Comments about how I transport my guns

[parsimonious_instead]

My local range is a pretty friendly place - I find that I personally like just about everyone that goes there.
Interestingly, I get comments all the time about how I transport my guns.
As I understand the law, I'm actually well above compliance by having a hard-shelled locked case, and hard-shelled ammo box (also padlocked).
Guns in the trunk, ammo in back seat. Lockable bicycle chain looped around trunk hinge and thru the handle of the gun case.
No one's being nasty, but why are people being busybodys and telling me that I'm taking unnecessary steps? Or that if someone really wants to get into my cases, then can still do it fairly easily?
We all need to do what makes us feel comfortable. I don't feel particularly inconvenienced by the extra precautions, and even if I did, how I transport my firearms and ammo doesn't affect anyone else's enjoyment of the range...

 

[btg3]

You method is different and thus gets noticed. People being people are curious for various reasons -- perhaps wanting to evaluate whether they should be doing what you are doing if it has greater merit, thus they inquire to get further information.

What's curious to me is why you invite additional inquiry by posting here??? Methinks you doth protest too much and in fact go out of your way to seek the attention.

 

[Blackrock]

You don't say where you are from but for here in Arizona you are a little overboard. I do use a couple hardcaases and my ammo in a can plus a range bag, But I don't lock anything and if there are extras they are just in soft covers behind the seat. Usually four or five long guns plus five handguns.

 

[firesky101]

you are even above and beyond CA law. Don't worry about other folks If It makes you more comfortable then that's the way it is. People like to complain about nanny laws, and often rightly so, but sometimes they get so into it that they complain about how others act If they think If is too cautious.

 

[oneounceload]

a hard-shelled locked case, and hard-shelled ammo box (also padlocked).
Guns in the trunk, ammo in back seat. Lockable bicycle chain looped around trunk hinge and thru the handle of the gun case.

Really?

I just put mine in the back of the hatch back in a soft range bag - not a big deal - but feel free to do things your way

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Sounds like you're letting their unsolicited opinions affect you to about the same degree that your precautions agitate them.

Let it go my man.

 

[Pacsd]

Do it the way YOU want to.

 

[imakansasenigma]

I been told by friends I go above and beyond also but all that matters is your own comfort level. Stick with what works for you and don't worry about others opinion.

 

[MutinousDoug]

Consider that 40 years ago, those who owned guns displayed them in the front room in what would be considered today to be a china cabinet.
I have my Dad's cabinet that I would not consider using for that purpose. It's a book case now. I Might make it a guitar/ukulele case in the future.
So...
My perspective is that most people are oblivious to the loss of their valuables until heartache strikes. When I was a young man, my rented house was burgled of all valuables I had ( and the place was made a mess of just for fun, I guess). Thankfully, I had little to lose, having just come back from RVN and recently gotten off unemployment. Now I have a different perspective.
The scumbags really don't care how much you can afford to lose and the audience could care less.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Maybe they are just trying to help you out as they don't understand why someone would go to such troubles such a seemingly trivial task.

 

[K1500]

It seems a complex for someone who is so parsimonious. Do it the way you want.

 

[parsimonious_instead]

I posted the question because I've gotten comments from several people at the range. I was just curious about the psychology behind why someone would even care. Truth be told, they *should* MYOB unless I'm doing something that looks blatantly illegal or unsafe.
I just shrug off the comments that my fellow range-goers make. I like to transport my stuff the way I want, but I sure as heck don't comment on or criticize how they transport theirs. The only comment I might make would be to pay compliment to an unusually nice-looking or interesting case.

K1500 - my username isn't related to my spending habits; there's a whole other meaning. PM me if you want the full explanation.

 

[smalls]

Are you stopping other places before you hit the range? Seems a little excessive to me, but it's not my stuff, it's yours and you can do what you wish with it.

 

[TimboKhan]

I think it's overkill, but I also don't particularly care as long as your being safe, which you obviously are.

 

[Reloadron]

Tomorrow I'll likely go to the indoor range. I'll place two Colt Government models in my soft case range bag unloaded with empty magazines in the bag. I'll also toss in around a hundred rounds. That's it, everything in the range bag which will get tossed in the truck.

I have never had anyone comment on how I choose to transport my firearms and I am within the laws of Ohio. Nor would I ever entertain the thought of ever commenting to someone else at the range about their chosen method of transport. Never heard anyone mention it either at the range.

Just My Take
Ron

 

[parsimonious_instead]

Are you stopping other places before you hit the range? Seems a little excessive to me, but it's not my stuff, it's yours and you can do what you wish with it.

Occsaionally, yes. Sorry I didn't mention that part.
I also forgot to mention that my previous case was a Mezzi with integrated combo locks, so it was less obvious that I was "over locking."

My new case is a less subtle Plano - black with red accenting, and built in hasps for padlocks. So I guess the whole thing turns into more of an unintentional spectacle when I unpack and repack my guns, even though the net amount of "locking" remains the same.

I chose the case because it's a lot sturdier than the Mezzi, which gradually deformed from the rigors of being in my overly crowded trunk.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I posted the question because I've gotten comments from several people at the range. I was just curious about the psychology behind why someone would even care. Truth be told, they *should* MYOB unless I'm doing something that looks blatantly illegal or unsafe.
I just shrug off the comments that my fellow range-goers make. I like to transport my stuff the way I want, but I sure as heck don't comment on or criticize how they transport theirs. The only comment I might make would be to pay compliment to an unusually nice-looking or interesting case.

K1500 - my username isn't related to my spending habits; there's a whole other meaning. PM me if you want the full explanation.

Oh... Maybe they're social cripples and that's the only way they can think of to start an otherwise simple conversation. I know when I go to Ben Avery range I have to adjust my attitude a bit to accommodate the lonely old guys who just wanna talk - about most anything - yet have difficulty initiating the conversation.

Or - maybe they think they're doing you an honest service and hope to help you avoid some of your pre-travel dramas.

 

[parsimonious_instead]

Oh... Maybe they're social cripples and that's the only way they can think of to start an otherwise simple conversation. I know when I go to Ben Avery range I have to adjust my attitude a bit to accommodate the lonely old guys who just wanna talk - about most anything - yet have difficulty initiating the conversation.

Or - maybe they think they're doing you an honest service and hope to help you avoid some of your pre-travel dramas.

Probably neither. They're certainly not social cripples, in fact the people making comments are actually the core group of guys that go there to hang out as much as shoot, and are quite gregarious. I get along quite well with them. In fact, one of the reasons I love the range so much is the social atmosphere.

There's no mean tone to what they're saying, I just find it interesting that anyone's even mentioning it at all.

BTW, do you know Kevin Baker? He's a blogger I've met that shoots at Ben Avery...

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

No, I sure don't but then I'm not very approachable when I shoot so it'll be on me.

Sounds like they're just trying to be helpful in their own weird way at your range but they also may have the outlook that folk not doing a thing their way represents some sort of affront to their method. Brings to mind the folk who are almost "offended" when they hear I carry most autos on an empty chamber.

 

[Twiki357]

Maybe they have just noticed that look on your face and like to stick the needle in a little bit to see if you flinch. Or, you just have your guns and ammo kid proofed and it's easier to unlock and relock at the range.

 

[bigfatdave]

Your method seems (very) excessive to me, but I wouldn't bother you about it.

 

[Tom609]

Even here in NJ, the chain would be seen as a bit overkill. But hey, if that's how you want to transport your firearms and it works for you, so be it.

 

[Ramone]

I use a similar level of security (locked cases chained or cabled to the car/truck). I have even gone so far as to mount padeyes to run the chain through.

If anyone has ever commented, they have always been satisfied with my explanation that I travel a lot, and sometimes have to park where I can't unload the guns.

while I've never had a gun stolen, I have had a few smash-and-grabs (or 'pop-and-grabs') -often when parked in 'good' places. Losing tools, or an a mostly empty briefcase, and on one occasion, a bag of dirty laundry, never bothered me much. Losing a gun would worry quite a bit more.

 

[akodo]

It seems extremely excessive to me. When someone does something I think is extremely excessive (wear a $10,000 watch) I don't try and inform someone of their choice being 'wrong'.

HOWEVER in this case I think people are seeing two things.

First I think they are seeing what they think is a new shooter who is going overboard possibly because he thinks he needs to.

Second I think that there is a real message you are accidentally sending and that message is 'Guns are INCREDIBLY dangerous' and if your precautions are 'reasonable' then people who choose to carry loaded handguns on their hips are ticking time-bombs as far as risking theft, falling down and their gun going off, or whatever else this extreme transportation method is attempting to address.

 

[BSA1]

Why the elaborate precautions for theft protection for your guns and so litttle protection for the ammo?

Transporting and leaving ammo in plain view in the backseat of even a locked car is a easy target of theft. Plus it will attract attention if you are stopped by a LEO.

And finally how do other people know how you transporting your guns? Maybe you find a different place to park.