Gun questions from a gun newbie

[RTicUL8]

I have never owned a gun before, but I’ve inherited three – two handguns and a shotgun. They are in storage right now – in another state. I might consider keeping one handgun, but I wanted to know several things.

#1) What are my options, as a gun newbie, for learning gun safety? I live in north Westminster.
#2) I have three young kids at home and I’m worried about storage. How and where should I store it?
#3) Are there places where thieves normally look for weapons?
#4) If I transport the guns from NC to CO, how should I do it? Just throw them in the Uhaul with everything else? Can I transport ammo safely?
#5) I’m also considering just keeping the gun in my daily-driver XJ – since I’m the only one who rides in it. Is this a good idea? How should I store it in a vehicle?
#6) How/where do I license it? PD? Do you think I need to notify anyone in NC that the guns are no longer there?

Feel free to chime in with anything else that you think I should consider.

Thanks!

-Craig

 

[philip_g]

normally when transferred across state lines they need to go through a dealer, I'm not sure how this works with an inheritence, they probably should but I'm not sure I'd really worry about it.

 

[jdogg4]

Inheritence wise you don't have to go throug a dealer. The only time you need a dealer now days is when buying it and having it shipped in the mail.

Look up local and state gun safty things on google for your area. There are/were a lot of places to go a few years back, but with the crack down on the CWP to carry a hand gun I think there are only a few places in CO to get that CWP I could be wrong.

I have a lock box for all mine. If you have a basement thats unfinished or a spot thats unfinished you can concreat anchor them to the wall or in a closet. I have one for my rifles and a few other smaller ones for my hand guns. They make trigger locks aswell. I store a small amount of my ammo with my hand guns, but most of it is kept in another location of the house.

I wouldn't keep a gun in the XJ tell you obtain a CWP.
You do not have to licens a gun in the state of CO. you can if you want, but you don't have to.

 

[Stumpalump]

You never owned a gun and now because you have inherited one you need to keep it in your daily driver. Why? I'd keep all three guns because you will be sorry you got rid of them someday. Hide them in three locations in case of theft and hide the ammo seperate. The best way to deter kids is to read them the gun safty rules printed on almost everbox of ammo. Then take them out and shoot a galon milk jug full of water so they can see it explode and hear how loud it is. They will gain respect from seeing it in action. Read the gun safty rules on the ammo box and follow them to the letter AT ALL TIMES! It's never ok to sretch the gun safty rules.

 

[RTicUL8]

The two youngest are 11mo. and 2yrs.

I was thinking of keeping it in my jeep just to keep it out of the house.

I don't plan on hunting.

I was considering keeping one handgun - for protection, but I might keep the others. I just don't know yet.

I wanted to get some training and practice somewhere - I'm just not sure where to start.

 

[Yucca-Man]

Hidden guns = disaster.

Safely stored and locked guns + proper training for all members of the household = Safety.

jdogg's words are spot-on. You might also want to familiarize yourself with www.packing.org

Finally:

"This is my rifle, this is my Gun!

 

[aroncull]

Always store your weapon and ammo seperate in a home with children.

Use multiple locks with said guns, trigger lock, case lock and lock for closet if possible. Also recommend using locks on ammo storage.. when children are old enough then you may determine the gun safety to go through with them, mine is:

Q: What are guns used for?
A: Killing!
Q: How do you treat a gun when you find it, see it or are handed it.
A: Like it is Loaded!
Q: Where can you point the gun?
A: At things i am willing to shoot/kill!
Q: What do you do if a friend tries to hand you a gun, or shows you one.
A: leave the room immediatly and go to tell a grown up.. you will not get into trouble!

Yes those are very extreme things but hey.. what are guns reallly used for?

Killing...

look in westword magazine in the back youll find plenty of gun classes ect..
go to any reputable gun shop and they can refer you as well..

Dont carry a gun ever! unless you are willing to use it. see no reason to daily carry around town unless the SHTF and then thatl be the least of our worries...

Please get a gun safe and make sure that your family understands guns what they are used for, what they can and will do and how to respect them...

 

[YELLAHEEP]

Yucca Man is right on about checking out Packing.com. Very good info to consider before carrying concealed, or even owning a handgun.

Concealed Weapons permit applications can be obtained at the majority of the County Sheriff's offices around the State. The processes can differ a little between Counties, but for the most part, you have to pass a criminal background check, pay a one-time registration/background fee, then an annual renewal. You will have to register your handgun prior to getting your CWP, but that really shouldn't concern any law abiding citizen.

Keeping a firearm in a vehicle is never a good idea. I have a hard time with this routine, but you should get in the habit of taking it into the house every time you park the vehicle. Remember also - XJ's are high on the auto theft list and the gun would be a big bonus to the crook.

There's several good electronic lock boxes out there that secure your loaded gun, but still gives you fairly quick access to it. Most gun enthusiasts will say that an unloaded gun is simply a useless paperweight - I gotta agree, but around kids, serious measures need to be taken for their safety.

There's plenty of decent hand gun courses out there at the firing range businesses. Look for classes that include the NRA subject matter, and also provide tactical training, and concealed carry training. It will open your eyes about legal issues, and some shoot/no-shoot scenarios that get ya thinking.

 

[Crash_AF]

#1) What are my options, as a gun newbie, for learning gun safety? I live in north Westminster.
#2) I have three young kids at home and I’m worried about storage. How and where should I store it?
#3) Are there places where thieves normally look for weapons?
#4) If I transport the guns from NC to CO, how should I do it? Just throw them in the Uhaul with everything else? Can I transport ammo safely?
#5) I’m also considering just keeping the gun in my daily-driver XJ – since I’m the only one who rides in it. Is this a good idea? How should I store it in a vehicle?
#6) How/where do I license it? PD? Do you think I need to notify anyone in NC that the guns are no longer there?

#1) Take an NRA approved course, call around to gun shops or a local range.
#2) Purchase a gun cabinet or safe with a lock. If you have a safe, #3 is not a worry. Teach your kids to respect firearms, when they are older, have them go through a youth shooter program. I'd rather my kids know how to use a weapon safely than to try to hide the weapons from them.
#3) Anywhere you can hide it, a thief can find it. Get a safe if you want to be sure.
#4) Store them in a locked case with the ammo separate and you'll be fine through any situation during your move.
#5) Unless you have a reason to carry it and the training to use it, don't carry it in your DD unless you're going to the range. It is also a greater theft risk if someone breaks into your vehicle or steals the vehicle.
#6) There is no requirement to license your firearm.

(edit) Write down the serial numbers for all three firearms and put the list in a safe place in case someone steals one/all of them. Then you have the numbers to give the police.

Later,
Joe

 

[philip_g]

the packing forum blows, www.coloradocarry.com is easier to navigate.

 

[RTicUL8]

Thanks for the ideas and feedback guys.
Keep it coming.:thumbup:

 

[bd18packer]

RTicUL8 wrote:

"I have never owned a gun before, but I’ve inherited three – two handguns and a shotgun. They are in storage right now – in another state. I might consider keeping one handgun, but I wanted to know several things.

#1) What are my options, as a gun newbie, for learning gun safety? I live in north Westminster.
#2) I have three young kids at home and I’m worried about storage. How and where should I store it?
#3) Are there places where thieves normally look for weapons?
#4) If I transport the guns from NC to CO, how should I do it? Just throw them in the Uhaul with everything else? Can I transport ammo safely?
#5) I’m also considering just keeping the gun in my daily-driver XJ – since I’m the only one who rides in it. Is this a good idea? How should I store it in a vehicle?
#6) How/where do I license it? PD? Do you think I need to notify anyone in NC that the guns are no longer there?

Feel free to chime in with anything else that you think I should consider.

Thanks!

-Craig"

Here are some simple answers to your questions:

#1 Join the NRA, & take a Hunter Safety Course. Or take a Concealed Weapons Training Course, and apply for a CCW permit.
#2 Gun safe, or locked/ hidden gun box. Store ammo separately, and in a locked/ hidden location.
#3 Everywhere! In your house, your car, your office, your RV, briefcases, luggage, on your person; everywhere!
#4 Secure your unloaded weapon in a locked container, preferably in an inaccessable location, like your trunk, or in a trailer. Remember, if stopped by the Police, and they ask "Do you have any weapons in the vehicle?" state their location, and say "they're unloaded in a locked container". Know the laws in states you transport through and into; ignorance is not bliss!
#5 Unless you have concealed weapons permit, take your weapon with you everywhere, and have a need to have it everyday (like police/security officers) this is bad idea. Do you transport kids in your vehicle, also? Double bad idea! Leave it locked up at home, and have peace of mind.
#6 No license/registration required to Colorado.

For the record, I am a former law enforcement employee, have concealed weapons permits in two states(including Colorado), have transported firearms on airplanes, buses, trains, private autos, motorcycles, etc. for 30 years with no problems, have had two sets of stepkids from ages three to 18 at home, carry concealed weapons almost daily for my job(with permit), and have never had a gun related incident or accident in almost 35 years. I practice at the range regularly, and have no qualms about protecting myself, my family and loved ones, or the public, from criminals who would seek to harm myself or others, with a firearm. I am not a gun nut; just an informed, law abiding armed citizen. I am also a dedicated Jeep owner; 90 Cherokee XJ, 97 Grand Cherokee ZJ and 99 Grand Cherokee WJ.

See? Jeeps and gun ownership do go together!

BD

 

[aroncull]

Well said and Jeeps and Guns are really good friends LOL!

 

[philip_g]

dunno where you're from but you're welcome to buzz along out to the range I belong to one day. I'll even let you shoot the machinegun, BYOA on that one lol.
If nothing else you can check out the facilities and if you want to join they teach safety classes periodically.

 

[Powellae]

Answers from a former reserve deputy....

#1) What are my options, as a gun newbie, for learning gun safety? I live in north Westminster.

Take an NRA approved course. Have your spouse take the same course. When your kids get to be about 12 or 14, have them take the course. The BIGGEST safety risk with firearms is that people don't know how to handle them safely. You can bet your kids will see them and want to know about them. EVERYONE in the house needs to know, not just you. I and my wife both grew up with guns, and we made sure our daughters (now 18 and 19) got a hunter safety course at about age 14. But guns are not ickynastyboogeyman dangerous, they are tools and they can be enjoyed legitimately. You're asking the right questions!

#2) I have three young kids at home and I’m worried about storage. How and where should I store it?

In a spot where the kids will have trouble finding them, perferably locked. You can easily buy gun locks or use a plastic-coated cable and padlock to secure them. The other important thing is to store all ammo somewhere ELSE where kids can't get at it.

#3) Are there places where thieves normally look for weapons?

They'll look in dressers and obvious places, but I'm not one for spending hundreds on a gun safe. I store some handguns in our basement storage room in what appears to be a ratty old clarinet case with half the cover peeled off. No one would waste time looking in it. You can employ similar strategies.

#4) If I transport the guns from NC to CO, how should I do it? Just throw them in the Uhaul with everything else? Can I transport ammo safely?

Just keep them unloaded and pack them. On a practical basis, you will have no problems. Yes, you can transport ammo, but pack it separately.

#5) I’m also considering just keeping the gun in my daily-driver XJ – since I’m the only one who rides in it. Is this a good idea? How should I store it in a vehicle?

BAD, BAD, BAD idea. First, you MUST have a concealed carry permit before you can do this. Second, you don't have any handgun experience so it's a very bad idea. Third, you have young kids who can get at it. Fourth, the chance you'll need it is astronomically small, and not worth the risk of carrying it considering factors 1-3. Fifth, the only reason to carry a firearm is to be willing to kill if needed. Period. No half-measures, you can only use it when it's kill or be killed. After you've had a hunter and handgun safety course, have run at least 1000 rounds of ammo through your chosen handgun, your kids are older, AND you have a concealed carry permit, then you can think about it again. Say, five years from now.

#6) How/where do I license it? PD? Do you think I need to notify anyone in NC that the guns are no longer there?

The firearms don't need to be licensed. YOU do if you will ever carry concealed, and that means investing a couple hundred dollars in training courses and permit fees.

My suggestion: store them safely, you and your wife should get the hunter and handgun safety courses, and shoot at a target range. Then you can have some fun with them. And take care of them - firearms are valuable and you don't want to destroy their value.

 

[DrMoab]

Q: What are guns used for?
A: Killing!


Yes those are very extreme things but hey.. what are guns reallly used for?

Killing...

Sorry dude but I really have to take issue with this.

If I ran your grandmother down with my car would that mean that a car was just meant for killing too?

Guns may have been designed to kill but it isn't Just what they are used for.

Have you ever been to a bowling pin shoot? Hard to kill a bowling pin.

I'm not picking on you. I just wish people....especially people who are on the right side of gun laws would be a little carful what they say. It is comments like that they Leftist pinko nutcases use to scare normal people into thinking guns are bad things.

 

[philip_g]

#5) I’m also considering just keeping the gun in my daily-driver XJ – since I’m the only one who rides in it. Is this a good idea? How should I store it in a vehicle?

BAD, BAD, BAD idea. First, you MUST have a concealed carry permit before you can do this.

I believe that to be completely incorrect. In the state of colorado it is lawful to have a handgun in your car for self defence and all lawful purposes.
City of denver has it's own agenda, but AFAIK the state has not fallen in line with it. As an officer of the law this would seem to me a very basic need to know fact.

18-12-204. Permit Contents - Validity - Carrying Requirements.

(3) (a) a person who may lawfully possess a handgun may carry a handgun under the following circumstances without obtaining a permit and the handgun shall not be considered concealed:
(I) the handgun is in the possession of a person who is in a private automobile or in some other private means of conveyance and who carries the handgun for a legal use, including self-defense; or
(II) the handgun is in the possession of a person who is legally engaged in hunting activities within the state.
(b) the provisions of this subsection (3) shall not be construed to authorize the carrying of a handgun in violation of the provisions of section 18-12-105 or 18-12-105.5.
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