By Ron Mullins and Thom Bolsch
For most responsible gun owners, family members know you have a gun or two, but they may not know when and where you carry.
A number of you keep that under wraps to protect the sanctity of the family. After all, not everyone in the family may be pro-firearms. It may be an in-law, a cousin, or a niece or nephew; but someone in the family may not be comfortable around firearms and may even have more restrictive ideas about firearms in general.
That is OK. Everyone has a right to their opinion, and we have our right to own a firearm for the safety and security of ourselves and loved ones. With the current environment of violence in the country, it’s probably good that someone is carrying when the family gets together for a holiday dinner out.
We all have the constitutional right to carry here in Texas, but we also have an obligation to our families to be responsible and respectful while exercising that right.
If invited to a family event at someone’s house which you’ve never visited in the past, ask that family member if they mind you being armed in their home. Most of the time they will thank you for asking and will say it’s perfectly OK. However, should they inform you that it is not OK; be prepared to leave your firearm at home or locked in the car. Never leave your firearm in plain view or unsecured in your vehicle. Put it in a gun safe or locked container that is secured to your vehicle.
A couple of considerations if you do decide to carry:
- This should not need to be mentioned but: DO NOT brag, share or show off to the kids that you have a firearm.
- Remember the laws related to consuming while carrying a firearm. Alcohol impacts judgement and responsible actions. Alcohol and firearms don’t mix well. It is a Class A Misdemeanor for unlawful carry if you are intoxicated while possessing a firearm. If you do not have your Texas LTC and don’t know the laws related to carrying, you should consider getting your LTC. We offer 5 LTC classes a month at Saddle River Range.
- Stay alert! The holiday season is an opportunity for criminals to up their game, as a lot of people will let down their guard during the good times. Robberies, burglaries, and home invasions can occur where people gather, including family events.
- With care and consideration, a good conversation about firearm safety might spark an interest in someone asking you to take them to the range if they are visiting from a not so friendly 2A state.
Owning firearms while being a trained and responsible firearm owner is the ultimate expression of the freedoms we have in this country. As advocates of the Second Amendment, you want to portray the benefits, safety, freedom and fun of firearm ownership. During the holidays, you have an ideal opportunity to do just that with people you care about.
So, ask your out-of-town holiday family members what they want to do while in Texas and hint that you’ll be making a visit to your favorite gun range in the morning if they’d like to join you.
Share with them the safety they need to know about firearms and share with them the fun of shooting. If they are nervous, why not get them a lesson with one of Saddle River’s certified instructors as a gift to make sure they have a safe and wonderful experience on the range.
See you at Saddle River Range soon.
Stay Alert, Stay Safe, Stay Trained
© Copyright 2026 Ron Mullins and Thom Bolsch
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