Question for San Diego LEO on 5150

[ECG_88]

So over a year ago ( not 6 months ago), my roomate had a mental breakdown and got a 5150. The SD sheriffs sent me a letter saying I couldnt/shouldnt have guns and stuff because of my roomate's situation. I dont know what I did with the letter, so I cant go back to that for answers. With the SB249 stuff coming down and the increasing price of lower receivers, I thought it would be a good time to invest in my own AR-15 leagally configured featureless. So my question is: how should I go about getting my rifle? What steps should I take to secure my side of the apartment to keep everything safe and legal? DO I have to buy a gun safe? I dont have any kids so I dont need anything hardcore. Can I just lock my room and keep everything in there? basically, what do I have to do in order to stay out of trouble and keep my roomate out of trouble. I cant move because of other issues and he is a really good friend.

I would ask the sheriffs, but I dont really want to tell them that I plan on getting an evil black rifle.

[nick]

Get a safe, don't share the combination/key with your roommate.

[nickbackouris]

I would ask the sheriffs, but I dont really want to tell them that I plan on getting an evil black rifle.

Haha, you just did. Buy a nice one, and shoot the snot out of it.

Anyway, having a prior arrest for 5150 WI I believe makes it more difficult, if not impossible to purchase a gun. I'm unaware if it actually prevents you from owning one. If it results in someone getting committed to a mental hospital (which few do) then that's a whole different ball game. I know when we take people for 5150, we take any "deadly weapons" per 8102 WI (WI, I think. Might be a PC code) I know some of them end up getting them back, not really sure how it all works out.

Best idea, in my opinion, find a new roommate. Why should a friend, albeit even a good one, prevent/hinder you from doing what you want to do?

You can also contact the Sheriff's office where you live (or have someone else do it anonymously) to see if another copy of the letter can be obtained. Also, I suppose you could always call County Mental Health and ask them.

[Invisible_Dave]

Get a safe, don't share the combination/key with your roommate.

This, plus make sure you keep it locked. You are good to go as long as he has no access.

[SVT-40]

A lock on your door would not be sufficient. Because if you EVER left the door unlocked your roomie would have access. Buy a good safe and always keep it locked.

[Mr. Beretta]

This, plus make sure you keep it locked. You are good to go as long as he has no access.

+100

And make sure you buy a real safe NOT a metal cabinet with a lock.

[ECG_88]

Thanks everyone for all the advice.

Why not the metal gun cabinet? If I just want to deny access, I think a safe is over kill for the size of my room and what I am storing. Plus its only 89 bucks at walmart. I know it wont stop thieves, but Im not worried about that. Is it a legal req?

[TKM]

Time to find a new place to live.

[Invisible_Dave]

Thanks everyone for all the advice.

Why not the metal gun cabinet? If I just want to deny access, I think a safe is over kill for the size of my room and what I am storing. Plus its only 89 bucks at walmart. I know it wont stop thieves, but Im not worried about that. Is it a legal req?

You have to make sure he doesn't have access. This will fall under legal review should Mr. Crazy get a hold of a firearm as a prohibited person. I'm not advocating buying a $3000 mother of all safes, however you need to be able to articulate that you were storing your firearms in a way that keeps this prohibited person from accessing them.

When I think of a "gun cabinet" I think of a sheet metal cabinet used to hold ammo and excess powder. If your roommate was truly 5150 6 months ago, then he was deemed an immediate danger to himself or others (paraphrase). While I obviously don't know the whole story, I think it is beneficial to both of you to make sure a simple crowbar can't defeat the cabinet.

Legal discussion aside, 6 months is not a lot of time in a mental health treatment. I would not want to have my friends death/serious injury on my conscious because you are worried about "over kill." Treat your buddy like a thief for his own safety.

[ECG_88]

Actually my mistake, it wasnt 6 months ago. I just realized it was over a year ago around June of 2011, time flies and it feels like yesterday.

Also this is what I was thinking of:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stack-On-8-Gun-Steel-Security-Cabinet/14707408?findingMethod=rr#Specifications

Will it work if neither of us own a crowbar?lol
Its just so tempting because its cheap, But I guess I could get something a bit more sturdy.

[Ron-Solo]

Get a safe, don't share the combination/key with your roommate.

This, plus make sure you keep it locked. You are good to go as long as he has no access.

A lock on your door would not be sufficient. Because if you EVER left the door unlocked your roomie would have access. Buy a good safe and always keep it locked.

Thanks everyone for all the advice.

Why not the metal gun cabinet? If I just want to deny access, I think a safe is over kill for the size of my room and what I am storing. Plus its only 89 bucks at walmart. I know it wont stop thieves, but Im not worried about that. Is it a legal req?

+100

And make sure you buy a real safe NOT a metal cabinet with a lock.

Because those metal cabinets you buy at Walmart can easily be pried open. You may still buy guns. A 5150 is associated with an individual, not a location. Your roommate can not have ANY access, PERIOD.

And a 5150 is a detention under the Welfare and Institutions Code. It is civil in nature, rather than criminal. It is NOT an arrest.

[fullrearview]

Not trying to be a dick at all...

Maybe find a new place or roommate??? Even with all the safety measures, he still might find a way. Not worth it in my book.