@mw3538 I was thinking the same thing. According to their website, they are open on Mondays from 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. If the paper has the time wrong, and it occurred at 1:30 a.m., then why weren't these weapons secured in a safe overnight? If it occurred during the day, then why was the front room left unsecured with all of these weapons out? Something is not right.

So I was wondering - if a gun owner, or gun shop owner, fails to safe guard their weapons can they be held negligent if that weapon is subsequently used in a crime? What are the obligations for keeping guns locked up? This is not to say what I think should or shouldn't be true - I'm honestly asking.

@Cabin_Mama What is the definition of "safe guard" a firearm?There is no requirement, at least in this state, for a gun owner to store firearms in a certain way. It is just common sense, in my opinion. For example, I believe I follow best practices to store my firearms: if they are not in use, I keep them in a safe, and I keep firing pins/bolts stored in a different place and I lock them, if the firearm is lost or stolen, at least the person that has it will have to get new parts to get it going again. But frankly, if someone really wants to get my guns, they will get them somehow. So what is "safe guarding" a firearm exactly and how do I know if I'm doing it or not, if it hasn't been defined?It would be very difficult to go after a gun owner like myself if one of my firearms is stolen and used in a crime. In the case of a "gun shop owner" (I assume you mean the business, not just the owner), there is no requirement by the ATF to store the firearms in overnight safes. During the licensing process, the ATF pays a visit to the place of proposed business of the applicant, and safety is one of the things reviewed, but there is no requirement that the FFL must keep firearms in a safe or locked. If to the ATF reviewer, the place of business is not secure enough, the license may not be issued, until the security concerns are resolved. ATF can pay a yearly visit to the dealer to ensure compliance.In my opinion, there is no negligence in the part of Sportman's in this case. Their doors are secured and they have an alarm system; the building in general is secured. Obviously something happened that allowed what appears to be easy access during a robbery, but I don't see how they are negligent in this case.

@cbp210 I thought you didn't like Thunder... How's that place doing? I haven't set foot there in a few years.

@mw3538 :Exactly. These are things that should be simple laws for guns. Now lord knows how many of these stolen guns are about to kill someone. All because an owner wasn't responsible enough to invest in a proper way to store them. Any crime done with these guns really should come back and bite the owner - those are the types of gun laws I am in favor of.

I am not a fan of Thunder either. I really hate shooting outdoors, especially in August, after a lot of rain, and those mosquitos are hungry. No thanks. Give me an indoor range any day!

@sandman
I don't but my employer has a contract with them and i have no choice but to qualify there. The owner is a total ****** and he still has not changed. I know my money will never be spent there. I prefer spring guns and Ammo in Sprint, tx or Hot wells in 290 as the staff and operation are awesome. American shooting is great too as i used to meet Ray and his crew there especially during their meets. Sportsman Outlet is not bad but feel the owner who replaced Gary is a money hungry fool who tries ro gaff as much as he can from you

@Littlegoo Indoor rangers are more suitable to handguns, since distance to the targets is usually from a few feet to about 25 yards. For long guns, an outdoor range is best suited. Sighting a rifle is usually done at 25 yds, then taking it to 100 yds. Although a rifle indoor range (with A/C) would be nice, it would cost a lot of money to build.I shoot in a private range in Crosby... when it rains we easily have 12 inches of water in the back of the 50-yard ranges. So, I carry a pair of rubber boots in my truck all the time. July & August are the worst months; I usually limit my shooting to the hours of 7-9:30am during those months.Although I like been in the A/C in the summer, an indoor range is not a good place for me to practice what I do (shooting kneeling, prone, on-the-move, unholstering, etc.).I think there is a club that hosts IDPA matches several times a week at Thunder. IDPA is an excellent way to practice skills beyond target practice. You'll need to learn how to properly remove your gun from the holster and concealment, shoot on the move, shoot at multiple treats, from different angles, etc.). Before doing any of that, it's best to practice unholstering and dry-firing in front of a mirror a few thousand times to build muscle memory.

@B12Fan :What you call simple is actually a bit complicated... What is a "proper way" to store firearms? What may be proper for you may not be proper for me. For example, an individual that lives by himself and has one AR-15 and one handgun for home defense does not have the same storage requirements than a hunter with an extensive rifle and shotgun collection and that lives with children in the home.So, do we require an 18-gun fireproof safe for everybody? Or will a nightstand safe is enough?If you leave your vehicle unlocked and someone steals it, and commits a crime with it, and gets drunk and causes an accident and kills 4 people, should you be liable because you left your vehicle unlocked?

@cbp210 Have you heard of a range in Dayton or thereabouts? (1960 past Huffman). A friend of mine goes there and says is pretty reasonable and the owner is a nice fella. I haven't been to Sportsman's in a while... in fact, the only gun store I've been to in the last couple of years is Carter's and I went there because they had .22 at a "decent" price. I now buy most of my guns from the Internet and have them shipped to my FFL in Spring.

@sandman I agree that our definitions would be different for sure. But if a tougher law was put into place, that should clear up some of the definition issues.What I would prefer as definitions, I doubt would make it to law in this country.

@sandmanYes i did hear about them but to be honest i am working so much i need a week to recover and make up lost time at the range. I will check them out soon maybe next week. Carters is all right as i sometimes go there for trap shooting with some friends. I usually get me some cheap 22 rounds in Academy in san antonio as they are plentiful there. With the exception of my daughter 22 rifle i usually buy my guns from LEO dealers like GT or Buds and get my huge discount. I like to take advantage of discounts because of my profession. Ha ha ha

This story doesn't add up!

@cbp210About 5 years ago wasn't this place in cahoots with a humble police officer and he was stealing guns out of the evidence room and selling them to the owner of S O.....
I'm pretty sure I read that back then.....
Is it same owner? I never heard how it turned out...

@macdaddy It wasn't Humble PD but an East Texas agency. I will PM you the details on what happended