Would you let a relative or friend borrow your handgun, rifle or shotgun?

[AirPower]

For most people I would guess the answer is no due to liabiilty, but are there any legal cases involving this? Say, for example, your little sister who just came out of a bad relationship is fearing for her life with threats from exboyfriend. She asks you for a handgun, what do you tell her?

 

[Rembrandt]

I've loaned them out for family members who needed a gun for hunting...but never for someone needing protection.

If a person needs a firearm for protection they'd better get their own gun, some training, instruction, practice, and a CCW.

 

[Double Maduro]

Depends on who it is.

DM

 

[boofus]

Family, maybe. Anyone else, forget it.

 

[JohnKSa]

NO!

Because if they are reasonable and have taken the time to learn the basics of firearms safety, I've already helped them buy a gun or have GIVEN them one permanently.

If they don't already have one it's because they have a screwed up attitude about guns--their emergency doesn't change that--in fact the emergency is probably a product of the same kind of attitude.

 

[angrywalkindude]

Depending on the friend or relative, yes.

I have borrowed brown bag specials more than once myself.

I will not let people borrow or use anything of mine if their going to abuse it.

Say, for example, your little sister who just came out of a bad relationship is fearing for her life with threats from exboyfriend. She asks you for a handgun, what do you tell her?

Sure you don't want the M4?

 

[MaterDei]

Depends on the person and the reason they need it.

I'm more likely to lend to a friend than family though. You get to pick your friends, know what I mean? There are probably less than 10 people in this world I consider a friend, so by friend I'm assuming you mean somebody that you truly KNOW and not just an acquaintance.

Michael

 

[White Horseradish]

The ancient Cossack wisdom says that there are three things you never lend to anyone - your gun, your horse and your wife. In that order.

 

[rick_reno]

I have a few loaned out to family members now. About 15 years ago I bought a Rem. youth rifle in .243 for my daughter to hunt with (she's in graduate school now) and it was sitting in my safe not getting used. I was talking with the neighbors twins who wanted to hunt deer but didn't have a rifle, so for the last two years it's put meat in their pot. My rule is pretty simple - if you use it - clean it.

 

[stealthmode]

no, if they want to shoot they have to be with me.

 

[Feanaro]

Depends on who was asking and for what. If a suitably responsible and truthworthy guy(I am obligated, by threats from a tide of shaggy women with armpit hair, to say "gal" as well) needed a rifle to do some hunting with, sure. But he by God best take care of my property or he buys me another one. If someone needed a firearm for self-defense, I might do it. Might. I would really have to trust the person and they would have to be in a bind. I would make it understood that the loan was temporary. As soon as possible the party in question would buy his(or her) own firearm.

And if there is so much as a speck of rust, I hope the offender has prayed to Vishnu lately.

 

[Black Majik]

Nope no one gets one of my firearms. The only one I'd let borrow for say, a range session would be my dad.

Other than that, even my close friends wont be able to take a gun outta my sight.

 

[Greg L]

I would be more likely to loan one to a friend than family.

That said, most of my friends are well armed to begin with & wouldn't be asking in the first place (I do remember one occasion when I loaned someone my P-32 as he needed a tiny pistol for one day).

Family is essentially clueless about any type of weapon so there would have to be an overwhelming need for me to loan them something (in a SHTF scenario I envision them being more gainfully employed reloading magazines than providing covering fire ).

Greg

 

[Mixlesplick]

The ancient Cossack wisdom says that there are three things you never lend to anyone - your gun, your horse and your wife. In that order.

That pretty much sums up my attitude but I would let someone use my guns if they were at the range with me or hunting with me. That's all.

 

[stevelyn]

Nope.
If they'd paid any attention to anything I've ever said about the subject of gun ownership, personal protection, etc. they would be properly prepared for any contingincy.
P!$$ poor planning and performance on their part does not constitute an emergency or obligation on my part.
And what JohnKsa said.

 

[MR.G]

I have no problem doing it, as long as they know how to handle the gun.

 

[MP5]

Only at a range with me after they've been well instructed. Otherwise, for legal liability and safety reasons, no way in hell. (Plus, I wouldn't want to give the antis something new to crow about if something went wrong.) Friends or relatives should get instruction and buy their own. I'd of course be happy to help them with that process if they asked.

 

[Blackcloud6]

I'm with MP5.. only on the range with me there. Otherwise, no.

 

[WT]

Yes, I would loan out a firearm to a family member. I would trust them to use it responsibly. If they needed a firearm for self protection I would flat out give it to them.

Some close friends would also be on my list.

 

[Newguy1]

With my true friends, anything I own they are welcome to have, and they know it. Guns are just things, the buddies (true friends) I have are valued more than a mere item. I am lucky that I consider my father a true friend (I did just lend/let him have a .357 revolver).

 

[mcneill]

Dad always said "Never loan or borrow a gun or a car." Kinda like the Cossack and the horse thing.

I have given guns to my son, but I can't envision a situation where I would be comfortable in loaning one for all the reasons already stated - liability, lack of planning, etc. My wife's neice once talked about needing to borrow a gun because of some "problem". She didn't come right out and ask, but no way in H**l would I have loaned her one. She was a complete airhead.

Jim

 

[JuniorG]

I'll go to the range and let ya shoot my guns but, they ain't leaving my site.

If you want a gun like mine to take home with you go buy your own.

 

[Guns_and_Labs]

I've loaned a (spare) rifle or shotgun to my son or a couple of trusted hunting buddies, many times.

Then I've got a buddy with whom I've swapped stuff with...but I think I've been a net borrower...he has LOTS more cool stuff than I do.

 

[klover]

only if they're goin to shoot Republicans

Seriously (pleeease don't ban me for life, I love THR!!),
my family and most of my friends are gun folk already anyways.
Those who would ask me for a loan would probably NOT be safe with one.

 

[Shootcraps]

I would trust a couple of my good friends with anything I have. That's cool.

And probably my family, but not my wife's.