Ethics of gifting a gun. - The Firearms Forum

thomasray · 07-14-2011, 10:43 AM

Hello out there.

Here is a situation where you give a gun to a friend. Later in innocent conversation it comes out that he sold the gun. How you feel about it is to be slightly affronted but not enough to show it. Let it go as friendship should be without conditions. . Question is should the friend have consulted you before he sold the gun?

Say you gave a friend a gun and later the friendship did not have the substance to endure. You wish you had not gifted the guy in retrospect but write it off as a lesson in picking friendship.

Glad for the feedback.

JLA · 07-14-2011, 10:53 AM

I say it is what it is, you did GIVE the gun to him, so it was his to sell.

I gave my dad a customized Mosin Nagant, one of my school projects when i was goin thru smithin school.. He sold it just a few weeks ago. It doesnt really bother me because i know that him and my mom really needed the money, Yeah i wish they had just asked me for a loan, but I also know theyd die before ever asking any of their kids for money..

I have also given a firearm as a gift to my lil' brother, which he took to the pawnshop straight away for beer money. But thats why God invented ass whoopins and popknots. And he got his, and I aint given him another gun since..

I also gave a real nice Finn mosin to a good friend of mine. He still has it and brags about it to all of his other friends. He never even really shoots it because hes afraid of ruining it.. So it is cherished..

Point is, maybe your friend really needed the cash, or maybe he doesnt think much of the gesture of you giving him the firearm. I find its easier and far more satisfying to believe that he really just needed the cash and was too embarassed to say anything to you about it. Its called the benefit of the doubt, and it can be hard to give, but youd be the better man for giving it..

JMHO..

goofy · 07-14-2011, 10:54 AM

I gess it would depend on why I gave him the gun and why he sold it.If he is a good friend then you should be able to talk to him about it.Remember when you gave him the gun it became his to do with what he wants.If the gun was a special gun to you and told him so when you gave it to him then he should have given you the chance to buy or give the gun back.But if it was a special gun why would you give it away? and if it was not then what does it matter?...............

GOOFY I was typing when JLA was posting so sory to repeat and i agree with JLA......GOOFY

reflex1 · 07-14-2011, 10:56 AM

It is better to give than to receive!

Juker · 07-14-2011, 11:00 AM

It's a bitter pill, I know. It's happened to me too. But a gift is a gift, and becomes the property of the new owner. Guns are nearer and dearer to us than most possessions, but consider the birthday gifts, Christmas presents, etc. we've all received in our lives that were subsequently discarded, traded, or sold.

Yes, it completely sucks - ethically, it's a quandary, but legally, it was his.

Chalk it up to another lesson learned, and don't give him any more guns!

lonewolf204 · 07-14-2011, 11:00 AM

If I gave him the gun it is his to do what ever he wants, But if I found out he sold it I would not give him another one

. I have given a few guns to good freinds over the years and to my knowledge they all still have them

.

Juker · 07-14-2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

I say it is what it is, you did GIVE the gun to him, so it was his to sell.

I gave my dad a customized Mosin Nagant, one of my school projects when i was goin thru smithin school.. He sold it just a few weeks ago. It doesnt really bother me because i know that him and my mom really needed the money, Yeah i wish they had just asked me for a loan, but I also know theyd die before ever asking any of their kids for money..

I have also given a firearm as a gift to my lil' brother, which he took to the pawnshop straight away for beer money. But thats why God invented ass whoopins and popknots. And he got his, and I aint given him another gun since..

I also gave a real nice Finn mosin to a good friend of mine. He still has it and brags about it to all of his other friends. He never even really shoots it because hes afraid of ruining it.. So it is cherished..

Point is, maybe your friend really needed the cash, or maybe he doesnt think much of the gesture of you giving him the firearm. I find its easier and far more satisfying to believe that he really just needed the cash and was too embarassed to say anything to you about it. Its called the benefit of the doubt, and it can be hard to give, but youd be the better man for giving it..

JMHO..

Since we are friends, I promise not to sell or trade any guns you'd like to give me.

Juker · 07-14-2011, 11:03 AM

... and I'm kinda diggin' that Green Machine, even though it's not a Colt.

JLA · 07-14-2011, 11:07 AM

You cant have the green machine... yet..

goofy · 07-14-2011, 11:08 AM

I'm with juker! JLA,Buddy, friend, pal, If you are in a giveing mood again just PM me

i will give any gun a good and safe home forever!(or at least till i die)

....................GOOFY

Juker · 07-14-2011, 11:10 AM

And goofy is leaving me all his guns, so you're safe there too. It's a win-win-win for everybody.

JLA · 07-14-2011, 11:11 AM

Im glad I can count on you guys..

goofy · 07-14-2011, 11:35 AM

You bet!! Nothing like good friends to look after you guns

even if you are not dead yet

.....GOOFY Juker rent a BIG truck and look for my obit.

reflex1 · 07-14-2011, 11:41 AM

With these kind of friends Josh - why would you need any enemies?

JLA · 07-14-2011, 11:44 AM

If i didnt have enemies I wouldnt have anyone to talk to..

reflex1 · 07-14-2011, 11:45 AM

Roger that mi amigo!

goofy · 07-14-2011, 11:48 AM

Come on JLA you know you are loved here

.Goofy

JLA · 07-14-2011, 11:57 AM

I reckon so..

Alpo · 07-14-2011, 11:59 AM

It's not just guns. You give anything of value to someone, because you like them and wish them to have something nice, and they sell it. Always hurts.

One year my brother-in-law gave his kid a baseball card collection, and then popped his cork when the boy swapped one worth about a hundred dollars for one worth about 50 cents. He went to the other boy's father and got the card back, threatening to go to the cops. Then he chewed out his kid. "Don't sell the cards". I told him, if you really gave him the cards, they're his cards, and he can sell them or set them on fire.

Few years later I gave a different nephew a limited Wolverine run. Perfect shape, worth at the time about 50 bucks. The boy was "starting a comic collection". I'm over at the house, couple of weeks later, and see one of 'em, lyin' on the floor. Front cover torn and a big dirty footprint on it. I started to get pissed, but then remembered what I'd said about the baseball cards. Did not matter that, to me, this was a valuable book. To the boy it was just a "comic", and it was now his, not mine, so he could do what he wanted with it.

I never gave him any more, though.

Double D · 07-14-2011, 12:05 PM

When you give, there should be no strings attached. If you are going to be offended when that person sells the gun, you shouldnt give it to them, or, you should say "I am giving you this gun because I want you to have it, but if you decide to sell it, please give me first chance to buy it back." Or, I am giving you this gun but if your planning on selling it, I will just give you some cash instead. I personally give with no strings attached and that person can do whatever he / she pleases.

ka64 · 07-14-2011, 12:49 PM

Be the last free one he got from me..........

Zhurh · 07-14-2011, 02:16 PM

The Indians around here have potlatches, a funeral potlatch and then a remembrance potlatch 3 years after persons death. 30-30's are traditional gifts given by the family members of deceased to people who attend the potlatch. Quite common to see 25, 30-30's laying along with blankets & beadwork on hall floor. They are presented to people who have attended. The more guns, the higher status is seen of the family & deceased. Been that way before us Whites got here and took over too.

Another thing them Indians do which is high class. Say an Indian gets drunked up and kills his brother or cousin; quite common with Indians and booze. The body is usually flown to Anch for autopsy but not flown home. They have a local village member drive 600 miles to Anch, put coffin in truck bed and drive back to home village. The entire way back home there are maybe 30-40 villages several miles off the main highway. Well, all the men in the village take their 30-30's and wait for the coffin truck to drive by, even if it takes the entire day. Soon as they see the pickup approaching, they start firing off skyward, maybe 30 guns going off and they keep firing until the truck has passed and outta sight. Nice touch out of respect; Indians know how to do some things right for sure.

Only 30-30's though. Indians see them as ceremonial guns, just pick them up for potlatch presents. They hunt with old military guns like M1s and SKS's and some have a few hunting rifles too.

Double D · 07-14-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ka64

Be the last free one he got from me..........

So, if you win a gun on tff and sell it we should ban you from entering next time? Just wondering...

gdmoody · 07-14-2011, 02:19 PM

That is a kinda hard question to answer and I can see both sides of it. If you give something away then the recipient can do what he/she wants with it. Then on the other hand if you give something precious to you or expensive, and they sell it then it can hurt your feelings.

What do you do? I guess you just suck it up!!

Double D · 07-14-2011, 02:34 PM

Dont give it if there is strings attached. Period.

07-14-2011, 10:43 AM	#1
thomasray V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Columbia River Posts: 79	Ethics of gifting a gun. Hello out there. Here is a situation where you give a gun to a friend. Later in innocent conversation it comes out that he sold the gun. How you feel about it is to be slightly affronted but not enough to show it. Let it go as friendship should be without conditions. . Question is should the friend have consulted you before he sold the gun? Say you gave a friend a gun and later the friendship did not have the substance to endure. You wish you had not gifted the guy in retrospect but write it off as a lesson in picking friendship. Glad for the feedback. __________________ a farting horse will never tire and a farting man is the one to hire. -->

07-14-2011, 10:53 AM	#2
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,317	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. I say it is what it is, you did GIVE the gun to him, so it was his to sell. I gave my dad a customized Mosin Nagant, one of my school projects when i was goin thru smithin school.. He sold it just a few weeks ago. It doesnt really bother me because i know that him and my mom really needed the money, Yeah i wish they had just asked me for a loan, but I also know theyd die before ever asking any of their kids for money.. I have also given a firearm as a gift to my lil' brother, which he took to the pawnshop straight away for beer money. But thats why God invented ass whoopins and popknots. And he got his, and I aint given him another gun since.. I also gave a real nice Finn mosin to a good friend of mine. He still has it and brags about it to all of his other friends. He never even really shoots it because hes afraid of ruining it.. So it is cherished.. Point is, maybe your friend really needed the cash, or maybe he doesnt think much of the gesture of you giving him the firearm. I find its easier and far more satisfying to believe that he really just needed the cash and was too embarassed to say anything to you about it. Its called the benefit of the doubt, and it can be hard to give, but youd be the better man for giving it.. JMHO.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF! Last edited by JLA; 07-14-2011 at 10:54 AM..

07-14-2011, 10:54 AM	#3
goofy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Contributor Posts: 2,023	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. I gess it would depend on why I gave him the gun and why he sold it.If he is a good friend then you should be able to talk to him about it.Remember when you gave him the gun it became his to do with what he wants.If the gun was a special gun to you and told him so when you gave it to him then he should have given you the chance to buy or give the gun back.But if it was a special gun why would you give it away? and if it was not then what does it matter?...............GOOFY I was typing when JLA was posting so sory to repeat and i agree with JLA......GOOFY Last edited by goofy; 07-14-2011 at 10:56 AM..

07-14-2011, 10:56 AM	#4
reflex1 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Arkansas Contributor Posts: 464	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. It is better to give than to receive!

07-14-2011, 11:00 AM	#5
Juker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Land of Lincoln Contributor Posts: 2,872	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. It's a bitter pill, I know. It's happened to me too. But a gift is a gift, and becomes the property of the new owner. Guns are nearer and dearer to us than most possessions, but consider the birthday gifts, Christmas presents, etc. we've all received in our lives that were subsequently discarded, traded, or sold. Yes, it completely sucks - ethically, it's a quandary, but legally, it was his. Chalk it up to another lesson learned, and don't give him any more guns! __________________ SHOOT FIRST. SHOOT SECOND. MOST IMPORTANTLY, BE THE MAN WHO'S SHOOTING LAST.

07-14-2011, 11:00 AM	#6
lonewolf204 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Contributor Posts: 791	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. If I gave him the gun it is his to do what ever he wants, But if I found out he sold it I would not give him another one . I have given a few guns to good freinds over the years and to my knowledge they all still have them. __________________ Fear is only a word in the mind of the weak!

07-14-2011, 11:03 AM	#8
Juker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Land of Lincoln Contributor Posts: 2,872	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. ... and I'm kinda diggin' that Green Machine, even though it's not a Colt. __________________ SHOOT FIRST. SHOOT SECOND. MOST IMPORTANTLY, BE THE MAN WHO'S SHOOTING LAST.

07-14-2011, 11:07 AM	#9
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,317	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. You cant have the green machine... yet.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

07-14-2011, 11:08 AM	#10
goofy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Contributor Posts: 2,023	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. I'm with juker! JLA,Buddy, friend, pal, If you are in a giveing mood again just PM me i will give any gun a good and safe home forever!(or at least till i die)....................GOOFY Last edited by goofy; 07-14-2011 at 11:09 AM..

07-14-2011, 11:10 AM	#11
Juker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Land of Lincoln Contributor Posts: 2,872	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. And goofy is leaving me all his guns, so you're safe there too. It's a win-win-win for everybody. __________________ SHOOT FIRST. SHOOT SECOND. MOST IMPORTANTLY, BE THE MAN WHO'S SHOOTING LAST.

07-14-2011, 11:11 AM	#12
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,317	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. Im glad I can count on you guys.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

07-14-2011, 11:35 AM	#13
goofy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Contributor Posts: 2,023	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. You bet!! Nothing like good friends to look after you guns even if you are not dead yet.....GOOFY Juker rent a BIG truck and look for my obit.

07-14-2011, 11:41 AM	#14
reflex1 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Arkansas Contributor Posts: 464	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. With these kind of friends Josh - why would you need any enemies?

07-14-2011, 11:44 AM	#15
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,317	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. If i didnt have enemies I wouldnt have anyone to talk to.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

07-14-2011, 11:45 AM	#16
reflex1 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Arkansas Contributor Posts: 464	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. Roger that mi amigo!

07-14-2011, 11:48 AM	#17
goofy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Contributor Posts: 2,023	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. Come on JLA you know you are loved here.Goofy

07-14-2011, 11:57 AM	#18
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,317	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. I reckon so.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

07-14-2011, 11:59 AM	#19
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. It's not just guns. You give anything of value to someone, because you like them and wish them to have something nice, and they sell it. Always hurts. One year my brother-in-law gave his kid a baseball card collection, and then popped his cork when the boy swapped one worth about a hundred dollars for one worth about 50 cents. He went to the other boy's father and got the card back, threatening to go to the cops. Then he chewed out his kid. "Don't sell the cards". I told him, if you really gave him the cards, they're his cards, and he can sell them or set them on fire. Few years later I gave a different nephew a limited Wolverine run. Perfect shape, worth at the time about 50 bucks. The boy was "starting a comic collection". I'm over at the house, couple of weeks later, and see one of 'em, lyin' on the floor. Front cover torn and a big dirty footprint on it. I started to get pissed, but then remembered what I'd said about the baseball cards. Did not matter that, to me, this was a valuable book. To the boy it was just a "comic", and it was now his, not mine, so he could do what he wanted with it. I never gave him any more, though. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

07-14-2011, 12:05 PM	#20
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,078	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. When you give, there should be no strings attached. If you are going to be offended when that person sells the gun, you shouldnt give it to them, or, you should say "I am giving you this gun because I want you to have it, but if you decide to sell it, please give me first chance to buy it back." Or, I am giving you this gun but if your planning on selling it, I will just give you some cash instead. I personally give with no strings attached and that person can do whatever he / she pleases. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

07-14-2011, 12:49 PM	#21
ka64 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Michigan Contributor Posts: 1,412	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. Be the last free one he got from me..........

07-14-2011, 02:16 PM	#22
Zhurh Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Upper Yukon, Alaska Posts: 1,819	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. The Indians around here have potlatches, a funeral potlatch and then a remembrance potlatch 3 years after persons death. 30-30's are traditional gifts given by the family members of deceased to people who attend the potlatch. Quite common to see 25, 30-30's laying along with blankets & beadwork on hall floor. They are presented to people who have attended. The more guns, the higher status is seen of the family & deceased. Been that way before us Whites got here and took over too. Another thing them Indians do which is high class. Say an Indian gets drunked up and kills his brother or cousin; quite common with Indians and booze. The body is usually flown to Anch for autopsy but not flown home. They have a local village member drive 600 miles to Anch, put coffin in truck bed and drive back to home village. The entire way back home there are maybe 30-40 villages several miles off the main highway. Well, all the men in the village take their 30-30's and wait for the coffin truck to drive by, even if it takes the entire day. Soon as they see the pickup approaching, they start firing off skyward, maybe 30 guns going off and they keep firing until the truck has passed and outta sight. Nice touch out of respect; Indians know how to do some things right for sure. Only 30-30's though. Indians see them as ceremonial guns, just pick them up for potlatch presents. They hunt with old military guns like M1s and SKS's and some have a few hunting rifles too.

07-14-2011, 02:19 PM	#24
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,338	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. That is a kinda hard question to answer and I can see both sides of it. If you give something away then the recipient can do what he/she wants with it. Then on the other hand if you give something precious to you or expensive, and they sell it then it can hurt your feelings. What do you do? I guess you just suck it up!! __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

07-14-2011, 02:34 PM	#25
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,078	Re: Ethics of gifting a gun. Dont give it if there is strings attached. Period. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.