I'm a little confused- Your query reads "How should a spouse handle a gun collection" (my inital response is: 'very carefully-women and machinery don't usually mix well'- but then you mention a girl friend, not a wife (aka- spouse) I've had both, and basically I don't trust attorneys, but sometimes you have to-I have one (he's in our deer hunting group) I have come to trust, and he is also a gun collector-so I had him draw up irrevocable trusts so that most of my modest collection goes to my Grandson (aka- Corey Ford's letter to same circa 1960's era) As I also have older Harleys (and two Granddaughters) those are also in trusts for them, but to be sold and the funds set aside for their college educations-Women have enough going on in their busy little heads, but you do want to make sure some "sharpie" doesn't come along after they plant you 6 foot deep and try to swindle her out of the valuables. If I wanted to sell valuable firearms today, I would most likely do it through a major gun auction house- last year or so a friend contacted one (in the New England area-where most American guns were made-back in the day-)and they picked up the guns by a bonded carrier at his house, he got his check about 2 weeks after the auction- No FFL-No BATF- No shipping and the return for no reason problems, no counterfeited cashier's checks, etc. It is a premium price I will grant you, but security is the op. word in this internet age of high tech crooks-and the word is- the BATF is watching E-Bay and gun shows with an eagle's eye-best to be extra cautious-RWTF
I really can't add much to this as I have basically taken the same approach. One of the MOST important steps you have to take is to develop a current inventory of your firearms and other collectibles and KEEP IT UP TO DATE. I have identified how and where my collection is to be disposed of right in my trust. If you don't do this you're leaving your family open to fraud.
As far as disposing of firearms now goes I'm in agreement if:
*They are no longer being used. AND
*They are NOT appreciating in value.
I also intend to enjoy my lifelong collecion as long as possible. That's always been the primary reason for collecting for me and I've never lost sight of this. So that's certainly another factor to consider.
Jim
