[ChronoCube]

I'm going skiing with a group and we'll be spending two nights in a cabin in the mountains. I would like to take a firearm or two along. I'll run it by the owner of the cabin, but should I tell the others in the group that I'll have firearms while inside the cabin?

I don't know all of them (some are friends of friends). I don't think any of them knows I own firearms. While I think most of them will be okay with it, some might not be, and it might be better to keep it a secret so they can sleep without getting freaked out. What do y'all think?

[oldbanjo]

I don't, I've been in almost that same situation. If you tell someone they will tell others, that you carry a Gun. I've carried Guns since the mid 60's without telling anyone. Bet if you tell them someone will want to see your Gun, never show you Gun is the safest way.

[IlikeSA]

I wouldn't say anything to anyone, not even the cabin owner (unless the law makes you). I've been burned before by a friend when they knew I carried and told someone who didn't take it too cool.

With that said, if one of them also carries, I may tell them. I usually tell trusted friends when they ride with me I keep an extra revolver in the glove compartment should the need it.

[JoeSlomo]

Nope.

They have no need to know. Just make sure it remains secured so as not to afford any ignorant soul the opportunity to have an accident while "playing" with your firearm.

[Sam1911]

In this instance the only firearm I would take would be my personal defensive sidearm -- and it would be on my person at all times. (Or, a bag directly adjacent to me while I sleep.)

All of my standard rules would apply: I don't talk about it, I don't show it off, I don't fiddle with it. No one else has any need to know.

How would you handle yourself vis-a-vis your sidearm when around these same people in a restaurant or at a friend's house? (Hand's off, no disclosure, no need to discuss.) That's exactly how you should proceed in this case.

[M-Cameron]

dont tell them.......and hopefully they will never have to know........but in the event god forbid you do need to use it and they find out you have it......i dont think any of them will complain.

[Carl N. Brown]

"....so they can sleep without getting freaked out...."

When me, my son, grandson, and a friend went tent camping in the mountains on my uncle's land, we all were armed and being unarmed would have made sleeping freaky.

[gunnutery]

Don't tell them, and as IlikeSA said, don't tell the cabin owner either unless required by law. I've been in that situation plenty of times. I'd also only take one gun, and keep it on you 100% of the time. If there's a time during your trip when you absolutely cannot keep it on you, dismantle it, unload it and put it in your pack hidden away.

[Superlite27]

it might be better to keep it a secret so they can sleep without getting freaked out. What do y'all think?

I think you're thinking correctly.

Although, in order to familiarize them with the fact that there is such a thing as a legal and safe armed civilian, I'd wait until the trip was over before I'd let them know that they were eating, sleeping, and standing right next to a person with a firearm the entire time and nobody was seriously maimed or killed.

As for informing them beforehand, I agree with everyone above. Keep it quiet.

[danprkr]

Laying aside the ones that are your friend's friends. Are the ones you know directly friends if they don't already know you carry?

I can't imagine thinking of anyone as a friend if I didn't know them well enough that they knew. Of course I'm lucky, all of my friends are at least gun friendly and own guns. Some are certifiable gun nuts.

[Sam1911]

I'd wait until the trip was over before I'd let them know that they were eating, sleeping, and standing right next to a person with a firearm the entire time

Uh. That seems creepy. "Hey man... just wanted to let you know I had a GUN on me the WHOLE TIME ... and it didn't even go off or kill anyone!"

It is a personal self-defense tool saved for the moment of dire need. It is private. It is not a proselytizing tool. It isn't a subject for discussion. If you want to change their minds on guns, offer to take them to the range sometime. Don't spend the weekend with them and then make them feel like they narrowly avoided some unknown disaster. :scrutiny:

[jon86]

In this instance the only firearm I would take would be my personal defensive sidearm -- and it would be on my person at all times.

I'd also only take one gun, and keep it on you 100% of the time.

Take only one firearm. This is very good advice. If you take two and don't have one on you, you cannot with certainty say that it is safe. Just take one and bring it EVERYWHERE in a holster with you. Take it to sleep, in the bathroom while you shower, you get it. I wouldn't tell anyone, even the cabin owner, unless required by law.

[bigfatdave]

If you want to change their minds on guns, offer to take them to the range sometime.In fact, do that before worrying about the trip, at least for the direct friends.

[Gouranga]

My own personal opinion.

1. Only take your SD gun and keep it under your control.
2. If there are children present, I will usually just let the parents know. I have 4 kids and even though they are told not to touch them kids are kids.

That is my personal rule. It depends on the group too. If I knew i have a raving anti-2A in the group. I would just follow rule 1 cause I know what would happen with rule 2. So long as the firearm is always under your control, you should be fine either way.

I would also tell the owner as a courtesy. It is just how I am.

[scaatylobo]

I am curious as to what you decided to actually do.

I have my ideas and they are some of what you have already read.

I am curious as to what you did and the outcome of that decision.

[ZCORR Jay]

I personally would only tell the cabin owner as it is his property. No one else needs to know. No sense telling them and chancing someone getting all huffy about it or having to constantly say no to show and tell.

[hardworker]

Telling them will mean you think it's a big enough deal that it needs mentioning. The people you tell will pick up on this and then think it's a big enough deal that they need to tell more people. In short, don't make it a big deal, it won't be a big deal.

[wharvey]

I'd do like most everyone says. Keep it with you and don't say anything about it. All that does is to indicate that it is a big deal. Not the cabin owners business either. Most importantly, if someone does spot it, don't make a big deal out of it. Treat it as business as usual.

Might say something like, "Yep, since the state police licensed me to carry one I usually keep it with me every where I go." This will indicate that it really is no big deal and that you are authorized by the authorities to carry it. Kind of a duh to us but should keep everyone calmer.

[youngda9]

I'd do like most everyone says. Keep it with you and don't say anything about it.

No good will come of informing anyone. Be descrete and be safe...and it's a non-issue.

[TNboy]

I would just only hang out with people who would also be bringing guns.

[sansone]

easy one, say nothing

[kd7nqb]

In that situation I am a big advocate of dont ask / dont tell.

But funny story about that, a few years back I was at a social gathering and I had taken my gun with me, well long story short I didnt tell anybody, although a few of my friends knew I carried I never explicitly told them I was carrying then. Well I got outside early one morning to go sit by the fire and another one of the guys who I didnt know was out there and on his hip is a compact glock. He hadn't put his coat on yet and didnt think anybody else was awake. So I walk over to him and he kinda freaked and was like a.... this doesn't bother you does it? My response, nah glocks dont bother me it just seems like everybody's got them so I went with with a S&W M&P instead. I then told him I was also carrying and all was well.

[DasFriek]

In this instance the only firearm I would take would be my personal defensive sidearm -- and it would be on my person at all times. (Or, a bag directly adjacent to me while I sleep.)
All of my standard rules would apply: I don't talk about it, I don't show it off, I don't fiddle with it. No one else has any need to know.
How would you handle yourself vis-a-vis your sidearm when around these same people in a restaurant or at a friend's house? (Hand's off, no disclosure, no need to discuss.) That's exactly how you should proceed in this case.

I couldn't say it better, Not to sound like im brown nosing a mod. But this is my exact thoughts.
Ill add i may even purposely carry a smaller firearm to increase its conceal-ability.

[oldbanjo]

Don't tell anyone after the trip, because the next trip everyone will know. I spent the week end with a friend and his Uncle once, on a lake. During the night while everyone was sleeping we were woke up by someone, the Uncle talked to the prowler and he left. In the morning when my friend went to the store he was told that the prowler was going to steel his Boat but didn't because someone had a Gun. My friend asked his Uncle if he had a Gun and was told no he then asked me and I said yes. The prowler had noticed that I took one step back and had my hand on a Gun the whole time. I never had to pull it but I was ready if it was needed, I had told no one. My friend and his Uncle were glad that I had it. I have had other several similar occasions. TELL NO ONE

[goon]

Most of my friends know I carry and don't have a problem with it. I take an SP-101 along when we go to one friend's parents' camp and in general, any time we go on a long road trip. It's legal and it's of no use to anyone if I don't bring it along.
It's to the point that they'll sort of "remind" me to bring it when we're planning to go somewhere.
And... just bringing up the topic of a gun has been enough for me to get several people to the range for the first time.
Even if mentioning the gun does result in "show-and-tell", so what?
Unload it and let people look at it. Who cares?

[ny32182]

I don't see why this situation would be any different than any other day; that is, no one needs to know, any more than they need to know if you're carrying a brown or black wallet. Just making this thread makes it out to be a much bigger deal than it is.

The only thing I can possibly see here is the skiing... I'm not a skier; can you carry while doing so? If not I would unload it and bury it in my bag; maybe even cable lock it just in case someone is digging through your bag for some reason. :scrutiny:

I've done the "mountain cabin with friends" before, and in my case I knew each of them plenty well enough to know they wouldn't be going through my stuff. So, it was carry like usual during the day, and in the evenings when we were... having some beverages, I just leave it buried in my luggage.

[CoRoMo]

...some might not be [okay with it], and it might be better to keep it a secret so they can sleep without getting freaked out.
Then don't mention it. There is zero to gain from telling anyone.

[oldbanjo]

People get shot with unloaded Guns. No you should not be showing your Gun to anyone on say a Camping trip. If it was a Hunting trip and everyone had a Gun that would be different.

[blitzen]

Don't say a word to anyone. Figure out a way to dress/undress without outing yourself. No reason anyone has to know. I've done the same thing in cabins and on boats.

[therewolf]

IMO, the real "gun nuts" are these PC tubes who all think we should tailor our

personal and private life according to their opinions.

In a group like that, more than likely somebody's already CCW. Maybe it's a

switchblade, a .357, or a French razor. Did THEY share this information with

YOU?

[BP Hunter]

Will you actually be skiing/snowboarding with it? I always bring a gun to my snowboard trips but I leave it in the car. Though I carry everywhere legal, the slopes is one place I feel I do not feel any "danger". I don't feel the need carrying on the beach either.

[Dave P]

Should you tell? Why of course not! They will know you are a freak, and never want to be near you again!

Hide that pistol. Keep it covered up. Keep it unloaded. Keep a trigger lock on it. Put the ammo in the trunk, or just leave it at home. Don't let these people think that a gun is an everyday, normal thing to have with you during your travels. Normal people call 911, not carry dangerous weapons. You hide your meds, don't you? How bout your dirty underwear?? Everyone knows All gun owners are overly suspicious, dimwitted folks. And don't forget to lock up the butter knives, just so your friends sleep better.

/rant off :barf:

[bigfatdave]

Though I carry everywhere legal, the slopes is one place I feel I do not feel any "danger". I don't feel the need carrying on the beach either.This is why I choose my victims from recreational areas.
Snowboarders gots purty mouths, after all.

[Nushif]

I guess I don't understand the question.

When I carry a gun I treat it kinda like uh ... a cell phone, or a watch. But I don't regularly carry watches, oddly enough.

If someone sees it while you're changing or something, well, I guess they saw that you carry a gun on your belt. No biggie, right? If nobody sees it, well, then nobody sees it. And if someone really notices and raises a fuss, treat it non-chalantly. It's not like the gun defines you as a person. I don't act any different when I carry. Why should you?

Remember, the label gun owner does not define your entire existence. 8) It shouldn't define your vacation, either.

[Claude Clay]

tell no one and the gun i have taken in similar situtations is my K-T p3at in its artofthehide pocket 'holdster'

it stays in my front right pocket and in bed i fold my pants so that pocket is on top and the pants are placed between the mattress and cot by my head...like a extra pillow if someone asks why you put them there.

[hso]

I wouldn't let anyone know and I wouldn't let anyone have an opportunity to "play" with or steal the firearm. You have no idea who the other people are that you don't already have a relationship with and you can't depend on the assumptions of your friend's friends being like you.

[rondog]

Be sure and tell them all about your nail clippers, pocket flashlight, and the condom in your wallet too.

[buck460XVR]

No where do you say in your OP that you have a permit to carry concealed. If you have a permit, there's no reason to say anything.

[kaferhaus]

I'd certainly tell the owner.... otherwise you could be spending the night outside.

Seen it happen at a fishing camp. And the owner of the cabin was a gun owner.... he was just pissed that someone brought a gun into his place without his knowing about it.

I would be too...

You obviously don't know any of these people well.... or you wouldn't be asking the question in the first place.

[ChronoCube]

Thanks for the input everyone.

Telling them will mean you think it's a big enough deal that it needs mentioning. The people you tell will pick up on this and then think it's a big enough deal that they need to tell more people. In short, don't make it a big deal, it won't be a big deal.
I guess I don't understand the question.

Just to clarify my question: I wanted to know if there was some sort of etiquette regarding letting people know if we are sleeping in the same cabin. I haven't been in this situation before so I haven't thought it through.

No where do you say in your OP that you have a permit to carry concealed. If you have a permit, there's no reason to say anything.

I don't, but in a cabin I won't need one. I also didn't say I'll carry it per se. I probably won't carry it, just keep it somewhere out of sight -- in a backpack, under my pillow, etc.

You obviously don't know any of these people well.... or you wouldn't be asking the question in the first place.

That's a pretty big conclusion to jump to. I said I don't know everyone, but those I do know will probably be okay with it.

Also, I would prefer to bring a rifle and handgun. The rifle would locked in a case the whole time but it would be hard to hide the case. But many of you have suggested only a handgun.

[kaferhaus]

Quote:
That's a pretty big conclusion to jump to. I said I don't know everyone, but those I do know will probably be okay with it.

Not "big" at all... if you KNEW the people you'd already KNOW their attitude towards you having a weapon with you for what I assume is a simple ski outing.

[hardworker]

If you're gonna keep it in a backpack then there's no reason to say anything to anyone. Don't mention it and forget it's there unless you need it. Telling people will just make it seem like a bigger deal than it is.

[ny32182]

Why the cased rifle? A locked up rifle isn't going to be much good in terms of "self defense", and if it isn't a hunting trip, what is the goal?

Also there may be a finer point here that matters... when you say "tell the owner", is the owner there, and are you a personal guest of the owner? If so, state law may require you to tell (I believe this would be the case in SC). If it is just a random cabin that you are renting through a property management company, I would definitely not tell them, or even attempt to locate the owner... any more than I try to locate and tell the owner of the mall or any other random place I might go during the day.

[wgsigs]

Just to keep this discussion alive a little longer I offer a different point of view (not necessarily one I hold) out from paranoid left field. Are any of your friends practical jokers? I would hate to accidentally shoot someone who was out creeping around at night trying to "scare" his friends. A very unlikely scenario, but one that could happen. :evil:

[oldbanjo]

Good point and another reason that everyone should not know about the Gun. Someone else could get the Gun.

[Average Joe]

CCW means you don't have to show what you got. It defeats the purpose to expose yourself , those that don't know, don't know.... I don't tell anybody, its none of their business.

[Al LaVodka]

Why would you tell ANYONE there. What's the point. You need a reason to do something. Find one to tell even the cabin owner. Do you tell them what color underwear you wear too?
Al

[dh2683]

Words to Live By "ALWAYS CARRY-NEVER TELL"

[Leanwolf]

ChronoCube, you said you do not have a CCW. Therefore, if you carry that pistol in a backpack, etc., you are breaking the law. Even "open carry" can garner you some grief from cops, if they choose to bust you. In the cabin, you're okay, but step out on the porch, etc., and you are in violation.

I don't know why you'd carry a rifle with you on a skiing trip, unless you're wanting to do some training in case you've decided to join the Army and put in for the 10th Mtn. Div. ;) I no longer ski -- bum knee -- but when I did, I can't think of a time when a rifle would have been anything but a burden.

A big problem might issue with someone in your group if the members know you have a gun there. I've never been on a skiing trip with friends that at night, we didn't do a fair amount of boozing it up. Kinda goes with the night and the territory. :D Someone in your group just might find someway to "play" with your gun and then... well, accidents happen, especially when alcohol is around.

If it were I, I'd take one handgun and no one would know about it as it would be in deep concealment.

BTW, in California, you are not required to tell someone in his home that you are carrying a firearm. At least there was no law requiring "notification" on the books when I lived n Los Angeles for nearly 36 years.

L.W.

[ChronoCube]

Why would you tell ANYONE there. What's the point. You need a reason to do something. Find one to tell even the cabin owner. Do you tell them what color underwear you wear too?

Be sure and tell them all about your nail clippers, pocket flashlight, and the condom in your wallet too.

Please keep this high road. Comments like these are not helpful, esp. when I already explained that I am not clear whether there is some etiquette involved when sleeping in the same quarters as other people. I haven't done that while armed before so I haven't thought about it, hence it is not "obvious" to me what I should do.

[hardworker]

There might be a breach of etiquette if you play with the gun all night and the other guy is sleeping. If you leave it hidden in the bag and mention it to nobody, you're not doing anything wrong morally, legally or ethically.

[ChronoCube]

ChronoCube, you said you do not have a CCW. Therefore, if you carry that pistol in a backpack, etc., you are breaking the law. Even "open carry" can garner you some grief from cops, if they choose to bust you. In the cabin, you're okay, but step out on the porch, etc., and you are in violation.

I am aware of that. I wasn't planning to carry it, even while in the cabin, but have it tucked away somewhere, and locked up in a case if I took it out of the cabin (best thing I can do legally in CA).

I don't know why you'd carry a rifle with you on a skiing trip, unless you're wanting to do some training in case you've decided to join the Army and put in for the 10th Mtn. Div. I no longer ski -- bum knee -- but when I did, I can't think of a time when a rifle would have been anything but a burden.

I'm not gonna carry it while skiing. If I took it out of the cabin it would be as a trunk gun. I tend to view handguns as sidearms and feel undergunned without a rifle or shotgun.

BTW, in California, you are not required to tell someone in his home that you are carrying a firearm. At least there was no law requiring "notification" on the books when I lived n Los Angeles for nearly 36 years.

I haven't heard anything about it either, and I read Calguns a lot too.

[hso]

under my pillow

No

You've already indicated you don't know everyone. You also don't have a carry permit and I'm going to assume you don't have a hunting license so
you don't have an obvious reason to bring a rifle since you're on a woodsy vacation instead of a hunting trip. Since you don't know how mature or responsible everyone is, since you can't secure your firearms during the trip, since you're on a mini vacation in the mountains I wouldn't bring anything that can't be locked to something secure.

[Justin Holder]

I'm going skiing with a group and we'll be spending two nights in a cabin in the mountains.

Sounds like the beginning of a B horror movie.

[MrOldLude]

As stated by others, they don't need to know. Ever.

The people here who suggested "tell them afterward" and the like, are just as dumb as people who freak out in the presence of firearms.

[joe_security]

Keep it in deep concealment and tell no one.