Not sure if this is a silly question... (firearm related)

[Salvage3]

I'm going to bow out of this thread, as I have some major problems with the OP's answer to my question.  Short explanation, but I come from Eastern Washington, and we and the north Idaho area have had some major problems with the militias, etc.  --most of which has hit national news.

However, I do have a suggestion to anyone interested.  I just did a Google search on "open" carrying and got a real education.  There have been some real major problems with people calling in law enforcement when seeing a holstered gun in Starbucks, for example.  It's very interesting if you have the time to go look.

OP, I am not saying you are necessarily wrong; but I hope you think out your reasons very, very carefully.  Good luck to you.

[Sophistry]

I have to say I would find it extremely odd and off putting if you wore a gun into my house.  I have never seen anyone other than a police officer openly wearing a gun, and they are very conspicuous.

But, then again, I live in Massachusetts, so YMMV.  I would be wondering if you felt that as I host, I was providing an unsafe environment.

[jimithing]

For some reason, Kendo, I thought that you had a concealed permit.  I wouldn't allow you in my house with a gun, period, but I can tell you that I would most definitely notice a gun on your hip and would be extremely startled.  I don't know anyone who carries a unconcealed gun, and this would make me very uncomfortable. 

If I was at a store or out and about, I would assume that you were a police officer if you were carrying a gun out in the open like that. I don't want to get into further discussions, as I think they could turn political, but I would be fearful for a family member who did that.

I see that Sophistry beat me to it and basically said the same thing.

[Gambitgirl]

if someone came into my home with a gun in plain view i would say "can you please leave that in the car? i don't allow guns in my house thanks." and while they were taking it to the car i would think to myself, "why did they not even ask if they could bring that in?"

if you're wondering what to say to someone who may not know you carry at all times i think a simple, "hey, i know someone people don't allow guns in their home. i happen to carry one frequently. would you like for me to leave it in the car?" that way you sound quite accommodating and considerate and give them the option to decline or say it's ok to bring it in.

[Sophistry]

Kendo,

As to leaving it in the car, I won't leave my GPS in the car for fear of it being stolen, and well, the ramifications of that are a less directionally challenged thief.

What of a dishonest individual finding a gun? Can you get a gunsafe for a car?

[NOVA Lady]

Fine with me. My best friend's mother is not a gun fan, so my gun stays in my car during my visits. Another of my friends has a bit of a phobia about being shot, so I unload my gun before visiting her- she wants to learn how to shoot someday, but I figure it's better to get her used to the presence of an unloaded gun first.

Then we would be fine We have a few friends who do have a permit to carry a concealed weapon and some of them (especially the marshall who always has his gun) have them on when they visit. But they respect our rules, take the gun out and unload it or show us it is unloaded and we move on.

We are not fearful of guns, but loaded guns in our home are a no-no to us....even with our own weapons.

[gjcva1]

I don't know much about gun laws, but could you maybe conceal it when meeting strangers? I don't think leaving your gun in the car, where it may be stolen, is a good option.

It's illegal to concealed carry without a license... when I leave my gun in my car I hide it well. No laws about having a gun hidden in an unoccupied vehicle that I know of.

what state are you in?  i'm in Virginia, and i have a CW permit because if i was in the truck whilst DH (who also has a CW permit) went in to pay for gas or something, and i didn't have a CW permit, and the police for some unknown reason searched the truck, i would be in a world of hurt from a legal standpoint!!!  DH carries, i don't.  mine is as home, on my side of the bed.  i think it might be a hair-splitting thing here....you can open carry, but when you are in the car, by definition, you are no longer open carrying, you are concealed, because your weapon cannot be seen openly.  

[whipeout]

Sorry, I don't want to offend but if anyone including my own children came to my home with a loaded handgun on them they would not be in my home. only exception police officer preferably on duty.

[NOVA Lady]

I don't know much about gun laws, but could you maybe conceal it when meeting strangers? I don't think leaving your gun in the car, where it may be stolen, is a good option.

It's illegal to concealed carry without a license... when I leave my gun in my car I hide it well. No laws about having a gun hidden in an unoccupied vehicle that I know of.

what state are you in?  i'm in Virginia, and i have a CW permit because if i was in the truck whilst DH (who also has a CW permit) went in to pay for gas or something, and i didn't have a CW permit, and the police for some unknown reason searched the truck, i would be in a world of hurt from a legal standpoint!!!  DH carries, i don't.  mine is as home, on my side of the bed.  i think it might be a hair-splitting thing here....you can open carry, but when you are in the car, by definition, you are no longer open carrying, you are concealed, because your weapon cannot be seen openly. 

Unless.... I believe the gun was properly stored, as to be transported between range and home.

We keep the guns in the car (when we're travelling with them somewhere) in a gun safe type thing with the ammo in a seperate locked compartment.

[kathrynne]

I hate to say it, but having been on the wrong end of a .44 during a robbery (for minimum wage, of course) and having had an ex-roommate's BF threaten me and my critters with his many guns (he was a gun dealer), there's no way I could stand to even look at anyone carrying openly other than a police officer or uniformed soldier. I'd be hitting up my Valium stash if in public, and denying entry to my home if on my porch.

I realize they're necessary in many circumstances, but once you've had someone threaten to gut-shoot you for $3.35 an hour it kinda changes your perspective.

[Alida]

It's illegal to concealed carry without a license... when I leave my gun in my car I hide it well. No laws about having a gun hidden in an unoccupied vehicle that I know of.

Can I ask what state?  It is illegal in some states to keep a concealed, loaded weapon in your vehicle without a CCW. 

[jimithing]

It's illegal to concealed carry without a license... when I leave my gun in my car I hide it well. No laws about having a gun hidden in an unoccupied vehicle that I know of.

Can I ask what state?  It is illegal in some states to keep a concealed, loaded weapon in your vehicle without a CCW. 

Yep.  It is in Utah.

[gjcva1]

Unless.... I believe the gun was properly stored, as to be transported between range and home.

We keep the guns in the car (when we're travelling with them somewhere) in a gun safe type thing with the ammo in a seperate locked compartment.

don't disagree at all, Marina.  that was my point.  if DH's gun was in the truck, and he wasn't, i would be the one in trouble.  

i don't think hiding the gun in a car is a good thing.  to my mind, even if a state is open carry, you have to get the gun to the place where you will open carry, and in a vehicle, that would necessarily be concealed, as it cannot be easily seen.  in fact, we are currently looking into gunsafes for the house.  though that does not preclude keeping handguns at easy reach.  we have no small children in the house.  when grandbabies come along, that will change.  

and yes, except for our commute to and from work, where the truck is parked on a federal reservation, and private firearms are not permitted, even with a CW permit, there is a pistol in the truck.

[Kendo_Bunny]

For various things:
I do live in Virginia.
Per the militia thing, I do not belong to a "private" militia. I simply consider it my duty as laid out by the Constitution's Framers, as my health rendered me unfit for military service.
I believe my firearm is for personal protection, and as a reminder of how and why our country was founded. Also, it has been ruled that the police have no personal duty to protect individuals- their duty is to uphold the law. I can't carry a policeman in my pocket, so I carry my own gun. Without trying to get too political, I don't believe in letting any one entity have a great superiority of firepower. I'm a pretty strict Constitutionalist... so yeah.

I think I'll go with GambitGirl's question. I don't want to appear to be invading people's private space- I believe people should set their own house rules, and I won't break them if I can help it. But I also don't want to make it sound like I think they never commented on my gun because they never noticed it- to me, that sounds like I'd be insinuating that they weren't very bright. Also, I know some people just forget, or don't think to say anything, or think 'Well, she carries in public, but I'm sure she wouldn't bring it into my home because I don't like guns, even though I've never explicitly told her so', or those people who assume it's not real because they're so unused to seeing people carrying. I know James has that happen a lot- people who notice it usually ask first if it's real.

For travelling with a loaded gun, the VA law is it must be in plain view- on the dashboard or on the passenger's seat.

[Alida]

Fine with me. My best friend's mother is not a gun fan, so my gun stays in my car during my visits. Another of my friends has a bit of a phobia about being shot, so I unload my gun before visiting her- she wants to learn how to shoot someday, but I figure it's better to get her used to the presence of an unloaded gun first.

I'm confused - you carry an empty gun then?

I carry both for sport and protection, with full training.  One thing I refuse to do is carry something unloaded.  I'd rather leave it home.  Though I do have a CCW and make full use of it.