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The Best Places to Sell Guns in St. Louis (Expert Review, 2025 Update)
If you need to sell a firearm in St. Louis, your options range from pawn shops and ranges to gun stores and online auctions. Each offers different levels of safety, value, and documentation. After more than a decade as a licensed FFL and certified firearms appraiser, I break down which choices work best and why estates, collectors, and private sellers often get the strongest results with MDRF Enterprises.

Drew McDermott
Dec 8, 20254 min read


When a Defaced Importer Serial Number Turns an Estate Firearm Into Federal Contraband
When an estate includes imported firearms, attorneys often miss a critical detail. Many imports, including the Draco, carry two legally binding serial numbers. In this case, the factory numbers matched, but the importer serial had been defaced, instantly converting the firearm into federal contraband. A routine transfer could have become a serious violation without a proper inspection.

Drew McDermott
Dec 1, 20254 min read


Understanding Firearm Valuation
Understanding firearm value starts with knowing which standard applies. Fair Market Value, Marketable Cash Value, and Appraised Value all serve different purposes in estates. Here is how each one works.

Drew McDermott
Nov 24, 20254 min read


The Hidden Costs of DIY Estate Gun Sales in Missouri
Selling firearms from an estate without professional help can lead to serious legal, financial, and documentation problems. Many families in Missouri try to handle estate gun sales themselves, but missing records, undervalued items, and compliance risks often turn a quick sale into a costly mistake. Learn the safer way to protect value, stay compliant, and close probate smoothly.

Drew McDermott
Nov 19, 20253 min read


Auction vs Dealer vs Private Sale in St. Louis
When a family inherits firearms, the biggest question is how to sell them safely, legally, and for the best value. This guide compares auctions, licensed dealers, and private sales in St. Louis—explaining when to use each, what documentation is needed for probate, and how to avoid costly mistakes. Includes a comparison table, checklist, and practical advice from a certified firearms appraiser.

Drew McDermott
Oct 24, 20254 min read


Certified Firearm Appraisals
Firearms in an estate aren’t just valuables — they’re regulated assets. A proper appraisal must do more than set a price; it must create a legally defensible record that withstands probate, insurance, and potential disputes. At MDRF Enterprises, our certified appraisals combine USPAP standards, photographic documentation, and comparable sales data to deliver reports attorneys and fiduciaries can trust.

Drew McDermott
Oct 7, 20253 min read


How to Sell Guns Quickly and Legally in Missouri, What Families and Executors Should Know
Selling firearms from an estate in Missouri is not like selling other property. Federal law requires every transfer to go through a licensed FFL with proper records and background checks. Families and executors who try to handle it alone risk legal and probate problems. The safest way to sell quickly and fairly is to work with a certified appraiser and licensed dealer who can provide both accurate valuations and ATF-compliant transfers.

Drew McDermott
Sep 27, 20253 min read


How to Safely and Legally Sell Inherited Firearms or a Gun Collection in Saint Louis
Inheriting firearms comes with more responsibility than most estate items. Learn how to safely and legally sell a gun collection in Saint Louis. This guide explains the process, safety steps, and legal requirements so families and professionals stay compliant.

Drew McDermott
Sep 23, 20253 min read


The Complete Guide to Selling and Appraising Firearms in a Missouri Estate
Firearms in an estate can create challenges for executors and families. This guide explains how to sell, appraise, and legally transfer inherited guns in Missouri, including finding a trustworthy buyer, understanding appraisals, and ensuring compliance with state and federal firearm laws.

Drew McDermott
Sep 19, 20253 min read


5 Legal Pitfalls for Attorneys Handling Firearms in Probate
Firearms are unlike any other personal property in probate. Attorneys who overlook compliance can expose themselves and their clients to serious risk. Here are five pitfalls to avoid.

Drew McDermott
Sep 15, 20253 min read


Marijuana, Federal Firearms Law, and the Risks for Estate Professionals
Marijuana laws in Missouri have changed, but federal firearms rules have not. Estate professionals can face hidden liability if they transfer a gun to an heir who uses marijuana—even if that heir has a state-issued card. Here’s what you need to know to keep families safe and avoid compliance mistakes.

Drew McDermott
Sep 12, 20253 min read


5 Gray Areas That Can Land Estate Professionals in Trouble with Firearms
Estate professionals often treat firearms like any other household item, but the ATF does not. Taking possession, transporting, or even advertising guns without a license can create serious legal risk. This guide highlights five gray areas where good intentions can go wrong and shows how working with a licensed FFL keeps executors and estate companies compliant and protected.

Drew McDermott
Sep 8, 20254 min read


The Executor’s Estate Settlement Guide to Firearms
Firearms and the Executor’s Role Settling an estate is never simple, and when firearms are involved, the complexity rises quickly. Unlike furniture or jewelry, guns are highly regulated and require specialized attention at each step of the settlement process. As executor, you must protect the estate, follow the law, and make sure firearms are handled with accuracy and care. The following steps outline how to integrate firearms into the standard estate settlement process witho

Drew McDermott
Sep 5, 20253 min read


Why Firearms Must Be Valued in Estates
Form 706 requires estates to report all assets at fair market value, including firearms. Certified appraisals ensure accuracy, compliance, and protection for executors and families.

Drew McDermott
Aug 27, 20254 min read


Why Estate Professionals Need a Licensed SOT/NFA Dealer
Estate collections sometimes contain more than hunting rifles. MDRF Enterprises, now licensed as both an FFL and SOT dealer, ensures every firearm—common or highly regulated—is handled legally and safely.

Drew McDermott
Aug 22, 20253 min read


Four Photos, Four Firearms: Would You Have Known?
Not every firearm looks like a rifle, shotgun, or pistol. The ATF classifies certain serialized parts, like AR-15 lowers, handgun frames, bolts, and Sig FCUs, as firearms. In an estate, these items are often overlooked and mishandled. This post explains why they carry the same legal obligations as complete guns and why families, attorneys, and estate professionals need licensed expertise to avoid serious liability.

Drew McDermott
Aug 21, 20254 min read


Local Matters: Why STL Families Trust a Licensed Dealer Over Internet Gun Buyers
When it’s time to sell a firearm collection, families have more options than ever. National websites promise fast “cash-for-guns” deals if you’re willing to ship across the country. But in Saint Louis, many families choose something different: a trusted, face-to-face licensed dealer who provides immediate payment, local accountability, and professional guidance.

Drew McDermott
Aug 19, 20254 min read


Who Inherits Guns If a Husband Dies Without a Will in Missouri?
Missouri families often ask: who gets the guns if a husband passes without a will? This guide explains how probate law applies to firearms and what steps heirs and estate professionals should take to stay safe and legal.

Drew McDermott
Aug 18, 20253 min read


Documentation and Legal Readiness for Firearm Sales and Appraisals in Missouri.
In Missouri, proper firearm documentation is more than a formality — it protects estates, prevents disputes, and speeds up legal transfers. Learn why certified appraisals, complete records, and compliance with state and federal laws matter when selling or inheriting guns in Saint Louis.

Drew McDermott
Aug 14, 20253 min read


Certified Firearm Appraisals in Missouri
When firearms appear in an estate, safety and value are top concerns. MDRF Enterprises delivers certified, USPAP-compliant firearm appraisals that stand up in court, satisfy insurance requirements, and protect estates from disputes. Our process is built on accuracy, legal awareness, and professional documentation.

Drew McDermott
Aug 11, 20253 min read
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