In-laws and Handguns? Help...

[Guest Chisum]

Hey Folks,

I'm looking for a bit of advice. My wife and I are traveling to TX to spend Thanksgiving with my brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and their 2 children. My wife is a bit apprehensive of me bringing my handgun into my in-laws home. We do not have children, but I can only imagine that a whole new set of fears and hesitations accompany them. So, in the name of harmony in our family I want to be as respectful as possible. HOW HAVE SOME OF YOU HANDLED THIS SITUATION? Keep it in the car?

At what point does my respect of another's home supersede my constitutional right to carry?

Thank you for your input!

PS: I would obviously store the handgun in a locked box when not carrying, etc, etc...

Edited November 22, 2008 by Chisum
additional info

[Guest Verbal Kint]

Keep it concealed (assuming it's legal there, and they honor your permit -- not up to speed on TX laws). Out of sight, out of mind.

Plus, they live in TX! Better argument is why they don't have any guns! Isn't that a requirement for citizenship down there???

[strickj]

I have a couple that I'm friends with.He is neither one way or the other,but loves to listen to me talk about my guns(he secretly loves guns and lives vicariously through me:pleased:).She is an evil anti thats just uncomfortable around them.

Right after I got my permit,I went to their home one day and as soon as I hit the door,he blurted out"wheres the gun"

Of coarse she had a flippin hear attack,and tore him a new one for asking me to bring a gun into HER home.....

Anyhoo,since then I pocket carry,and have never had a problem out of her in HER home

Edited November 22, 2008 by strickj

[Guest Provence]

If you keep it truly concealed (and open carry is not permitted in Texas), it should be no more of an issue than if you are carrying keys and a wallet.

[Guest Astra900]

When I get invited to any family event where there are people a little "iffy" about the fact that I carry, I stay home. I don't need company so bad as to suffer fools. I have insulted more than one person on the matter. I will insult a few more before I die. The way i look at that sort of thing is; If you're not with me, you are my enemy.

I can't for the life of me see why they get insulted:D

BTW, I'm not saying you SHOULD do that, but I would.

[Punisher84]

When I get invited to any family event where there are people a little "iffy" about the fact that I carry, I stay home. I don't need company so bad as to suffer fools. I have insulted more than one person on the matter. I will insult a few more before I die. The way i look at that sort of thing is; If you're not with me, you are my enemy.

I can't for the life of me see why they get insulted:D

BTW, I'm not saying you SHOULD do that, but I would.

LOL. Well I'm blessed with in-laws that go "Lemme see your new gun!" I carry, my wife carries, most of our friends carry. my mom carries, most her family carries... You get the idea.

My advice is carry it, conceal it, and be respectful, but if it comes up take the chance to explain things. You can't always tell, but I'd think your in-laws should be happy you are wanting to protect their sister Just my thoughts.

[Guest Major Pain]

I always deep carry. Most of my friends know I'm armed and it doesn't bother them. The others they don't ask and I don't tell. Nothing more than a wallet in my pocket. No ones business.--MP

[Fallguy]

Thankfully I've never had this problem. As others have said, good concealment and there shouldn't be a problem.

In some states you are supposed to notify the owner of a home you are armed before you enter, but TX does not appear to be one.

...and not sure about respect, but the law will always recognize the right of a homeowner to control who and what is allowed in his house over your or anyone's right to carry.

[Guest colrmccoll]

I have the same circumstances. I have a son in Austin. Always carry, even when I fly. However, when I am in the house, I unload the pistol and separate the the ammo sufficiently to keep curiosity in the kids from turning deadly.

I don't know if they ever are actually aware I have a pistol on me, although my son knows my mind set on concealed carry and shooting in general.

[Guest janwbrown616]

No big deal to me either. It's like a pocket knife. I don't brag or flash it around or wear something on my hip that the world could see. (in other words I don't flaunt it) It's there and that's it. If they ever do say something, which they wouldn't if they never noticed. I'd say sorry, did'n't think it was a big deal. I've never had an issue, even with friends with negative feelings.

[The Average Joe]

Here's my :

Since I have in-laws that are, let's say, not to savy about me concealing.

I go about my routine as if I were going anywhere else with a firearm.

Again, the name of the game is "clandestine". After all, you are concealing...

When you get ready for your trip, pack to dress accordingly.

If your concealing around your in-law becomes a bigger issue than you really want it to be.....it's time to go home.

For God's sake, I hope your wife backs you up on any hang ups with your in-laws you encounter on this trip.

God's speed to you and yours on your jouney.

[Guest HexHead]

Unless she's patting you down while giving you a hug, how's she gonna know?

Concealed means concealed.

[Fallguy]

Do you already know this will be an issue? I mean have the said they don't like guns, etc...?

If not then as others have said....it is situation normal for you and they should never know. If they somehow find out, you just keep as situation normal and go from there depending on their reaction.

If you do know it is an issue, it is up to you if you want to push it.

[DaveTN]

At what point does my respect of another's home supersede my constitutional right to carry?

You do not have a constitutional right to carry. The Federal government doesn’t recognize it, Tennessee doesn’t and neither does Texas. So there are no rights at issue here.

What is important here is the rights and the responsibilities of the parents to keep their children safe.

I would keep my firearm secured in my vehicle in an absolute safe condition; so that even if the kids got it there couldn’t fire it; or whatever requests the parents made of me.

While I was there I would try to discuss their concerns and maybe educate them.

It is their home and their children; I would make sure I understood the ground rules before I went. If I didn’t accept them I wouldn’t go.

[Guest benchpresspower]

don't ask, don't tell and keep it concealed. I myself don't like the idea of leaving a firearm in the car and that by keeping it on you eliminates the worry of someone (i.e. kids) getting ahold of it without you knowing. I've had the same problems with "friends" about this and just kept my mouth shut, concealed carry and no one but myself knew the difference.

[Guest benchpresspower]

You do not have a constitutional right to carry. The Federal government doesn’t recognize it, Tennessee doesn’t and neither does Texas. So there are no rights at issue here.

What is important here is the rights and the responsibilities of the parents to keep their children safe.

I would keep my firearm secured in my vehicle in an absolute safe condition; so that even if the kids got it there couldn’t fire it; or whatever requests the parents made of me.

While I was there I would try to discuss their concerns and maybe educate them.

It is their home and their children; I would make sure I understood the ground rules before I went. If I didn’t accept them I wouldn’t go.

Speaking of Constitutional right. I was told by a co worker that wherever the an American Flag with gold fringe flies, your constitutional rights are null and void. I didn't think too much into this (especially before I started carrying) and just thought it was what government buildings, schools, etc. did till I went out to Signature Furniture in Rivergate last weekend and saw the infamous circled firearm and slash through it on the door. Well I disarm, walk through the door and lo and behold I see that American flag. Guess he was right after all.

[Guest nraforlife]

did till I went out to Signature Furniture in Rivergate last weekend and saw the infamous circled firearm and slash through it on the door. Well I disarm, walk through the door and lo and behold I see that American flag. Guess he was right after all.

Doesn't mean a thing as long as the shop isn't posted per State Law. They can ask you to leave and you must do so right then and there.

[Curiousgb]

I don't know what TX law is but in SC it is a no no to carry in a residence where you do not have permission from the owner.

[strickj]

Do you already know this will be an issue? I mean have the said they don't like guns, etc...?

If not then as others have said....it is situation normal for you and they should never know. If they somehow find out, you just keep as situation normal and go from there depending on their reaction.

If you do know it is an issue, it is up to you if you want to push it.

There is also sociological side of carrying into someone else's home.

People believe their home is a safe haven,where nothing bad can happen.So when you carry into someones home,you're pretty much saying their home is unsafe,you feel threatened in their home,etc.

That is an insult to them,and their home.You might as well be calling their kid a tard,because it induces the same emotion.

[Guest canynracer]

I would carry till you get there...then leave it in the car till you find out what their thoughts are. I would NOT leave it in the car overnight, they may have a safe that you can put it in...but buy a locking cash box for 12 bucks at walmart for the overnight storage to hel alleviate concerns...no need for a family dispute, but also no reason you should not be able to protect yourself for the drive. if you dont take it, and get a flat, or break down, you will wish you had it.

BTW, remind them that TX DOES honor your permit. just learn TX laws..they are a STRICT conceal only state.

[John Wall]

I tell no one when I am carrying. Not family, friend, Pastor. I carry my firearm in a professional, but totally discrete manner. If I am ever asked by Law Enforcement, I will respond truthfully, as required by law. NO ONE ELSE HAS THE NEED OR RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT MY LEGALLY ARMED STATUS.

In case of a lethal confrontation, I cannot expect anyone to come to my defense.

One's home is NOT a safe haven. Home invasions are all too frequent in Nashville. The chances of me going to a person's house who does not maintain a firearm and training to protect his family and insisting that I disarm myself before coming into his vulnerable household is non existant.

[Guest benchpresspower]

I tell no one when I am carrying. Not family, friend, Pastor. I carry my firearm in a professional, but totally discrete manner. If I am ever asked by Law Enforcement, I will respond truthfully, as required by law. NO ONE ELSE HAS THE NEED OR RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT MY LEGALLY ARMED STATUS.

In case of a lethal confrontation, I cannot expect anyone to come to my defense.

One's home is NOT a safe haven. Home invasions are all too frequent in Nashville. The chances of me going to a person's house who does not maintain a firearm and training to protect his family and insisting that I disarm myself before coming into his vulnerable household is non existant.

+1:up:

[cadillacdude1975]

In some states you are supposed to notify the owner of a home you are armed before you enter.

you have my curiosity. what states are like that?

[Guest nraforlife]

you have my curiosity. what states are like that?

State of confusion maybe?

[Curiousgb]

you have my curiosity. what states are like that?

SC is one that you have to have permission from the owner.