Carrying into friend/acquaintances' homes

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I dont care if someone is carrying in my house. However if it was a social gathering I would ask to have it put away, whether in my gun case, or another secured area. If I were going to someones house odds are they know, and if they have kids that hug or like to be played with, like most boys do, I would secure it somewhere else first...
 
Most of my friends know my background, training and abilities. They are happy that I carry when I visit them.

We have one family of friends that have a LOT of kids & one parent has fleece instead of hair (you know what I mean). When visiting them, I've always stopped a block shy of their house and secured (locked) my unloaded weapon before I completed my journey. We highly value this friendship, and the last thing I would want to happen is for the sheep to start bleating "He had a GUN in my HOUSE?????" <Add blood curdling accent here> "My CHIIIILDDDRRRRRENNNNNNNNN!!!". After 4-5 years of knowing this family, the fact that I carry finally came out (the non-sheep parent suspected it all along). The fact that I could honestly say that I had never carried a firearm into their house probably saved our relationship with them, just the same.

There have been a few places that I've carried where what tiny chance of an ND would have been a real BIG deal, so I carried without a round chambered (hey, someone could bump you causing you to fall down steps, dislodge a broom stick on your way down, the end of the broomstick could find your trigger.... pretty far fetched, but freak ND's DO happen).
 
The way I see it, a concealed handgun is like underwear: whether I choose to wear it is nobody's business but my own and I darn sure ain't going to ask permission first. That said, a home owner is more than welcome to express their desire to keep their home firearm free, and I'll be more than happy to stop associating with them.
 
We have all got to agree that there is a difference between a private individual determining who and what enters his/her home and the "STATE" making laws which infringe upon the right of the People to bear arms.

An individual has no right to enter the land or home of someone else. An individual who is invited to enter the land or into the home of someone may have that permission revoked at any time for any reason.

The 2nd Amendment prohibits the federal government (and maybe the 50 states too) from infringing the People's right to keep and bear arms. A home owner who prohibits your entry into his home due to your possession of a firearm is not a 2nd Amendment issue.

I think it is a courtesy to let the home owner know that you are carrying a weapon. If they don't want you to carry a weapon in their home you are free to leave or store the weapon in your vehicle. I would choose to leave.
 
Whew! Thank you Mello! That is a far more elegant statement of what I've been trying to say.

Privately, I've also been told some may worry that it's some slippery slope from homeowner's rights to jail for accidentally carrying into someone's house. It may be a somewhat reasonable argument. But I still believe my house is my kingdom and I get to rule it however I want -- reasonably or unreasonably, as is my right.
 
It sounds almost like it is Woobie time.

If I go to someones HOME and they would rather me not carry. Kids, anti's,whatever the reason so be it. I will try to use it as a teaching moment each time I go to there home. A little truth every once in a while may just change that persons mind.

I can't believe that people are so quick to possibly loose a relationship over "I can't carry my firearm in your home well I am not stayin":confused: I have a great friend that has a wife that is completely brainwashed. Can't see what he does in her:confused: Anyway I would not be allowed to carry in their home. Over the years I have talked with her and now I can hunt on their land. Heck next year she could be shooting with us.

They are very important to my family and that time I have with them I can leave the gun locked in the car.

I understand some people are set in their ways. If it's not my way, way of thinking, my rules, then I'm not playing:eek: I would think it would benefit us all and our rights to turn the tables and do some teaching.

I am tired and starting to rant. My prose cannot express my thoughts so have a good night.

Beentown

BTW...I am taking my woobie and going home:p
 
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I will try to use it as a teaching moment each time I go to there home.
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More power to you for trying to teach people. That's not for me, though. In social situations I don't even particularly care for discussing either guns or gun control with other gun enthusiasts, let alone antis. If somebody has their panties in a wad about firearms, I'd prefer to just avoid them.
 
I agree that it is the homeowner's right to not have guns in the house if they don't want them there. However, I also do not really go around broadcasting that I am carrying, very few people actually know I carry and my girlfriend is the only one who knows how much/when I carry. That being said, unless a home owner specifically tells me that it is not ok to carry in their house I will do so until they tell me it is not ok. I look at it like this, if I own a dog and I want to take it everywhere with me then I will. If I go to someone's house with said dog and they do not like it then they can ask me to leave and I will. As far as safety goes, I am not gonna draw the gun unless I need it, so muzzle direction and trigger safety will not be a concern. The only place I use a fanny pack is if I am going on a long road trip I use it on the trip or if I want to run to the store quickly without straping on a holster.
 
I have been on both sides of this issue. Years ago, during a New Years Eve party here at the house that got rather loud, some neighbors from a few streets over showed up. Great! The more the merrier! Until someone noticed one of the guys had a pistol tucked into his waistband. They were told they were welcome to stay, but gun wasn't. An argument followed, they left. It's not open for debate, my house, my rules. If you don't tell me you are carrying and I find out, don't expect to come back.

On the other side of the coin, I have a friend I visit in middle GA a few times a year, mostly to go deer hunting. She's a single mom with elementary school age daughters. I lock my rifles in my vehicle, in a locked case, and lock the bolts (for the rifles) in the glove-box. I also make sure there is nothing in my bags that would be objectionable should her daughters get curious. She has invited me to bring the rifles in the house, but I feel more comfortable with them in the vehicle.

I believe it's extremely rude to bring a firearm into another person's home without their knowledge, even if they are pro-gun. I don't take my guns into anyone else's home without their knowledge and I expect the same from others.
 
I open carry as CC isn't an option in WI. If anybody isn't okay with me carrying into their home it's usually the first thing that's brought up about 1.5 seconds after they answer the door.

You're king of your own castle and I will either respect the laws you set or choose to go back to my castle (guns are welcome in my castle unless I specifically tell you otherwise).

If I am asked to ditch the gun I ask if they would like me to move my car off of their property as my gun (in a car lockbox) will be in it. I've never had anybody want me to move the car though.

Perhaps I've brought other items into people's homes that would have been unwelcome; I just never thought to ask.

For example, when I visited a friend in seminary school I had birth control pills in my purse. Would he have been okay with it (Catholics are opposed to birth control)? Asking never crossed my mind. Would a vegan friend have been okay with me carrying beef jerky into her house?
 
Enter the P-3AT in a pocket holster with an anti-print panel. It's in my pocket and it's my business. It's safe, secure, impossible to detect as a firearm, impossible for children to access, and since I don't tell anyone that I carry other than a couple of family members nobody has a clue anyways. I don't ask if I can carry my wallet, my keys, my pocket knife, my flashlight, etc. so I'm not going to ask about the pistol in my pocket either.

I remember going to a business dinner once where one of the women in attendance mentioned that she had just applied for her CCW. Our English colleagues at the table were aghast that we Americans carried concealed firearms. After a very brief discussion, which I mainly stayed out of, we went on to other topics and I just sat smiling with my P-3AT in my pocket. I admit I was tempted to say, "well I'm carrying a pistol now" just to see the looks on their faces but I stuck to my "my pocket my business rule" and kept my mouth closed.
 
Perhaps I've brought other items into people's homes that would have been unwelcome; I just never thought to ask.

For example, when I visited a friend in seminary school I had birth control pills in my purse. Would he have been okay with it (Catholics are opposed to birth control)? Asking never crossed my mind. Would a vegan friend have been okay with me carrying beef jerky into her house?
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The way I see it, at my house it's my castle, my rules and my duty to inform visitors of said rules. When to go to someone else's house I likewise expect to be informed of any special rules they have. In the absense of any specific guidence from the property owner I behave how I would expect people to behave when they visit my own house.

If a property owner got upset and asked me to leave and never come back because I broke some rule they never bothered to inform me of, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
 
I believe it's extremely rude to bring a firearm into another person's home without their knowledge, even if they are pro-gun. I don't take my guns into anyone else's home without their knowledge and I expect the same from others.
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Agreed.

If it is absolutely necessary to carry a weapon into a home where firearms are not welcome, a compact expandable baton (such as the ASP F16, collapses to roughly 6") would be a viable option. Scabbards are available for IWB carry. So would a concealed can of OC spray.

What? You mean you've never trained to use non-lethal weapons? Aren't you just the well-rounded CC permit-holder?:rolleyes::barf:

I guess it is true, give someone a hammer and every problem they encounter looks like a nail.

While it is optimal to have a firearm to deal with deadly threats, 90% of the threats we will encounter can be easily dispatched with the use of non-lethal devices. However if I am faced with a situation involving an attacker armed with a firearm, I am confident that I can handle it with the training I have received with the non-lethal weapon (baton) I carry. Let's face it, if someone is going to shoot me out of the blue, I'll likely have a hole in me before I can do anything about it.

Everyone needs a few more tools in their toolbox than just a hammer.
 
My friends all know that I carry. If we are indeed friends, then they most certainly know my love of firearms and that I have my CHL and use it. All of them are OK with me carrying. Most of them are gun-owners, if not CHLers, anyway.

As for 'acquaintances' I don't ask permission or refrain from carrying; I just carry as quietly and unobtrusively as I always do. Ironically, I do agree with the "their home, their rules" concept. If I ever get caught (don't hold your breath) and they don't like it, I'll just have to deal with it.

But, to be frank, I sincerely doubt anyone will ever know unless I specifically tell them.
 
What I'm trying to figure out though is whether it's being suggested that when you get to someones house you announce that you're carrying a gun before either stepping onto their property or entering their house? I'm not even sure that's legal (announcing). Doesn't that break the concept of concealed? Verbal printing, if you will?

That may sound like stretching it but I'm serious. Let's say you're taking your kids trick or treating and your daughter needs to use someone's bathroom, and you obviously don't want to just let your kid into a stranger's house alone, do you announce that you're bringing a firearm into their house?

Isn't this similar to the debate about "No Guns" signs at private businesses?

I should put a disclaimer here as we continue this conversation: I am still fairly new to guns, and VERY new to concealed carry. I haven't started daily carry yet because of this very reason. I'm still researching where it's legal to carry, and am worried about a few things like store metal detectors, banks, and what happens if I miss a private business's No Guns sign. I don't want any of those questions answered in this thread as it's off topic. I'm just saying that so those disagreeing with me know where I'm coming from, and that I am still forming my opinions and personal rules/polices regarding carrying.
 
Isn't this similar to the debate about "No Guns" signs at private businesses?
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Property rights are property rights, so it's along the same lines. I personally would respect a business owner who posts a "No Guns" sign, and shop elsewhere (after all, why would I want to give them my money?). Make the rules for entering your property clear and I'll happily comply, just don't expect me to inform you whether I'm carrying or not. That is my private business and no one elses.
 
Guns on guests in your home:

:confused: Well, if someone is injured in your home (as a guest) and you knowingly let someone else bring in the gun that injured (or worse) that guest, (then I think you would be also held responsible in the long run).

Of course not knowing someone is carrying is different, but if they inform you they are carrying, then you must make the call on if its okay (and therefore take the responsibility of that decision).

In my home, only I have access to a weapon everyone knows it. Why, because its MY home! That way, there is only one gun available (if needed) and I don't have to worry about others carrying and/or the problems that could arise by accidental discharge, etc. That is the way I handle this situation in my home and there is never any problems. We do get sort of rowdy from time to time during these get togethers, football games, etc..... Usually, there are lots of folks attending and so far, no complaints. They know the rules and can either stay home or come and have a great time, (their decision). :)
 
I can't think of anybody I know off the top of my head that would object to me packing heat in their crib.

I imagine there are those kind of people, but I don't generally associate with them on my own time; I seem to be able to keep my social calendar plenty full without straying outside my own species. :o
 
Too many variables...

I see everyones point. It is very hard to summarize all the probable/possible situations.

If I am going to someones house for the first time I don't carry into there home. I assume the risk until I get to know them more. This situation usually comes up because of the kids.

I.E. My girls are in dance class. They meet a little girl they hit it off with and my wife sets a play date. I will not carry into their home. The main reason are the kids. If we all get playing and someone makes me (kid jumps on me and wants to know why I have a gun...)I don't want the issues. The highlight is that I ended up shooting the families Ithaca O/U on THEIR range. Turns out they were into the shooting sports also.

I do not visit homes where I feel like I NEED to carry because of an increased threat level.

Beentown
 
don't ask, don't tell. I don't understand all the hand wringing and angst about this issue. I certainly don't understand discussing stuff like this with folks.
 
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