Roommates and Guns Question

[mkm]

I have rarely had a roommate other than family or during field work, but I had to change apartments for a month or so and will have one during that time.  I know them and don't think they are anti gun or that they will go through my stuff.  I'm not signing any lease or paying rent; they are just letting me stay here for the month while I finish school.  They're still out of town from the holidays; so, they don't even know I'm bringing them in.

My question is: Do I need to let them know I have guns?  My gut says no that the least amount of people that know the better, but I'm less sure because I'm basically a guest for the month.

I left the long guns and most of the accessories with my brother, and I have lockable place to store them.  What do you think?

[tombogan03884]

Since you are not paying rent, you should conduct yourself as a guest, mention them in passing with out making an issue of it.
Something like commenting "oh, that little cubby hole will be a perfect place for my locked pistol case."
It may lead to you recruiting new shooters. 
But it also creates a non confrontational way of presenting the subject.
JMO

[Timothy]

I would tend to respect the wishes of the folks who are allowing me to stay as a guest.  Just ask the question and make allowances to make them secure when you're not at home.  Otherwise, leave everything at your brothers or the trunk of your vehicle if you're comfortable with doing so.

Here, in MA, I would have to have the firearms locked up if they're not in my direct control anyway.  I have a small, portable safe to do that in addition to a locking mechanism.  It's the law here.

[fightingquaker13]

I've had a lot of roomates over the years through college and grad school, and the basic rule is that the new guy adapts to the house rules. You have to let them know, its just good manners. Its their house you're moving into, and even if you were paying rent, the idea is that the new roomie pretty much takes the house rules as is or doesn't move in, whether it be a ban on drugs, guns, pets or chore rotations. Second strong piece of advice, buy trigger locks. I like Master Locks because you can buy several that are keyed alike, and put them on everything. This is paramount, even if they are in a locked drawer or something. Your roomies may be fine folks. They will however, know at least one drunken idiot, its a law of nature. If he can't go "Hey, Dude, is this thing lo..BANG". Its worth the price of the locks. Just my .02.
FQ13

[Solus]

I think FQ gave good advice mentioning the locks.

You don't know these folks well enough to know how they feel/respond to things and you don't want to provide them with access to firearms.

You didn't mention any children, so they probably aren't any involved, but if they are, it emphasized the caution you need to take.
 

[Sponsor]

[JLawson]

I agree with what has been posted... all excellent advice.  I would also say it is important to let the "head of household" know because someone else in the house may have legal or court-ordered constraints that might be jeopardized by the presence of weapons in the home.  Persons with felony convictions or other conditions sensitive to constructive possession criteria would need to know.

And lastly, the home owner would need to know in the case of fire or other disaster that requires an insurance claim.  If the guns you're keeping with you are very valuable, you want to make sure that they would be covered.

[mkm]

Sorry for the slow reply moving in and work kept me away from posting for a while.

It's should just be one other person, the occaisional girlfriend visit, and me most of the time.  I don't expect things to get too rowdy, but you never know.

Thanks for the help; my roommate is supposed to return later this evening.  I'll work it into conversation in the near future.  I don't expect a problem.  I'd be a little surprised if mine are the only ones here; we are both in wildlife.

It's a weird feeling having to unlock my box to get a gun out, but I'm getting used to it.

[Timothy]

It's a weird feeling having to unlock my box to get a gun out, but I'm getting used to it.

I have to do that every day and my housemates are my family!  Neither has a permit so, if I'm not carrying my sidearm, it's locked up!