Protect the collection and the people
A plan for every firearm and every heirSo your family is never guessing.
When a gun owner dies or becomes incapacitated, well-meaning relatives can create real legal risk by taking possession of firearms, moving them across state lines, or handing them to someone who cannot lawfully own them. A family gun trust replaces guesswork with written instructions.
We draft trusts that name trustees and beneficiaries, set rules for possession and use, and plan for heirs who live in other states or are not yet old enough to own firearms. Our team includes a former prosecutor and a former sheriff’s deputy, so we pay close attention to the possession and transfer issues that can turn a family handoff into a legal problem. Related: gun trusts in Colorado and firearm estate planning.
A Revocable Trust Built for Firearms
A Family Gun Trust is a revocable trust created to hold firearms and establish a clear plan for their management and future transfer. Every trust should be tailored to the client’s unique goals and family situation.
Grantor
The person creating the trust and setting its terms.
Trustees & Successors
Individuals responsible for managing trust property now and in the future.
Beneficiaries
Those who will receive firearms according to your instructions.
Succession Planning
Long-term instructions regarding trust property and future transfers.
Why Families Create Gun Trusts
Structure and Guidance When It’s Needed Most
Every family has different needs, but a properly drafted trust can provide clarity for the people you care about.
- Protecting a valuable firearm collection
- Creating an organized estate plan
- Planning for future generations
- Preparing for incapacity
Planning for Your Spouse
A Family Gun Trust can create an organized legal framework reflecting that both spouses are involved in managing family property.
- Trustee succession
- Estate administration
- Long-term ownership planning
- Coordination with other estate planning documents
Planning for Your Children
Thoughtful estate planning helps answer important questions about passing firearms to the next generation.
- Who should inherit specific firearms
- What happens if beneficiaries are minors
- Who manages firearms until legal transfer
- How family heirlooms are distributed
Family Firearms Are Often Family History
Preserving More Than Financial Value
Many firearms carry stories that cannot be replaced — a grandfather’s hunting rifle, a first handgun after military service, or years of competitive shooting and collecting. A Family Gun Trust can become part of that legacy.
What If My Collection Includes NFA Firearms?
Additional Planning for Regulated Items
Many collections include firearms or accessories subject to additional federal legal requirements. Your attorney may recommend incorporating an NFA Gun Trust into your broader estate planning strategy.
- Suppressors
- Short-Barreled Rifles and Shotguns (SBRs/SBSs)
- Any Other Weapons (AOWs) and Destructive Devices
- Lawfully transferable machine guns
Planning for Incapacity
A Complete Plan, Not Just a Trust
Estate planning isn’t only about what happens after death. If illness or injury prevents you from managing your affairs, your family may suddenly face difficult decisions about your property. A comprehensive plan can coordinate your firearm trust with these documents.
- Revocable Living Trust
- Last Will and Testament
- Financial Power of Attorney
- Medical Power of Attorney and Advance Directive
Why Not Use an Online Gun Trust?
Templates Can’t Account for Your Family
Many online trust templates are designed for a national audience and provide little or no legal advice. They typically can’t account for your family dynamics, existing estate plan, future amendments, or successor trustee planning.
At Trust Johnson Law, we prepare customized trusts designed around your family’s needs — not a one-size-fits-all template.
- Customized, not generic
Our Family Gun Trust Process
A Clear Path from Consultation to Ongoing Support
Families change over time. As your collection grows or your circumstances evolve, we can help update your trust to reflect those changes.
Consultation
We learn about your family, your firearm collection, and your estate planning goals.
Customized Drafting
We prepare a Family Gun Trust tailored to your circumstances.
Review
We explain every provision, answer your questions, and help ensure you understand how your trust works.
Execution
We assist with properly signing your documents.
As your collection grows or your circumstances evolve, we help update your trust to reflect those changes.
FAQ
Common questionsStraight answers about your situation.
Can I include multiple family members in a gun trust?
Every trust is different. During your consultation, we’ll discuss trustee selection, beneficiaries, and the planning options that best fit your family’s goals.
Can my children inherit my firearms?
Estate planning documents can address how firearms pass to beneficiaries, subject to applicable federal and state law. We can help you create a plan that reflects your wishes.
What happens if I become incapacitated?
A comprehensive estate plan can identify trusted individuals to help manage your affairs if you become unable to do so yourself.
Can my trust own suppressors?
Depending on your goals, your estate plan may include an NFA Gun Trust capable of owning suppressors and other NFA-regulated firearms.
Can I change my Family Gun Trust later?
In many cases, a revocable trust can be amended as your family, collection, or goals change.
<strong>Schedule Your Consultation</strong>
Don’t see your question? Call (720) 334-7305 for a free consultation.
Keep reading
Related servicesWhere to go next.
Gun Trusts in Colorado
How gun trusts work in Colorado and when one makes sense.
Suppressor Trust Attorney in Colorado
Trusts for suppressor ownership, shared use, and transfer.
Firearm Estate Planning Attorney in Colorado
Plan how firearms and collections are managed and passed on.
NFA Gun Trust Attorney in Colorado
NFA trusts for suppressors, SBRs, and other regulated items.
Estate Planning Attorney in Colorado
Wills, trusts, gun trusts, powers of attorney, and probate.
Free Consultation
Free Consultation
Tell us what is happening. We will listen, explain your options in plain language, and give you a clear next step. Your consultation is free and confidential.
This page provides general information about Colorado law, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different, and past experience does not guarantee a particular outcome.