Sharing is Caring, and Trust is a Must.

RI RedLeave a comment

Even on a Saturday morning? Well, let’s continue. Before we focus on NFA trusts, let’s talk about how a trust is created. First, the Settlor/Grantor (the creator of the trust) makes a written Declaration of Trust. This names the trust, describes its purpose, sets out its rules, appoints the Trustee of the trust, names the beneficiaries, and otherwise complies with the law of the State in which it is created. It also often describes the property that the Grantor is conveying to the Trust (we’ll call that “Exhibit A” for later reference).

Then, the corpus (property, cash, or other interests) must be granted to the trust. If I am putting a piece of real estate into trust, I must deed it in; however, because a trust is a vehicle, not an entity, it gets deeded to the Trustee of the trust. So, the deed states that, “I, Remington Ithaca Red (the “Grantor”), a married man, of 3d Oaktree To The Left, Bumfuq, NH 00000, do hereby grant to Remington Ithaca Red (the “Grantee”), a married man, of 3d Oaktree To The Left, Bumfuq, NH 00000, as Trustee of the Homespun Trust, dated March 14, 2026, that certain real estate and the buildings thereon, located at, etc.”

It’s Saturday morning, life is great, and I feel fine! And don’t call me Shirley!

But, Professor Red, you exclaim, the Grantor and Grantee are the same person! And I say, no, the first is acting in his personal capacity and the second is acting as a Trustee, two completely separate legal entities. The first has completely given up any rights he had to the property; the second now owns it, but on behalf of the Trust and bound by its terms!

Now, here’s the great thing that makes a trust so effective as a planning tool – well, there are several great things: When the Settler creates the trust, he not only chooses the first Trustee (often himself), but he also chooses and names the Beneficiaries, one of whom can be himself in his personal capacity! He can also name a Co-Trustee(s)(this is where we deal with the NFA).

Now, virtually anything can be put in trust – land by a deed, personal property by a bill of sale, etc. A vehicle would need to be retitled and registered in the Trustee’s name as trustee of the Trust. It is always conveyed to the Trustee of the Trust in that capacity; that’s what legally changes the ownership status.

You know me well, Miss Emily. And, besides it’s Saturday! Range Day!

Do you remember?

RI RedLeave a comment

Yes, Emily, I’d like to do that. And I see that you took heed.
Ten days ago, I warned that there would be an increase in violence, and to prepare. Carrying a firearm at all times and staying alert should be a way of life.

Let’s look at the last 10 days in the news: ISIS-inspired bomb-throwers in NYC. Austin beer garden shooting by “Property of Allah”. San Jose diners beaten for speaking Yiddish. Michigan Temple Israel attempted car-bombing. Shooting of ROTC officer and cadets at Old Dominion, by released Islamic State prisoner.*

Can you sense a theme? And can you sense an increase in frequency? Do world events give you pause?
Have you done anything in response, or is your lizard brain still hibernating?

Emily carries. I not only carry, but I’ve also up-calibered.

*God bless the ROTC cadets who terminated the shooter with fists, feet, knife. They’d been disarmed by Old Dominion’s gun-free campus policy.

I’d carry concealed anyway and ignore a stupid policy. I’d rather live and fight about it later.

Trust(s)?

RI RedLeave a comment

Of course, Emily. I assume that you are asking in the firearm ownership sense, right?

OK! Well, then. Let’s get started. But remember, I am retired now. This is not legal advice! (Required disclaimer – go pay for this stuff elsewhere, if you are really interested.)


A trust is one way to own property, real or personal. A trust is not an entity; it is a vehicle. In other words, it is not like a corporation or an LLC. It is a way to hold title.
Basic knowledge, first. The person who starts the trust is the Settlor or Grantor. The person who administers the trust is the Trustee. The Settlor/Grantor is usually the original Trustee. The intended recipients of the eventual benefits of the Trust are Beneficiaries. The corpus of the Trust is what is put into it.

The intent of every trust is to transform personal ownership of the corpus into ownership by the trust as administered by the Trustee according to the terms of the Trust. The Trustee has fiduciary responsibilities to administer the Trust for the Beneficiaries.

A trust can be revocable by the Settlor/Grantor (until he/she passes, at which point it becomes irrevocable), or, it can be created as irrevocable.

So, why put things in a trust? There are lots of reasons, but a very simple and direct reason is to take the things out of a person’s prospective estate before they pass, and deal with the things before probate of the estate. This is the motivation behind a simple trust (which may include firearms). If I put personal possessions into a trust, when I pass, the possessions are not subject to my will, to intestacy if I don’t have a will, nor to examination by a Probate Court in dealing with, evaluating or distributing my estate. Those possessions come under the purview of my successor Trustee, or are distributed to my Beneficiaries. The privacy aspect is importance; if you had a huge gun collection, the fact that you died would not subject that collection to public disclosure via Probate Court proceedings.

So, from an estate planning perspective, if I want my collection to pass to a specific person, without it having to go through the Executor of my will and any required court involvement, I can make that person the Beneficiary of my trust. When I pass, the successor Trustee can be directed to turn that collection over to my Beneficiary.

Nope. They are a specialized kind of trust to deal with specific kinds of items. They operate exactly the same as all trusts, but account for certain legal requirements (unconstitutional, in my opinion) pertaining to the National Firearms Act of 1934. We’ll look at that tomorrow.

Deadly Serious

RI RedLeave a comment

Read Kurt Schlichter’s latest:

https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2026/03/02/be-armed-and-ready-the-asymmetrical-battlefield-could-be-here-at-home-n2672104

Better yet, read his last book, The Attack. I suspect that the Austin night club attack is but the first.
What does this mean? It means that you must be prepared to use deadly force to protect you, your loved ones, and the country. It means that you must go armed. You must have ready access to firearms. If you are rusty, get thee hence to a range immediately.
Go back and read all of my Bangsticks For Beginners posts. Read ARs for Emily.
If you do not have an AR, buy one. Now. Do not wait. If you need help in choosing, contact me. Look at Palmetto State Armory offerings. Go to your local gun store.

Keep a long arm securely in your car. Where legal, go strapped, but concealed. If you need a concealed carry permit, get one. Now is not the time to dawdle.

If it happens, the police will not be there to protect you or to save the day. YOU are on your own.

Even if you live out in the sticks in Bumfuck, Nowheresville, do not assume that you are safe. If you look around carefully, you will notice a lot more non-Americans these days.

Stay out of crowds. Stay out of cities. Trust your instincts – if something feels wonky, it’s probably your lizard brain trying to keep you alive.

Head on a swivel. Stay alert. I hope I’m wrong, but hope is not a plan.

Now, get off your backside and prepare.

Sincerely yours,

Red and Emily.

Well, well, well.

RI RedLeave a comment

The Mullahs have been at war with us for 47 years.

Trump 47.

Coincidence?

I think not.

Yes, you are! But let’s get back to Kulture Klub. Will you demonstrate come more principles, Emily? Remember, true civilization has long cultural roots. We Have Ideals That Excel!

Yes, ma’am! The government schools certainly aren’t doing it.

A classic. Phonics for the win. How about one more before we go check the news?

You’re knocking it out of the park. Thanks, Emily.