Dad's Car and CC

CHL discussions that do not fit into more specific topics

Moderators: carlson1, Charles L. Cotton

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Spoon201
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Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:25 am

Dad's Car and CC

Post by Spoon201 »

Hi,
New to the board and hoping yall can help. This is a pure hypothetical question. Currently I do not own the car I drive it is my dads if anything where to happen(not saying it will) while I was driving it and I was Concealed Carrying my gun (ether under CHL or the Motorist Protection Act) would my dad have any legal responsibility under the law as the owner of the car? Thanks guys.
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Charles L. Cotton
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Re: Dad's Car and CC

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

Welcome to the forum.

Your question is far too general to be able to give a specific response. However, as a general statement, parents are not responsible for the torts of their adult children. If you are eligible for a CHL (part of your hypothetical), then you are an adult and your actions with your gun would not generally impose any liability on your dad. If you have a bad driving record, history of bad conduct, or other reason to believe you pose a threat to others when driving a car, then your dad could be liable in a civil court to anyone you injure or kill, under the legal theory of "negligent entrustment." I do not know if a case where this theory extended to misuse or unlawful use of a firearm. If, however, you gave him reason to believe you were going to misuse a firearm, then he could very well have a problem, perhaps both a criminal and civil liability problem.

Again, this is a very general answer and not specific to your circumstances.

Chas.
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