekend.

Make sure your children know your wishes as to the distribution of your property, hire a lawyer, write a will, etc.

 

[joab]

Make sure your children know your wishes as to the distribution of your property, hire a lawyer, write a will, etc..

You obviously have no idea of the vulturistic nature of families.

I watched my grandmother's will used as toilet paper.
My aunt squandered just about everything before anybody could stop her.
She garage sold some stuff and the stuff she didn't want she gave away or traded for "crafts" crap.

Wills are not the magic talisman that some people think they are and they only take effect after the person dies and only cover things that are legally documented.
Photo albums and other memories are not covered.

 

[riverrat66]

When I got convicted of a misdemeanor the court knew that I was mentally ill and knew that I owned firearms.

I think the crazy guy should do the deed!

 

[Rivers]

Good advice has been given in this thread. All we have as "evidence" that the old lady's "crazy" are the words of an anonymous poster on the internet who doesn't seem to understand right from wrong.

If the old lady is crazy, then the advice to have a guardianship created is appropriate. If the guardian agrees on a price and sells the firearms, then fine. If the accusation that the old lady's crazy won't pass the smell test, then, well, we all REALLY know what's going on, don't we?

 

[garand_shooter]

You obviously have no idea of the vulturistic nature of families.

Obviously? Vulturistic nature? So all families (at least that you know) are by nature, vultures swarming carrion? That's sad. Let me assure you there are families who honor the wishes of the deceased, with or without legal responsibility. And for the record (if it matters) I am well aware of what people can be reduced to because of greed. One who dishonors the dead for personal gain, is in essence stealing. That still doesn't justify theft, stealing something before someone else can steal it.

 

[strat_1957]

$$$$

Buy them and get a receipt ! Thou shalt not steal ! remember?

 

[tegemu]

"Would you steal from a relative?" IMHO this verges on a ridiculous question. I like to think that the folks in this forum realize that Theft is wrong and wouldn't do it. Stealing anything is akin to stealing a million dollars. YOU ARE STILL A THIEF!!!!! Small or large amount or who the victim is, is immaterial. . An anology - Can you be a little bit pregnant?

 

[joab]

So all families (at least that you know) are by nature, vultures swarming carrion? That's sad. Let me assure you there are families who honor the wishes of the deceased, with or without legal responsibility. And for the record (if it matters) I am well aware of what people can be reduced to because of greed. One who dishonors the dead for personal gain, is in essence stealing. That still doesn't justify theft, stealing something before someone else can steal it.

great another newby

Show me where I said ALL families are vultures.

Show me where I said that there were no families where honor exists

Show me where I said that stealing is not wrong.

I have seen and heard enough stories from people I know and people in the news to know that a large portion of our society will not honor the wishes of the dead. Or will believe that their interpretation of those wishes are correct and that others are wrong even if out in writing.

Like I said if my legacy was being abused or neglected I would prefer that someone take them and make good use of them instead of having them sitting in a corner or sold to pay off some frivolity.

Please don't become one of our resident wordmiths and quote twisters, it doesn't work here the quotes are up for all to see

 

[JR47]

Since when does the number of posts add up to always being right? That comment was arrogant, and also pretty lame.

We're sorry that your life's experience with dead and dying relatives has been so universally negative. It doesn't happen nearly as often as you think.

A will covers certain, listed pieces. It isn't a cover-all, and everybody, including those passing judgement from outside, have their own opinions of what is included. It's a legal document, and attornies will interpret it. If photo albums aren't included, then the executor has free reign to dispose of them. The same with the brick-a-brack accumulated over the years.

Selling, or giving away, restricted items, such as firearms, can only be done with the executor's permission, and only after the will has been legally filed upon death.

It always amazes me how people, many of whom never even called the recently deceased, can show up and second guess the wishes of the deceased. It happens, but it normally is only so much background noise.

If one is so interested in obtaining certain pieces of the estate, they should have been part of that person's life before they died. Then, the item would have been willed to them. Or, they could have been maned the executor.

I also take with a grain of salt all of these stories of "they done me wrong", as most of them are usually sour grapes.

 

[garand_shooter]

You obviously have no idea of the vulturistic nature of families.

Show me where I said ALL families are vultures.

You didn't qualify any number of families. If you made a comment regarding some nature of vultures, should I assume it only applies to certain vultures, or vultures in general?

You should not be making statements about what I obviously don't know, when you obviously don't know me.

Show me where I said that stealing is not wrong.

I wouldn't necessarily consider it stealing.

Look at the title of the thread. It seems the original poster already considers it stealing. Why steer him in any other direction?

great another newby

And exactly how does that devalue my opinions? My life experiences, which form my opinions, are not reflected in the number of posts I've made. I would daresay, we both started on this forum with the same number of posts.

Please don't become one of our resident wordmiths and quote twisters, it doesn't work here the quotes are up for all to see

Show me where I said you said:

ALL families are vultures.
that there were no families where honor exists
that stealing is not wrong

Please take your own advice. Please don't treat people with a lower number of posts in a condescending manner. And, please, don't take yourself so seriously.

JR47 - Thanks for the backup

 

[joab]

Since when does the number of posts add up to always being right?

And exactly how does that devalue my opinions?

I really wish people would learn to read around here.
I never said that post number has anything to do with being right. New members seem to be the ones that try to twist quotes and read into comments. Read the comment a couple of more times you will find that observation in there what you won't find is any comment about being right or devalued opinions

All Jr's post proves is that he read just enough of my comment to take exception and didn't bother to read it through.

You didn't qualify any number of families. I

So that means that you assumed that I was talking about every family in the world

I wouldn't necessarily consider it stealing.

I guess you didn't bother read the comment I wrote qualifying that comment or are simply practicing selective quoting.
And if I condone something I don't consider stealing how am I saying that stealing isn't wrong?

Show me where I said you said:

ALL families are vultures.

So all families (at least that you know) are by nature, vultures swarming carrion?

that there were no families where honor exists

Let me assure you there are families who honor the wishes of the deceased, with or without legal responsibility.

that stealing is not wrong
Dude you just tried to prove that I did, read your own post.

 

[garand_shooter]

great another newby

I never said that post number has anything to do with being right. New members seem to be the ones that try to twist quotes and read into comments. Read the comment a couple of more times you will find that observation in there what you won't find is any comment about being right or devalued opinions

Your first statement said nothing. It was pure sarcasm that was open to interpretation in any number of ways. Remove the sarcasm and insert clarity, and we will all know what you intend to say. The second statement was an unfair generalization. Maybe like you, new members know what they intend to say, but fail to express it clearly, so it is also open to interpretation.

I guess you didn't bother read the comment I wrote qualifying that comment or are simply practicing selective quoting.

Wrong. It was exactly that qualification that I quoted in a previous post, that caused you to feel a need to make a statement about what I obviously don't know. Talk about selective reading/quoting/posting.

So all families (at least that you know) are by nature, vultures swarming carrion?

Notice the question mark. I never said in any of my posts that you said this or you said that. You are as guilty of inferring meaning into another's post as am I and every other poster on this forum.

I really wish people would learn to read around here.

Now here is a statement with which I wholeheartedly agree, but let's not pretend this is a one-way street. I would also add comprehension and clarity of expression to the list of things I wish people would learn.

 

[tegemu]

Interesting, the poster asked a question and instead of addressing his question, his post has degenerated into a P---ing contest over who said what.

 

[JR47]

I read the entire post, sir. Your comment about new posters is a stand alone. It didn't act as a qualifier for anything.

It also had nothing to do with the thread. So, let's not have anyone try passing judgement on who did what.

The issue of silly remarks belongs to the initial poster. Others have a right to discuss such remarks when they are made to them, or about them. Blame the originator, not the poster who was the object.

Theft is theft. Rationalize it how you will. It still means the same.