What would you have done? - Page 2

grady · September 2nd, 2008, 11:22 PM

If it was possible someone else could see and take the gun, locking it in the trunk is a great idea. If the area was secure and I had the car in sight and in control 100% of the time, I might just leave the gun where it was, but only if I had positive control without exception.

I'd discuss the issue with the customer privately when he returned. If you get to know him better, maybe at some point you could discuss the benefits of on-body carry (assuming he has a permit).

Perhaps he forgot it was there and needs a reminder. Perhaps he thought no one would find it, and needs a thought adjustment.

Locking it in the trunk while in your shop is fine as long as you tell him you moved it. If he drives off not knowing you moved it, and then has an encounter where he feels he needs to draw, he's going to be unpleasantly surprised when he reaches below the seat and it isn't there.

If, as a customer, some business owner or technician approached me privately and politely about a sensitive issue, I would appreciate it. I have been given such treatment in the past at an auto shop, and I appreciated it. No, I didn't leave my gun under the seat, but it was still a sensitive issue. Just this week, I spent $1,100 at that same shop because I trust them and appreciate their work and confidentiality.

If I went to some business and they flipped out about my gun, I'd never go back.

SIGguy229 · September 2nd, 2008, 11:23 PM

I probably would have called the owner...

Ram Rod · September 2nd, 2008, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ram Rod

In your position, I would have done this........remove the pistol and lock it up. Never say a word to the customer...if he's that careless to leave it in vehicle while being serviced, he doesn't actually deserve to come back to it in my opinion. Just see the reaction once you give the car back to him, and wait for the phone call. Maybe he really doesn't care and he'll just get another one thinking he lost it. I really don't understand the mindset of those who can readily leave their life in someone else's hands. Or put others at risk for their incompetence. If you don't want to take responsibility for the firearm, just take it out of the vehicle, and throw it on the shop floor...that way, it's public property, and the first one who picks it up has ownership.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nn

I just hope your are joking!
<
<
As is see it you can leave it alone, call law enforcement, or put it in the trunk. I think I would have put it unloaded in the trunk and told him where to find the weapon he forgot to secure.

No, actually I'm not. Some folks need to learn, and obviously some of them need to learn the hard way. An unattended weapon is a risk to the public. Most are thinking it's a slight bit irresponsible. Now you can obviously see the differences in our thinking. No joke.

Eagleks · September 2nd, 2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

I'd lock it in the trunk and tell the owner that you'd done so, then ask him to secure his weapon before leaving his vehicle for repair.

YEP.

athos76 · September 3rd, 2008, 12:46 AM

I worked at a Motorsports shop Parts dept in 2001 and had someone come in with their Hayabusa street cycle. One of the tech's was out sick so they asked me to do an oil change. Customer left, I went to wheel the bike in the garage but it had a kill switch on it, so I opened the storage compartment and there was a 1911 in it. I asked my boss what I should do, and he said call the police. So I called the cops, explained the situation and a LEO showed up shortly. He called in the serial number, called the owner and held on to it til the owner arrived.
The owner was very understanding and apologetic. He got home and realized it wasn't in his jacket, and minutes later the officer called.

A month later another customer came by for some work and the same thing happened. There was a .38 in the storage compartment, but this time with the serials ground off. I called the same officer and he took the gun and waited for the customer to get back. The customer walked into the parking lot, saw the police car and ran. Turns out he was wanted for about 15 armed robberies in the area and the bike was his getaway.

Thumper · September 3rd, 2008, 01:05 AM

I'd lock it up and talk to the customer.

retsupt99 · September 3rd, 2008, 02:04 AM

Lock it in the trunk...tell the owner when he picks up the car...might even strike up a CCW conversation.

Stay armed...stay safe!

IfIhaveto · September 3rd, 2008, 02:16 AM

I would call the customer and have him remove the weapon...I wouldn't touch it because you don't know the history of the weapon...

KenpoTex · September 3rd, 2008, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIXTO

I view it no different than a GPS or any other high dollar tool left in the car. Leave it alone, its not yours.

It was certainly irresponsible of the owner, I would say something about it for sure. I would only lock it up if it were a safety concern.

+1...Maybe the guy just forgot it was there. I see no reason to try to "teach him a lesson." I also don't know why you would call the police, unless you had other reasons to believe that the guy was a dirtbag (e.g. a kilo of coke under the seat next to the gun).

I find it interesting that some would be so quick to make problems for this guy over what may have been an honest mistake. Is it a good idea to leave a firearm unattended? No, but IMO, it's not as big a deal as some of you are making it.

ICTsnub · September 3rd, 2008, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIGguy229

I probably would have called the owner...

I drive customers' cars to bid trade ins. If I see the customer, I ask them if they have anything they want to get out of the car before I drive it. It's amazing how many people with a gun in the car understand what I'm asking. A lot of times I will just have them ride with me. Amazing how many folks will leave a gun, purse, briefcase..etc. in a car and give you the keys. I have had a gun slide out from under the seat many times. I always have the customer come secure it, I don't need accused if it is missing. I want them aware I saw it, and they need to deal with it. I don't want a call to come in about a missing gun, and have to look a my boss and say "what gun?".

September 2nd, 2008, 11:23 PM	#12
SIGguy229 Distinguished Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,985	I probably would have called the owner... __________________ Patriotic dissent is a luxury of those protected by better men than they Sacrifice: Congress thinks having to stay late to vote is sacrifice. Ask the Sailor, Soldier, Airman, or Marine meeting his child for the first time what sacrifice means martyr is a fancy name for crappy fighter

September 3rd, 2008, 01:05 AM	#16
Thumper VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sparks, Nevada Posts: 3,646	I'd lock it up and talk to the customer. __________________ ALWAYS carry! - NEVER tell!

September 3rd, 2008, 02:04 AM	#17
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 14,587	Lock it in the trunk...tell the owner when he picks up the car...might even strike up a CCW conversation. Stay armed...stay safe! __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

September 2nd, 2008, 11:22 PM	#11
grady Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 1,053	If it was possible someone else could see and take the gun, locking it in the trunk is a great idea. If the area was secure and I had the car in sight and in control 100% of the time, I might just leave the gun where it was, but only if I had positive control without exception. I'd discuss the issue with the customer privately when he returned. If you get to know him better, maybe at some point you could discuss the benefits of on-body carry (assuming he has a permit). Perhaps he forgot it was there and needs a reminder. Perhaps he thought no one would find it, and needs a thought adjustment. Locking it in the trunk while in your shop is fine as long as you tell him you moved it. If he drives off not knowing you moved it, and then has an encounter where he feels he needs to draw, he's going to be unpleasantly surprised when he reaches below the seat and it isn't there. If, as a customer, some business owner or technician approached me privately and politely about a sensitive issue, I would appreciate it. I have been given such treatment in the past at an auto shop, and I appreciated it. No, I didn't leave my gun under the seat, but it was still a sensitive issue. Just this week, I spent $1,100 at that same shop because I trust them and appreciate their work and confidentiality. If I went to some business and they flipped out about my gun, I'd never go back.

September 3rd, 2008, 12:46 AM	#15
athos76 Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Miramar, FL Posts: 122	I worked at a Motorsports shop Parts dept in 2001 and had someone come in with their Hayabusa street cycle. One of the tech's was out sick so they asked me to do an oil change. Customer left, I went to wheel the bike in the garage but it had a kill switch on it, so I opened the storage compartment and there was a 1911 in it. I asked my boss what I should do, and he said call the police. So I called the cops, explained the situation and a LEO showed up shortly. He called in the serial number, called the owner and held on to it til the owner arrived. The owner was very understanding and apologetic. He got home and realized it wasn't in his jacket, and minutes later the officer called. A month later another customer came by for some work and the same thing happened. There was a .38 in the storage compartment, but this time with the serials ground off. I called the same officer and he took the gun and waited for the customer to get back. The customer walked into the parking lot, saw the police car and ran. Turns out he was wanted for about 15 armed robberies in the area and the bike was his getaway.

September 3rd, 2008, 02:16 AM	#18
IfIhaveto Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: TX Posts: 250	I would call the customer and have him remove the weapon...I wouldn't touch it because you don't know the history of the weapon...