# Is it ethical to carry a concealed weapon on another's private property without their knowledge? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 17, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072 "2009-06-17T14:51:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/121 "2009-06-18T17:38:29Z")
It’s clear that no amount of discussion is going to move those who think carrying a weapon into someone’s house as a guest is acceptable. They have all ignored the fact that this has been considered inappropriate behavior for hundreds, maybe thousands, of years (hell, some think it’s why men take off their hats - to prove they don’t have a gun). It has somehow become acceptable in their minds, and you can’t argue politeness anymore than you can argue taste in movies. Someone mentioned smoking above, and I believe the analogy is apt. I know lots of smokers and not a single one would assume it is acceptable to smoke inside of someone else’s house (unless perhaps they saw the owner smoking). The **always** ask if they can smoke inside (and most of the time just go outside without even asking). This is completely legal behavior and yet it’s still considered rude to partake in without asking your host/hostess. [QUOTE=pkbites] So I’m going to repeat a question I asked before: Is it ethical for a property owner to conceal a weapon on their person without informing their guests? If someone drops in do I have to immediately tell them I have my off duty on me? [/QUOTE] Yes, it is ethical for the homeowner to carry a weapon on their person. It is a bit odd, and certainly atypical around here. It’s a completely different story than going into someone else’s house armed. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/122 "2009-06-18T17:42:38Z")
How do you reconcile a presumed requirement of a concealed carrier to notify the property owner with state-mandated training (in at least 2 states, as Una and I are the only ones to speak of their training experiences) that indicates that you should not make anyone else aware that you are carrying? ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/123 "2009-06-18T17:48:32Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > How do you reconcile a presumed requirement of a concealed carrier to notify the property owner with state-mandated training (in at least 2 states, as Una and I are the only ones to speak of their training experiences) that indicates that you should not make anyone else aware that you are carrying? You’re excluding the third option which is to remove your weapon before attending the social gathering in the first place. If you do this there is no conflict between your training and your social obligation. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/124 "2009-06-18T17:51:06Z")
Well, yes and no. My training included strong advice to minimize handling the weapon and not leaving unattended. You’re not supposed to yank your holster off and stuff it in your glove box. So I guess now you’ll suggest that you should go home before any time you want to stop at a private residence. A pretty substantial inconvenience - to what benefit to anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/125 "2009-06-18T17:54:36Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > It sounds like a lot of Castle Doctrine supporters really only believe their _wn_ homes are sacrosanct. > > Of _course_ it’s unethical to sneak a gat into somebody else’s house without telling them, especially if you know they don’t want guns in their home. I can’t believe this question even has to be asked. What kind of glowering, brooding psychopath feels they have to go strapped to have dinner with friends or watch a ballgame? I have three small children in the house. What’s wrong with you? Are you afraid of me? If you’re that terrified of me, then don’t come to my house. This, fellow gun owners, is a perfect example of why there is no fruitful discussion to be had with committed antis. When they can think of nothing else, which doesn’t take long, the insults start. Moderation at this board is such that it goes unremarked. If I were, hypothetically, to ask “What kind of whiny, pussified, douchebag gets this incontinent over a gun he doesn’t even know about?” the results would be eaqsily predictable. I suggest keeping your gun concealed, spending more time at the range, and less time worrying about changing the minds of pants wetters. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/126 "2009-06-18T17:56:51Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Yes, it is ethical for the homeowner to carry a weapon on their person. It is a bit odd Why would it be odd? If a person carries while away from home why would they lock it up as soon as they got home? What’s the use of having a firearm for home defense and then having it locked up? > [@Jas09](#): > > It’s a completely different story than going into someone else’s house armed. I agree, but I’m interested in hearing what **Diogenes the Cynic** injects on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/127 "2009-06-18T17:58:46Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > This, fellow gun owners, is a perfect example of why there is no fruitful discussion to be had with committed antis. When they can think of nothing else, which doesn’t take long, the insults start. Moderation at this board is such that it goes unremarked. If I were, hypothetically, to ask “What kind of whiny, pussified, douchebag gets this incontinent over a gun he doesn’t even know about?” the results would be eaqsily predictable. > I suggest keeping your gun concealed, spending more time at the range, and less time worrying about changing the minds of pants wetters. Given the fundamental divide shown in this thread, we might as well be arguing over which color is the best - burnt sienna, or cornflower\*. My only hope is that folks who are opposed to CCW holders (a.k.a. “glowering, brooding psychopaths”) carrying in their house at least understand that **although you may not agree with our reasons,** our firm _intent_ is **not** to bully, intimidate, or offend by carrying and not proactively informing, and that **we will respect the known wishes** of the homeowner. \*BTW, it’s cornflower, and anyone who doesn’t agree is a passive-aggressive co-culprit enabler of ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Kyrie\_Eleison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kyrie_eleison/32/7682_2.png) [@Kyrie\_Eleison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyrie_Eleison)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/128 "2009-06-18T18:03:11Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > You know what _is_ being deceptive? Being so bothered by guns that you would deny a lawful, legal CCW holder to enter your home, but _choosing to hide_ that fact from them. Why would one hide such a thing? Seems almost, well, unethical to me…see how it works, when that shoe is on the other foot? Can you expand this a bit, so that I may be sure to respond appropriately to those bringing weapons into my home? What procedure is available to the average homeowner that allows him to separate lawful, legal CCW holders from other, irresponsible or malicious gun carrying individuals who might falsely claim to be legitimate CCW holders if their weapons are noticed? Is there a training class I can attend, so that I may avoid rudely treating CCW holders as if they were ordinary citizens that brought a gun into my home without informing me of having done so? Please note that I am not aware of how I might authenticate that card you may be carrying, and that I am unsure how much time I am expected to spend ascertaining your credentials before I might be considered rude. And to address some other infuriatingly common points: Yes, it’s rude to wipe your balls on the hand-towels in my bathroom, regardless of whether I ever figure out that you’ve done so. No, I don’t care that you have a legal right to speak freely, that I failed to post a “no cursing like a sailor in front my nine-year-old daughter” sign, and that I failed to inform you, either in writing or orally, that I expect you not to do so. You’re still a rude asshole if you tell my daughter “fuck on off to your room, now,” and I’m going to show you the door. You can act legally, and yet unethically. You can act legally and ethically, and still be rude. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/129 "2009-06-18T18:04:07Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Why would it be odd? If a person carries while away from home why would they lock it up as soon as they got home? What’s the use of having a firearm for home defense and then having it locked up? You’re correct - odd was a poor word to choose. I don’t know if the CCW-permitted people I know carry in their own homes, and it seems they are trained not to let me know. I guess I assumed that the primary purpose was for self-protection outside of the home and that other accommodations were made inside the home (gun safes, etc.). Clearly I am wrong on that. Then again, I’m just a “pants wetter” so what do I know? [QUOTE=Una Persson] My only hope is that folks who are opposed to CCW holders (a.k.a. “glowering, brooding psychopaths”) carrying in their house at least understand that although you may not agree with our reasons, our firm intent is not to bully, intimidate, or offend by carrying and not proactively informing, and that we will respect the known wishes of the homeowner. [/QUOTE] My only hope is that CCW holders will at least understand those of us that don’t want CCW holders to be armed in our homes without our knowledge are not pussies and pants-wetters but are rather following the social conventions we have been raised with our entire lives, even if we were surrounded by and familiar with guns. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/130 "2009-06-18T18:17:23Z")
> [@Sinaijon](#): > > What does carrying a gun have to do with any of those? If you ask someone politely to leave their gun at the door, and they do, isn’t that the very definition of respect AND hospitality? > > Getting pissed at someone because they did something you didn’t like, _ **even though you never bothered to inform them of that** _ seems very inhospitable to me. This whole line of thinking is so oblivious and socially unaware, it just plays right into the sterotype of gun owners as isolated. brooding misfits who don’t know how to interact with other people and who don’t ubderstand when you’re being socially inappropriate and bizarre. It’s like that scene in _Taxi Driver_ where Robert DeNiro takes Cybil Shepard to a porn theater. You just honestly have no idea what’s appropriate. Just because something is legal doesn’t mean it’s not rude. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/131 "2009-06-18T18:17:59Z")
> [@Kyrie\_Eleison](#): > > Can you expand this a bit, so that I may be sure to respond appropriately to those bringing weapons into my home? What procedure is available to the average homeowner that allows him to separate lawful, legal CCW holders from other, irresponsible or malicious gun carrying individuals who might falsely claim to be legitimate CCW holders if their weapons are noticed? Is there a training class I can attend, so that I may avoid rudely treating CCW holders as if they were ordinary citizens that brought a gun into my home without informing me of having done so? Please note that I am not aware of how I might authenticate that card you may be carrying, and that I am unsure how much time I am expected to spend ascertaining your credentials before I might be considered rude. Please read the thread. I’ll recap for you. **IT DOES NOT MATTER. THIS IS NOT THAT HARD. IF YOU OBJECT TO ANYONE, YES, ANYONE BRINGING WEAPONS IN, THEN ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS STATE SUCH VERBALLY, IN WRITING, OR WITH LEGAL SIGNAGE. YOU ONLY NEED INFORM THEM ONCE. THERE IS NO VERIFICATION NEEDED - THE LAW DOES NOT PLACE A BURDEN ON YOU. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO INSPECT ANY CARD. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ASK ANYTHING, OR GIVE A REASON. YOUR RIGHT TO REFUSE ENTRANCE AND/OR EVICT IS PROTECTED.** Does anyone else not really understand this? I’m getting tired of typing it. Should I point out the irony that **anyone who wishes you harm is going to lie about having the gun anyhow?** Isn’t that a hoot, BTW? Your asking will have **no impact whatsoever** on those who might intend to do you deliberate harm. Hmm…that’s a thinker, alright. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/132 "2009-06-18T18:21:28Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > My only hope is that CCW holders will at least understand those of us that don’t want CCW holders to be armed in our homes without our knowledge are not pussies and pants-wetters but are rather following the social conventions we have been raised with our entire lives, even if we were surrounded by and familiar with guns. I deliberately went out of my way earlier in this thread to state that there was no “pussification” in not liking or wanting to be around guns, or have them in your home. In contrast, the anti side is getting away with referring to the SDMB group of CCW holders as “glowering, brooding psychopaths” somehow. I saw not one person opposed to the CCW holders carrying in houses stand up for us when we were deliberately insulted in Great Debates. And I do understand your position, but it’s going to be a case of irreconcilable differences. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/133 "2009-06-18T18:26:08Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > In Wisconsin it is. Albe > > So I’m going to repeat a question I asked before: Is it ethical for a property owner to conceal a weapon on their person without informing their guests? If someone drops in do I have to immediately tell them I have my off duty on me? If you’re in your own house, you can conceal all you want. It’s _your_ home. The issue isn’t carrying in someone else’s mere _presence_, but on their property – their own sacrosanct space. Outside of my house, I don’t care who’s concealing. I have no expectations outside my own home. ---
**Author:** ![lonestar88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@lonestar88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lonestar88)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/134 "2009-06-18T18:29:46Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > Should I point out the irony that **anyone who wishes you harm is going to lie about having the gun anyhow?** Isn’t that a hoot, BTW? Your asking will have **no impact whatsoever** on those who might intend to do you deliberate harm. > > Hmm…that’s a thinker, alright. I understand what you said quite perfectly, just note that if I do spot a ccw on your person, without you informing me about it, while you are in my home, then the above just might be what I think. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/135 "2009-06-18T18:33:10Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > I deliberately went out of my way earlier in this thread to state that there was no “pussification” in not liking or wanting to be around guns, or have them in your home. In contrast, the anti side is getting away with referring to the SDMB group of CCW holders as “glowering, brooding psychopaths” somehow. I saw not one person opposed to the CCW holders carrying in houses stand up for us when we were deliberately insulted in Great Debates. > > And I do understand your position, but it’s going to be a case of irreconcilable differences. Agreed, and I wasn’t really directing my comment at you even though I quoted you. ETA: Although I’ll add that I have no dislike of guns, nor a desire to not be around them or have them in my home. What I don’t want, is **other people** having guns in my home. ---
**Author:** ![Jettboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@Jettboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jettboy)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/136 "2009-06-18T18:34:51Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > IT DOES NOT MATTER. THIS IS NOT THAT HARD. IF YOU OBJECT TO ANYONE, YES, ANYONE BRINGING WEAPONS IN, THEN ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS STATE SUCH VERBALLY, IN WRITING, OR WITH LEGAL SIGNAGE. That’s just absurd. Using that asinine logic, maybe I should just draw up a legally binding contract specifically stating my behavioral expectations for each and every one of my guests, as well as the items they may or may not bring into my home, the type of clothing allowed in said home and the allowable topics of dinner conversation. It should go without saying, but there’s a reasonable expectation amongst mainstream society that your dinner guests are _not_ going to bring a gun into your home. Seriously, what sort of quaking, insecure, frightened 'lil candyass would even want to _consider_ carrying a concealed handgun into the home of a friend, or to any sort of social gathering?! Oh, wait a sec… ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/137 "2009-06-18T18:36:39Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > If you’re in your own house, you can conceal all you want. It’s _your_ home. The issue isn’t carrying in someone else’s mere _presence_, but on their property – their own sacrosanct space. Outside of my house, I don’t care who’s concealing. I have no expectations outside my own home. So… if you’re in my home having dinner or watching the ball game and I’m packing, everything is hunky-dory. But if we’re in your house doing the same and I’m packing, all of a sudden I’m not just rude but a “_ **glowering, brooding psychopath** _” Funny how just changing the location changes my psychological profile. ---
**Author:** ![Kyrie\_Eleison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kyrie_eleison/32/7682_2.png) [@Kyrie\_Eleison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyrie_Eleison)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/138 "2009-06-18T18:42:51Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > Please read the thread. I’ll recap for you. Oddly, that seems to be recap of your viewpoint, and not of the thread. No worries, though, I’d read the whole thing prior to my post. Thanks for the all-caps though, that really helped. Sometimes little simple me has trouble remembering that letters can take more than one form. You miss my point. If you bring a weapon into my home, and I or another guest notices, there’s a non-zero chance that it will cause a disruption of whatever social event is occurring. Now someone has to decide whether or not to confront an armed guest, whom we may not know all that well, who may or may not be authorized to carry a concealed weapon. You decided to impose the chance of this disruption on all of us. Is that not rude? You claim that I can reduce this risk by informing everyone who enters my home that they are not welcome if they bear arms. That’s what the law says must be done if I don’t want you armed in my home; I agree with you – if were to do this, I could be more certain that anyone carrying a weapon in my home is doing so maliciously. Yet there are a host of things I don’t want you to do in my home. Few people would claim that I must exhaustively list them as prohibited, to each and every visitor, before those things can be considered rude. You, the exceptional person, could choose not to bring a gun into my home, yet instead, you impose an unreasonable expectation on me to deal with the one person in many who might be legally armed. Perfectly legal, still rude. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/139 "2009-06-18T18:44:01Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > Please read the thread. I’ll recap for you. > > **IT DOES NOT MATTER. THIS IS NOT THAT HARD. IF YOU OBJECT TO ANYONE, YES, ANYONE BRINGING WEAPONS IN, THEN ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS STATE SUCH VERBALLY, IN WRITING, OR WITH LEGAL SIGNAGE. YOU ONLY NEED INFORM THEM ONCE. THERE IS NO VERIFICATION NEEDED - THE LAW DOES NOT PLACE A BURDEN ON YOU. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO INSPECT ANY CARD. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ASK ANYTHING, OR GIVE A REASON. YOUR RIGHT TO REFUSE ENTRANCE AND/OR EVICT IS PROTECTED.** > Does anyone else not really understand this? I’m getting tired of typing it. > > Should I point out the irony that **anyone who wishes you harm is going to lie about having the gun anyhow?** Isn’t that a hoot, BTW? Your asking will have **no impact whatsoever** on those who might intend to do you deliberate harm. > > Hmm…that’s a thinker, alright. i’m not going to think you wish me harm. I know a lot of gun owners like to flatter themselves that non-gun owners are afraid of them, but that isn’t the case anywhere near as often as you would like to believe. My issue with someone sneaking a gun into my home would not be that I was afraid of them (I’ll just take it away from them if they want to get belligerent), it’s the sneakiness of it, the arrogance, the lack of respect, the contempt for my space and hospitality. If you don’t think homeowners don’t have a default, moral right to know if someone has brought a firearm into their house, then I think you’re just unreachable on this. Would you think it was polite and acceptable to light a cigarette in someone’s home without asking if it’s ok first? You probably don’t legally have to. Would you say that as long as they don’t have a sign, it’s perfectly permissable and polite to spark up a stogie? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072/140 "2009-06-18T18:46:40Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > This really seems to go back to the same arguments from time immemorial - people are so concerned over the weapon, that they can marginalize or ignore the entire history and presumption of innocence of the person with it. Why do I have to presume innocence as the homeowner? Assuming I do not know you (you are a friend of a friend or date or something) why would you expect me to assume you mean no harm with that gun? How can I know? What if I assume you are fine but you aren’t? From my perspective you brought a weapon into my home. Why would someone do that (I’d think to myself)? If anything I take it as you presuming I am a threat or a threat can or will exist in my home which is offensive to the host. If you really think that then you can leave. If not, leave the gun in the car or at home (and I presume in CCW states a CCW holder would have a means to safely lock the gun in their car as presumably they may end up going to a school or courtroom or something). 99.999999% of the time it is probably fine. Personally I do not want to deal with even the low percentage chance that for some reason you will lose your mind and shoot your Ex or an accident may occur (perhaps you go to take a shit in the bathroom, remove the gun and forget it there and my kid finds it and decides to play with it). To me it is akin to people who have a tame bear as a pet and proclaim the bear is a pussycat and won’t harm a fly. Maybe that is true but it is a freaking bear and it only needs to have one off moment for something really awful to happen. Personally I do not want to take that risk. I appreciate it is legal for you to carry that weapon but remember it is a weapon. We are not talking about whether you choose to wear underwear or not. It cannot be lost on gun owners that guns make a lot of people uncomfortable. Whether you think that discomfort is reasonable or not is totally beside the point. When in public fine…those people cannot trump your rights. But in _their_ home their rights supersede yours. Because of the unique circumstances surrounding guns I think it is absolutely incumbent upon entering a stranger’s home that you mention you are carrying a weapon (unless you are doing so in an official capacity as a LEO or something). Let the homeowner decide. It is a decision they should be allowed to make. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-carry-a-concealed-weapon-on-anothers-private-property-without-their-knowledge/500072.md?page=8)