Do you display your guns?

[lilguy]

No. Only the adults in my immediate family have ever seen my collection. They would
be the ones to deal with it if and when I unexpectedly assume room temperature.

 

[Nom de Forum]

Nope. I learned the hard way to not do that. No bumper stickers, no talking about guns in public except at the range and LGS, guns loaded into and out of my vehicle with the garage door closed. I live in a safer neighborhood than many people, but there are no completely "safe" neighborhoods. I don't even like my mailman knowing I get mail from the NRA and SAF. My wife occasionally lets slip information about my military career to her "friends" that makes me cringe when I find out. You never know who the "friends" other friends may be friends with. I even have all my firearms books shelved in a room rarely seen by anyone. Call me paranoid, but OPSEC is not something that only the military should practice. Perhaps if I had a living situation similar to 460Kodiak I would consider again having a display. I do share his pleasure at looking at guns. Mine are out frequently in between trips to the range. I even occasionally look at the glossy photos of guns in books I have owned for decades.

 

[Sarge]

Well, I too believe in OPSEC - But I also don't believe it necessary to be totally paranoid about my gun collection. Since I back up to my garage door it is easy to load stuff when I'm going hunting or to the range w/o anyone seeing what I'm doing.
By the same token most of my neighbors have been there for 20+ years and know that I'm a gun guy. Some of them are too, like the next door cop.
Since my truck registration & lisc is to a PO Box, I don't worry about someone seeing all my bumper stickers, most of which are military/gun related, while I'm out and about and finding out where I live.
Here is an old photo of what the back of my truck looks like:
Sarge

 

[TruthTellers]

About the only "guns" I would display would be black powder muzzleloaders and any from before 1898.

Like others have said, there's no need to display guns to people you don't know. If you want to show someone you personally know and trust your hot new $5000 Gold plated 1911 with custom engraving of your length and girth that's different.

 

[Partizanai]

We never broadcast here...

We live in a state (Maryland) that is filled with "Liberals". Here
so many people feel the only people that should be allowed to have
firearms are the police.
We (as do most of our friends) have wisely chosen to build nicely crafted
"weapons/ammo stash areas" in our homes. We all keep at least one
more easily available -for emergency of course.
It is a huge mistake to tell neighbors etc. about your weapons or ammo.
Think of "Liberals" and the levels of cross-contagion that their attitudes
about our "gun rights" truly inspire.
We live between two crime ridden cities (Baltimore) and yes....(Washington
DC) both are dangerous places and are filled with people against our gun
rights.
Displaying firearms is really never something that most of my friends would
ever consider. A safe, dry. secure and hidden space (that's still readily accessed
when required...) is my choice always.
P

 

[Ed Ames]

Partizanai, I'm glad you brought up your location.

When I lived in California, I absolutely did not display or discuss. In fact one of the reasons I'm primarily a handgun person is that it is so much easier to discreetly take a handgun to a shooting range. No magazines, no memberships in RKBA orgs that would cause "gun owner mail", etc.. In the 30+ years I lived in CA, I told maybe four non-family people that I enjoyed shooting, went shooting with two of them, and showed my collection to one.

In hindsight I think all that tight security was self defeating. It reduced my risk in one area (direct theft) but greatly increased it in another (political erosion of rights).

I am far more " out" as a gun owner now, and overall I am happier. Of course it is much easier to be out in Texas. I can't see myself permanently moving to any place less RKBA friendly than Texas so this is probably moot, but...if I do find myself living in "enemy territory" again I hope I have the bravado to stay out as a gun owner, but I'll probably go back to my old private ways.

 

[TwinReverb]

Hide. I only own a Glock 19 and a Glock 43. They're worth displaying, but no one else will get it. That and I have children, so they go in a "biometric" safe.

 

[CountGlockula]

Only on forums:

 

[Tommygunn]

What I display - - - -
The working firearms I own are not displayed.
In my middle "bedroom" (which is my "computor room") I have some old or nonfunctioning wall hangers; A repro of a 1892 large loop Winchester (supposedly of the kind John Wayne used in his westerns) two Pietta cap & ball revolvers on wooden frames (they will load & shoot but I doubt any thieves would know how to use the,) a Denix repro of a German MP-40 SMG and a dummy 1928 Thompson.
On some forums which users have avatars I use a photo of that dummy Thompson as my avatar.

 

[Nom de Forum]

We live between two crime ridden cities (Baltimore) and yes....(Washington
DC) both are dangerous places and are filled with people against our gun
rights.

Coincidently, I did too for about 3 years. Near the intersection of the 295 and the 32 I lived and worked where OPSEC was taken very seriously. Fortunately there was a Indoor Range and Gun Club Range, each only 10 minutes away in opposite directions. I tried to remain as inconspicuous as possible when coming and going to either.

 

[Partizanai]

Other than hiding/securing locations-

Ed Ames________________
Don't hide arms, get sidearms!

I do have and enjoy both "target shooting" and solely "self defense
handguns." As I said earlier, I do keep a handgun (outside) my secured
area -simply for home protect purposes.
Thanks!
P

 

[redneck2]

We had a woman family friend that wanted to see my guns. Showed them to her. Next day she's at work telling everyone about my stuff.

Now nobody sees them. Ever.

 

[Partizanai]

Birds of a feather?

Nom de Forum-
I am familiar with the indoor range that you referenced. It's a very short
distance from me. I am also quite familiar with your previous "home?" location.
I agree with you that there are several options.
Thanks-
P

 

[Partizanai]

Good time to move them....

redneck2-
I agree about not showing them to anyone. I also believe that as this
woman has shared their location with others (who may have also shared
with yet others?) it might be prudent to relocate your firearms to another
location in your home.
P

 

[HOWARD J]

Here in Southeast MI if you have something bolted down to concrete---
they will steal what is bolted down & then steal the concrete

 

[Nom de Forum]

Well, I too believe in OPSEC - But I also don't believe it necessary to be totally paranoid about my gun collection. Since I back up to my garage door it is easy to load stuff when I'm going hunting or to the range w/o anyone seeing what I'm doing.
By the same token most of my neighbors have been there for 20+ years and know that I'm a gun guy. Some of them are too, like the next door cop.
Since my truck registration & lisc is to a PO Box, I don't worry about someone seeing all my bumper stickers, most of which are military/gun related, while I'm out and about and finding out where I live.
Here is an old photo of what the back of my truck looks like:
Sarge

Whatever a person is comfortable doing regarding the legal display of firearms or association with firearms is their business. I do think that what I see in this photo,



certainly makes you and some pro-gunners feel good, but strengthens rather than weakens the resolve of anti-gunners, and is oft putting to the people in between that we need to convince to remain neutral or sway to our side to continue winning the battle to defend the RKBA. Unfortunately gun ownership is not a club, school, or team sport that a supporting bumper sticker has no potential impact on its continued existence. Shouting at the opposition is often perceived by neutrals and potential allies as disturbing the peace. Something that makes them less inclined to support your cause.

 

[Lord Teapot]

nope, but i have my 4 safes proudly on display in my living room, lol.

 

[JR24]

Not at present, but I do have a glass case that I am thinking of displaying some of my less important rifles, black powder and the like. The rest are in the heavy duty safe in the basement.

 

[Ironicaintit]

The only stuff I have "displayed" are unloaded blackpowder pistols, an ancient nonfunctioning shotgun, and a couple old pistols that have been rendered harmless. And those are on display in my "man cave" that is RSVP only.
In my bedroom I have a few long guns in a nice oak and glass cabinet.
For the most part, the locked safe is where they stay.

As to bumper stickers...i have a couple. NRA, of course. And a RMGO sticker that has an AR on it....other random stuff.
Im telling you guys...these stickers get me out of tickets! Im an uh..."assertive" driver and have been pulled over more than my fair share. 9 times out of 10, the cops pause at the rear of the car, and when they approach the window, they show little, if any, signs of stress or "itchiness".
It may help that i have the car off, interior light on, window down and hands visible and am friendly...but im quite certain that pro 2A advertising helps set them at ease.
I mean, we have proven that we have made it this far in life without rendering ourselves unable to legally arm, right?
Just throwin that out there

 

[Partizanai]

A strong movement away from display,,,,

My wife (a designer/stager) actually now has a fair amount of her
business in the design of "well secured, nicely hidden- yet still readily
accessible "home secured areas". We can install high end security systems
that can be remotely monitored.
It's not really just about firearms though. Many of her clients want (safe/
at home) storage of their gold coins and better jewelry as well. Some are
as small as a "medicine cabinet", while others are the size of a nice walk-
in closet) or even larger). This is of course dictated buy the size of the home,
it's general layout and certainly their project's budget/price point.
Most are extremely well hidden in plain site.
P

 

[pockets]

Here is an old photo of what the back of my truck looks like:

I haven't seen some of those bumper stickers since the 1970s.

 

[rugerman]

No!

 

[jlr1962]

Whatever a person is comfortable doing regarding the legal display of firearms or association with firearms is their business. I do think that what I see in this photo,

View attachment 213561

certainly makes you and some pro-gunners feel good, but strengthens rather than weakens the resolve of anti-gunners, and is oft putting to the people in between that we need to convince to remain neutral or sway to our side to continue winning the battle to defend the RKBA. Unfortunately gun ownership is not a club, school, or team sport that a supporting bumper sticker has no potential impact on its continued existence. Shouting at the opposition is often perceived by neutrals and potential allies as disturbing the peace. Something that makes them less inclined to support your cause.

I have seen worse. "come and get it", "pry it out of my cold dead hands", "protected by____", "keep honking - I'm reloading", "shoot first ask questions later",

Please remove these type of bumper stickers. It makes you, and gun owners in general look like moe rons.

 

[S&W620]

I have seen worse. "come and get it", "pry it out of my cold dead hands", "protected by____", "keep honking - I'm reloading", "shoot first ask questions later",

Please remove these type of bumper stickers. It makes you, and gun owners in general look like moe rons.

Generally speaking, I'm all for folks doing what pleases them with their vehicles, but I couldn't agree more with this.

I cringe every time I see one of those stickers.

 

[berettaprofessor]

We had a woman family friend that wanted to see my guns. Showed them to her. Next day she's at work telling everyone about my stuff.

Now nobody sees them. Ever.

When I first started getting into firearms more, my dad was amused. Next thing I know, he's telling everyone in the family. We had a talk about not letting anyone know, ever. Had the same talk with wife and kids shortly afterward.