Question about gun cleaning...sorta

[10-Ring]

I went shooting w/ some friends the other day. On the way home, we decided to have a bbq/ gun cleaning party at one of my friend's homes. Felt kinda strange cleaning guns of all kinds in the back yard w/ all his neighbors just watching us, either over the wall or through their windows. My question is...as long as we're not pointing the guns at anyone or doing anything equally foolish, there's nothing wrong or illegal about cleaning/displaying guns on private property is there (even in CA)?

 

[Blackhawk]

Wouldn't think so even in CA, but there's probably something illegal about the neighbors gawking at what you're doing in the backyard, something about privacy and all that, you know....

 

[sm]

I'd be concerned about others knowing what I had...privacy.

What's this "gun cleaning"...your supposed to...clean them? Nah, rather shoot 'em

 

[Ekhawaii]

Depends on what your State laws are, and they may vary from county to county.

For example in Hawaii (and I'm just talking State Laws related to a residence, not the whole super restrictive mess of gunlaws here): This goes for loaded or unloaded, as in your cleaning scenario...

The Big Island and Kauai, being more rural, allows you to carry a gun anywhere on your own property, like the back yard. (Not sure about Maui )

On Oahu however, you may only carry a gun inside your home . If you walk out into your backyard and a neighbor sees you and calls the cops you WILL get arrested and booked for "Brandishing a firearm in public", even though it is your own residental property.

I know California has some tough gun laws, you might want to check with the Legisative Committee of your state affiliate of the NRA http://www.calnra.org/

In fact, you might want to join to help support your interests to keep your state gun laws from becoming even more restrictive than they already are...

 

[telewinz]

Probably not but an unfriendly Cop might arrest you for disturbing the peace.

 

[RANash]

An excellent book to pick up is "How to Own a Gun and Stay Out of Jail: California edition. Not only does the author (an attorney) give you the facts about the law, but also his experience on how the law gets applied (quite often a very different thing!).

Do you know your neighbors? Do they know you to be a decent and "normal" person, or are they going to look into your backyard and see a "gang" or a "sleeper cell of terrorists"?

In my case, my neighbors would call over the fence, "Hey, if I bring over my gun(s), can I have some of that BBQ?"

 

[10-Ring]

In my friend's case, he's only been in the neighborhood for a couple of weeks, I doubt he's met all his neighbors. Great intro tho, huh?

 

[Mark IV Series 80]

I recall reading a report (in the American Rifleman?) about a man who was cleaning his Ruger 10-22 rifle inside of his home in Los Angeles.

A neighbor saw him (through the window) with the gun and called police.

He was arrested and his "assault rifle" was confiscated.

The police released him, but they did not return his rifle.

He was considering legal action to get his rifle back, but he decided it would be less expensive to just buy another 10-22.

 

[10-Ring]

Thankfully, I live outside of LA & LA County But incidents like the one you mentioned Mark IV are things I'd just prefer avoiding all together

 

[PATH]

I clean my guns on the back deck at times. No one has ever called me on it! I'll have to ask!

 

[natedog]

if i was that man in LA, i would take legal action any way. against the police and the neighbor. what was he charged with? last i checked, the police cant just break down your door without reason, arrest you, and confiscate your legal and quite sedate target rifle.

 

[Greg L]

It's a sad commentary on the world that we live in that the question even had to be asked.

Greg

 

[Ledbetter]

Better safe than sorry

I gave this some thought, and only clean in privacy. I don't want any of my neighbors to start poking their nose into my business, what kinds/calibers, where's my safe backstop, etc.

That being said, it goes without saying that you have a mortal responsibility to your neighbors when you are cleaning a .30 caliber rifle.

 

[RustyHammer]

Depends upon the neighborhood and whether someone needs a quick buck. (i.e. bullseye on your house).

 

[AmericanFreeBird]

I suppose getting a new state to live in is out of the question?

 

[45R]

I'd be a little careful displaying your guns in the back yard esp in parts of PRK. People are too high strung.

You got 2 kinds of people.

One want them.
One will find legal ways to have taken away from you.

Then you got High Roaders that will say hey thats a anice gun and you'll have buddies for life!