Walking in to a hotel with visible firearm - acceptable?

[Dunwaters]

Agreed safety is not enhanced by just putting the rifle in a slip but it is by unloading and removing the bolt.

I’m quite sure the majority of the people in that location are ok with seeing stalkers with rifles in public as they exit vehicles and enter the hotel.

But the majority is not everyone, it only takes one visitor who does not understand the context to take out their smart phone complete with video camera and before you know it it’s up on social media with a strap line something like “I didn’t know open carry was legal in this country”. Next it’s picked up by the mainstream media and then politicians and before you know it we have yet more restrictive legislation coming down the track.

So let’s all be safe, let’s all be discrete and let’s all continue to enjoy our sport.

I would hazard a guess that the “discretion”routinely displayed by firearms owners re use and carriage of firearms is precisely what has fed the belief that firearms should never be seen in public unless the person carrying it is wearing a uniform.
Would I personally walk into a hotel carrying an uncovered firearm? That depends on the circumstances, I certainly would not do it in an urban environment, I would have fewer reservations in a venue I had chosen specifically because it catered to stalkers and shooters.

 

[Scotty99]

I would hazard a guess that the “discretion”routinely displayed by firearms owners re use and carriage of firearms is precisely what has fed the belief that firearms should never be seen in public unless the person carrying it is wearing a uniform.
Would I personally walk into a hotel carrying an uncovered firearm? That depends on the circumstances, I certainly would not do it in an urban environment, I would have fewer reservations in a venue I had chosen specifically because it catered to stalkers and shooters.

Fair enough…but since the age of social media it is often a good policy to assume that you could be being videoed or photographed at any opportunity.

 

[doric_prince]

From my experience of the place- Most of the clientele are American so probably not too worried seeing a gun “open carried” as it were.

I Don’t really think it’s much to worry about, given the hotel arranges staking and it’s in a rural village where stalking is well established activity .

 

[Bowland blades]

Hello people, I’m posing a question based on a scenario I observed this evening and want to see what the general consensus of the community is.

This evening I was passing through Braemar and stopped briefly outside the Fife Arms to let the dog out. I saw a group of two stalkers (presumably guests at the hotel) and two guides park up, and the two guest headed in to the hotel. One of the guests had his rifle loose around his shoulder without a slip and walked straight in to the hotel through the main entrance.

At the time I was a bit taken aback by this - personally it’s not something I would ever do - always erring on the side of caution with the general public and the visibility of my guns. Perhaps I am way too sensitive though, so I wanted to see what the general consensus is.

I know that the Fife Arms has a gun room and there will frequently be paying stalkers heading in and out, but would you walk in to a public hotel lobby carrying a visible firearm?

If they had the bolt in the action , i think its poor practice , if one was up the spout then its a major matter . No case or slip ? pretty normal in shooting hotels and guns going into the truck without a slip . Its not un common to see a keeper on the road on a quad with a shotgun out its case where we are based , not good but nobody really bothers, when going to another locations ( imagine that in a city or large town / city ) .

 

[dryan]

Many a pub here would have shotguns piled in the corner after the local gun club had a days shooting in yesteryears. I would always have my firearm in a slip/box but I wouldn’t be suprised to see a couple of lads with shotguns in my local for a bite to eat/drink, landlord shoots and I doubt would have a problem either as long as they were sensible.

All depends on location.

Would I walk down the road with an uncovered firearm-yes as I live in the sticks where 50% of my neighbours have firearms and know I’m shooting foxes in the area. Would I take an unslipped rifle out of my car in Dublin- definitely not.

 

[gixer1]

The fact some people have a big issue with this is a great demonstration of why shooting is likely doomed, especially as the hysteria spreads from south to north.

It’s a hotel in the heart of deer stalking “Mecca”…..to see a rifle here is not that unusual….you can literally park 3ft from the door of the hotel.

Thank goodness that up here we are not at the level of paranoia and suspicion that some of you seem to be “darn sarf”…..please remain there if you feel endangered!

Just wait until you see the number of people riding quads or Argo’s in view of main roads with rifles/firearms on view…..you’ll blow a gasket!

Regards,
Gixer

 

[Mike L]

Oooooh generalisation…………..

 

[lotuseater]

The hotel is private property. So while it may have surprised the observer, it is perfectly legal and acceptable to have Guns on show openly in the hotel or on the grounds if the hotel owners allow it.

Discretion dictates that those circumstances are established before one does such a thing. Generally speaking, I would always err on the side of discretion and enter a hotel with my firearms in a slip. The further south and more generic the Hotel, the more one should observe such discretions - as to create a hysterical reaction amongst guests and diners as you walk through the bar would not be good for Business and not be appreciated by the owners. Yes, it’s a bit pathetic, but it’s the world we live in.

 

[long_range_rob]

Hello people, I’m posing a question based on a scenario I observed this evening and want to see what the general consensus of the community is.

This evening I was passing through Braemar and stopped briefly outside the Fife Arms to let the dog out. I saw a group of two stalkers (presumably guests at the hotel) and two guides park up, and the two guest headed in to the hotel. One of the guests had his rifle loose around his shoulder without a slip and walked straight in to the hotel through the main entrance.

At the time I was a bit taken aback by this - personally it’s not something I would ever do - always erring on the side of caution with the general public and the visibility of my guns. Perhaps I am way too sensitive though, so I wanted to see what the general consensus is.

I know that the Fife Arms has a gun room and there will frequently be paying stalkers heading in and out, but would you walk in to a public hotel lobby carrying a visible firearm?

Just no!

 

[Lloyd90]

When we go goose shooting in Scotland we take our guns into the hotel in gunslips.

The hotel has a locked room with multiple gun safes which we enter, remove the guns from the slips, and put securely in the gun safes (for which we keep the key).

I don’t see any reason to be waving guns around unnecessarily.

However, I would behave in a similar way in my own home. Gun in slip when arriving home / leaving; out of slip and into cabinet etc.

 

[Mike1979]

An absolute no from me.

 

[jimmer.13]

I’d be more worried about what some NED wearing a balaclava is carrying out of sight tucked in his/ her hoodie than what someone wearing tweeds or cammo gear is carrying in the open.

 

[nocturnaldave]

When did the simple application of common sense leave the building… just adapt to the surroundings we find ourselves in…. In the words of Alexander… Simples !

 

[VSS]

… just adapt to the surroundings we find ourselves in….

Perhaps that little nugget should be posted in the political discussion section....

 

[starr shot]

If they had the bolt in the action , i think its poor practice , if one was up the spout then its a major matter . No case or slip ? pretty normal in shooting hotels and guns going into the truck without a slip . Its not un common to see a keeper on the road on a quad with a shotgun out its case where we are based , not good but nobody really bothers, when going to another locations ( imagine that in a city or large town / city ) .

Shouldn’t have one up the spout,I can’t count the times I’ve had a negligent discharge in a strange hotel

 

[Scarpa]

Shouldn’t have one up the spout,I can’t count the times I’ve had a negligent discharge in a strange hotel

I bet you always get the top bunk.

 

[Mike1979]

Shouldn’t have one up the spout,I can’t count the times I’ve had a negligent discharge in a strange hotel

Easy...dont share a room and keep the door locked.. sorts the first part. Tissues for the second part

 

[kennyc]

its all relative to the local culture