You have a right to say “no” to guns in your home
By Penny Okamoto, Executive Director of Ceasefire Oregon
Homeowners, renters, and people who have control over a private premise (e.g. people who host an event at a rented home such as an AirBnB) have the right to prohibit firearms on the premises. A sign advising people that firearms are prohibited on the premises can be placed on the premise or in an invitation to an event. Even if a notice that firearms are prohibited is not displayed, a gun owner can be asked to leave premises. Failure to leave the premises when asked to do so or bringing a firearm into a private premise where firearms are not allowed could result in a trespassing violation for the gun owner. (In a nutshell: People have control over their homes. They can prohibit firearms in their homes and can tell guests to leave their home for any reason–including bringing a gun into the home. Failure to leave is a trespassing violation.)
Bringing a firearm into a home with children and not telling the parents is dangerous and reckless. Parents make the decision to place children in close quarters with a firearm, not the gun owner. In some states, the gun owner could be held liable if a minor accessed an unsecured gun.
In some states, carrying a concealed gun is only allowed if the gun owner has a valid concealed carry license. If the gun-owning guest is carrying a concealed firearm with or without a license, the gun owner should immediately inform the host. Information about who has a concealed carry license is often not available to the public so a homeowner or host has no way to know if a friend’s “plus one” is armed with a concealed gun.
Responsible gun owners never possess firearms when drinking alcohol or under the influence of legal or illegal substances.
Brandishing a firearm is illegal. Under 18 USC § 924(c)(4) “the term ‘brandish’ means that a person who brandishes a firearm can be sentenced to “a term of imprisonment of not less than 7 years.” (Source)
Finally, cars are not gun safes. People who travel with firearms should lock their firearms in gun safes that are attached to the vehicle or leave their firearms secured at their own homes.