CAN I CLEAN MY FIREARMS OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE?

[bogey1]

i live in a row home community and have no room to clean the m2hb inside, my question is can i legally clean it on my little driveway out back of my house (still on my property). im guessing i would be cited for disorderly conduct? any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Pa. Patriot]

This post reads as if you have the impression that someone seeing your rifle is a crime...?!?

Guns are legal
Cleaning your gun is legal (inside or out)
No law against not hiding the gun.

DC would not apply to your above scenario.

§ 5503. Disorderly conduct.

(a) Offense defined.--A person is guilty of disorderly conduct if,
with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or
recklessly creating a risk thereof, he:
1. Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous
behavior;
2. Makes unreasonable noise;
3. Uses obscene language, or makes an obscene gesture; or
4. Creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any
act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.

[Big Dog]

Clean away my friend!

[LittleRedToyota]

one thing to keep in mind about this, though, is...

do you want everyone in the neighborhood to know you own guns?

everyone has their own opinion on that, and i dunno which is the "right" one, but it is something to think about.

i do not want everyone to know i own guns as i feel it might make my house a target for a robbery (free guns that cannot be traced back to the criminal). even if you trust all your neighbors to not be criminals, they will likely mention to others that "my neighbor sits outside and cleans his guns" and the word may get around to a criminal who does not live in your neighborhood.

others like people to know they have guns as they feel it is a deterrent to a robbery.

others don't think it makes any difference.

just something to consider.

legally, though, as PA Patriot said, you're fine.

(also, depending on where you shoot, cleaning them at the range might be an option.)

[Dredly]

Originally Posted by LittleRedToyota

one thing to keep in mind about this, though, is...

do you want everyone in the neighborhood to know you own guns?

everyone has their own opinion on that, and i dunno which is the "right" one, but it is something to think about.

i do not want everyone to know i own guns as i feel it might make my house a target for a robbery (free guns that cannot be traced back to the criminal). even if you trust all your neighbors to not be criminals, they will likely mention to others that "my neighbor sits outside and cleans his guns" and the word may get around to a criminal who does not live in your neighborhood.

others like people to know they have guns as they feel it is a deterrent to a robbery.

others don't think it makes any difference.

just something to consider.

legally, though, as PA Patriot said, you're fine.

(also, depending on where you shoot, cleaning them at the range might be an option.)

Great post LRT and a great point... its one of those half full / half empty type questions... One one hand people may be less likely to mess around if they know you are armed... on the other people MAY break in just to get the guns. This happened recently up here, they broke in specifically because the retired cop had guns (he was killed during the break in)

[Big Dog]

Originally Posted by LittleRedToyota

one thing to keep in mind about this, though, is...

do you want everyone in the neighborhood to know you own guns?

everyone has their own opinion on that, and i dunno which is the "right" one, but it is something to think about.

i do not want everyone to know i own guns as i feel it might make my house a target for a robbery (free guns that cannot be traced back to the criminal). even if you trust all your neighbors to not be criminals, they will likely mention to others that "my neighbor sits outside and cleans his guns" and the word may get around to a criminal who does not live in your neighborhood.

others like people to know they have guns as they feel it is a deterrent to a robbery.

others don't think it makes any difference.

just something to consider.

legally, though, as PA Patriot said, you're fine.

(also, depending on where you shoot, cleaning them at the range might be an option.)

Let's look at this from the other side!

I'm reasonably sure my guns are secure...........security, safes, only readily accessible when at home, etc.......

It would be pretty hard for me to not let the neighbors know I don't have guns with a small range you can see coming up the driveway plus we shoot regularly.

I'd rather be known as a gun owner vs. a potential target. Which one would you hit first?

[bogey1]

thanks pa, kind of what i thought but living in the peoples republic of chitwood sometimes you have to second guess yourself. LRT, i know what you mean but i think its alittle too late for that. i guess with the BMG50 license plate and the stickers in the back window, the way i look at it if someone wants something that bad they will get it no matter what. just dont try it when im home. thanks guys for the input..

[Scud]

I hate to be a party pooper, but I am going to do it. Please consider that people like guns, therefore people will steal them when you are not at home. When homes are robbed, the guns go. I don't advertise.
I don't want to hear about you having your pride and joy stolen.

[Scud]

Having said that... Clean it in your neighbor's driveway.

[Steve in PA]

Yes it is legal to clean your guns outside the house.

I don't recommend it due to small parts being able to disappear rather quickly!! But I've cleaned rifles and shotguns on the back porch.