Should I talk to the neighbours?

[wolver]

I picked up 2 girls hitchhiking along the Cabot Trail two days ago. They were from Germany. Das cuten patooten. They were terrified of the shotgun in the back that was sitting there. Once they realized they were due for no harm and I explained it's legal, they got a big kick out of it. "If only mom could see me now!"

They were likely city folk,(they seem to be the same everywhere), as Germans are no strangers to guns. Some of their laws are more lax than ours.

[Brayden14]

So I realize that I'm months late to the party on this one, I think my "Join Date" explains why. After reading through the previous posts I can't help but notice that it hasn't been directly mentioned that part of safe and responsible firearms storage (as covered in the CFSC/CRFSC manuals) involves educating others in the home about being around firearms. While that doesn't mean that you have to teach them how to use it or bring them up to PAL or RPAL standards it does mean that you should ensure that they have enough knowledge about firearms that they are comfortable being around them and have enough knowledge about the potential risks of mishandling a firearm that they don't feel the urge to handle them unsupervised.

With that, in direct response to the original post, if your neighbours' children spend a considerable amount of time in your home and there aren't areas that are considered off-limits (or if you have reason to believe that those boundaries won't be respected, they are kids after all) then the answer is yes, you should definitely talk to your neighbours about owning a firearm. If they are uncomfortable with the idea of their children being around firearms then you should do your best to educate them as you would someone in your own home and get their consent to do the same with their children.

Firearm ownership may have a stigma surrounding it in the eyes of many, but that group should not include firearms owners themselves. Those who have been educated about responsible firearm ownership are the only people who can help remove that stigma, and whenever possible we should make a proper effort to do so. We don't have to treat it like a religion or a political campaign and go knocking door to door, just recognize the proper times to address the issue and take the time to do it.

[JDP]

I don't think there is any reason for you to bring the topic up. As long as you are responsible with your gun ownership and use reasonable discretion there is no reason for your gun ownership or interest to be anyone else's business (unless you want it to be). It has never been an issue for me where on my street many kids live. They are completely safe as I am a very responsible gun owner. My interest does not affect the day to day life of my neighbours nor their kids.

[Foxer]

To a degree, obscurity is security. We should be proud gun owners, and I do talk to people about guns quite a bit. But - maybe wait for it to come up before going to them. If you make a big deal of it, they'll think it's a big deal. It's much better to be in a position down the road to say 'oh those? Sure - i've owned them for years. we can talk about them if you like' rather than "i'm about to do something and i'm coming to you first to give you a chance to voice an opinion i don't intend to do anything about if i dislike."

[RobertMcC]

I lived here 3 years and I never brought it up. I lie to what they are. Even neighbor said flat out she hates firearms, don't like to be around them ( shes moving anyways )

Less they know the better. Or as they say....Nunya Business.

[Mark-II]

Security through obscurity here as well. Mostly because I don't want to be a target of petty criminals more than I'm concerned about neighbors.

I mean, I won't put up a "this house protected by smith and Wesson" sign or anything.

But I'll engage with anyone who wants to talk. It's known at work what I do for fun.


Couching anything as a caution or warning is bad, because it puts you at a disadvantage and makes your place and even yourself seem dangerous.

It's not as though you have an alligator farm in your swimming pool, or anything.

[TheCenturion]

Security through Obscurity is no security at all; just ask an ostrich. (Yes, yes, I know.)

However, this doesn't mean you need to advertise anything. Would you feel the need to warn your neighbours about, oh, the chemicals under your sink? The workshop full of tools? The sacks of fertilizer out back, and the jerry can of diesel? Kitchen knives? Electrical outlets?

And as Mark-II points out, would you casually mention your catalog of jewelry, or other valuables?

[RobertMcC]

Don't ask, don't tell.

[statixstorm]

If you are properly storing your firearms, I don't see a single situation where they would need to know, there is zero chance of them seeing the guns, much less getting hurt by them.

[Klorem]

I would agree with Haywire. If it comes up, then don't be shy about it but I don't think they need to be informed out of safety concerns or anything. If they are really worried they can bring it up with you themselves and you can tell them how safely you handle your firearms.

I lived adjacent to my landlord at the time for a year. He is fairly anti-hunting and somewhat anti-gun. I never told him that I was cleaning shotguns and ducks in the next room, and what he didn't know never hurt either of us. Ignorance is bliss my friend.

[chadeech]

i dont speak with my neighbors yeah im that guy i keep to myself and prefer they do the same ,,a nod is all the talking i do maybe a good morning and if they wonder what the long black cases i am carrying are then they could ask ,,,
i dont care what their hobbies are live and let live

[Yogi05]

Why do so many gun owners feel the need to find an excuse to let people know they have guns?

Do I need to tell police I have a gun in the car......
Using your PAL as I.D. whenever you get the chance (and then surprised they have no idea what it is)

If neighbours ask because their kids come over, discuss it. Otherwise it's just another hobby and no one's business.

[KB_TheDireWolf]

If you feel its necessary then yes, go right ahead.

I believe you should teach your kids about gun safety. However, you should always lock your guns up or disable them using a bicycle chain style gun lock when not in use, because curiosity can killed the cat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fdnyvwIzg0

[Zinilin]

Why do so many gun owners feel the need to find an excuse to let people know they have guns?...

It makes the idea of ownership more common, less unusual and less scary.
The more people that know or are personally aware of people that own firearms and did not read about them in the news, the better.
If you hide something long enough it becomes unusual, deviant and taboo.

[Yogi05]

I'm not suggesting anyone hide the fact. I certainly don't.

But neither do I feel the need to introduce myself to a neighbor and tell them I have guns, (just so you know in case your kid comes over) or to use my PAL as ID.

If someone asks what I do for fun - guns. What do I spend my money on - guns.

Maybe I just have an aversion to bringing it up first.

"Afternoon officer, I feel I should let you know I have several firearms in the trunk".

As to the OP, obviously I don't think you need to let the neighbours know. Just make sure the kids can't access them. If the neighbours ask if you have guns in the house say yeah, why? Go from there as you see fit.