How to conceal firearms when leaving home?

[Scout21]

How do you hide your stuff from others while transporting your firearms when living in an apartment, condo, or suburban home where others can see you load your vehicle?

When I used to live in an apartment I was always afraid of prying eyes seeing me with my firearms when going to hunt or shoot at the range. I didn't like anyone else knowing that I had firearms in my home for fear of a break-in. I'm now living where I can load my things without worry of anyone seeing me, but it was a bit stressful before.

I would usually wrap my long guns in blankets or towels to have at least some semblance of privacy when walking to and from my vehicle. Handguns were put into a bag of some sort. I luckily never had an issue, but I still felt that anyone who saw me knew what was up and I really didn't like that.

 

[3Crows]

I cannot speak for New York but in every state and place I have lived there would be nothing unusual about walking to the vehicle with a cased gun(s). As to others seeing that you have guns, everyone would have guns in their homes, therefore again, nothing unusual.

 

[uuolf]

It's a shame we have to hide our stuff sometimes... But then I wouldn't carry two bars of gold in my hands either... So there's that... I do use boxes, clothes, blankets or whatever looks natural when moving firearms to a vehicle... Or maybe roll them up in a 6 or 8 foot long carpet role and have somebody help you conspicuously load that in the trunk... might keep nosey people outta your stuff when you're gone.

 

[ejfalvo]

I bought a cheap suitcase as well as a cheap golf bag case with cover. Pistols go in the small 'carry-on', rifles go in the golf bag case. It can be a pain - but its better than worrying about prying eyes.

 

[Armored farmer]

We used to shoot trap all over the Midwest. We carried guns in and out of hotels all the time without incident, but that was before the weirdos took control.

 

[Steve Milbocker]

Not quite the same but I have a friend in California that bow hunted in some legal areas frequented by hikers that weren’t exactly hunter friendly. He packed his gear up to his stand in the dark then at the end of his hunt he’d stash his gear up in the tree he hunted from change into hiking attire and head down the mountain. Any game he took was boned out and packed down and no one was the wiser. A pain but it worked for him

 

[Ks5shooter]

Used guitar case works well,some egg crate foam cut to fit.Old guitar cases are pretty reasonable at pawn/second hand stores.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Used laptop cases fashioned in the same way with eggcrate foam work great for pistols.

 

[Artg56]

Not a concern of mine living in a rural area but before I retired I lived in a suburban area and definitely did not want my neighbors to know that I owned guns or how often shot them. Whenever possible I carried them to my truck before dawn or in the evening. For afternoon or early evening range sessions I would wrap my rifles in moving blankets but to me it was still obvious what I was carrying. I like the idea of using a golf bag, wish I had thought of it having seen many at yard sales.

 

[WrongHanded]

A soft guitar case (gig bag) is a good idea. Though frequently I'd just carry the gun case vertically at my side. It's much less noticable when it blends in with the human profile.

 

[AlexanderA]

Used guitar case works well,some egg crate foam cut to fit.Old guitar cases are pretty reasonable at pawn/second hand stores.

I do have a violin case for a Thompson. It's such a cliche, though, that people half expect a violin case to contain a Thompson instead of a violin.

 

[Blue Jays]

Use care with the guitar case idea.
Especially if you don't play guitar, know nothing about music, and your next door neighbor says:
"…Sweet! I have a burgundy Gibson SG-62, a cool white Gibson Flying V, plus a Fender Telecaster!

 

[Armored farmer]

I do have a pistol in a Milwaukee tool bag.
This generation z bunch wouldn't know the difference between a power tool and a toilet stool.
(Or other things)

 

[Zebraranger]

That Milwaukee tool case is a nice idea. Here in my area, its not an uncommon sight to see someone moving a cased firearm to or from their vehicle, especially at their home. But, I dont like to advertise to all my neighbors or their guests what all I have in my house either. Sometimes when I go to the range, I will transport 3 or 4 handguns with me, sometimes more if my wife, daughter or a buddy is with me. About 15 years ago I purchased this large tool bag made by CLC Leathercraft from Home Depot, its very heavy duty and designed to be able to haul 60 to 70 LBS of tools.

One of its nice features is that it doesn't look like a range or gun bag. It turned out to be one of the best range accessories that I've ever purchased. I highly recommend it because it doesn't look like a gun bag, and its one of the most functional range bags that I've ever had, not to mention its held up and endured for over 15 years and has large capacity carrying capabilities.

I can fit up to seven handguns in their pistol rugs in the center compartment with hearing protection & glasses on top or in the end pockets. Boxes of ammo line the floor of the bag. I use the two side compartments for accessories such as mag and or speed loader storage, targets, small tool assortment, cleaning supplies and such. It had all the features that I wanted in a discreet range bag. Heavy Duty commercial zippers and shoulder strap attachment hardware ensures longevity, and when fully loaded, that shoulder strap comes in handy. If you really wanted to make it look even more like a tool bag (which really isn't needed), just add a couple of tools to the outside exterior pockets thats in plain view of anyone looking at the bag.

 

[RayRoy]

Do musical instrument bags, tool bags, etc just attract different thieves?

 

[crstrode]

Not quite the same but I have a friend in California that bow hunted in some legal areas frequented by hikers that weren’t exactly hunter friendly. He packed his gear up to his stand in the dark then at the end of his hunt he’d stash his gear up in the tree he hunted from change into hiking attire and head down the mountain. Any game he took was boned out and packed down and no one was the wiser. A pain but it worked for him

He most likely also registered as Democrat and voted for Biden. You know; just to blend in.

 

[Blue Jays]

My sense is tool bags are common and innocuous. Very few will ask to borrow a screwdriver or hammer.
If they do, "Sure, I would be glad to help tomorrow or the next day. I am in a bit of a rush now, see you soon."

 

[theotherwaldo]

When I scrapped my library's worn-out Berlitz audio-tape language courses I kept the nice briefcases that they came in.
Excellent pistol cases... .

 

[Will Munny]

Beat up tool and music cases might be best. A really rough looking violin or guitar case is not as much of a theft target. Briefcases likewise.

 

[3Crows]

Yes, if using a musical instrument case make sure it says Stradivarius on the side in big and bold letters.

 

[Scout21]

I cannot speak for New York but in every state and place I have lived there would be nothing unusual about walking to the vehicle with a cased gun(s). As to others seeing that you have guns, everyone would have guns in their homes, therefore again, nothing unusual.

It may not be all that unusual, but it is somewhat noticable, and I don't want some stranger noticing that I have valuable guns in my home. You wouldn't broadcast to the world that you keep many thousands of dollars worth of cash stashed in your home, why would you want to do the same with guns worth thousands of dollars?

Even if they have no intent of wrongdoing they very well could tell a friend who tells a friend who just so happens to be a tweaker that the guy across the street (me) has a bunch of guns. People notice things and people talk.

Where I live now I have little concern about a break-in, but I thought it would be nice to see how other people have dealt with the issue.

 

[Scout21]

Whenever possible I carried them to my truck before dawn or in the evening. For afternoon or early evening range sessions I would wrap my rifles in moving blankets but to me it was still obvious what I was carrying.

This is exactly how I used do to it, although loading before light or waiting to unload until after dark was sometimes impractical as I hated leaving my guns unattended in a vehicle. A vehicle is even easier to break into than a home.

 

[Blue Jays]

For pistols I put them (cased) plus bagged ammo into a plastic milk crate to haul to the vehicle.
It just looks like "assorted stuff" for a home improvement project to the typical casual observer.
I suppose an old plastic laundry basket with folded towels on top would be a good disguise.

 

[Scout21]

Do musical instrument bags, tool bags, etc just attract different thieves?

That's something I was concerned about, especially the tool bags. My father had several tool bags full of Milwaukee power tools stolen out of his truck one night several years ago so I never keep tools that I care about in my vehicle anymore.

I've found that burglars love three things; jewelry, tools, and guns. They're expensive, portable, useful, and easily sold. They're a perfect target!

 

[dodo bird]

Do musical instrument bags, tool bags, etc just attract different thieves?

I use a cheap beat up tennis racket bag. I suppose a tennis racket could be valuable. But for taking it in and outta hotels, apartments, etc….