Ed Ames
Member
Loose cannon has it exactly right.
I'm not worried about friends and coworkers knowing I have guns. That's one of the nice things about living here vs. California. In CA if I mentioned firearms to coworkers generally the most positive response was "yeah, I remember doing that as a kid" or similar. Usually the response was either incredulous ("I can't believe you would talk about that") or negative. I'm not kidding... from 1991 to 2006 I never had a coworker who would admit to owning a firearm. Statistically it's almost certain that several did but there was such a taboo on the subject that nobody would admit anything. Going to a hunter safety course they spent a lot of time, probably a half hour all told, reinforcing the fact that you have to hide being a hunter in California and that it's not like <name your state>. Here in TX there are 10+ people in my office who are into shooting. We can talk about local ranges, about favorite calibers, and so on and nobody acts surprised (except perhaps surprised that a Californian would join in those conversations). Even in CA I never really hid my gun ownership with people I know because I think the taboo is the best weapon anti-gun groups have in California. Besides that, being known as the "responsible firearms expert" (especially after I got my C&R FFL) got me first dibs on some estate guns at times.
I'm not worried about authorities knowing that I have guns. That goes hand in hand with my C&R FFL... I sent a form to the local chief of police and the BATFE telling them where I live.
The people I'm concerned about are the people who live in this area, or work in this area, and aren't above sneaking in while I'm at work and walking off with my valuables.
The challenge is to be discrete, but it isn't exactly the same as with defensive concealed carry. There you are bringing a firearm into situations where its presence can be socially or even legally awkward if revealed. It isn't the same as sporadic transportation where you are moving or going somewhere with a bunch of guns but only infrequently.
What I'm concerned about is that I leave this apartment unoccupied for several hours each day. I know there are keys outside of my control. I know how easy it would be to get inside without keys. There is no concrete to anchor a proper safe to and the safe I have could easily be levered up by someone who knows they have 3-4 hours. If people start thinking "he has neat stuff worth digging through" there is nothing I can do about it. My best defense is to avoid triggering that thought. It isn't just firearms. Video equipment, computers, and other high-dollar items get the same caution.
Many of the best techniques are distraction and misdirection -- presenting an easily understandable image that doesn't look too interesting. The trick there is to provide an image that isn't attractive to would-be thieves. An image that makes sense. Laundry bags would be a great example if apartments here didn't have built-in laundry facilities. Bat bags and tool bags are great ideas. I really like the folding chair bag idea too. It makes sense to move these things back and forth from apartment to car. It makes sense to use them frequently, even every evening.
I'm not worried about friends and coworkers knowing I have guns. That's one of the nice things about living here vs. California. In CA if I mentioned firearms to coworkers generally the most positive response was "yeah, I remember doing that as a kid" or similar. Usually the response was either incredulous ("I can't believe you would talk about that") or negative. I'm not kidding... from 1991 to 2006 I never had a coworker who would admit to owning a firearm. Statistically it's almost certain that several did but there was such a taboo on the subject that nobody would admit anything. Going to a hunter safety course they spent a lot of time, probably a half hour all told, reinforcing the fact that you have to hide being a hunter in California and that it's not like <name your state>. Here in TX there are 10+ people in my office who are into shooting. We can talk about local ranges, about favorite calibers, and so on and nobody acts surprised (except perhaps surprised that a Californian would join in those conversations). Even in CA I never really hid my gun ownership with people I know because I think the taboo is the best weapon anti-gun groups have in California. Besides that, being known as the "responsible firearms expert" (especially after I got my C&R FFL) got me first dibs on some estate guns at times.
I'm not worried about authorities knowing that I have guns. That goes hand in hand with my C&R FFL... I sent a form to the local chief of police and the BATFE telling them where I live.
The people I'm concerned about are the people who live in this area, or work in this area, and aren't above sneaking in while I'm at work and walking off with my valuables.
The challenge is to be discrete, but it isn't exactly the same as with defensive concealed carry. There you are bringing a firearm into situations where its presence can be socially or even legally awkward if revealed. It isn't the same as sporadic transportation where you are moving or going somewhere with a bunch of guns but only infrequently.
What I'm concerned about is that I leave this apartment unoccupied for several hours each day. I know there are keys outside of my control. I know how easy it would be to get inside without keys. There is no concrete to anchor a proper safe to and the safe I have could easily be levered up by someone who knows they have 3-4 hours. If people start thinking "he has neat stuff worth digging through" there is nothing I can do about it. My best defense is to avoid triggering that thought. It isn't just firearms. Video equipment, computers, and other high-dollar items get the same caution.
Many of the best techniques are distraction and misdirection -- presenting an easily understandable image that doesn't look too interesting. The trick there is to provide an image that isn't attractive to would-be thieves. An image that makes sense. Laundry bags would be a great example if apartments here didn't have built-in laundry facilities. Bat bags and tool bags are great ideas. I really like the folding chair bag idea too. It makes sense to move these things back and forth from apartment to car. It makes sense to use them frequently, even every evening.
