Conceal carry etiquette in someone's home

If I know someone is really pro gun, and pro concealed carry, I'll carry in their home. I'll mention I'm carrying if the subject comes up. Otherwise, out of sight, out of mind.

If I know they are even mildly anti gun, or I'm not sure, I won't carry in their home. I'm their guest. You yourself said they "would likely be worried." Friends don't add worry onto the load their friends are already faced with.

Don't ask, Don't tell?

rc

Unless your state law specifies otherwise on private dwellings, it is concealed. Nobody sees the print of the said gun? Can it be exposed with movement?

What rc said. ^^

I go deep conceal with my smallest if I'm going to a unknown home. That would be a pocket 380.

I carry everywhere I legally can. I don't talk about it with anyone.

It is not rude -- at all -- to be armed.

rcmodel said:

Don't ask, Don't tell?

rc

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Sam1911 said:

I carry everywhere I legally can. I don't talk about it with anyone.

It is not rude -- at all -- to be armed.

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Exactly.

If you are always carrying, you will be carrying in someone's home once in a while. It's not even worth mentioning to the homeowner, unless they happen to tell you they don't want guns in their home. In that case it's their home and their rules.

In my state, I'm legally obligated to state that I am armed before requesting entrance to a home. Mostly I'm in the homes of close friends who know I perpetually carry and are fine with it.

The one exception is a friend's girlfriend who thinks guns are evil. I don't carry in her home, and I figure it's her right to say "no guns." A right that it is foolish to exercise, but a right nonetheless.

Talking about it defeats the concealed part of concealed carry.

In my state, I'm legally obligated to state that I am armed before requesting entrance to a home.

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What state is that??? I'm curious how that law is applied and what penalties are for indicated. I'd like to read the law if you can point me in the right direction. - Thanks!

What state is that??? I'm curious how that law is applied and what penalties are for indicated. I'd like to read the law if you can point me in the right direction. - Thanks!

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I know in Alaska you are required to inform private home-owners that you are carrying and leave/disarm at their request.

I generally will avoid carrying in the few friends homes that I know are pretty anti-gun. I also generally have a beer or two when I'm there, and never drink and handle guns, so it works out OK.

per SC law:
SECTION 23-31-220. Right to allow or permit concealed weapons upon premises; signs.
...
No person who holds a permit issued pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23 may carry a concealable weapon into the residence or dwelling place of another person without the express permission of the owner or person in legal control or possession, as appropriate. A person who violates this provision is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both, at the discretion of the court and have his permit revoked for five years.

So yes, I notify, and ask permission.

Back in the dark ages when I was an active officer I was invited to a relatives house for a holiday gathering. It was family and a sense of obligation suggested I should attend. O got out of my car and walked to the door where the hostess was waiting specifically for me. She stepped out on the porch and asked if I had my gun, department policy required us to be armed on and off duty and she knew it. She told me I was welcome to joint the party but had to leave my gun in the car because she didn't want them around her children. I said thanks for the invitation, got back in the car, and drove off. She had the intestinal fortitude to call the chief first thing Monday morning and report me for disrespecting her. Then acted all hurt when I declined her future invitations.

Now I am of the Don't ask, Don't tell belief. However if I am told my gun is not welcome in your home I will honor your wishes even if I must spend the holidays with other than family.

Thanks for the information. I think private property rights are very important and have no problem with people asking me to leave. It's their property. But making it criminal to NOT announce that I'm carrying a gun is a bad idea. I'm amazed at the two states mentioned so far that have this law.

Sam1911 said:

I carry everywhere I legally can. I don't talk about it with anyone.

It is not rude -- at all -- to be armed.

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Same here...totally agree.

I can't carry in all my family or friends houses due to state laws. Mom is in DC. My brother and a few friends are in MD. I generally carry in my VA friends houses with one exception. One of my friends has 2 children, 4 and 6, that are quite climby and grabby. I usually leave my carry gun out in the car for those visits. My friend, the dad, has no problem with guns and owns one himself.

I open carry at home (inside the home and on my ranch). I carry concealed everywhere else that I am legal to carry. I have my permit issued by the state to do so. I like what rc, Sam and others have stated. I do not tell anyone that I have a firearm if I am concealed. I don't have to tell anyone if I'm OC as they can see the weapon.

I agree with Moxie and those that differ from my opinion, that you are a guest when visiting and I wouldn't want to make a scene. However, if truly concealed, they will never know....... For an example, I don't allow smoking in my home, however, I would never not open my door to a friend that has a pack in his shirt pocket.........

The Dove

Ok one more added dimension to this question -- suppose you're visiting a friend for a few days and staying overnight in their house. They have children. What is your course of action? Do you bring your safe with you? Leave it in your luggage? Storing in the car might work but what if you didn't drive?

They have children. What is your course of action?

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Bring a lockable container and a lockable suitcase. Separate ammo from gun and keep it all locked up.

I'll bet I'm the only "gun-guy" in the world that has a problem with this. Don't really have a good explanation except that I don't want anyone in my home who thinks they need a gun in my home. Would NEVER walk into friends home carrying.....family is a different matter....not logical I guess, just me.

Great question/topic, good thread. I've never really thought about this stuff before but these questions are valid. From what I've read so far I guess the best answer is use common sense and know the laws. I don't think there is a cookie cutter answer but I appreciate the insight.

Guns in other people's homes....

With close friends or relatives, I leave my Glock in my Jeep(in a secured case) .
My sister has kids so it's more of a safety than political issue. She knows I'm a veteran, NRA member & CCW holder. If I owned more handguns, Id probably carry concealed when we went out/about on trips.
Her family lives in a upscale gated community/private golf course so crime/break-ins aren't major problems. Her home is near a large urban area too so CCW/protection isn't a factor to over-look.
My good friend does not want me to leave guns or ammunition in his home either. He lives in a medium/upper class area near the center of our city. He also owns a firearm; a Ruger LCR .38spl 5 shot. He rarely shoots it & uses it mostly for home security.

I don't question or argue who or what someone wants/requests in their own home or property as long as they respect my 2A rights & understand I own-carry guns too.

Rusty

I'd like to read the law if you can point me in the right direction.

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Arkansas law: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/arcode/Default.asp

5-73-306. Prohibited places.

No license to carry a concealed handgun issued pursuant to this subchapter authorizes any person to carry a concealed handgun into:

...

(19) (A) (i) Any place at the discretion of the person or entity exercising control over the physical location of the place by placing at each entrance to the place a written notice clearly readable at a distance of not less than ten feet (10') that "carrying a handgun is prohibited".

...

(iii) A written notice as described in subdivision (19)(A)(i) of this section is not required for a private home.

(iv) Any licensee entering a private home shall notify the occupant that the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun.

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I like jdh's perspective, and Sam1911's. Frankly, if family didn't want to allow for my carrying, I wouldn't be there, either. And when in states that don't require I declare, I don't.

The particular woman I do lock the weapon in the car safe for, though, I'm hoping to eventually convert to a gun gal.

Sam1911 said:

I carry everywhere I legally can. I don't talk about it with anyone.

It is not rude -- at all -- to be armed.
__________________
-- Sam

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I agree with this thinking. And there are 4 states that require you to notify the homeowner before entry if you are carrying:Alaska,Arkansas, Louisiana and South Carolina.

See www.handgunlaw.us for the exact wording per state.