Question - outside New England

[CooperS7777]

As some of you know, I work offshore in the oil field, so I spend at least 6 months away from home. When Im offshore, I (regrettably) dont have the option of carrying.

However...

I spend a good amount of my time away, in Texas. Our office is based in Houston. The company has a strict "no gun policy" which primarily stems from the offshore sector - I know a few people in the office who carry and as an "unwritten" policy (in the office), concealed is concealed.

The time I spend at work, shore-based rather than offshore (read: office), Id like to be able to carry. I spend a fair amount of time in/around Houston - in a hotel near the office, in the office, and in various other offices, restaurants, etc. around Houston.

Ideally Id fly down to Houston from NH, travel with my firearm, and carry down here. The issue arises in that more than 50% of the time, Im heading straight offshore after I leave the office, or coming to the office immediately after coming back in.

What options may I have as far as storing a firearm down here? Id thought about a lockbox at a bank - is that a reasonable/responsible option?

[Kevlar]

You may already know this, but there is no reciprocity between NH and TX.

A TX CHL is required for CCW (although, similar to FL, no permit is required to possess a firearm in a vehicle in TX).

What options may I have as far as storing a firearm down here? Id thought about a lockbox at a bank - is that a reasonable/responsible option?

IANAL, but that seems like a perfectly legal and responsible option.

[M1911]

One issue with a bank may be the hours. If you fly in on Sunday and your helicopter to the rig leaves at 7 AM on Monday, then you won't be able to get into your safe deposit box.

Another alternative would be a climate-controlled self-storage unit. Many of those provide 24-hour access.

[CooperS7777]

You may already know this, but there is no reciprocity between NH and TX.

A TX CHL is required for CCW (although, similar to FL, no permit is required to possess a firearm in a vehicle in TX).

Thanks for the reply, I do know this and am working on my TX CHL.

One issue with a bank may be the hours. If you fly in on Sunday and your helicopter to the rig leaves at 7 AM on Monday, then you won't be able to get into your safe deposit box.

Another alternative would be a climate-controlled self-storage unit. Many of those provide 24-hour access.

Excellent point on the bank hours. Im not so much concerned about it flying to the rig as Im generally only in a hotel in LA (we fly out of southern Louisiana not TX) for 6 or so hours before my flight to the rig. The storage unit may be a good option. Ill have to shop around to see if there are any that offer small units like a safe deposit box the next time Im down in Houston.

[Lauria]

Can you keep it at a coworker's house? (if you trust them)

[Jose]

WTF is the difference between carrying at the office (where you're not supposed to) and a rig offshore?

If no one is going to frisk you, carry.

[GSG]

Thanks for the reply, I do know this and am working on my TX CHL.

TX and LA have reciprocity with Florida, so if you get a Florida permit you could carry in those and 30+ other states. You can get it through the mail, it's fairly simple.

Florida reciprocity list

Florida CWP request

[CooperS7777]

WTF is the difference between carrying at the office (where you're not supposed to) and a rig offshore?

If no one is going to frisk you, carry.

The difference is being able to make it through airport security (heliport security) with a firearm in your carry on (its all "carry on" in the helo).

Not going to happen.

Also, IF I could get one out there, and the CG or Customs decided to search the rig (which the CG can do at any point in time, and customs can do any time we need to clear), Id be in huge trouble. Not only with the USCG/US Customs but also with Majuro, Marshall Islands - the country the rig is registered in.

Believe me Im a huge advocate for armed ships/rigs/boats - especially in our time. The amount of money that could be had from piracy in the US GOM is ungodly...its only a matter of time unfortunately. That said, its not something Im going to stake my career/life on.

GSG - thanks for the reply, its certainly something Ill look into! IT sounds like a great option to cover my bases in LA and TX.

[GSG]

GSG - thanks for the reply, its certainly something Ill look into! IT sounds like a great option to cover my bases in LA and TX.

No problem.

FYI they'll take any kind of proof of training, like NRA courses, a military ID/DD 214 (proves you had training in basic), other shooting courses or whatever. They're very lenient with what they'll take. The license can be a bit expensive but it's good for 7 years in more than 1/2 of the US, so it's definitely useful to have if you travel with a gun.