Concealed in your own home?

[Spyder]

If I am wearing my gun on my hip, exposed, and answer my front door without concealing it/removing it, could that be a problem? I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be, unless I were to go outside into the yard, and someone didn't like it and made a phone call.

What would you (as an officer) do to the person if you did have to respond to a call like that? Assuming I wasn't doing anything with the gun but wearing it on my hip, and no threats were coming out of my mouth, I can almost guess the answers, based on the responses in Norm's thread about officers and attitudes towards civilians with guns.

It might be an effective way to keep unwanted solicitors away. Although it was a Republican Congressman yesterday, today it might be a...Democrat! :eek: :D

[greenlead]

My home is my castle.

If it's just there and you don't make any threats, I don't see what grounds there would be for a complaint?

[phantasm]

Even in NY, an illegal firearm possessed inside the house is only a misdemeanor. If it's legally possessed, and inside your home, while it may be removed, and unloaded on police arrival, it would be returned to you.

Example:
Respond to a burglary call, homeowner has a CCW, has the weapon when he answer the door for us. Gun is removed from him while we do a premise search, and returned when we leave.

[Curt581]

If I am wearing my gun on my hip, exposed, and answer my front door without concealing it/removing it, could that be a problem? I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be, unless I were to go outside into the yard, and someone didn't like it and made a phone call.

What would you (as an officer) do to the person if you did have to respond to a call like that?

Context
Context
Context

Why was I called to your house? What information do I get or not get from dispatch prior to arrival? What do I know or learn about prior contacts with your address? Is this an urban apartment building setting, or a semi-rural subdivision? Details matter.

If you had just walked out to road to get the mail with a gun on your hip, I'd politely ask you to rethink freaking out your neighbors by either not carrying it, or concealing it from view.

However, if this was something else, such as a domestic violence incident, you'd better believe that I'll be relieving you of your firearm temporarily. I will be securing that weapon until I can figure out what happened. If you choose to refuse or resist, things will go down hill for you real fast. If you want to make a stink with my agency about it afterwards, feel free.

See? It's all about context and details and doing what's reasonable under the circumstances.





*Note: I live and work in a state with no legal civilian CCW. Carrying a concealed firearm in public is a Class A misdemeanor. In my particular corner of the state, even open carry of a handgun is charged Disorderly Conduct w/ Armed, an enhanced Class B misd. Before any of you decide to snap on me, *I* didn't write the law, nor do I get to pick and choose which laws to enforce. Changing current law is being worked on, but that is better addressed in a different thread.

[Spyder]

Context
Context
Context

Why was I called to your house? What information do I get or not get from dispatch prior to arrival? What do I know or learn about prior contacts with your address? Is this an urban apartment building setting, or a semi-rural subdivision? Details matter.

If you had just walked out to road to get the mail with a gun on your hip, I'd politely ask you to rethink freaking out your neighbors by either not carrying it, or concealing it from view.

However, if this was something else, such as a domestic violence incident, you'd better believe that I'll be relieving you of your firearm temporarily. I will be securing that weapon until I can figure out what happened. If you choose to refuse or resist, things will go down hill for you real fast. If you want to make a stink with my agency about it afterwards, feel free.

See? It's all about context and details and doing what's reasonable under the circumstances.





*Note: I live and work in a state with no legal civilian CCW. Carrying a concealed firearm in public is a Class A misdemeanor. In my particular corner of the state, even open carry of a handgun is charged Disorderly Conduct w/ Armed, an enhanced Class B misd. Before any of you decide to snap on me, *I* didn't write the law, nor do I get to pick and choose which laws to enforce. Changing current law is being worked on, but that is better addressed in a different thread.

I understand the context of the situation would have direct impact on your actions. I was merely thinking of answering the door to an unsolicited visitor while wearing it, and the solicitor was 'disturbed' that I had it, so called the police. No prior police contacts at this address, semi-rural subdivision, no domestic violence, no verbal or physical references made to the gun while talking through the door to the solicitor, etc.

And, while I'm thinking about it - what about wearing it while on my own fenced property, in the backyard, unconcealed?

[Roger Dat]

Alot of times its abouht others impressions. Opening your door is one thing but if your going to be in your back yard with your sidearm exposed I would rethink that. If the public can see it and interpret as they want they may end up calling us which results in a whole lot of aggravation for everyone.

[Spyder]

You have a point. My backyard is pretty private, though. Only 3 neighbors can really see in, and I know none of them would have a problem with it. I'm trying to get used to wearing the gun on my hip, and have it on while in the house most of the time. But through the course of a weekend day, I'll be in and out of the backyard. It would be easier to just leave it on. Of course, I'm not going to mow the lawn or clean the gutters with it or anything. :p

I guess I'll have to think of a different way to deal with the LARGE spiders I just found back there while weeding. How about a flame thrower? Would take care of the weeds, too. :D

[ngcsubutterbar]

all the perceptions aside. Under MI law, do you need to have a permit of some kind to carry outside of your house? If yes, how does MI define 'your house', or do you have a permit? If a permit is not required, fido.

[Spyder]

all the perceptions aside. Under MI law, do you need to have a permit of some kind to carry outside of your house? If yes, how does MI define 'your house', or do you have a permit? If a permit is not required, fido.

I believe MI is an open carry state, but you can't open carry in your car. I do have a CPL (and want to keep it!).

Aha.. Michigan CPL FAQ's

3. Do I need a concealed pistol permit to carry my pistols while walking through the woods near my cabin in Michigan? If not, are there any restrictions on how or where the gun is carried?

MCL 750.227 allows you to carry a pistol concealed or not if you are in your own home or on your own property. If you do not own the land, no license is needed to carry a pistol as long as it is exposed. However, should a person cover the pistol during inclement weather with a jacket or coat or get into a vehicle, the pistol would be concealed, and the carrier would place himself in jeopardy unless he possessed a concealed pistol permit. Per Attorney General's opinion #3158 dated February 14, 1945, a holster, in plain view, is not considered concealed. Department of Natural Resources regulations require a person to have a valid Michigan hunting license if in an area inhabited by wildlife, while in possession of a firearm.

The way I read it, I am just fine, no matter what I do, since I have a CPL.

Good to know. Hopefully, no one will ever take notice, and care, if I do venture outside with it.

Bring on the Democrat door-knockers! :D

[ngcsubutterbar]

just remember there will always be a difference between wearing something to defend oneself and others, and wearing something while trying to harass or bad mouth.

[Norm357]

I can only speak for GA, but I imagine the laws a similar almost everywhere.

If I am wearing my gun on my hip, exposed, and answer my front door without concealing it/removing it, could that be a problem? I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be, unless I were to go outside into the yard, and someone didn't like it and made a phone call.

Perfectly legal. I live in the hood. After dark, I answer the door with a gun in my hand.

What would you (as an officer) do to the person if you did have to respond to a call like that? Assuming I wasn't doing anything with the gun but wearing it on my hip, and no threats were coming out of my mouth, I can almost guess the answers, based on the responses in Norm's thread about officers and attitudes towards civilians with guns.

In GA, the Officer would check your ID then tell you to have a nice day.

[jb5722]

thats your house, if somebody knocks on your door and doesn't like the fact that you carry a firearm, then tough crap for them, aslong as your not pointing it at them without reason or acting ridiculous with it, you're fine. I almost always have a gun on me when I answer my door (if i'm not expecting someone), several times it has been the ups man. they're coming to your house, you dont have to change for them.

[Spyder]

Thanks for all the responses, folks! I appreciate it.

I'll be keeping the full size as my home defense sidearm and wearing it while in the house. But that means I need to go get something smaller for carrying concealed outside the house. Another gun. ;) :D

[Johninaustin]

I don't have a problem with it, but i question the wisdom of showing various random people the fact that you own guns. You could come home to a very unpleasant surprise. :(

[Spyder]

I don't have a problem with it, but i question the wisdom of showing various random people the fact that you own guns. You could come home to a very unpleasant surprise. :(

Good point. But just removing it from its holster won't help, as the holster will also point out that I, more than likely, own guns. So I'll need to remove the belt and holster before I answer the door? Better yet, I just won't answer the door if I don't know them. I'll just have to wear ear protection until they go away, 'cause the dog will bark like crazy. Problem solved.

(Well, not really. But does one really need a reason to buy another gun? :D