Yes, that was my first impression of him when I met him about a year ago. And no, he's not a friend but just someone that is a student in our program.
That's exactly the way I was toward him, asking why he left a weapon in his SUV. His excuse was that he got "side tracked" and my boss recongized the disapproval in my voice when I basically said that he was negligent.
I gave him the number to OSP and also ATFE. He said that he notified the Salem PD and wasn't that enough and I basically told him that he needs to get the information out and spread as quickly as possible so if the gun is found, before it's used for anything (I hope that they can find it before this happens), at a stop or whatever, it's in all the LEO's databases.
I mean, the guy bought the gun for protection and I asked why he didn't have it on him or with him at all times. His excuse was that he just moved from California (and this is where he bought the gun, had to call them for the serial so he could report it) to Oregon and didn't have the time, or money (that's another thing about him, very financial irresponsible) to apply.
Now, I'm trying not to talk bad about people, maybe I'm slipping back into my old ways, but I can understand people reporting stolen guns that they tried to protect the best they could. A criminal, a successful one anyway, can defeat any lock, barrier, etc.. if they work at it hard enough. Yet to think that a locked vehicle, surrounded by windows (oh, they popped the passenger side lock and gained entry that way, they knew what they were doing) was somehow safer than having it in your motel room with you.
And even if he got "sidetracked", when I was traveling the gun was the first thing to be secured in the hotel room. I ensured I knew where that thing was 24/7.
After being on the boards and learning over the years, I found myself actually angry that the gun had been stolen.
It also makes me rethink a couple of things that I need to do in the house concerning the shotguns and two rifles. I have secured the house and the room that they are in and also have a cheap alarm system hooked up but I could do more.
But I would never allow the gun to be in the car unless I had direct control over it (like at work, the car is right outside the window where I can see it and get to it quickly. But I can head off any thief that may try to get in).
Now, with more thinking, I'm thinking that I may have been too judgemental on the whole issue. I just hate the fact that someone, somewhere, has a gun that a person that I knew allowed to get into their hands because he didn't take the precautions needed for a gun owner. Of which makes us look bad.
I still won't take back the tone of my voice or the disapproval that I have. I understand that you can't do anything to ensure that your guns are 100% secure, but you can raise that %, especially if you only own one gun!.
Wayne
