Introducing friends of friends to firearms

[Kingkowboys]

I wanted to get your take on my situation. My wife and I are frequently asked by friends and now friends of friends, to introduce them to firearms, concealed carry, and home defense.

With friends we didn’t hesitate to invite them to our home. We would show them the various types of guns we own, explain safety, explain different guns, let them handle and dry fire safely, talk about carrying and home defense, etc.

Now that we have friends of friends requesting the same thing, I’m concerned we are opening our selves to liability should any of these people run afoul of the law. Are we liable for providing “training” to them since we are not licensed instructors? Does our liability change if we start asking for monetary compensation from these people?

We aren’t trying to start a business, but if things progress to a range session it costs my wife and I money. We need a babysitter, pay range fees, ammo, etc. I would really appreciate a legal opinion on this or if anyone has a link to information on this topic.

[chp1911]

I wanted to get your take on my situation. My wife and I are frequently asked by friends and now friends of friends, to introduce them to firearms, concealed carry, and home defense.

With friends we didn’t hesitate to invite them to our home. We would show them the various types of guns we own, explain safety, explain different guns, let them handle and dry fire safely, talk about carrying and home defense, etc.

Now that we have friends of friends requesting the same thing, I’m concerned we are opening our selves to liability should any of these people run afoul of the law. Are we liable for providing “training” to them since we are not licensed instructors? Does our liability change if we start asking for monetary compensation from these people?

We aren’t trying to start a business, but if things progress to a range session it costs my wife and I money. We need a babysitter, pay range fees, ammo, etc. I would really appreciate a legal opinion on this or if anyone has a link to information on this topic.

Unless they are very close friends and you trust them unequivocally I would suggest that you direct them to the nearest training facility and let them take a course of their choosing

[buxbandit]

Fuck that. As the above poster said, send them to a training facility.
NEVER show "friends of friends" your stash.

[Hodgie]

Agree to meet at a range for a fun adult afternoon of shooting, bring a long a few firearms that would be good to introduce a beginner too. Answer basic questions about firearms and the law and if they like it then they will seek out training and more in depth answers to their questions.

I would NOT recommend giving concealed carry training or anything beyond basic target shooting from a bench or lane at a range. You don't have liability insurance and if ranges find out you were giving a training session beyond bringing a new friend to the range for the 1st time in their facility without being authorized your most likely going to get banned.

Have them pay for what they use regarding range visits, ammo and targets even if using your firearms. Beyond that that is all you can or should do for almost anyone that isn't a close family member or friend.

[Emptymag]

I think everyone is overthinking this.

[Hodgie]

I think everyone is overthinking this.

Not true, I never think about anything.

[buxbandit]

I think everyone is overthinking this.

How so? With the advent of red flag laws, all it takes is one "friend of a friend" to have a bad day and stir up shit for a decent guy trying to do good.

[dev]

Honesty I want to get as many people interested in the 2nd and comfortable with firearms. For me it's a case by case situation. If a person i trust vouches for someone, i am open to talking to them and giving them pointers. They don't need to know everything i have but i can take them through the basics. I am also open for going to the range with them or the gun store to get them more comfortable.

The more we expose and get involved the stronger we are.

[Kingkowboys]

Agree to meet at a range for a fun adult afternoon of shooting, bring a long a few firearms that would be good to introduce a beginner too. Answer basic questions about firearms and the law and if they like it then they will seek out training and more in depth answers to their questions.

I would NOT recommend giving concealed carry training or anything beyond basic target shooting from a bench or lane at a range. You don't have liability insurance and if ranges find out you were giving a training session beyond bringing a new friend to the range for the 1st time in their facility without being authorized your most likely going to get banned.

Have them pay for what they use regarding range visits, ammo and targets even if using your firearms. Beyond that that is all you can or should do for almost anyone that isn't a close family member or friend.

To clarify, we are in no way providing anything more than friendly pointers. We are upfront about not being instructors and it’s not training. It’s basic operations, safety, and what we choose to do in our daily lives. Most of these people are to intimidated with training. As soon as they are are introduced and comfortable with the idea, we send them to a trainer we have both used and really like.

[PAMedic=F|A=]

Fuck that. As the above poster said, send them to a training facility.
NEVER show "friends of friends" your stash.

Do you want more members of FOAC? More people who vote for the 2nd amendment? Because if we block ourselves off, we loose. Every time we add someone to the list of people with a LTCF, it helps. Sheriff know how many of us there are, and I’m willing to bet it has come up in conversation with other elected officials.

To the OP:

Taking a couple hours to help walk someone through is a great idea. It is perhaps the single most important thing to protecting our gun rights. You can always direct them to this forum, as a resource for any questions to specific. Obviously you had a positive influence on your friends, or they would not have steered others your way. Everyone has a responsibility to help their community as they can, don’t you agree?

And when an issue comes up, like the gun rally, they’ll be more willing to attend with you, or call their senator or rep if you ask them to because you helped them, because they already trust your judgement. If you just send them to a training facility they’ll likely never go and we’ve lost them forever.