Armed Guest Etiquette

T

Tracker

Inactive
Scenario:
You're visiting friends, staying overnight at their home.

How have you handled this? Have you informed your host? Said nothing? Discussed in advance your bringing a loaded gun into their home? How do you decide if and when to inform your host you're carrying?

Thanks,

Richard

Tao of Gun
 
Tracker,
Tracker,
In India, I would not let anyone know that I am carrying concealed even when visiting someone and staying overnight with them. But this is America,I would let my host know in advance.
That way, if your host objects, you will have a choice of either not taking your gun with you or not go altogether.
Also if your host doesnt mind your gun, in the event that someone breaks into your host's house you can still defend yourself and not be sued or held liable.
Ragards,
Anand
 
Leave it locked in some kind of case, leave the locked case inside a suitcase - not lying around and fight the temptation to tell someone. Nothing good will come from mentioning it. Don't say a word about it. Ever. At all. Nothing. Zip.
 
I recommend (Da DA) a pocket gun. This is less likely to give you away than some kind of holster rig. When not carrying it - lock
it in the luggage - in its case.

My gun friends wouldn't care. If I knew someone was strongly antigun, I think politeness would be to mention it and then not
go there or stay there if they objected.

For a short visit - do the cheap hotel.
 
Tracker,

FWIW, the friends that I visit know my position regarding RKBA.
Questions do not arise and there is no 'show and tell'.
Others, whom I do not know as well, and vice versa, are not told. But if I'm asked, I do not lie. And if they object, then it's time for me to go.
As a host, I do not mind; but I can usually tell without having to ask. Besides, it (CCW) always makes for great conversation, as you've already got something very important in common... :)



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...defend the 2nd., it protects us all.
No fate but what we make...
 
Security of the weapon and presence or absence of children/irresponsible adults would be big variables. If I were the host and had additional people like that around I would be very, very concerned about what was in my house and how it was kept. Wives might be very concerned also and they have a right to know who and what's in the house. Common sense should be applied. On the whole the less said the better but when in doubt just secure it in your vehicle if possible.

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As a host, I wouldn't care. If they had shoulder arms I'd offer them a spare key to the safe, for their convinience. As it is, my close friends know where to find my guns and are authorized to use them if necessary.

If I were to go on a visit I'd just keep quiet unless I knew that the host was into guns. If they are neutral, it doesn't matter: I wouldn't expect them to care if I bring a toothbrush or condoms or guns or books or anything else. If they objected on their own I'd just politely cancel the visit.
 
Unless the friends are shooters who want to ogle at your latest toy, I would say nothing about the gun. If it isn't feasible to wear it on your body (which would be my first choice) then I would leave the gun locked in a piece of lockable luggage, inside a locked box during the day and keep it with me at night or when I left the house.
Some people may say it is rude to keep a gun without the host's knowledge, but my opinion is, my life is worth more than his hurt feelings.
 
My friends know I carry on a daily basis, so they often do not make it an issue, they are instead surprised when I do not. But when I am separated from the weapon, it is in a spot where they do not know about it.
 
Greetings Tracker; Anyone who knows me, also
understands my feelings regarding "threat level"; due to various LEO organizations that
I have been a member of. With that said, for
the most part everyone seems quite comfortable about me being "armed" 100% of the time. And beside's that, if they don't
like it; then I don't need to be there in the
first place!!! :)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Like Robert said, Kids playa major role in how I handle it.

If there are kids in the house, I usually Ask the parents where they would like me to put my gun if I am going to take it off.

If I am staying the night, I will often bring my own lockable case and explain to everyone that there is going to be a gun in it.

I have surprised many people by removing my jacket to expose a Glock... I act like I don't notice there shock and treat it like I was wearing a pager or something. Unless I have to make an issue of it, I'd rather leave them with the idea that everyone should be wearing one... which is basically how I feel anyway ;).
 
All of my friends know I'm "into" guns and the majority would be surprised if they were to find I didn't have one with me.

Children are always a factor - and all precautions should always be exercised.

That said - I feel that concealed carry is just that - concealed. Members of my extended family don't know that I have a CC permit. (Though most know - expect - I always have a gun (somewhere) in my traveling baggage.) If asked, I won't lie about it. But unless the topic turns to firearms, I won't bring the subject up.

If I were offered the opportunity to stay at an acquaintance's (co-worker?, business affiliate?) house on a trip of some type - I'd sound out the "inviter" as to my having a gun with me - and any restrictions they might want to put on the firearm in their home.

If there was some non-compromisable problem - then I would decline the invite. Without prejudice. It is their home and I'd want to extend them the same courtsey that I'd expect from a guest in my home.

There are some gray areas here. What about the business associate in another city - one with whom you have a fairly close business relationship. One who says "Hey, you're going to be in (fill in the city) for the (fill in the activity), why don't you bunk in at the house?" You don't have any more idea than a chicken as to his (her) RKBA stance (or that of his/her spouse).

If you can gently sound them out before having to commit then you're in a better position. If you can't - and don't want to be blunt about bringing along a firearm - then I'd recommend declining the invite. Maybe "Hey, the company springs for the cost and I'd really feel better about using a hotel room than putting y'all to the problem of housing a guest. But I really appreciate the invite. Let me treat you and your spouse to a good dinner.)

Either way, I feel firmly that I want to extend the same courtesy to other folks that I'd expect to see extended to me in my own home. If there are some things (like illegal drugs - however discretely posessed) that I don't want in my home - then I can accommodate folks who don't want firearms (however discretely posessed) in their home. The legality, ill-legality of the object isn't an issue here - it is the feelings of the home owner. I don't agree with them, but it is their home.


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Jim Fox
 
Visited a boyhood friend lately. Didn't think to ask ahead of time but my buddies wife is anti. I couldn't leave it out in the car in that neighborhood so I had to bring it in. Not a good first impression. I get the feeling that if their juvenile child was there during our stay, I would have had to sleep with my gun in the car. If I would have known I would have planned to stay in a motel. I will not drive cross country without some hardware. Got stranded in a small town during a blizzard once. Things got ugly and there was nowhere to run and noone to help. Never again! ddt
 
I've said this before and have even caught hell for saying it... but...

It is nobodys business that I am carrying, period. Its nobodys business that I even
have a CCW permit, period.

Non-gun people overreact when the word "gun" is mentioned...especially women. Its best to
avoid conflict by keeping your mouth shut.

"dont ask, dont tell"

My gun is on me until I bed down for the night. It is then moved into a locked
gun carrier which resembles a small black
plastic briefcase. It keeps my gun out of the hands of curious children and anyone else.

Thats where it would be if I were a guest in someones home.
 
I firmly believe that anyone you are staying with has a right to know if you are carrying a loaded weapon. However, I would find it odd to mention before hand, especially over the phone. If it was me, I would let my host know upon arrival. I would say something to the affect of... "Hey, I want you to know that I have brought this gun, and I will take the utmost precautions with it, but I don't want to make you uncomfortable in your own home... So, if you have any objections, just let me know and I will keep it locked up in the car. Or perhaps just keep it on me at night." Confronting them in person would add intimacy to the conversation, and let them know that you are serious, and respect their opinion. Also, they would be more likely to ok-it in person. Not telling them, and them finding out, could be a disaster...
 
When I spend the night in friends/relatives homes, they sleep more soundly. Most have been to the range with me, and also know that I'm a light sleeper. :)
 
While I agree that it's nobody's business if I carry in public, it is the right of an individual landowner to decide what can or cannot be brought onto his/her property. If I were visiting someone overnight and said someone didn't want a gun in their house, well....I'd probably find somewhere else to stay.

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Shoot straight regards, Richard at The Shottist's Center http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=45acp45lc
 
Personal gun on me, others locked up.

No tell, no foul, no business but mine.

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"
 
If they don't know me well enough to know I carry a gun, then I don't know them well enough to stay at their house. I lock the gun in it's case when I go to bed, since most of the people I visit don't have gueust rooms, and I end up on the sofa or living room floor, and I don't want any inquisitive children to have access to it.

Eric



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Teach a kid to shoot. It annoys the antis.
 
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