Laws Requiring "Properly Securing" Firearms

[Midwest]

Lets view this story in a different perspective.....

Replace 'Queensland' with the name of your state or city.

"Queensland police conduct random inspections
Queensland police have been carrying at random safe-storage inspections without notice this past week, and say more are going to happen in coming weeks. They say a number of compliance issues have been identified during the dozens of inspections....."

http://www.sportingshootermag.com.au/news/snap-shots45

Scary..isn't it? We need to keep this from ever happening in our country, city or state...

.

 

[huntsman]

One of our local TV stations aired Part 1 of a series focusing on stolen guns today.

Typical sweeps month pap, I keep my gun locked up cause I choose to. Mandatory is a chaffing word as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Frank Ettin]

All nice arguments when preaching to the choir. Does anyone have any good arguments likely to convince the supporters of safe storage legislation?

That is really the issue. If the proponents of such legislation have enough support the laws will be enacted. And I really can't see any of the arguments I've read so far in this thread swaying someone who thinks we ought to take some extra steps to secure our guns from unauthorized hands.

Our history is replete with examples of people exercising rights and dominion over their property in ways thought by others to be irresponsible; and when enough people agree, laws have been adopted restricting the activities.

Don't be naive and believe it can't or won't or shouldn't happen. It will happen unless we can find powerful, convincing arguments why such laws aren't needed or shouldn't be adopted -- or can otherwise adroitly exercise political power to keep them from being adopted.

 

[brboyer]

We (TX) are 1 of the few states that require storing your gun where it is not accessible to children. It does place some liability on the gun owners if a child finds an unsecured gun and harms themselves or someone else, but I have never heard of someone being charged with anything if their gun is stolen from a locked home or vehicle. TX also doesn't get involved with safe storage standards like CA DOJ does.

I see Florida is highlighted on this map too. As with most these things, it's somewhat misleading. Florida's law prohibits 'unsafe' storage, but it is only criminal if the minor gets the gun and does something illegal with it. Also, the law does not apply if the gun is obtained via an illegal act by any person, i.e. theft. Which is the only constitutional method to require 'safe storage'.

 

[texasgun]

I'm against mandatory storage laws... that being said: there's always a civil lawsuit component (and sometimes a criminal one) when children/minors are involved.

so: hiding guns in different places around the house is ok; but NOT when you have children around. common sense dictates that. kinda like you are not leaving the medicine cabinet unsecured or have liquor sitting on the kitchen table unsupervised when a toddler roams around...

 

[danez71]

One of our local TV stations aired Part 1 of a series focusing on stolen guns today. Although the reporter’s angle is not overtly blatant, it is still obvious that her intent is to plant the seed that South Carolina needs to pass laws holding gun owners responsible if their guns are stolen while not being “properly secured”. Link to the website text article, which will link you to the video if you choose to view it.http://www.wistv.com/story/24808709/wis-investigates-sc-ranked-11th-for-stolen-lost-guns

This TV article follows the lead of a local newspaper article published last week. Sorry, no link. Obviously “the game is afoot” as Holmes would say.

Although I believe, for selfish reasons, that I need to secure my firearms, this sudden surge of rhetoric regarding “proper storage” of firearms has me wondering, if my house or vehicle is locked;

1.Why should I be expected, under the threat of law, to take additional measures to secure my firearm simply because it is a firearm?

2. Why should I be held in greater disdain if a thief breaks into my property and steals a firearm and uses that stolen firearm in a crime than if that same thief broke into my property and used my “improperly secured” vehicle, knife, hammer or any other item to kill or injure someone?

3. Why is it more offensive to the general public if the thief uses a firearm stolen from me to harm someone than if that same thief stole “improperly secured” alcohol or prescription drugs from my house, became intoxicated and hurt someone while intoxicated on my stolen booze or meds?

Please don’t misinterpret my comments. I firmly believe that “properly securing” our firearms is a highly recommended practice. However, I don’t believe that failure to do so should expose us to any additional liability unless that additional liability is applied evenly to any and all inanimate objects. What say The High Road?

Lets see.....

1) For the same reasons that many (most? all?) states have additional laws to secure pools from being accessed by children. Locked gates. Latches that are X high, fences with no holes big enough for a foot to climb, outward swinging gates... etc.

2) For the same reasons you would be if a kid drowned in your pool and you didnt lock the gate.

3) For the same reasons pools are.


Having said that, as already noted, you're preaching to the choir.

Everyone should reread Franks post.

 

[brboyer]

Lets see.....

1) For the same reasons that many (most? all?) states have additional laws to secure pools from being accessed by children. Locked gates. Latches that are X high, fences with no holes big enough for a foot to climb, outward swinging gates... etc.

2) For the same reasons you would be if a kid drowned in your pool and you didnt lock the gate.

3) For the same reasons pools are.


Having said that, as already noted, you're preaching to the choir.

Everyone should reread Franks post.

Can you show us in the Constitution where pools are listed?
Or perhaps a ruling from the United States Supreme Court that tells us ownership/possession/use of a pool is an individual, inalienable, right.

 

[316SS]

Blaming a gun owner for the unauthorized misuse of her stolen gun is victim blaming, pure and simple:

It was her fault [she was raped | her gun was stolen] because she [was wearing provocative clothing | failed to secure it properly].

 

[danez71]

Can you show us in the Constitution where pools are listed?
Or perhaps a ruling from the United States Supreme Court that tells us ownership/possession/use of a pool is an individual, inalienable, right.

I understand and agree.

......if it was that simple, Franks post would post wouldn't be valid.

 

[Frank Ettin]

Can you show us in the Constitution where pools are listed?
Or perhaps a ruling from the United States Supreme Court that tells us ownership/possession/use of a pool is an individual, inalienable, right.

Swell, but no one cares except us (and not even all of us, as evidenced by a number of past threads on this topic on this board and others).

Unless we can come up with better stories, the laws will be enacted. That leaves us betting on the courts tossing them. I don't think that's a very good bet.