Quick question for those in the know

JasonH · Post by **JasonH** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:10 pm

With the weather as nice as it is lately I've been spending more and more time in the garage tinkering with things here and there.

Sometimes this involves me breaking down and cleaning my guns, adjusting sights, things like that.

The "issue" is that the street and sidewalk are about 30 feet in front of my garage. My question is do I have anything to worry about in regards to openly handling firearms in plain view of a public street and sidewalk if I'm on my property in my garage?

I'm not planning on waving something around like a madman when a lady and her kids are walking by. I am fairly discreet. I'm just more concerned with the legalities of it in case somebody overly sensitive notices what I'm doing and makes a fuss out of it.

Thanks!

seamusTX · Post by **seamusTX** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:13 pm

It's completely legal to have weapons in plain view on your own property. I clean mine on the back porch, in the middle of a city.

You can even do it with no clothes on.

What is very much illegal is to point a weapon at a person or habitation, no matter where you are, unless you are justified in the use of deadly force.

- Jim

Walkin' Jack · Post by **Walkin' Jack** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 2:03 pm

Of course, it is perfectly legal but a lot can depend on the neighborhood. Are your neighbors: elderly, nervous, anti, or other feelings, attitudes, or opinions that would upset them if they saw your guns.

Just something you might want to consider...

ScubaSigGuy · Post by **ScubaSigGuy** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 2:08 pm

Personally, I wouldn't do it, but it's legal. I wouldn't want to advertise what might be in the house when I am not there.

About ten years ago, in another state, I got cleaned out about a week after moving into a house because someone saw me moving some rifles, stereo equipment, tv's etc. Not exactly the same thing, but I am a great deal more careful now.

Just my .02

JasonH · Post by **JasonH** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 2:35 pm

ScubaSigGuy wrote:Personally, I wouldn't do it, but it's legal. I wouldn't want to advertise what might be in the house when I am not there.

About ten years ago, in another state, I got cleaned out about a week after moving into a house because someone saw me moving some rifles, stereo equipment, tv's etc. Not exactly the same thing, but I am a great deal more careful now.

Just my .02

Good advice. I'm already discreet - my concern was just that somebody might catch a glimpse of something and that I'd be breaking a law by having a firearm visible in a public place (even if I was standing on private property).

Thanks for the answers guys.

frankie_the_yankee · Post by **frankie_the_yankee** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 6:44 pm

Walkin' Jack wrote:Of course, it is perfectly legal but a lot can depend on the neighborhood. Are your neighbors: elderly, nervous, anti, or other feelings, attitudes, or opinions that would upset them if they saw your guns.

Just something you might want to consider...

Or not.

If my setup was such that a garage visible from the sidewalk was the most practical place to clean or work on my guns, I wouldn't waste 2 seconds worrying about if some neighbor was nervuos, anti gun or would get upset.

If they didn't like it they could pack up, sell their house, and move.

I don't shell out 6 figures for a house to have some ignorant neighbor run my life.

I have no problem obeying noise ordinances or other laws that regulate the use of my property as is common in a residential setting. But I fully reserve the right to peacefully enjoy it any way I choose.

mr surveyor · Post by **mr surveyor** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 7:54 pm

seamusTX wrote:It's completely legal to have weapons in plain view on your own property. I clean mine on the back porch, in the middle of a city.

You can even do it with no clothes on.

What is very much illegal is to point a weapon at a person or habitation, no matter where you are, unless you are justified in the use of deadly force.

- Jim

TOO MUCH INFORMATION

Post by **carlson1** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:02 pm

ScubaSigGuy wrote:Personally, I wouldn't do it, but it's legal. I wouldn't want to advertise what might be in the house when I am not there.

About ten years ago, in another state, I got cleaned out about a week after moving into a house because someone saw me moving some rifles, stereo equipment, tv's etc. Not exactly the same thing, but I am a great deal more careful now.

Just my .02

I was selling a house outside of Tyler about 4 years ago. I showed it to a real sweet single lady who went to Church with my sister. She told me she would get back with me on Saturday - I opened my mouth

and told her that I was not there on weekends because I stayed in Irving on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. When I came home on Sunday night all of my things were GONE!

Could have been a coincidence, but that lady left her Church and was no where to be found on Monday