Going back to school out of state. Leave gun w/ friend?

[JDPhx501]

What do you guys think of this situation?

My own house is half rented out to tenants and one evening I was doing some cleaning on my AR and forgot to close the hardcase when I stepped into the garage for a moment. Unfortunately, one of the tenants walked by and while he made no comment on the firearm, there is no way he could have missed it. So now my tenant knows there is a gun in the house. He does not know about the metal gun cabinet containing the other firearms in my parent's master bedroom.

I will be out of state for months at a time but I have the option of leaving my AR with a good friend. He is a old friend from way back, and I can say with certainty that I trust him. He has his own AR15 so wouldn't ever need to or be tempted to use mine anyway. He runs his business from home so his property almost always is under surveillance. I would also either put a cable lock through the mag well or one of those lockable mag well blocks and take the keys with me even though its under his care. And document and photograph that I did that.

Whats the legality or wisdom in my planned course of action?

[PRCABR4Christ]

Why can't you bring it with you?

[JDPhx501]

Pharmacy school in Chicago. Don't want to have to keep flying back and forth with it. Not keeping weapons on campus is part of my housing contract and the gun laws in IL are even more wacked than in California.

[Remus]

I would think that if they wanted to steal your AR that they would go looking for it regardless if it is stored in your current house, a friends house or in Chicago - so imo your hidden safe with the other guns will be found regardless of your decision. With that being stated unless you are willing to protect the other firearms then there is no reason to not ask your parents to put the rifle in their safe for your college departure.

I would not recommend taking the gun to college. The tenants of your parents know that they would be the number one suspect in any theft. In college, how many people will be going into your apartment/dorm/residence? Do you think you can trust the friend of a friend in a college setting?

If you are truly concerned about it you should see if your/(your parents?) homeowners insurance covers theft. If so, do due diligence in locking your firearm and sleep soundly at night in Chicago.

[chim-chim7]

I would be more worried about someone asking ME to keep a firearm stored for them. Anything happens and your still the responsible one. I would never put that much responsibility on someone I know. It may just seem like no big deal, but if something happens, it will be a huge problem.