Widows who have been left with lots of Rifles Shotguns and Pistols to dispose of ,,, Should first contact the NRA for their 50% of current value buying program. It is much better than the local gun shop's 10-20% maximum usually. Or some local shister with FFL firearms license who Says he is "giving you top dollar".

Dad left Mom with about 35 pistols and rifles and shotguns , as he was an avid pheasant, duck , goose,and especially deer hunter all his long and happy life in Central California. He bought an elk rifle only to be cheated as an out-of-state hunter by guides in Oregon, Wyoming, and Colorado, legally!! 

 Mom did not know what to do. There was the local FFL shister in San Jose who reads the Obituaries and calls the widows, giving them new 100$ but only 10% of the guns real current value in San Jose, and making a Forture, cheating and lying to poor widows!
We asked two local gun shops and they would only appraise for free 2 rifles, then $10-25 each!  And could we trust their appraisals,,,?

Finally, since Dad was a life member of the NRA, we called them for advice. They gave us the name of a guy way down south who wanted photos and descriptions, but was too busy to come and see them/appraise in person just yet.  He said NRA would offer 50% and that was much better than any gun shop!  Even take all the bullets and reloading machine stuff!!  Dad had some rifles from WW2,like an almost new M-1 carbine with leather scabbard and cloth strap. He also had collected a Navy Colt from after the Civil War with original elephant ivory grips, that we found out we could not sell in California.  We would have to remove and keep the ivory grips and just sell the old pistol.
We could never get the NRA rep to visit, being so busy on both sides. But we certainly learned a lot and how not to be fleeced by all the usual suspects!

Next, i found an article in the Jan 2014 issue of Field and Stream magazine, listing 5 gun auctions they recommended, on page 64.  I call the appraiser advertising on the NRA's Gunauction.com website and decided he was too gruff and unpleasant. Then looked at Gunbroker.com.  Still have not checked out Gunsamerica.com or Gunsinternational.com or Armslist, but do know to stay away from 'collectors' and their mania for perfection.  And brokers-middlemen !!

How do you box to ship a rifle or shotgun?  Still have not found that answer.
A San Jose company will buy all the bullets, boxes and boxes.
The local police were not much help, tho they occasionally buy and destroy guns for $50-100. We wanted someone else to enjoy the out-of-doors and Protect It,,, and hunt a long and happy life like dear old Dad. Destroying a pheasant shotgun,always locked in a gun cabinet, is not going to change the massive American war weapons profit bloody machine!
How does the buyer find a local FFL to make the sale legal, if necessary, in their state?
How do you set a secret reserve price, a minimum price, and get a fair price in the end for all of dear old Dad's prized hunting guns?

The NRA was far from perfect in this sad and rushed-Mom's are like that- situation, but they did help some and maybe they can help you.  Their appraisals were a little low on the most valuable rifles, but 40% is still much better than 10%!!

There are lots of legal thieves and opportunists out there trying to rip you off !!