Can I Sell Guns as an Executor or Liquidator Without a License?

Drew McDermott
Jul 25
3 min read

Updated: Aug 1

Not long ago, I got a call from a woman in Affton handling her father’s estate. She’d found three rifles in the back of a closet, two hunting guns and a break-action .410 that hadn’t seen daylight since the ‘90s. Her question was simple: “Can I sell these without a license?”

"If this sounds familiar, read our guide to what to do when you find a gun during an estate cleanout."

I’ve heard this same question from estate buyers in Brentwood, liquidators in South County, and even a real estate agent cleaning out a condo in the Central West End. So let’s clear it up.

If You’re the Executor or an Heir

The good news is, if you’re managing a family member’s estate, the law gives you some leeway. The ATF allows executors, trustees, and lawful heirs to transfer firearms without an FFL, as long as:

The firearms are part of a lawful estate,
You’re not “engaged in the business” of selling guns, and
The transfer follows all federal and Missouri firearm laws.

"For more detail, see our Firearm FAQs for unlicensed persons, covering private transfers, gifting, and shipping rules in Missouri."

In plain terms: if you’re doing this once, for a relative, and you’re not flipping guns for profit, you’re probably fine, as long as the actual handoff to the new owner goes through a licensed dealer. That’s where someone like us comes in.

"We also wrote a full guide for Missouri executors handling firearms."

If You’re a Liquidator or Estate Buyer

Now here’s where things get trickier.

Let’s say you regularly:

Buy out estates or storage units,
Resell valuables as part of your business, or
Act as a middleman helping others move property.

If firearms are part of that process, even just a few per year, the ATF might see you as “engaged in the business” of dealing firearms. And if you’re doing that without an FFL, you’re skating on thin ice.

We’ve helped several Saint Louis estate buyers avoid that very problem. One of them had unknowingly handled over 15 firearms in a year and didn’t realize he was putting his business at risk. All it took was a call, and we stepped in to handle the transfers legally, with full documentation.

Why It Matters Right Now

The ATF has recently tightened its focus on unlicensed activity. They’re paying closer attention to estate transactions, online listings, and informal dealers, especially those selling firearms from multiple sources.

You don’t have to run a storefront to get flagged. Even a few transactions per year could land you in legal trouble if they involve resale without an FFL.

It’s not worth guessing.

How We Help

At MDRF Enterprises, we work with estate professionals, fiduciaries, and liquidators across the Greater Saint Louis area. Here’s what we offer:

Licensed transfers so the paperwork is correct and compliant,
Written appraisals for probate, trusts, or legal filings,
Outright purchases, consignments, or secure disposal,
And clear communication to make your job easier and safer.

Whether it’s a single revolver in Tower Grove or a 40-piece collection in Ladue, we make sure the firearms are handled legally, ethically, and discreetly.