I don’t know much about Blue Ruin (due in selected theaters April 25) but I’ve been in the big guy’s shoes. Someone I knew (a female of course) was in trouble. She needed a firearm for self-protection in a state where the fastest you could legally purchase a gun was 10 days. Carry permit? Months. If then. I told her no. If it’s that serious, leave town. That was when I was behind enemy lines, living in a Northeastern state. Here in Texas, you can lend a bro a gun without legal blowback. Unless there is. So anyway, let’s say someone you knew (and loved) asked to borrow a gat for self-defense. Would you lend it?

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131 COMMENTS

  1. It depends on how close they were… and if so, I would just give it to them. That way it would be their responsibility from that point on 100%.

    • ^^This. Since (in most places) it is perfectly legal to sell/transfer a gun in private party sales without involving an FFL, go ahead and write out a Bill of Sale describing the gun, listing the serial #, but omitting the sale price.

      When the situation is over, if no incident has transpired, simply tear up the Bill of Sale and everything is back where it was.

      PLEASE! Check your local (unconstitutional) laws and regulations regarding the transfer of firearms.

    • One caveat to close friends and family.

      Years ago (7 or 8 now) I got a call from what I considered a “close friend” (not anymore) saying he feared for his life from another close friend and needed a weapon. He was around 30 at the time and had told me that my other close friend who was in his early 40’s was going to kill him because 30 had been helping hide 40’s 16 year old daughter at a “friend’s” house. I asked why and 30 said her dad was infuriated with her for staying out past curfew. I said call the police but 30’s said he didn’t want to get 40’s in trouble. The whole thing sounded weird to me because 40’s was the nicest guy I’d ever met and treated his daughters like royalty. So I hit my 40’s friend up and asked why he was after 30’s. The answer I got made me sick to my stomach.

      30’s had been having sex with 40’s 16 year old girl, even filming it! 40’s had gotten ahold of her phone (gut feeling that something was very wrong) and found the sexts, pics, and video and had just lost his mind. I would have had a meltdown also just as most on here would. I told him I would help but that we needed to get the authorities involved as he had beyond solid evidence he said okay but he wanted to get his daughter back first. I then went to visit 30 in the guise of helpful friend and discovered 40’s daughter was at the house. Unknown to her father, 30’s wasn’t hiding her somewhere else. 30’s was hiding her in the basement of the house him and his wife shared! When alone I told the girl that her dad wasn’t mad at her, feared for her, and that she knew that her father loved her very much and would never hurt her. She finally agreed to go home and I promptly took her there.

      She was naive and confused by an adult who had taken advantage of her. She thought that her dad was angry with her because that is what 30 had told her. 30’s wife, when told what was actually going on, didn’t and still doesn’t believe it. She refused to even look at the evidence, and had her father (who also refused to look at the pics, video, and texts) come over to help protect her pedophile husband. Morons.

      No charges were ever filed, the girl got counseling and didn’t want anyone else to know what had happened. 40’s just couldn’t file charges as his daughter was too embarrassed and he worried that it would hurt her even further. Playing a tape of your underage daughter having sex with a pedophile for a jury or even a judge is a decision I’d never want to have. 40’s has been a close friend for many years now and I hang out with him regularly. His daughter is doing well all these years later but she’s still seeing a shrink. 30, well that scumbag hasn’t dared call me again. I told him he was lower than my dogs crap and how I think pederasts should be put to death. I told him he should be dead but that a good man shouldn’t have to go to jail for making it happen.

      Before I’d loan anybody a weapon I would need as many facts as possible. Sometimes facts can be hard to come by though, but almost everybody gets a gut feeling when something is wrong. You think you know someone but people keep the worst of themselves hidden away. Before loaning a weapon out you should get as much info as possible and weigh the possible legal and moral ramifications. I would suggest you have the person get the authorities involved first. If they say “no” then that should be a good indicator of their truthfulness. All in all, one should be very careful when another persons life could be on the line.

  3. I would sell it to him/her for a dollar, write up a bill of sale for it and then when they’re done with it “buy it back”.

    • This, exactly. Give them a pump action shotgun for a buck and get a receipt. But that’s where I live, and people can get any non-NFA gun with no wait even at the local gun shop.

      If the question is whether I would commit a firearms-related felony to save a friend or family member (that seems to be the set-up if there is a waiting period on handguns), my answer would be “that depends.”

    • Course, then they can legally keep it or sell it to someone else, and there isn’t a damn thing you could do about it.

      • This is supposed to be a friend that we are talking about.

        Possession is always nine points of the law. When they broke up, my brother’s long-term girlfriend stole all of his guns and gave them to her brother-in-law. It was duly reported but the police would do nothing about it.

    • I responded with the same answer above before I saw yours. I’m not sure, however, that it is a legal requirement to put more than “for valuable consideration tendered” or words to that effect on the document. I would certainly NOT put a ridiculously low price on the B of S since that would be a red flag to some prosecutor that you were up to something they might like to find some law against.

  5. It depends;

    My sister. Yes. Have done it.

    My brother. Already armed.

    Parents. Already armed.

    My ex wives. Only the one that still has sex with me.

    Friends. The only 3 that I would lend to already are armed.

  7. Yes. Would you let an unconstitutional law prevent life? You know that part of Life Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness? The only reason you would not loan the gun is that you don’t trust the person you loan it to. Using “it takes too long to buy a gun or get a permit” is like saying it takes too long to grow a tree so why plant one. I would hope that the permit process was started before I loaned the gun as it would be a temporary solution until their gun was in their posession. I would have that person describe the imminent threat to the police so that it would be on record so that when and if the person had to defend themself with your gun, you have a solid case once the tyrants take over with the leagal proceedings.

  8. Hell no, I would eliminate the threat myself or if this person was not in imminent danger I would call the po – po let them shoot the dog. Things are to bassackwards here in Mass. to take a chance.

    • I would and I have, in MA no less. I’ve been collecting and shooting for many years and in the process have acquired a number of guns with no paper trails. I escaped MA several years before they passed a 29-page collection of even more nonsense gun laws, but you still had to be good buddies with your local police chief before you were accorded the privilege of (perhaps) legal self defense.

      • I was too paranoid to post this. Many gun owners have firearms bought from individuals with no 4473 to tie it to them. These make great gifts and loaners to family/friends that live in bad areas or have attracted the attention of someone that means to do them harm.

        Just remember, if you know they are felons, have criminal domestic violence on their record, they are not citizens, are under indictment, etc…you can and probably will lose your gun rights and spend some time in the pokey.

  9. I would never lend a gun to anyone.

    That did happen to me. My sister who lives in the inner city needed a gun when her neighbor experienced an armed home invasion from some “high” drug addicts. She needed a gun that night. I gave her one of my guns.

    If they were family, even extended family or neighbors or close friends, I would give them a gun. I have plenty. I would give them a gun, take them to a training range and teach them how to use the gun safely so they did not hurt themselves or any other innocent person, and then offer then a obstacle course training session with my wife and I to hone their response and recognition time and accuracy with moving targets.

  10. My State (MN) has an allowance for an Emergency Permit to carry.
    If somebody were in such danger they needed that then yes, more than likely. (Because then I can point at the Sheriff & say “He thought it was a good idea too!”)

    They would have to be family though – I don’t currently have any friends that close.

  11. Not unless they had attended my legal self-defense class so I could testify to what they’d been specifically taught.
    Otherwise, I’d stay there myself with a couple of other similarly-trained BFF’s until the crisis passed.

    • I like that idea! That’s real friendship. Honestly, lending a gun is good but that’s really sticking by your mate.

  12. Being that I’m in AZ without any of those silly restrictions like “wait periods” or carry “permits”; I’d take them to a gun store, help them pick out a gun (that fits them) and spend a bit of time on the range with them.

  13. No, not here in Texas, where you can basically get a Glock out of a vending machine. They need to get their own and not involve others. I will help with advice, selection, and training, as needed, but the purchase must be your own.

    That said, some people I know who have problems are bringing it on themselves, or at least allowing it to continue. I’m not going to get into details here or debating that, because I’m not interested and it’s nobody else’s business. Suffice it to say that those people should avail themselves of nonviolent means to resolve their chronic interpersonal problems and not pick up a gun. Failing that, get away and get out of that situation before it spins out of control.

  14. Yes. Had to travel on business, didn’t want to bring EDC on the flight, an in-town friend gave me a loaner to carry until I left.

    That’s what a good buddy network is for!

    • I’ve done something similar. Picking up a friend at the airport or bus terminal; had spare sidearms and holsters in the vehicle already for them. Most of my friends and acquaintances are armed whenever we are out and about. I figure that there’s no reason for the person visiting to be the odd man out.

  16. Without question to any of my family and pretty much the same for any of my friends.

  17. I sure would and I did. I’ve had an interest in guns my whole life, but I don’t come from a firearms oriented family. I only had a pellet gun until I turned 18 and was able to start buying my own. Since then, I have talked my family into shooting and even bought my dad a ruger mark iii for fathers day a couple years ago. Figured 22 would be good in case my mom ever needed to use it. And I know it isn’t a man stopper, but a 22 is better than a kitchen knife.

  18. I’ve never been asked, but I do like the gentleman’s sale for a dollar idea. Would only be practical with long guns here in MI because of the handgun registry.

  19. Would I lend a gun for self-defense? To a guy friend? Perhaps. First I’d check to see if he owed me money. If he I did, I’d definitely lend him a rifle, put the ammo across the room, and leave the premises quickly. I’d want him to survive, for obvious reasons.

    If it’s a beautiful friend of the opposite sex? Probably not. It would make more sense to volunteer for guard duty.

  20. I live in NJ. Simple answer: No.

    If I absolutely had to, transferring a long gun really isn’t a problem (assuming the friend/family member has an FID, in which case they likely already have a gun), but the paperwork/permits for handguns makes it impossible to just hand one over to somebody without both of you becoming felons.

  21. If transfers are prohibited, would you press charges against a friend who stole that gat you carelessly left on the coffee table?

  22. Uh uh, don’t do that.

    Thats like asking to borrow someone’s wife.

    Get your own, buddy.

    “But that takes too long…”

    Should’ve started looking sooner.

  23. Living in CT, no never. Even if there was a case of a women who had been abused, raped, assaulted multiple time and had 50 restraining orders, an enterprising DA in CT (looking for a pat on the head from the DNC) would find a way to get her for murder or attempted murder and me for the illegal transfer — because that is the way they roll around here unless they are the special people and then they would be let go as if nothing happened.

  24. My uncle called in a panic as the king riots started up in LA. He was in the heart of it, and unarmed.
    He barely got the package.

    • If he lived close to one of the Korean-owned stores he either did or did not need the package – depending on the predilections of said store’s owners…

  25. Probably. More to the point I’d do everything I could to get said friend into a better situation. Including getting him or her trained up ASAP.

  27. I live in WI, and have done this, but only with friends I have personally shit with. One was a friend who’s carry pistol was in for repairs at the manufacturer and didn’t feel like iwb carrying a s&w governor

  28. WTF
    How many red warning lights is the small guy setting off, and why is the big gun not getting it?

  29. Would you loan a motorcycle to someone who has never ridden before, especially if they would need it to evade bad guys?
    I might loan one to a good friend who is a shooter, to a non shooter, no way.

    • There’s quite a difference between a motorcycle and a Saturday night special. The motor skills required to operate a motorcycle take a lot more time to develop but even so, the only way to develop them is to show them how it works and set them loose. An hour at the range and most anyone will be fine with a firearm.

  30. Pistol in Michigan, no. Long gun-Sell for $1 with option to buy back. Have done this for a close friend her husband’s deer rifles were too much for her to use, taught her how to shoot the long gun she bought. She also returned (sold back) in good condition.

  31. True story; in the 90s some pervert moved into the neighborhood and exposed himself to my niece. The very next day the entire block was armed with handguns from my neighbors safe. Don’t mess with Texas.

  33. Think about. When you went shooting for the first time, were you nervous, somewhat confused, a little shaky? How about someone with no experience? Give them a gun? You’ve got to be kidding! They will shoot their eye out looking down the barrel. . . . . Or someone else’s eye.

    A friend or relative with training and familiarity with the specific firearm? Yes.

  34. Depending on how much i care for them, I’d likely give them the gun. As in> “Here, take it. Is that enough Ammo?”

  35. Assuming it is a trusted friend, or family member, absolutely yes. Without hesitation. If they were unfamiliar with firearms, a range trip would be the first step.

    I should add that I live in Washington, where there would be zero legal ramifications for me.

  37. First, that’s not a 20 round magazine in that film clip, that’s a 30 round magazine.

    And the answer would be no. I would not lend a firearm to a friend who asked.

  38. Family maybe yes.

    There are way too many variables to have one hard and fast rule for all circumstances on this question.

  39. Depends.

    Even a BFF can be in the wrong, and for a number of reasons I wouldn’t lend a gun to someone who I suspected would use it inappropriately, or otherwise help said BFF to get one.

    Otherwise my first choice would be to give the BFF the money to get one. In a state like CA, I’d also do anything I could to convince him/her to start the clock and leave for the waiting period.

    But it all depends too much on the people and circumstances to say for sure.

  40. This article just reminded me that I loaned my sister my SigPro SP2009 like three years ago due to an ex-con-stalker-ex-boyfriend situation. I guess I should ask for it back. I haven’t even though about the gun since I lent it to her.

  41. All of my family is at least as well armed as I am. Off hand, I can not think of anyone else I’d trust enough to lend a gun to. Some of my close friends have no clue as to the responsibility of shooting another human being. I could easliy be responsible for them getting in deep trouble for a “bad shoot”. Because just lending a gun for self protection against an imminent threat, doesn’t really allow time for teaching the do’s and don’ts of justifiable self defense. One of our close friends is a 64 year old recently widowed woman living alone. She has never even touched a gun and has no interest in learning. If she were to develope a sudden need for protection, I’d move her into our home before I lent her a firearm, because I’d be afraid she might accidently shoot her daughter or son-in-law if they were to arrive unannounced in the night.

  42. Expressing the question in a different way:

    Would you hand over all your money, all your property, your freedom and your reputation to a friend?

    Uh, no. If my BFF is in trouble, he can hang out with me until the trouble passes or he or she is able to get his or her own firepower.

  43. No, because people you know and love can suddenly become the biggest dumbasses and do stupid things. If a friend or family member here in Florida felt that threatened that he/she felt the temporary need for a gun, I would offer to stay over until the threat was gone, while also insisting that he/she/they notify the police to make a report about the specific threat. Someone who isn’t fully invested mentally in the legalities of gun ownership will be tempted to take it out of the house “for protection.”

  44. Of course. I have before. I’ve loaned firearms to friends of friends. Some dramatic “need” isn’t necessary. Some have borrowed a firearm for camping, plinking, taking a course, or just to carry until they save up enough to purchase the one that they want (not uncommonly the same model that they borrowed off of me).

    On the rare occasions that I sell a firearm, I do the absolute bare minimum required. If I’m not required to even ask for an ID then I don’t.

    • Everyone that I know well enough to loan a gun to already has guns. That said, yes, I would loan a gun and have before, though there are no legal ramifications for this in Ohio and as others have said one can be purchased on the spot without restriction (other than a background check if buying from an FFL).

      As for loaning guns back and forth, that’s a no brainer. How else does someone without unlimited means get to play with all the best toys?

  45. A lot of talk about handing a firearm to someone who’s never shot before, but here’s another hypothetical; you are in an active shooter scenario. You wisely brought two weapons to a gun free zone (sic) and now there’s mad man walking the halls shooting people. You need to get to another room to protect other people. Do you hand off your backup gat to a newb?

        • Aye. There’s nothing wrong with keeping the n00b out front.

          It’s a win-win. They get a better means of defense and we get a moving meat shield. (j/k sort of) 😀

    • While not really a newb, I have a young friend who, prior to getting his CCW permit would joke than in the event the SHTF he was diving for my left ankle (where my BUG usually is). I always thought the imagery of that would be hilarious; one guy stands to deliver while another appears to attempt to take advantage of the confusion steal his left shoe. Absurd but ballsy move there, stealing the armed guys shoe and all.

  46. I may be loaning/giving my sister-in-law my Charter Arms Pitbull 9mm FED revolver. She drives a 3+ hour to visit her mom. Has a .22 pistol, .32 pistol, neither are good self defence calibers. She has her Texas CHL, very good shot with both pistols, revolvers and shotguns, Women should have a revolver in the car while on a road trip, never know when you are going to have an automotive break down, and it can be a long wait for tow truck. In Texas, it is legal to have a loaded handgun in a vehicle so long as it’s not in plain sight w/o CHL.

    • @Tx Gun Gal:+1 with that. @Vhyrus: I agree, at “in the car” range a .32 will drive an attacker away if nothing else. I assume we’re talking .32 acp here, .32 S&W would be about the same, .32 mag even better.

  47. Friend of mine loaned me his j frame while my carry piece is in evidence out of state stemming from a dgu…hopefully getting it this week

    • Hopefully they aren’t treated like DGU arms in SC. SLED engraves the case number on the arms here. Not even nicely. The last one I saw looked like a 5 year old did the writing…

      • Once cleared of all charges and the weapon returned I think having had the police engrave the case number on the gun would make it a keepsake. “This one saved my life once.”

  49. The answer to this question has a couple different angles to take on…

    If a friend came to me asking to borrow a gun with the explicit desire to use it for self defense, I would almost certainly say no because I am way too skeptical of people’s intentions to trust someone when they have explicitly stated the intended use. If they need it for self defense that means that if they end up needing to use it, they could find themselves with another person on their way to room temperature and all the legal implications associated with that, and thats assuming their intentions are honest self defense, not revenge, or worse they got in with the wrong crowd and need a piece to protect themselves from the backlash. Its just too dangerous. I would do what you did with your female friend, if its bad enough to need a gun, call the cops or leave town.

    Now lets say the same friend is going hunting and needs a piece, I might beg to go along and let them use my rifle. Letting them go alone would come down to how well I knew them and how sure I could be they wouldn’t leave it somewhere it could be stolen or misused… that’s a pretty high bar for me still though as I can count on one hand the people who I know who would satisfy that criteria and most of them own more than 1 gun so it would be a case of borrowing something from me that they didn’t have. If the asker didnt currently or never has owned a gun it would almost certainly be a NO.

    Now if it was a family member (I mean close like bother/sister/mom/dad)? I think I know/trust my parents/siblings well enough that I would be willing to stand behind the decision if there were legal repercussions stemming from a defensive use of my gun by one of my family members. Would beat the alternative of burying one of them. We are all close enough that it would be pretty obvious in the case of depression, or perhaps a desire for revenge or other sources of improper use.

    • You have a very different and looser interpretation of ‘friend’ than I do. For me to call someone a ‘friend’ would indicate that I know and trust them well enough to know if they intended to kill someone (that sort of anger is hard to hide from people who know you well) and it certainly only applies to people I trust enough to protect items I loan them or to replace them if lost, stolen or damaged.

  50. I would never lend or give my gun to anyone. As the owner, I am responsible and the moment the firearm leaves my possession, I have no control over events. If the friend shoots an innocent (or even guilty) person who is maimed or killed, it would blowback on me. In CT where I live, any lawyer would give you this advice.

  51. Eh…… it’s like lending a chainsaw. If they don’t have one already, they probably don’t know how to use it.

    That said, it’s a firm “Maybe.” It depends on their experience. If I personally knew that they were competent and I had seem them shoot the gun they wanted to borrow, I would consider it, on the provision that I didn’t need it.

  52. Really depends on who they are.

    There are some family members I wouldn’t trust with a Nerf gun or a plastic spork, much less anything lethal. They would have to be trustworthy, and have at least some past experience with a firearm for me to simply loan it out.

    If circumstances were truly dire, say, an imminent threat of bodily harm or death from an assailant, I would depending on their level of experience. If they’re clueless, which is more than likely (sadly) even here in NC, I would take time off and show them how to work a sidearm and — circumstances like distance to their residence and their job permitting — maybe even let them stay with me for the time being so as to provide some protection.

  53. Yes, California has a ten day wait to buy a gun–but it also allows the loaning of a firearm to another for up to 30 days as I recall. That firearm can be a handgun as long as the person to whom the handgun is lent has a handgun safety certificate (which you can get the same day at pretty much any gun shop with a little intellectual effort.) With the caveat that concealed carry–legally anyway–is out of the question.

  54. Without doubt, to any friends or family, close or otherwise. If they need a gun, then they’re in trouble. And if they’re in trouble, I’ll help them however I can. And if that means lending a gun to shoot down a threatening asshole perp, they can have a class 3!

  56. I would give them a firearm. I understand that guns are not cheap, and that a lot of people might have an immediate need but no means to fulfill it. So I would give them one of the inexpensive, but reliable shotguns I’ve pickup over the years. The expectation of course would be that they would eventually purchase their own firearm and would either A) give the shotgun back or B) pass it along to someone who is in the same situation they previously found themselves in.

    I would be upset if they sold it for profit or used it as a trade-in, even though I legally gave up ownership when I gave them the firearm. Of course I would only do this for close friends and family, so I doubt that would happen.

  57. I’d lend it……But they better bring it back in the same condition as it was lent in (Thats for legit stuff). Otherwise depending on a really crazy messed up situation….with say a female family member getting stalked and life threatened, and she’s been to the police a million times and they don’t care. I’d lend a handgun, but I’ll be waiting at night with my rifle in the distance. I’d rather take a life then another family member. i.e. stalker comes towards the house with a knife or handgun…….SEE YAAAH

  58. I obviously don’t get around enough. I’m sitting here reading all the different considerations folks are having to take into account because of the state they live in, and I’m just shakin’ my head. I qualified for my CCL with a borrowed handgun. I didn’t even ask, the guy offered it (he was the instructor for my kids’ 4-H shooting team). I do agree loaning one over some amorphous “trouble” would be a different, and iffy, proposition. I am pretty much giving my adult son a handgun right now, he’s supposed to be buying it but his money always goes for something else. I am on the edge of just telling him to forget the money ( he already has the gun).

    • Make him pay for it. If he isn’t responsible enough to honor the deal he entered into he isn’t responsible enough to own the firearm.

      Unless the money is all going toward actual NEEDS(not just things he wants). In that case I’d just call you a good father.

      • Yeah, the “something else” is generally bills, groceries, wife, young ‘un, that sort of thing.

  60. Living in GA, that has never really came up. I would if I needed to.
    The one thing that I run across as a cop, I have fought the feeling to give so many victims a gun when I know they need one. I causes me stress. I have several guns but not hundreds to give away. I do talk to them and see if they have the resources to purchase a gun. I then offer to go with them (On or Off duty) to buy one and offer some range time. I talk safety both for the user and any environment where children are.
    This happens far too often. I wish I had boxes of 9mm Glocks and 12GA Shotguns to hand out…….
    ( I don’t recommend .40 or .45 for first time shooters, They can move up when they are ready)

  62. There are so many factors to consider:
    1) familiarity with firearms, in general
    2) familiarity with the specific firearm requested / available
    3) Is he/she a licensed CCW / CHL?
    4) What is my personal relationship with the person?
    5) How credible is the threat?

    AND even if all these have conditions have been satisfied, there will still need to be some sort of “check-out / check-in” process so I would feel comfortable.

    Better yet, why not just come and camp-out for a few days, and I’ll do the protecting with my firearms, lol.

  63. If it is someone I consider a true friend, or a close family member, yes. I would give them anything they needed that I had to give. And if the situation called for it I would be there to face it with them.

  64. Lets just say its good to have friends in high places, and low places too.

    In certain times when you would rather not know the details, the friends in low places are often the best.

  65. My answer for a family member or loved one in trouble the answer has always been, “If it’s that bad you need to stay at my house until you can get things sorted out.”

    that simple, tell nobody where you are staying, you are filing a restraining order and if you need to go back to your place to get anything, we’ll arrange it with local police.

    the wife didn’t like it much the loved one was an ex-girlfriend, but she dealt with it for a couple of weeks, understanding that I’d extend the same to her if things ever went south.

  66. I am in Ca. with a 10 day wait on any firearm and the gun stays with the ffl during the wait. I don’t remember who it was but one of the Ca. anti gunners was on a radio show and was asked about the issues with a waiting period for somebody who is in immediate need. She responded that there is a process for local law enforcement to allow somebody to bypas the wait if they have a need. Never researched the law and don’t know how much proof of a threat is needed but I had to wonder how many people have even bothered with it let alone succeeded rather than do as many above have said and just borrow one or buy it illegally. I’m sure they make it so difficult if a person was truly in fear they would break the law instead of jumping through hoops.

  67. So Robert you took the time to belittle, and bash a pro-gun personality in your idiot of the day column but you didn’t have the time to spot the glaring anti-gun slant of this video clip?

    “It came from the gun show, no papers.”

    The free pass you’ve given to those who wish us disarmed is almost as disgusting as the wedge you’ve attempted to drive into the shooting community.

    Who’s side are you on Mr. Farago?

  68. I would only lend to close family members. Probably a shotgun & not a handgun. I need to look into the legal ramifications in Cook County,Illinois too. I hope I never need to do this.

  69. I love all the “guns are expensive” and “what if they kill someone innocent” and “can they safely use it” questions. I’ve loaned plenty of truckless friends my Tundra. Last time I looked I think I paid about $40,000 for it. That’s about 80 times more expensive than the average modern pistol. Not sure how many people you could kill with it but hit a SUV here in Texas and it could be 8-10 in one vehicle (we are the clown car state, you know). Never felt I needed to give a driver’s safety course to any of my friends. I’m sure some are just meeting the minimum standard right now.

    So If you need something and we are friends, Ill do what I can to help you. As I have received help of the years from many wonderful friends.

    So I guess the real question is why do any of you have friends you can’t trust?

  70. I don’t have enough to lend, so if family or friends were in a jam (stalkers, heightened criminal activity, etc.) I’d probably ask to keep them company with me and my firearm until the threat passes or until an alternative solution is available.

    If I had enough to go around, I would probably limit lending only to family or close friends I knew wouldn’t shoot themselves in the foot or were super serious about learning to shoot and the 4 rules. Then again I don’t live in or associate with anti-gun states, so my thoughts could be different otherwise.

  71. No problem. Come n get it. Sign a bill of sale and its yours for a penny for however long you need it or until you buy one yourself.

  72. In Va. there is no wait as long as you have not had your right to possess a firearm(eg:felony conviction), so, I would not give a gun to someone, but I would give or loan them the cash necessary to purchase their own weapon. I would then take them to SEG to learn how to fire the weapon.

  74. Considering that all my friends are well versed in guns and gun safety and we frequently loan, trade and shoot together..yes

  75. Long ago I was that friend. My buddy didn’t lend me one of his guns, he sold it to me for $1 with a bill of sale we both signed (it was a nice .357 probably worth $400-$500). A couple of weeks later, I sold it back to him for a dollar. Removes a lot of the liability concerns.

  76. After reading some of you folks comments I can only think what a funny world we live in. Here in West Virginia I’ve seen handguns bought and sold at yard sales. Once I saw a shotgun given as a prize to the winner of a sack race at a church picnic.

  77. In principle, yes I would loan out a sidearm if necessary. However, I prefer to keep family and friends who are already armed and law-abiding to begin with. I have several family members who almost certainly have no gun, and no concept of self-protection. I don’t talk to those particular family members and almost certainly would refuse to loan a weapon if they asked. It may sound mean-spirited, but then again they’ve never shown they cared about me one bit anyway. The good Lord helps those who help themselves.

    Tom

  78. This is a pretty good question with many good answers. Drawing from personal experience a friend of mine was being stalked by a verbally abusive ex husband when we were in college (they were married for about 18’months), and due to the fact she was not yet 21, could not purchase a handgun unless it was during a private sale. Due to the fact that sometimes people selling firearms in a private sale can be sketchy and sometimes there’s things that could be wrong with ought being immediately obvious, I offered to loan her my glock 26. Which she took me up on, in fact she still has it, but she did give me $450 about a year later which went towards a new glock 30

  79. Emphatic NO! I tried that once, with a buddy back when I was young, a Ruger 10-22, He left town in a hurry, fact I never saw him again. Found out that the landlord had the rifle, so I confronted him with my 357 in open carry where he could see it, First he denied it, then finally got it out of the trunk of his car, the stock was cracked, and the six factory mags were missing. then there is my middle brother who borrowed an 8mm Mauser, in about 1976, and still has it. Even asks me to load ammo for it. I give guns to my granddaughter and wife, but nobody else. I still have that 10-22 and every time somebody asks to borrow a gun, I get it out and look at the crack that I had to glue back together.

  80. “best friend forever”. until.
    with a jaundiced eye i would consider a self defense loan request. but again, the folks i would be most concerned with are already armed.
    an ex has had one on loan for quite some time.
    another is lent out for range practice and ccw qualifying with regularity.
    so… mostly, yeah.

  83. Most of my friends are armed. Some quite well. I think the gun for a buck option is a good idea to the right friend, guard duty again for the right person. I firmly believe in one for me ,one for you when it comes to my wife. So, a pistol, a shotgun and a AK for each seems appropriate. Sadly most of my armed friends are better armed than me.

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