Temporary Firearm Storage While Traveling

[CTS]

I'm planning a trip and during that trip we want to visit the Wright Patterson Air Force Museum in Dayton. As far as I can tell the entire complex, even the parking lot, is a federal military base so it's not exactly lawful for civilian carry. I don't really want to risk any federal complications by taking even a slight chance of my firearm being found in my car (random vehicle searches are permitted as a condition of entry even though it probably never happens), but I don't exactly have a place I can leave my gun while we visit. So my choices are: take the chance (not happening), do the whole multi-day trip without my wife or I being armed, skip the destination, or find somewhere to temporarily keep my gun while we visit. Any ideas?

 

[Indy-Mike]

Park your car in a safe place, leave the gun locked up in the car and take an Uber to the base.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Park your car in a safe place, leave the gun locked up in the car and take an Uber to the base.

This Works. Are you staying in a hotel? does the hotel have in room safes? Leave it in the safe?

 

[Cameramonkey]

Oh, and I'll actually say it; Its not the end of the world to not carry on that trip if you are that concerned. People survive daily without a firearm. Roll the dice. Odds are you'll be OK. (but by all means do what you feel comfy doing)

 

[Timjoebillybob]

If you're going to be visiting weekday business hours. Rent a safety deposit box. They aren't too much usually and quite possibly cheaper than a taxi or uber depending on how far away you have to park.

 

[hoosier21]

I have the same situation next month. My son graduates basic training from Fort Benning. We'll be gone all week (visiting other relatives on the way), and I'm not thrilled about being without a firearm. We may be checking out of the hotel the morning of graduation, so can't leave it in the room safe. I did email the hotel asking if they have a hotel safe, I could store a small lock box in for a few hours. I even asked a couple LGS if they could store it. One said no, haven't heard from the other. It's pretty aggravating that we can't make some type of arrangement with these bases for just the couple hours we are there.

 

[minuteman32]

The hotel I stayed at in Erie, PA a several years ago (Red Roof Inn) locked my pistols in their safe while I & the now ex, went to Niagara Falls (NY & Canada). Picked the guns up on my way back through. Perhaps the hotel you stay at would do the same for you.

 

[Cameramonkey]

I have the same situation next month. My son graduates basic training from Fort Benning. We'll be gone all week (visiting other relatives on the way), and I'm not thrilled about being without a firearm. We may be checking out of the hotel the morning of graduation, so can't leave it in the room safe. I did email the hotel asking if they have a hotel safe, I could store a small lock box in for a few hours. I even asked a couple LGS if they could store it. One said no, haven't heard from the other. It's pretty aggravating that we can't make some type of arrangement with these bases for just the couple hours we are there.

Beware the LGS route. You may have to fill out a 4473 to get your property back I THINK. Im sure one of the resident LGS guys can confirm. Maybe contact a gunsmith in the area instead? I dont think they have to do that if you drop it off for minor service, wink wink, nudge nudge. ($20 for them to inspect it?)

 

[actaeon277]

If you're going to be visiting weekday business hours. Rent a safety deposit box. They aren't too much usually and quite possibly cheaper than a taxi or uber depending on how far away you have to park.

This sounds like a good option.

 

[CTS]

It's just frustrating that for a few hours out of a trip I'm going to be at a "gun free zone" and that means I have to take crazy measures to be compliant with the law. It's ridiculous.

 

[DRob]

Here's a novel idea. Before you go to any great lengths or extreme measures, call Wright Patterson and see if you can talk to MPs, APs or whoever handles their security and ask what they recommend. You may be no better off than you are now but, who knows. Maybe they'll hold the guns for you. And, if they say they will, get a name!

 

[STEEL CORE]

I do not think the museum is on the base, we stopped in June no signs in the parking lot so my Glock-27 went in the trunk.
Inside the museum they have locker rental and signs, I had a prohibited bottle of water and a pocket knife, so back out to the lot they went too.
Great museum.
Ft Benning museum too and it's off base too.
I kept my G-27 in my trunk when visiting both posts.

 

[Roadie]

The Museum is technically not on an "active" part of the base. Interestingly enough, their webpage mentions firearms being prohibited WITHIN the Museum, but doesnt say on the property..

SECURITY NOTICE

[FONT=&amp]Please note that for security reasons, all bags are subject to search, and weapons are not permitted within the museum. In addition, all adults may be asked to show their picture identification card upon entering the museum.

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I dont remember ever seeing guards near the gates, let alone anyone being searched

 

[CTS]

Well I found a solution for myself at least. I'm a rather upstanding member of a local hotel chain's reward program and I asked if I could use one of their safety deposit boxes for a day and they're fine with it. I called the museum and couldn't get a straight answer, I'll try to do some exploring while I'm there.

 

[CTS]

single gun lockable boxes on sale at Rural King now for $10

That's great....I'll stash it under a park bench or something??

 

[hoosier21]

Well I found a solution for myself at least. I'm a rather upstanding member of a local hotel chain's reward program and I asked if I could use one of their safety deposit boxes for a day and they're fine with it. I called the museum and couldn't get a straight answer, I'll try to do some exploring while I'm there.

That's great. Solved my Fort Benning situation as well. I switched hotels, and the new hotel is allowing me a 3:00PM late checkout so my firearm lock box can be stored in the safe, while we are at graduation. I can stop by and pick it up after graduation, on the way out of town.

 

[Erich]

Here's a novel idea. Before you go to any great lengths or extreme measures, call Wright Patterson and see if you can talk to MPs, APs or whoever handles their security and ask what they recommend. You may be no better off than you are now but, who knows. Maybe they'll hold the guns for you. And, if they say they will, get a name!

Calling and asking in such situations is a great idea. The guardhouse at the prisons in my state will hold/lock-up firearms for lawyers making visits.

 

[hoosier21]

Back from Fort Benning, and I kept my firearm in my hotel room safe while on base. Honestly if I had chosen to do so, I could have easily had it in the trunk, under the seat, or even on me. Security seemed pretty lax to me. We went on base several times over 4 days, showed our ID's, and was waved through. It is a busy place with non stop traffic coming through the gates, and I never saw any vehicles being searched. I did call the Fort Benning police prior to arriving and asked about personal firearms being left in trunks. They made it clear none were allowed, no matter how they were stored. So I decided to leave it in the safe, it wasn't worth the risk, just in case..... While attending ceremonies and getting up and down, I did find myself checking my sweater and other covers to make sure it was pulled down over my belt, as if it were there. Then I would remember, it was just that phantom feeling.

 

[GNRPowdeR]

Well I found a solution for myself at least. I'm a rather upstanding member of a local hotel chain's reward program and I asked if I could use one of their safety deposit boxes for a day and they're fine with it. I called the museum and couldn't get a straight answer, I'll try to do some exploring while I'm there.

Any info from your trip? Looking forward to a trip in a few weeks.

 

[GNRPowdeR]

Did some digging and found this on the museum website.

SECURITY NOTICE

[FONT=&amp]Please note that for security reasons, all bags are subject to search, and weapons are not permitted within the museum. In addition, all adults may be asked to show their picture identification card upon entering the museum.[/FONT]

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