Unsecured guns

[Woody B]

I carry a concealed weapon everywhere I go so I'm what you'd consider "gun friendly".

 

 

I get aggravated when someone just leaves a gun sitting around.  Yesterday I got in a customers car, there was a Kahr 9mm (in a holster) stuck between the shifter and the park brake lever.   I didn't know this customer, and they don't know me.  Some of the people I work with would have freaked out had they seen the gun in that car.   (FWIW the same people would freak out if they knew I had (secured) weapons in my truck in the parking lot.)  

 

A couple months ago I found a Ruger LCP sitting on the back of the sink in a grocery store bathroom.  I called the Sherriff and stayed at the bathroom until a Deputy arrived.   What if a young child had found it, and thought it was a toy?   

 

Anyway,  rant over, and a bit of advice.  If you carry a weapon in your vehicle you need to either remove it, or secure it if someone else is going to be in your vehicle.   Also, if you carry a weapon, either concealed, or open figure out what you're going to do with it if you have to "do your business" in a public restroom.   Sitting it on the back of the sink isn't a good play.   I put my holstered weapon down into my pocket, then clip it back on my belt when I'm done.  

 

[GreenPig]

I always carry and it's they're never out of my control. Some folks logic really puzzles me. I saw a local off duty Sheriff's deputy I've known forever the other day so I spun around as he pulled into a store to holler at him. I parked beside him and was looking at his open top/no door Jeep and there's a LCP in in one cup holder and a Glock 19 in the other. He'd already headed inside the store and left both unsecured loaded and chambered handguns in wide open view of anybody to see or permentally borrow. I waited 10 - 12 minutes on him to come back out and ask him what in the #@!a was he thinking. He had no answer to explain away that kind of carelessness. 

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, Woody B said:

I carry a concealed weapon everywhere I go so I'm what you'd consider "gun friendly".

 

 

I get aggravated when someone just leaves a gun sitting around.  Yesterday I got in a customers car, there was a Kahr 9mm (in a holster) stuck between the shifter and the park brake lever.   I didn't know this customer, and they don't know me.  Some of the people I work with would have freaked out had they seen the gun in that car.   (FWIW the same people would freak out if they knew I had (secured) weapons in my truck in the parking lot.)  

 

A couple months ago I found a Ruger LCP sitting on the back of the sink in a grocery store bathroom.  I called the Sherriff and stayed at the bathroom until a Deputy arrived.   What if a young child had found it, and thought it was a toy?   

 

Anyway,  rant over, and a bit of advice.  If you carry a weapon in your vehicle you need to either remove it, or secure it if someone else is going to be in your vehicle.   Also, if you carry a weapon, either concealed, or open figure out what you're going to do with it if you have to "do your business" in a public restroom.   Sitting it on the back of the sink isn't a good play.   I put my holstered weapon down into my pocket, then clip it back on my belt when I'm done.  

 

 

I hear that the draft proposal to confiscate all guns if folks can't keep and use them responsibly was declassified...

 

[Bird]

Carry all the time and have a registered pistol in every vehicle, consealed....... yes, have a permit.

Leaving a firearm on the back of a toilet is unimaginable and very irresponsible.

[gim]

26 minutes ago, Bird said:

Leaving a firearm on the back of a toilet is unimaginable and very irresponsible.

That's hard for me to even imagine.  One, its dangerous for someone who doesn't know how to properly use it, and two, it probably has some value and could be stolen and potentially used in a crime.  Whoever's name its registered to will be held responsible should that occur.

 

I would take this even one step further and be responsible for your weapons not just in public, but at home too.  All of my firearms are in a locked safe.  I have a 3.5 year old boy at home and my wife requires that's where they be.  But even if I didn't they would still be there because they are very valuable to me, and they are all expensive to replace.  I'm worried about someone trying to steal them so that is where they go until I use them.

 

@Woody B, I believe the first situation you described is not illegal if it was in a holster.  Might be a bit awkward, but not against the law.  The second situation is definitely illegal.

[Skunkmaster-k]

I used to have a gun rack on the back window of my pickup truck. It’s a different world nowadays. As for leaving a loaded gun in a public bathroom , I mean come on. 

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, Bird said:

and have a registered pistol in every vehicle, 

So like a .357 for the pickup and a .22 for the Prius?...  

[Captain Phil]

Many people I know carry a gun.  Where we live now I don't feel the need.   When I lived and worked in Miami, I did as someone may kill you there for your watch.   In my view, carrying a gun in your car is asking for problems.   Things happen on the highway that can quickly escalate out of control.  I would rather hit the gas instead of pull the trigger.  A guy I knew in South Florida shot himself in the thigh by accident with a 357 magnum while sitting at a traffic light.   He almost lost his leg.  Chances are greater you will shoot yourself or someone in the car rather than an attacker. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

More handguns are stolen from unlocked cars than any other source.

 

Countless CC pieces have been left in restrooms when folks remove them to do the business.

 

No excuse not to secure a firearm on your person when carrying, part of the huge responsibility of being a concealed carrier.

 

This is why folks need tor research their CC setup extensively and find an option that carries comfortably, and for a long period of time.    You should hardly notice your CC, thus you shouldn't be wanting to take it off at every chance.   

[Darth-Baiter]

I dont conceal carry.  I am a purely recreational shooter.  hunting, etc.

 

it also drives me nuts when people just have them laying around.  even at deer camp, my friend secure things.  sometimes there are young kids at camp and we dont want no trouble.  

[roadwarrior]

I have hunted with many men and in several clubs over the years.

I have NEVER observed any carelessness at any time over a period

of several decades. It is YOUR responsibility to pick your friends and

hunting partners.

[Ski]

[NavyToad]

I carry, and present no danger to myself or others unless others intend to harm me. I also have a gun in my car, and I totally disagree with the idea that chances are greater that I’ll shoot myself or someone in my car, rather than my attacker. 

[gim]

3 minutes ago, NavyToad said:

and I totally disagree with the idea that chances are greater that I’ll shoot myself or someone in my car, rather than my attacker

You may be one of the statistics that goes against the grain.  Raw data indicates that you are in the minority though.  I have no reason to doubt your truthfulness on the subject.

[NavyToad]

10 minutes ago, gimruis said:

You may be one of the statistics that goes against the grain.  Raw data indicates that you are in the minority though.  I have no reason to doubt your truthfulness on the subject.

My raw data suggests otherwise.

 

[gim]

Never mind.

[NavyToad]

12 minutes ago, gimruis said:

@Captain Phil's data suggests otherwise.  Maybe its state-dependent.

Exactly my point. So and so says…..I was speaking for myself and not someone who can’t figure out which direction to point a gun. Carelessness and stupidity don’t recognize state borders.

 

[Jrob78]

I've carried a gun every day my entire adult life so I am far from anti-gun but leaving a gun in your car all the time when you aren't in it is asking for trouble imo. I always assume the people doing it are the ones with gun stickers all over their cars too. I feel the same way about open carry too though, advertising you have a gun is rarely a good idea. 

 

 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Yeah I'm not one to leave a gun in a car ever, nor do I open carry.   Certainly, don't advertise I'm a gun guy with stickers or apparel. 

 

All that said, everybody's situation is different.   To this day, a "truck gun" is still a very common tool to see in a truck in rural America.    That same "truck gun" would be stolen in a heartbeat in an urban and even many suburban locations in America.

 

Thankfully even in 2022, there are many places in America where people don't even have to lock their home doors at night.   

[Jrob78]

23 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Yeah I'm not one to leave a gun in a car ever, nor do I open carry.   Certainly, don't advertise I'm a gun guy with stickers or apparel. 

 

All that said, everybody's situation is different.   To this day, a "truck gun" is still a very common tool to see in a truck in rural America.    That same "truck gun" would be stolen in a heartbeat in an urban and even many suburban locations in America.

 

Thankfully even in 2022, there are many places in America where people don't even have to lock their home doors at night.   

Yeah I thought about that after I posted. I live in the city and my situation is very different than people who live in a rural area. It wouldn't change anything for me personally but I do see the difference.

[GreenPig]

1 hour ago, Jrob78 said:

I've carried a gun every day my entire adult life so I am far from anti-gun but leaving a gun in your car all the time when you aren't in it is asking for trouble imo. I always assume the people doing it are the ones with gun stickers all over their cars too. I feel the same way about open carry too though, advertising you have a gun is rarely a good idea. 

 

 

Be the Grey Man - No SIG/GLOCK hats, 511 clothing, etc. Folks see me in my Columbia clothing & sandals and never think he's carrying 2 pistols, 2 spare mags, a blade, and flashlight. 

[Woody B]

1 hour ago, GreenPig said:

never think he's carrying 2 pistols, 2 spare mags, a blade, and flashlight. 

I normally carry 1 pistol, 2 spare mags, a flashlight and a blade. 

 

A couple years ago my cousins, uncles, Dad and myself had a contest to see who could have the most concealed firearms at our family reunion.   I lost.  I only had 6.   A cousin had the same 6 I had (right hip, left hip, small of the back, both cargo pockets and 1 ankle.   He also had a .380 on a necklace holster concealed by his beard.   

 

No gun or other decals for me.  The customer with the Kahr in his cupholder had a Glock decal.  (on his BMW)

[T-Billy]

7 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

.  Chances are greater you will shoot yourself or someone in the car rather than an attacker

Train. Practice. Don't play with the d**n thing like it's a toy. 

[slonezp]

Can you say vehicle gun safe? While they are far from perfect, somebody checking for unlocked vehicle doors probably doesn't have a set of electricians dykes or cable cutters with them.

 

My carry weapon doesn't remain in my truck, if I am not in my truck and, unless I'm on a long ride, it stays on my hip. My truck is always locked. Where I live I don't trust anybody. If I am on a long trip, I will pull the gun out of the console, strap it to my hip, and go into the gas station to use the restroom or buy snacks, and put it back in the console to continue on.

 

It amazes me as to how stupid people are. People leave their kids in the car, with the engine running, to run into a 7/11 or gas station and their car gets jacked. Kid(s) get left on the street a few blocks away, if they're lucky.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

43 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Can you say vehicle gun safe? While they are far from perfect, somebody checking for unlocked vehicle doors probably doesn't have a set of electricians dykes or cable cutters with them.

 

My carry weapon doesn't remain in my truck, if I am not in my truck and, unless I'm on a long ride, it stays on my hip. My truck is always locked. Where I live I don't trust anybody. If I am on a long trip, I will pull the gun out of the console, strap it to my hip, and go into the gas station to use the restroom or buy snacks, and put it back in the console to continue on.

 

It amazes me as to how stupid people are. People leave their kids in the car, with the engine running, to run into a 7/11 or gas station and their car gets jacked. Kid(s) get left on the street a few blocks away, if they're lucky.

Like everyone else in this thread you sound really squared away.    For those in your life that choose to carry but aren't squared away, have them watch this video.   

 

Best lecture I've ever heard on having a proper self-defense mindset.