Apartments, Firearms and the Law?

[gosparx]

My son is getting ready to move into an apartment complex and asked me a question that I did not know the answer to... (did a search and didn't have any luck finding anything directly on point).

Does an apartment complex have the right to prohibit someone from storing legally owned firearms in their apartment?

Specifically, my son has a couple of rifles and a couple of shotguns.

He has not yet asked what the complex's "policy" is (although I can guess) but I was just wondering what the actual law has to say?

The apartments are near UC Davis, but are not owned or operated by the University and he's about 2 miles from the actual campus.

[USN CHIEF]

If it is not in the lease, your son is GTG...

[gosparx]

I just asked and my son said there is most definitely NO mention of firearms in the lease. So that is a good sign.

However, if there had been something in the lease prohibiting firearms... do they have the legal right to put that in the lease??

[Spyder]

I don't think they do. That would be like saying "You can't park a Honda in the parking lot. Dodges and Beemers are ok though...oh, and you can't have walnut furniture either, just because we don't like walnut. It's got to be cherry or oak."

As long as they're legally owned, they can't stop you from continuing to own them.

[G60]

I don't think they do. That would be like saying "You can't park a Honda in the parking lot. Dodges and Beemers are ok though...oh, and you can't have walnut furniture either, just because we don't like walnut. It's got to be cherry or oak."

As long as they're legally owned, they can't stop you from continuing to own them.

that really doesn't make much sense. rentals can prohibit whatever they want.

you know that many rentals prohibit pets. that's their right to do so. try saying "as long as my dog is legally owned, you can't stop me" and you'll probably be sure to get the boot.

homeowners associations do the same thing. they can prohibit all colors of homes except one. they can prohibit you from parking in the street, or in some cases even on your own driveway.

it's not too far-fetched.

[hoffmang]

They could put a restriction in the lease but I don't think I've ever heard of it. Most landlords tend to want to keep politics out of their leases.

-Gene

[Spyder]

Living animals who may cause damage are totally different than inanimate objects that can do nothing wrong or dangerous or damaging without the owner of them causing it...

Kinda the same argument as "guns don't kill people..." The pet could cause damage, the weapon could not.

[TheMan]

Living animals who may cause damage are totally different than inanimate objects that can do nothing wrong or dangerous or damaging without the owner of them causing it...

Kinda the same argument as "guns don't kill people..." The pet could cause damage, the weapon could not.

Waterbeds are inanimate objects that are sometimes banned.

[Solidmch]

I would not say anything. One reason is that if the apt manager is a scumbag or someone who works for him is, the word gets out that he has firearms. He could come home and his guns could be gone. No forced entry would tell it all. I have seen several senerios where this has happend. The landlord was the suspect. Just no proof.

[Dont Tread on Me]

I had an apartment lease that required trigger locks. I always viewed that as a butt covering move on the part of the landlord.

[hamsalad]

I am in an apartment and I didn't say a thing, moved in my safe during the night and stuck in the closet. When I take my guns out for shooting, they are in nondescript rifle bags (as much as can be) and I usually move them very early in the morning to my truck for transport. It's easy and no issues.

[snobordr]

My son is getting ready to move into an apartment complex and asked me a question that I did not know the answer to... (did a search and didn't have any luck finding anything directly on point).

Does an apartment complex have the right to prohibit someone from storing legally owned firearms in their apartment?

Specifically, my son has a couple of rifles and a couple of shotguns.

He has not yet asked what the complex's "policy" is (although I can guess) but I was just wondering what the actual law has to say?

The apartments are near UC Davis, but are not owned or operated by the University and he's about 2 miles from the actual campus.

I would just keep my mouth shut on the subject. On a related note, if he mail orders ammo, find another place to take delivery. I had place that when the resident was not home, UPS policy was to deliver to front office and leave notice of such at resident door.

Interesting looks going in to pick up 90 lbs of ammo from the front office, but then, I never heard from the landlord either

But, would not do it again.

[sfwdiy]

I just wouldn't say a word to anyone about it. Just move them in bags that are not easily recognizable. I use soft guitar gig bags for long guns and put my pistol cases in a duffel bag on the way to the car. No one's the wiser.

--Ben

[dfletcher]

Play it safe, say nothing. Be discreet regarding your shooting habits and don't let your fellow students know you have guns.

Unless college apartments have changed a whole lot since I was invited to not return, most landlords will be happy if the plumbing survives intact and any live animals - monkeys, pigs or donkeys - are removed before the next group of scoundrels arrive.

[glockman19]

Does an apartment complex have the right to prohibit someone from storing legally owned firearms in their apartment?

Yes they have the right to include it in the lease but it would be uninforceable.