BONANZA TV series gun rack

[Captainkirk]

As a kid growing up on westerns, one image that was seared into my young brain was the "Bonanza" series gun rack at the Ponderosa. I always wanted to build something like that, especially now that I've obtained my Sharps and Winchester 66 replicas.
I also really like the way our member Richard displays his BP revolvers in a glass display case. I'm quite sure I could come up with a pretty nice-looking custom built design for my den.
BUT...
Of course, there is the adage "Out of sight, out of mind".
You don't have to be a criminal, or even a thief, to be tempted by easy pickings. While we don't have kids living at home any more dragging unknown friends through the house, we do live in a city with neighbors we don't really know. All it takes is one quick view for a stranger to start cooking up ideas.
I'm completely out of room in my small gun safes and really need to move up to a large fireproof version, if not something else (as previously mentioned). I know several of you have had guns stolen before and realize that it is a reality, not an abstract fear, living in a city of nearly 100,000 people.
What say you? Show 'em, or stow 'em? On one hand, I've gotten along thus far for 30+ years with only one incident, but I would sure hate to have something happen. At this stage in life they are probably non-replaceable.

[Captainkirk]

ttt

[ssb73q]

Hi Kirk, almost all guns are replaceable. Have insurance and retain serial numbers to report to police if ever stolen. While I have a gun safe for most of my guns, especially modern handguns, I want to enjoy my collection. The only thing to really protect is life of your family. Enjoy your firearms, display them.

Regards,
Richard

[Hawg]

I had a lot of guns stolen that are not replaceable. I can't afford insurance and the guns I had stolen I gave the police serial numbers and pictures. None were ever recovered.

[ShotgunDave]

I have to agree with Richard on this. The guns are made to be enjoyed. And you can't enjoy them in a dark safe, hidden away. I'm not saying put all your guns on display, but a few is good.

I have a small shelf in our living room, with a little display on it. There are three pistols included. I rotate them around now and then, so some live in the safe, and a few are out where we can all enjoy them. After a period of time, I switch them around. Down the hall, I have a set of deer front legs that I made into a rifle rack. I switch out whatever is on display there too. Makes it fun, even if I can't shoot as often as I like. At least I get to look at them and easily handle them. Just my 2 cents worth.

[jaxenro]

Careful with assuming insurance covers things. Often for guns you need an additional rider. Same with coins I have a lot of rare Morgan’s and$5 gold pieces and the base homeowners covers them at $1 and $5 face value not the $500+ actual value per coin

I keep them in a safe deposit box at thebank

[G Dog]

Jax makes an important point concerning riders.  Check your policy, homeowners, renters, whatever.  Insurance companies are like casinos; they make their fortunes based upon what they don’t pay out.  Typically, the standard policy will have limits on categories of personal property loss that will be paid.  Usually that’s about 1500 bucks and may not even begin to protect the insured.

Few things in life are more satisfying than securing verdicts against insurance companies for their bad faith refusal to pay on a loss.  The punitive damages on a successful bad faith claim can run to a serious stack of shekels.  Of course counsel gets 33.33% of the recovery - honk, honk.   

[Captainkirk]

OK, so how about this angle?

Even if one gets a rider and takes pictures/lists serial numbers, date of mfg, etc...do you dare to leave a gun on display (even in your own domain) when there is a chance (slim, very slim) that it could be stolen and used in a crime? In our litigious society, I can just see someone getting blamed for lack of due diligence in securing a firearm that some twit steals and tries to hold up a gas station with. Grieving mother and all, shark lawyer blaming an individual for not keeping a dangerous weapon away from the hands of the po' victim who saw it an' jus' couldn't hep hissef... and as a result, was gunned down in a 7-11 by cops after trying to stick up a register with an empty BP gun. Only in America, folks.

[ssb73q]

Hi Kirk, aren't we discussing displaying BP firearms? If a druggie can load a BP firearm and use it in a felony, may God bless em. I agree on keeping modern firearms secure. We have many valuable items like paintings and antiques. We want those items out on display were we can enjoy them. Seems to me that replica BP firearms follows that logic?

Regards,
Richard

[Captainkirk]

Hi Kirk, aren't we discussing displaying BP firearms?

Yes, BP firearms.
Some druggies are too stupid, or too stoned to know the difference and don't care if it's loaded or not. They just want something blue and heavy to point at a clerk while robbing the register.

[ShotgunDave]

Again I have to agree with Richard. The average dolt that is going to steal your stuff, won't know what to do with a BP firearm. Once he realizes what he's stolen, he'll likely toss it out. He's not going to go hunt down balls, powder and primers so he can commit a crime. If he's even smart enough to figure out what he needs to operate the gun in the first place.

By all means, keep your Glocks, Sigs, S&W's and the like locked up. But put those BP beauties on display and enjoy them.

[Captainkirk]

I hear you guys! But let's see what the lawyerly types here have to say.
Anyone?

[Captainkirk]

FWIW, I have this really cool old gun I inherited from my dad...chambered in .22 short, it still functions. I'd LOVE to hang this little gem over the fireplace, but bottom line is, it works. Therefore, I'd be putting myself at risk legally.

[Captainkirk]

I had a lot of guns stolen that are not replaceable. I can't afford insurance and the guns I had stolen I gave the police serial numbers and pictures. None were ever recovered.

I had your episode in mind when I typed this, Hawg.

[ssb73q]

Hi Kirk, display that gun. You can remove a part that makes it nonfunctional. When I had some BP revolvers where I didn't want to put them on my pistol permit, I removed the nipples and replaced the nipples with screws. Those revolvers were completely nonfunctional and just display items.

IMO you can worry-wart yourself to death. I also have a few security cameras in the house if the video is ever needed. The cops know most of the area potheads where an image would allow them being caught and the items recovered. I also keep every firearm I own in an excel spreadsheet with serial numbers, just in case.

Enjoy your guns, display them.

Regards,
Richard