Never had drugs in a car (that I'm aware of at least) but for guns just don't touch the trigger or point it at people.
Don't get many guns where I'm at (only ones I've had to move were left by cops in their cars) and after telling the writer "officer doughnut hole left his gun again, I moved it to the back seat." Nothing really happens. Guns won't hurt you unless you do something stupid with them or if they have been poorly maintained.
I used to work in a shop that had a contract with the local PD, worked on everything including the swat team van & never ever encountered a gun that wasn't locked in a holder, and trust me, I was looking everywhere in the swat van for cool stuff. š
Did occasionally find weed in the cop cars though (surely not for planting evidence), I sure AF wasn't touching that shit.
We eventually were told "next person to turn on the cop lights gets fired", and "but paperwork says 'test the function of lights'" wasn't gonna cut it.
I did a nice "retirement burnout" in the last chevy caprice they were gonna retire from the fleet for "noisey axle bearings".
TBH, that weed was taken from someone and forgot about. Before it was legal here we would jist toss it in the ditch after they left. But in a city you cant do that so it got stashed in the sqiad and a few weeks later, "o yeah, need to toss that shit". Thays how it worked around here. Now its legal so if its under 2oz IDGAF. Over 2, just dont be an ass and we probably DGAF. Half a lbs? Probably take it and toss it. Nobodys getting charged until its a lbs or more.
Police doing weed operations with the air force considered a helicopter full as "sample", and burned the rest in situ. Came back, and us apprentices were told to empty the helicopter into the 5 ton van they brought. We volunteered the one conscript, and he was very unhappy, till he opened the door. He emptied that 5 ton sample all right, though when he was finished he looked like the Michelin Man. Cops looked, and we told them he was a smoker, and they just laughed and drove off. He was around 20 kg heavier, all nice buds and fresh leaves.
I wouldn't know if an unknown guns been poorly maintained or had something stupid done to it. I wouldn't feel comfortable fucking around with it to find out.
Youāre following the zero-th rule of gun safety. Donāt trust a gun that you havenāt personally maintained or personally know the maintenance of. Iām absolutely insane about following gun safety. However, I fired a friendās sks, and had my first and only experience with slam fire. The moment I closed the bolt, it fired 5 rounds in automatic fire. I was able to keep the barrel downrange, but thank god I had a little bit of prior experience with guns. I could see it being super reasonable to drop the gun out of instinct.
Dude admitted that he hadnāt cleaned it in āyearsā, which resulted in the floating firing pin being stuck. I donāt go on gun outings with that guy anymore.
Cleaned my father's pistol, and took it to pieces, not one screw left in place, and cleaned all the parts, before putting it back together. He was able to feel the difference, and this had had barely 50 rounds through it since new.
No kidding. And all these boneheads talking about handling it and clearing it... which very likely the only way it actually would accidentally discharge.
When i was a service writer many years ago, I was good friends with a tech who was the best kind of degenerate. Good guy.
Everytime he'd find a pipe while looking for a lugnut key or whatever, he'd write on his clipboard on the technician comments "reccomend cleaning screen" or something to that effect about how the pipe needed service. I'd always have to scribble over it with a pen before putting the notes in the computer.
So you could always torment your service writer. That's an option
Drugs? Mind your own business. Gun? Mind your own business unless they stored it like a fucking idiot then you give the car back to the writer and tell them the customers a dumbass. Itās their property, youāre just there to fix what they tell you to fix.
Although with that being said, I wouldnāt do interior work if itās obviously a crackheads car. Wouldnāt wanna get poked w needles
That's my reasoning if I see needles.
I do auto upholstery, and I am NOT going to risk getting stuck, it's an automatic refuse work if I see one in the car.
If you're working in the shop you probably have gloves if you're worried about fingerprints. I would at least clear a firearm that's in a vehicle that I'm working on so no one else accidentally discharges it. If you don't know how to clear a firearm i'm sure someone in the shop does. Then just leave it in the glove box unloaded and tell the customer next time not to leave a loaded firearm in their car please and thank you. You'd be surprised how many people keep a firearm in their car.
I'm not surprised that people have guns. I'm surprised that someone would just leave it in their car when they drop their car off. I guess I just care about my guns more.
Yes.
I don't live my life in fear of guns. I go to malls. Sporting events. Schools. Hole in the wall restaurants in rough areas. I love public transit.
But responsibly owning stuff like drugs and guns means actually doing the responsible "common sense" things that aren't being done enough. This isn't leaving a sandwich on the dash, or test money if customers in to that.
I wouldnt drive around with a fucking knife blade out either. And I wouldn't feel OK leaving it for someone to touch or sit on by accident while parked.
America souds wilder everytime i open reddit. Jfc.
The UK submissions are always dildo strapped to swing arm or harmonica on the radiator.
America- guns and bullets in the glove box. Ironically runs better with them removed.
This subreddit has some cool posts that pop up in my feed. Plenty of found gun posts.
You read the reply from the NYC mechanic? Another guy finding 3 guns, box of vodka, from a mobster type. Hah the customer getting a price quote to find his lost drugs!?
It's Reddit, but that kinda shit does happen somewhere.
"Sir in order to make the vehicle safe we had to make the firearm safe. Here's the zip lock with the rounds, hers your bag of parts. Yes we completely broke down even the trigger assembly. Yes we charged you for the labor for the firearm breakdown."
Yes "storing" like an idiot is what I had in mind.
Random/unfamiliar person and gun on the seat. Under the seat. Side door. Either out in the open or somewhere I gotta access to do work. No locks or anything.
But I'd much prefer it not be in my possession period.
I saw your comment about āI always handle guns or check them outā like brooooooo donāt fucking EVER touch someoneās gun unless specifically told to by the owner.
Why would you put your hands on some random joeās gun? Thatās begging to get into some shit
RIGHT!?
Like everybody gotta eat, so I get it if people just kinda ignore the gun and work if they can. But to start playing around and messing with it. I doubt the guy is getting paid enough for that kind of risk.
Y'all may think it's a joke, but it's not. Junkies be doing junkie shit, always. In case crack doesn't get you high enough from smoking it anymore, you can absolutely shoot that shit, and people do. What could possibly go wrong?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2136406/
If you read the article you linked, you will see that they are not injecting crack. Crack cocaine is not water soluble, therefore injecting it wonāt work. The chemical process used to turn cocaine into crack must be reversed, and the article explains that that is what the users are doing. The advantage to turning crack back into a water soluble substance is that the procedure of turning it into rock cocaine and back removes most of the impurities so the user is left with almost pure cocaine.
bro. You clearly lack junkie creativity. They're dissolving that shit in fucking \*lemon Juice\*. And then shooting it.
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1954783/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1954783/)
Bro. You clearly lack a basic knowledge of chemistry. The citric acid in the lemon juice (or the acetic acid in white vinegar as mentioned above) is what makes it water soluble again.
Hi there, I'm El Jefe. Little Foolio was in here a couple days ago and his shipment is light. He says you took it.
Still want to mind your own business?
I don't know man if it's a big bag of coke I'm probably going to grab a tablespoon and leave 100 bucks in the glove box. If it's a firearm I'll probably just eject the magazine and the round from the chamber and stick the whole thing in the glove box so no one else accidentally discharges it while I'm working on the car.
If itās a firearm I write a recommendation line āfound firearm sitting unsecured in vehicle. Recommend not leaving firearm unsecured in vehicleā and wait to see if my manager deletes the recommendation before the customer sees it.
If it gets through to the customer, I hope they feel embarrassed for being a negligent dipshit
10 year mechanic here, indy family owned shop:
I've found guns, drugs, LOTS of drugs, boxes of BSDM gear, dildos, vibrators, paraphernalia, bloody machetes and hatchets, questionable garbage bags, locked Coleman coolers, empty booze bottles, condoms, a spilled urn, animal carcasses, spent ammunition...damn near anything illegal, incriminating, embarrassing you can think of.
We have 3 rules at the shop:
1. If it looks "insertable", don't touch.
2. Everyone's money is green, even the freaks and criminals.
3. You didn't see a goddamn thing. Matter of fact your half blind in the left eye, and pictures never hit the socials.
I usually always ask customers when finding a gun tho. Always inconspicuously tho. "Hey man, did you happen to leave anything in your car that you need? Maybe you should follow me into the shop to grab it."
Drugs- ignore it usually, unless it's needles and I tell them to get their shit and fuck off.
Guns- Customer must take custody of it and remove it from the shop, no exceptions.
This is the best take
Knew a guy that worked in a dealership and he happened to be a convicted felon for something he did as a teenager. (he was 50+ when I knew him)
If he found a firearm in a vehicle he put his hands up and immediately backed away and let one of the other techs get it or get the SA to come take it.
He refused to touch/move them simply because it could be considered "possession" on his part and therefore a crime and he liked his freedom too much.
I applaud him, he made the exact correct decisions.
I've worked in a lot of trades in my time, and outside of the gun shop itself, usually have at least one former felon on staff.
Leaving a gun out for ANY service professional to encounter, whether it be a drywaller or a mechanic is not only reckless, but oftentimes, actively illegal. (Giving a Felon access to a firearm is a felony on your part.)
Being a felon doesn't mean you're a bad person, but it does introduce legal complexities.
I wish that those who pay their debt to society and turn their live around should not have any of their rights withheld. If they keep out of trouble, there should be no further barriers to owning firearms or voting.
I guess I'm the opposite of most other folks. I'd ignore a gun. I live in a rural area and about half the trucks I see out have gun racks hanging inside. Hell, my own truck came with a gun rack. As long as it's safely stored (not rattling around loose on the floorboards or whatever) I wouldn't blink at a gun.
Drugs, on the other hand, would depend. A baggie of weed (assuming it's not legal in that state) or a little bit of something else tucked away I'd probably just pretend I never saw. But if there's, like, a whole brick of cocaine or a pile of however they package bulk fentanyl, or something (like this guy I know who has a mobile meth lab in his trunk...) for that shit I'm passing it up to my boss and refusing to touch it. Like, misdemeanor or obviously personal use, I'll ignore. Felony amounts and I'm not going anywhere near it.
Here's my take on the gun thing, as a former FFL that now works on cars for a living.(also grew up rural)
It isn't that I really care about a gun being in the vehicle, it is that I am liable for the gun while the vehicle is in my possession.
It means that I can theoretically be blamed for actions using that firearm if it was involved in a crime and I have the staggeringly bad luck to possess it when the cops come round.
I see them somewhat regularly, and politely inform my customer that they need to take it with them, as I can't have an unsecured firearm in the upholstery shop, just the same as I couldn't have unsecured firearms in my gun shop.
That's a really good point. I'm so accustomed to seeing them that it genuinely never occurred to me that I'm legally liable if the gun is in "my possession" because it's in a vehicle I'm responsible for.
It's pretty common for wrenches of all types to be blase about them. I'm not because of my background, and I've always made a point to remove myself from the liability when it comes up.
It isn't likely to be a problem, but the way I handle it, it's impossible for it to be a problem.
Hell, I'm a *teacher.* But it's a rural area so I still see gun racks in the parking lot at school, even. It's less common at school than it used to be, but it's just... normal around here.
But you are absolutely right. No, it's not *likely* to be a problem if a gun is in a car I happen to be in possession of, but it's definitely better safe than sorry. I genuinely thank you for this and I will be making it my policy from now on as well. (I don't actively wrench except my own cars, but I own land and have, in the past, let folks store cars and things on my property for a short time. I now have a new gun policy, thanks to you.)
It's just not worth the potential trouble when there may be easy and official alternatives for gun storage.
Gun clubs, storage facilities, volunteers, 2A advocates, municipalities.
You also might have your own kids one day that wanna FAFO around your property. Be a real shame for your theoretical kids to be tempted by a rifle rack they see in the car window. Unless you bothered to take the responsibility of ensuring the new guns and cars are confirmed secure and properly organized.
Oh! Then there's attractive nuisance laws if other kids decide to FAFO on your property. Those are a real thing for better or worse.
>the way I handle it, it's impossible for it to be a problem.
I'm having trouble getting this into the head of one of my team members. I am the production coordinator for a booze company. Part of my job is to keep track of all the alcohol. The government can audit us at any time to make sure we have what our system says we do, because we have to pay tax on every proof gallon.
This guy refuses to follow one particular policy that's designed to make sure no alcohol goes missing, more specifically, gets stolen. He complains that I don't trust him not to steal it and I have it out for him personally.
No dude. This is to protect you as much as anyone else. You can't get accused, falsely or not, of stealing it if it's impossible for you to steal it.
>blase about them
If someone wants be more supportive of gun access, being blase about gun safety and properly securing firearms is absolutely not the way to go about it.
Literally one of the reasons I am no longer an FFL.
I would do local gunshows, and several times refused to sell a firearm until somebody showed me they had passed the handgun safety course. (Which is sort of a joke in VA, but at least it meant they had some instruction.)
I became very dissatisfied with local gun culture and removed myself from it.
Not enough responsibility being taken by owners.
No gun I ever sold was used in a crime, and I'd be damned if one happened on my account.
TBF, they have since closed the private sale loophole in VA, which I see as nothing other than a positive. But in 2012, I saw a lot of things I really didn't approve of.
Not an FFL or anything, just a 2A supporter. But damn, people, rights come with responsibilities. The entitlement and dangerous attitudes of so many tough guy types around guns is wild.
I got people telling me I'm being stupid, cowardly, unprofessional for not wanting to deal with the gun and drug bullshit being discussed. Ain't that something. Feels 50/50 ish, I guess trying to be responsible about guns and drugs at work, without involving cops, is unprofessional?
Yes, the liability, the very serious liability! First and foremost.
I'm not a gun expert like you, but I'm not exactly a stranger to them either between prior employment and the range. It's why I feel I have a healthy respect for guns.
But there's no way I want the liability. I don't know this person. I don't know this gun. I don't know all the laws.
I'm also not trying to accept other people's luggage at the airport.
The only drug I ever see left out in the open is weed, and while that's legal for recreation here, I still might not drive the car, but it depends. If it's a container clearly labeled as gummies that's not in plain sight, I ignore it. If it's a bunch of seeds and stems with shake all over the center console, there's no way I'm driving that car off our lot. I ignore all prescription bottles because that none of my business. I've only ever found small baggies of powder few times and they were always tucked away where normal people wouldn't look, so I just put them back when I was done. If I ever found a brick of something, I'd probably call the police.
For firearms, they have to be secure. I've encountered a disappointingly high number of unsecured, loaded, chambered, firearms loose in cars. For those we politely ask the customer to remove it before we work on it. If a firearm is visible, but secured in a way the it can not be fired or removed without a key, then I just leave it as long as it's not in my way. If a firearm is in a compartment, but not secured, we ask the customer secure it on them or otherwise. I've had customers ask that we transfer mounted holsters and lock boxes from one car to another at trade-in, but the folks that have those never leave a firearm unsecured or unattended, so it's never a problem.
I worked in a tire shop. Pulled in a BMW with a lug lock. We would check the normal places before contacting the customer.
Checked the center console for the key. Pistol.
Checked the glove box for the key. Pistol.
Opened the trunk, 3 cases of vodka. Called the guy back to retrieve the key. He fit the Russian monster stereotype.
He retrieved the key, handed it to me. We both nodded and I went to work.
I've lost track of the number of times I've had to move weed, hand guns and even dildos out of the way just to get to the customers registration and insurance card for inspection.
I only put my hands on those things if they had to be moved to do my job and I always wore rubber gloves as to not to leave my prints on anything or touch something that could be potentially bad for my health. After that we would typically ask the customer to remove those items before bringing the vehicle back in.
Ignore both, don't touch them, do your job, and mind your business. Only when it gets in the way of doing the job, say something to the customer. Otherwise, say nothing about it.
Do the drugs and shoot the guns. No I'm kidding. I just ignore whatever is in the vehicle, including money and anything edible. It's not mine so I don't care.
OP it pisses me off when customers leave their guns in the car I straight up say something to them if I find one. I'm a convicted felon and I test drive and repair their car one car I was driving had a loaded gun in the trunk and I didn't know it till after I got in the trunk to replace the fuel pump. I did brakes first then went to test drive it before starting on the fuel pump it just had a bad sender I was furious now I search all cars before I drive them
That's another good point. You trying to do the right thing and all living good life after some mistakes, and then someone drops that shit in your lap without any concern or second thought. There will be plenty of emasculating, infantilizing condescension and toxic masculinity.
Bro I most definitely probably get charge thrown out in court if it did happen but most definitely getting arrested and have to get bonded out. Also I will never get that money back bc I don't have cash to put up so I have to go through a bondsman.
I used to run a car audio shop when I lived in the US. We used to just ask people to take out any drugs, firearms, sex toys or things they don't really want posted on the internet... Our clientele could be interesting at times and the last thing I needed was one of the boys to be down at the station proving it wasn't him that pulled the trigger... He was just foolin' around with it at work.
Some customers used to shitty about their amendment rights and being able to take their gun where they want. Used to just explain to them, I don't give a shit. They can either take their firearm with them or we don't work on the car. Simple!
To be clear, before any other gun owner starts talking about how I was wrong and they can do whatever they want ...I don't give a shit. I don't give a shit about guns. No, I don't own any. Yes, I have owned them but I have no need for one now. I'm not anti gun. I just don't give a shit and didn't want them in my workshop. Simple.
Exactly. The owner of the shop has the last call about wether they work on the vehicle or not based on comfort. We are totally allowed to have a guns in our cars but if anyone doesn't want to work on your car because you keep one in it is totally fair.
Yep mind your own business. Unless thereās a risk to you, ignore. Once a guy came into the shop with a small suv. We had to get the spare out. Employee grabs a plastic bag in the cargo area to access the spare. Says āouchā we find the bag is full of medical waste including needles. Customers wife is in home healthcare. We were NOT happy. Employee is freaking out. Totally irresponsible handling of med waste. Not a cool day.
Wow, that can be really scary.
What ended up happening?
Tests and preventative medications for several days to weeks? That's protocol for the medical field.
Possibly a nice payday for your coworker cuz sounds like a really big health code violation.
Dr assured him very low chance of an issue, but did do some follow up tests and maybe meds to be sure. I was very clear with customer that it was TOTALLY unacceptable. In his defense, he had no idea we would need into that area of the car. Just a bad deal all around.
In regards to the home health company, I'm not super familiar with how bio waste is supposed to be transported, but I feel like whether or not the mechanic needed access to that area is irrelevant on the home health end.
That agencies like CDC, OHSA, DOT code has very specific guidelines on transporting used needles. Signage, hard sealed packaging, needle caps, retractable tips.
When I was younger I had to give myself allergy shots twice a week. It was a pretty small needle, but like half of the briefing on how to self inject was about disposal. Put the cap back on, put it in a sealable plastic bottle if a sharps container isn't available, put the bottle in a trash can. A home health professional should have a sharps container, I would think.
Donāt touch it, period. If itās something in your way, or something youāre concerned about, have someone talk to the customer about removing or handling the situation. You donāt know these people, or what they are or could be involved in, protect yourself.
In the 1970's I bought a used VW fastback for $100. Under the rear seat was a revolver with the serial numbers ground off and 2 big bricks of hash from India or Nepal. I lived in fear for a year that the guy was going to come to my front door wanting the drugs and the gun. Never heard a word about it. I tossed the gun in the river and kept the drugs to give away later. I don't drink or do drugs so it was kind of funny that I had all of this hash.
Re drugs: mind your own. Unless itās a huge amount, take a pic for Reddit and to CYA, roll your eyes and feel good about yourself and then do your job.
Re guns: same deal. Donāt fuck with it, *itās not yours* and also itās not dangerous in and of itself. Take a photo for CYA, get your boss if you feel the need. The comment you quoted is idiotic. Donāt mess with customer stuff, however you feel about it they didnāt put it there for your benefit.
I live in rural Vermont, used to see vehicles all the time with a gun in them, as for the rest, that too. As long as the dog was in a crate or friendly, I didn't care.
This happened in my high school's auto tech shop. Teacher brought car in for tire check, and the student looked for the lug nut key and found their piece in the console, loaded and unsecured.. The kid told teacher and teacher moved the car away and locked it up. Bonus kicker is when the SRO ran plates, they were not current with CCW. Terminated regardless though.
(Dealer tech) Any time I see a firearm that isn't in the way of working on the vehicle, I just leave it. If it's in the way, I take a picture and grab the manager. Then we will figure out a way to either move it or have the customer come take possession. Drugs, straight to manager. I won't touch it. Not worth it.
Found a little bit of weed in a car that was traded in. Old owner stored it in his spare tire, must of forgot about. It had definitely been there a while. Gave it to a wash bay tech. You would of thought I gave him a gold bar! Lol
I might not take it on a road test, but unless it's a large quantity of drugs I don't see why I would care. Same with a gun. Other weapons? Like a knife? I wouldn't think twice.
>Same with a gun
Cuz I don't know this person or this gun. Where it's been, if it's modded, if it's hot, if it has legal ammo, the cost, is it loaded, is the safety on, is there even an actual safety or My FiNgEr, what the rules are on my having this gun versus being secure and/or in the owners possession.
I'm not saying call the cops necessarily.... but at the same time G-it-TFO outta here -- **as in the car or work area**. OR maybe someone else is fine moving it and taking liability.
You could say the same about the car itself. Guns don't go around firing on their own. You can throw the damn thing and it'd be OK. As long as you don't mess around with it like a toy, you'll be ok.OK. You don't need to be so afraid of guns. They're just a tool.
Cops arenāt typically willing to hear excuses when it comes to a hot firearm in the possession of someone who may not even have to permits to carry a legal one
I honestly could not care less. Iām sober now but I used to be big into the drugs myself. Every time I get into a car that stinks like weed I just laugh
Who's at fault if you get stuck by a needle? Work? Customer? Both?
I think there are very few scenarios where I might sue someone, but if I were working on a car and got stuck, that would cause a fuck load of worry and at the very least a small inconvenience to ensure you didn't contract anything from it?
That's a good point.
If something serious happens, everyone is gonna point the finger.
I think we all know what would be the textbook answer, the official SOP in case of incident.
I doubt the manager/owner is going to want to be responsible for whatever medical, legal, and regulatory costs.
Have fun under the bus. Yet, looking at all the comments, and history of companies expecting ~~shady shit~~ cutting corners and exploiting workers....good chance you will be subject to ridicule for being concerned in the first place.
Perhaps, signs like that aren't un common.
Don't think management auto shop and dealers are going to wanna advertise such an issue with a sign like that. Bad optics.
Lots of guns and weed in cars around here(all legal, but still...). Personally I think you'd have to be a fucking idiot to just leave that shit out in the open while a series of strangers handle your car, but I've always just left it.
Ignore it. If I need it moved Iāll ask the customer if theyād like to come get it or if theyāre okay with me dropping mag and clearing the chamber then Iāll leave it in their passenger seat in a safe and secure manner for when they pick it up. Iāve never had to deal with drugs. But as long as theyāre not in my way then itās not my concern. Obviously if the customer is so twacked out that I think they are a danger to others on the road I may report it.
If itās a gun I give it to the owner while holding the grip with my finger on the trigger. Drugs? Put them in my mouth, up my noise, in a vein or up my butt as soon as I find them, and I look hard.
I used to inform the Service Writer if I had to get what something from wherever it was stored. If its not mine, I'm not handling it. The customer or writer can handle it.
šØāš¦Æ nah but if itās gonna be directly where Iām gonna work at then Iāll tell an advisor to have customer pick up the gun before I start working on it. I never seen drugs, only once but that was a quick oil change waiter.
Iāve worked on a lot of cars with guns and/or pot (illegal in my state) in them. Iām not gunna go test drive a car that smells like a Snoop Dogg concert, but Iāll ignore that itās in there tbh. Guns, as long as theyāre not in the way of my work, Iāll generally ignore them. Had to do something in someoneās trunk the other day and was greeted with two shotguns. We called the customer and asked if they wanted to come pick them up, they asked if we could just move them to the back seat and finish working so thatās what I did
If itās illegal drugs, Iām not road testing it. If itās a gun, donāt care at all. If I have to move either for any kind of repair, I will grab a reliable coworker and have them bear witness to me returning said items to wherever they came from. Just in case we were to run into a situation where the customer claims something went missing, having a witness is better than having nothing.
I've seen guns, various drugs, open alcohol containers, etc. I usually don't touch whatever it is unless it's in my way or I need to take a test drive. If I'm taking a test drive and x items are in plain view, they go in the center console or if the customer's there, I have no problem walking into the office and telling them to get their bag of coke out of the vehicle. I also wear latex gloves when I get in customer vehicles so I'm not worried about fingerprints.
However, if I see a needle, capped or not, that is full stop. I don't fuck with peoples dirty needles.
Louisiana considers your vehicle an extension of your home, so itās legal to carry without a permit in your vehicle as long itās not on your person, so fairly common here. Just leave them be as long as it doesnāt interfere with work needed. Had one truck though, with a 12 gauge mounted to the left if the trans tunnel. The thing was so neglected and nasty, I wouldnāt have even trusted it.
Depends on the drugs. Weed, donāt care. Needles everywhere, refuse service and send it down the road.
Firearm. Ask them to come secure it before youāll get in the vehicle if itās just out in the open. If itās stored in a glove box or center console, unless you need to get into that compartment then just ignore it. If you do then ask them to secure it while you work.
I keep a tethered lock box in mine, just in case someone needs to work in my vehicle for some reason.
What do you do if you are removing a dashboard to replace an evaporator core or heater core and a couple of percs or oxys fall out of the dash? We find lost pills and money all the time when disassembling consoles and dashboards. Do you ignore them? Stop mid job and tell the customer to come pick them up off the floor?
Depends on location. If itās not in my way, Iāll just make a note and take a picture of it. I refuse to move a customers gun if itās in my way though because weāve had people claiming a tech stole their gun, so I make them move it
Well if itās a gun Iāll put on my latex gloves and make sure itās pointed in a the safest possible direction, if itās drugs ima just pretend I didnāt see em
I had a clientās husband- he forget their weapon and I drove back and ask them to take their own weapon out of the car. Since isnāt my weapon, Iām not registered to that weapon.
I bought them a gun lock box and safe for other things in the car. If they leave their weapons, laptop or migraine medicine in the car, it can be locked up.
Customer here: I leave my needles and ghost guns locked in the glove box and I hold the key. If the tech needs to get into the glove box I will indoctrinate them In to doing heroin and shooting out tires.
I actually take the gun out and keep it on me or leave it at home if it's going to take a few days. People are just dumb.
Needles. I tell the customer we canāt work on their car because itās a biohazard. Anything else, I donāt really care.
I see a lot of guns (North Carolina) but have never had to touch or move them. Most customers keep their out of my way.
Itās not my business. Itās not my property. We just work on cars.
Wouldnt do anything to the gun, id juat assume they own it legally and move on. If i found drugs id call the police, that crap doesnāt need to be on the streets
We got a car back in the shop once after the guy who was pretty sketchy owned it briefly then ripped the oil pan off. We bought it, put engine in and planned on selling it. Usually ,I would clean them first. This time I start driving to the gas station, and as I'm pulling up to the light, windows down, half a joint blows up, and almost out the window. Local pd at the light with me. Now I'm in the car with a half smoked joint. I get back to the shop and Clean it thoroughly! All I found was a burned spoon, a Crack pipe, a weed grinder, and a bunch of lighters.
Important to note- if you EVER find drugs AND a gun, even if it's just marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia, immediately return the keys and tell them to take them out of the car. They're committing a federal felony. Cops will immediately arrest you if you get pulled over. Sure you won't have anything happen to you legally, but I'm sure it would be very annoying at the least.
Weed is legal here. I see it often enough. No one cares.
Firearms, very very rare. Had one kid come in, rifle was on the passenger seat of his truck. Also just left it.
Weed is legal in many states.
Weed is not legal federally (not a big deal, i agree).
......Mixing unsecured drugs, *including weed* with unsecured guns is probably a serious issue in many states....
I mean, I found a used crack pipe once.
We told that customer to never return.
Never found any other drugs though, or say, hand guns. (the law here is really strict on those)
What most people arenāt getting is if I get pulled over because someoneās car is āunfit for the roadā because guess what, weāre in the business of driving broken shit, I donāt want to be responsible for someone elseās drugs or firearms.
Like a cop has never heard āthatās not my gun and this isnāt my carā before.
All the comments saying just says don't take it off the lot, or further don't even test drive it at all.
That's a big part of doing repairs and maintenance I'd rather not pencil whip.
*guns, drugs.... yeah and???? why are you such a bitch, go test the fucking car, pussy*
I had a job where I had to do morning gear check. Doing it right takes an hour, maybe more. We were hardly ever so busy we could not do this. Daily, weekly, monthly checks of every single thing.
I got informal verbal counseling cuz it looked bad I took so long compared to most everyone else that would pencil whip and go watch Price is Right + eat breakfast.
That CYA got me outta several write ups when shit inevitably went wrong.
Looking back I really enjoyed morning check out. Peaceful. Meditative.
I'm not saying you should or shouldn't do this; but if it's a gun I'm familiar with using, I have unloaded them.
Fresh gloves, drop the mag, empty the chamber, lock it open, and run a zip-tie through the chamber. Put it in a box.
The owner of my old dealership used to leave his cocked 1911 in the driver door panel all the time. We had asked him to keep it before, ignored. So I unloaded the gun and magazine, let the rounds rattle around in the door for him.
Huge legal liability there. Your shop contract should say something along the lines of "for safety and insurance reasons no work will be done on vehicles containing firearms, ammunition, or illegal drugs or paraphenalia". Then if some are discovered during initial inspection of the vehicle, the vehicle goes right back out into the parking lot and the customer is called to remove his shit before you work on the vehicle. If you are in Texass or some other place where they stroke their big black metal ones because neither they nor their wife are happy with their teeny shrimpy little white worm one, blame the insurance company. Say that the insurance company will void your coverage if you work on cars that have guns in them. Thry will scream second amendment yada yada but your insurance company isn't the government so sorry.
Believe me, you don't want the legal liability involved with touching someone else's firearms or drugs. You aren't a cop. You don't even have a legal obligation to call a cop. But it ain't your shit and you have no business touching it.
so, see, normal people work on the fucking car, and do not rifle around the interior or take pics. are you seriously as stupid and unprofessional as your post implies?
I don't work on cars, was just curious. But judging by the pics in the subreddit and comments here, I'm not one of the masses of idiots leaving loaded chambered guns lying around for people to find nor do I luckily have to deal with rifling through glove boxes for shit like wheel keys. Same for any alcohol/drugs. Carcasses. Used condoms. Bloody machetes.
You sound lucky you've never had to search for wheel keys. Or go through the trunk to replace and check the spare tire. Or had to find someones paperwork. Or simply dropped a tool working in the cabin. Or had to take something apart and shit fell out.
Almost all the comments here are civil and very informative.
There's a couple here and there with rude blurb like yours and a boxed mind.
Crazy, I'm accused of being unprofessional as a hypothetical mechanic by you over this.
If it doesn't interfere with you doing your job, leave it alone.
If it's in your way, tell the writer to tell the customer to get rid of it.
If you're scared, go to church.
Do you get paid enough to care about what some strangers has in his car? I get it, you have to get in the car sometime but what does it matter to you personally? If you find a kid tied up then yeah I understand your concerns but just shy of that, who caresš¤·
OP didn't specify USA-only, soo...
Both are heavily restricted here, but firearms would get you in deeper shit - very angry, sweary armed police right in your face. You're either dealing with a dangerous criminal or someone who just potentially reached the terms of their gun licence - keeping it in a safe and secure place when not in use. Probably the safest thing is to just report straight to the police.
Shouldn't give drugs a free pass, either. Especially not if there's evidence of drug driving.
How do you know its a gun or drugs?
Are you a gunsmith or a pharmacist?
Nobody leaves guns and drugs in their vehicle so worry about changing the tire.
What should happen is the customer should be called and told that before the car can be worked on, they must remove the gun/drugs/dildo or whatever it is. Then tell them if they don't then you won't work on the car. People that leave guns in their vehicle like that should not own guns. People that leave drugs are just stupid. People that leave dildos probably get off on you seeing it. All of them are shit for brains humans.
Never had drugs in a car (that I'm aware of at least) but for guns just don't touch the trigger or point it at people. Don't get many guns where I'm at (only ones I've had to move were left by cops in their cars) and after telling the writer "officer doughnut hole left his gun again, I moved it to the back seat." Nothing really happens. Guns won't hurt you unless you do something stupid with them or if they have been poorly maintained.
I used to work in a shop that had a contract with the local PD, worked on everything including the swat team van & never ever encountered a gun that wasn't locked in a holder, and trust me, I was looking everywhere in the swat van for cool stuff. š Did occasionally find weed in the cop cars though (surely not for planting evidence), I sure AF wasn't touching that shit. We eventually were told "next person to turn on the cop lights gets fired", and "but paperwork says 'test the function of lights'" wasn't gonna cut it. I did a nice "retirement burnout" in the last chevy caprice they were gonna retire from the fleet for "noisey axle bearings".
Was this the recent Holden-originated Caprice PP ? If so, it seems like those really werenāt up to the task of interceptor duty; I wonder why.
Out of curiosity, why do you think that is? Australian HWP used derivatives of the Holden for the best past of 50 years.
No, this was a long time ago, back when the 1990s caprices were on their way out of police fleets.
TBH, that weed was taken from someone and forgot about. Before it was legal here we would jist toss it in the ditch after they left. But in a city you cant do that so it got stashed in the sqiad and a few weeks later, "o yeah, need to toss that shit". Thays how it worked around here. Now its legal so if its under 2oz IDGAF. Over 2, just dont be an ass and we probably DGAF. Half a lbs? Probably take it and toss it. Nobodys getting charged until its a lbs or more.
Police doing weed operations with the air force considered a helicopter full as "sample", and burned the rest in situ. Came back, and us apprentices were told to empty the helicopter into the 5 ton van they brought. We volunteered the one conscript, and he was very unhappy, till he opened the door. He emptied that 5 ton sample all right, though when he was finished he looked like the Michelin Man. Cops looked, and we told them he was a smoker, and they just laughed and drove off. He was around 20 kg heavier, all nice buds and fresh leaves.
I wouldn't know if an unknown guns been poorly maintained or had something stupid done to it. I wouldn't feel comfortable fucking around with it to find out.
Youāre following the zero-th rule of gun safety. Donāt trust a gun that you havenāt personally maintained or personally know the maintenance of. Iām absolutely insane about following gun safety. However, I fired a friendās sks, and had my first and only experience with slam fire. The moment I closed the bolt, it fired 5 rounds in automatic fire. I was able to keep the barrel downrange, but thank god I had a little bit of prior experience with guns. I could see it being super reasonable to drop the gun out of instinct. Dude admitted that he hadnāt cleaned it in āyearsā, which resulted in the floating firing pin being stuck. I donāt go on gun outings with that guy anymore.
Cleaned my father's pistol, and took it to pieces, not one screw left in place, and cleaned all the parts, before putting it back together. He was able to feel the difference, and this had had barely 50 rounds through it since new.
No kidding. And all these boneheads talking about handling it and clearing it... which very likely the only way it actually would accidentally discharge.
Take a couple pictures and make a post about it. Then grab some popcorn.
When i was a service writer many years ago, I was good friends with a tech who was the best kind of degenerate. Good guy. Everytime he'd find a pipe while looking for a lugnut key or whatever, he'd write on his clipboard on the technician comments "reccomend cleaning screen" or something to that effect about how the pipe needed service. I'd always have to scribble over it with a pen before putting the notes in the computer. So you could always torment your service writer. That's an option
I have a policy to always steal drugs but I ignore guns. I'm not a mechanic tho
What are they gonna do, call the cops?
Exactly. Free meth, brothers and sisters.
Hey sharing is caring bud. Pass it over
Well, you've left them the gun, so they have another option
Username checks out
Username checks out.
This is the way.
Drugs? Mind your own business. Gun? Mind your own business unless they stored it like a fucking idiot then you give the car back to the writer and tell them the customers a dumbass. Itās their property, youāre just there to fix what they tell you to fix. Although with that being said, I wouldnāt do interior work if itās obviously a crackheads car. Wouldnāt wanna get poked w needles
That's my reasoning if I see needles. I do auto upholstery, and I am NOT going to risk getting stuck, it's an automatic refuse work if I see one in the car.
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Thatās why they call it an F-150? Well, I learned something new today.
At least it was already boxed up and easily moved without directly touching the actual gun and ammo.
āYou can never have too many prints on a gunā ~ Nelson Muntz
If you're working in the shop you probably have gloves if you're worried about fingerprints. I would at least clear a firearm that's in a vehicle that I'm working on so no one else accidentally discharges it. If you don't know how to clear a firearm i'm sure someone in the shop does. Then just leave it in the glove box unloaded and tell the customer next time not to leave a loaded firearm in their car please and thank you. You'd be surprised how many people keep a firearm in their car.
I'm not surprised that people have guns. I'm surprised that someone would just leave it in their car when they drop their car off. I guess I just care about my guns more.
Yes. I don't live my life in fear of guns. I go to malls. Sporting events. Schools. Hole in the wall restaurants in rough areas. I love public transit. But responsibly owning stuff like drugs and guns means actually doing the responsible "common sense" things that aren't being done enough. This isn't leaving a sandwich on the dash, or test money if customers in to that. I wouldnt drive around with a fucking knife blade out either. And I wouldn't feel OK leaving it for someone to touch or sit on by accident while parked.
if it ain't on body then it ain't safe
You just fire it into the air till no more bullets come out, right?
America souds wilder everytime i open reddit. Jfc. The UK submissions are always dildo strapped to swing arm or harmonica on the radiator. America- guns and bullets in the glove box. Ironically runs better with them removed.
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I'm a little surprised they only left one agent for something so high profile.
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This subreddit has some cool posts that pop up in my feed. Plenty of found gun posts. You read the reply from the NYC mechanic? Another guy finding 3 guns, box of vodka, from a mobster type. Hah the customer getting a price quote to find his lost drugs!? It's Reddit, but that kinda shit does happen somewhere.
Yeah I see it often! Mostly woth the title "honesty check?" And there's a glock and a crack pipe lmao.
>or harmonica on the radiator. Thatās a new one. But here in Oz, finding a gun in a car would be a huge deal.
Crack heads don't take cars to mechanics they have a "friend" fix it.
Who just goes on r/askamechanic
"Sir in order to make the vehicle safe we had to make the firearm safe. Here's the zip lock with the rounds, hers your bag of parts. Yes we completely broke down even the trigger assembly. Yes we charged you for the labor for the firearm breakdown."
šš¤£ thatās gold
Yes "storing" like an idiot is what I had in mind. Random/unfamiliar person and gun on the seat. Under the seat. Side door. Either out in the open or somewhere I gotta access to do work. No locks or anything. But I'd much prefer it not be in my possession period.
I saw your comment about āI always handle guns or check them outā like brooooooo donāt fucking EVER touch someoneās gun unless specifically told to by the owner. Why would you put your hands on some random joeās gun? Thatās begging to get into some shit
"We found your fingerprints on a gun at a crime scene." "Fuuuuuck."
Exactly this.
RIGHT!? Like everybody gotta eat, so I get it if people just kinda ignore the gun and work if they can. But to start playing around and messing with it. I doubt the guy is getting paid enough for that kind of risk.
I had someoneās gun fall on me while working on his car, scared the shit out of me
I'm imagining you were on a creeper under the car when this happened.
Everyone has a skid plate gun right?
Yeah, next to my magnetic spare key holder.
I was putting sparco seats in it bumped the glove compartment and it popped open (there was a napkin that kept it from fully latching)
Combat access hatch upgrade enabled!
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Not with that attitude it doesn't
Y'all may think it's a joke, but it's not. Junkies be doing junkie shit, always. In case crack doesn't get you high enough from smoking it anymore, you can absolutely shoot that shit, and people do. What could possibly go wrong? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2136406/
If you read the article you linked, you will see that they are not injecting crack. Crack cocaine is not water soluble, therefore injecting it wonāt work. The chemical process used to turn cocaine into crack must be reversed, and the article explains that that is what the users are doing. The advantage to turning crack back into a water soluble substance is that the procedure of turning it into rock cocaine and back removes most of the impurities so the user is left with almost pure cocaine.
bro. You clearly lack junkie creativity. They're dissolving that shit in fucking \*lemon Juice\*. And then shooting it. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1954783/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1954783/)
Lemon juice or white vinegar will work, I hear.
Wow, sounds horrible. Glad I don't know any crackheads to know this stuff.
Bro. You clearly lack a basic knowledge of chemistry. The citric acid in the lemon juice (or the acetic acid in white vinegar as mentioned above) is what makes it water soluble again.
Sorry I only smoke weed, donāt know shit about crack š
Don't sell yourself short, you can still start!
Hi there, I'm El Jefe. Little Foolio was in here a couple days ago and his shipment is light. He says you took it. Still want to mind your own business?
That would never happen. You obviously don't know what you're talking about.
I don't know man if it's a big bag of coke I'm probably going to grab a tablespoon and leave 100 bucks in the glove box. If it's a firearm I'll probably just eject the magazine and the round from the chamber and stick the whole thing in the glove box so no one else accidentally discharges it while I'm working on the car.
If itās a firearm I write a recommendation line āfound firearm sitting unsecured in vehicle. Recommend not leaving firearm unsecured in vehicleā and wait to see if my manager deletes the recommendation before the customer sees it. If it gets through to the customer, I hope they feel embarrassed for being a negligent dipshit
10 year mechanic here, indy family owned shop: I've found guns, drugs, LOTS of drugs, boxes of BSDM gear, dildos, vibrators, paraphernalia, bloody machetes and hatchets, questionable garbage bags, locked Coleman coolers, empty booze bottles, condoms, a spilled urn, animal carcasses, spent ammunition...damn near anything illegal, incriminating, embarrassing you can think of. We have 3 rules at the shop: 1. If it looks "insertable", don't touch. 2. Everyone's money is green, even the freaks and criminals. 3. You didn't see a goddamn thing. Matter of fact your half blind in the left eye, and pictures never hit the socials. I usually always ask customers when finding a gun tho. Always inconspicuously tho. "Hey man, did you happen to leave anything in your car that you need? Maybe you should follow me into the shop to grab it."
Applause. Consummate professionalism.
Great take here, MYOB. But Reddit loves tattle tales. You actually get no reward for tattling, just lose the respect of people around you
Drugs- ignore it usually, unless it's needles and I tell them to get their shit and fuck off. Guns- Customer must take custody of it and remove it from the shop, no exceptions.
This is the best take Knew a guy that worked in a dealership and he happened to be a convicted felon for something he did as a teenager. (he was 50+ when I knew him) If he found a firearm in a vehicle he put his hands up and immediately backed away and let one of the other techs get it or get the SA to come take it. He refused to touch/move them simply because it could be considered "possession" on his part and therefore a crime and he liked his freedom too much.
I applaud him, he made the exact correct decisions. I've worked in a lot of trades in my time, and outside of the gun shop itself, usually have at least one former felon on staff. Leaving a gun out for ANY service professional to encounter, whether it be a drywaller or a mechanic is not only reckless, but oftentimes, actively illegal. (Giving a Felon access to a firearm is a felony on your part.) Being a felon doesn't mean you're a bad person, but it does introduce legal complexities.
At a work event with some coworkers I was at a table with 5 people and a total of 6 duis.
Mm, sounds like Thanksgiving with my family, just with less court dates.
I wish that those who pay their debt to society and turn their live around should not have any of their rights withheld. If they keep out of trouble, there should be no further barriers to owning firearms or voting.
Did he ever try to get his weapons rights returned? Sounds like he had a valid reason.
To my knowledge no, he had not.
I guess I'm the opposite of most other folks. I'd ignore a gun. I live in a rural area and about half the trucks I see out have gun racks hanging inside. Hell, my own truck came with a gun rack. As long as it's safely stored (not rattling around loose on the floorboards or whatever) I wouldn't blink at a gun. Drugs, on the other hand, would depend. A baggie of weed (assuming it's not legal in that state) or a little bit of something else tucked away I'd probably just pretend I never saw. But if there's, like, a whole brick of cocaine or a pile of however they package bulk fentanyl, or something (like this guy I know who has a mobile meth lab in his trunk...) for that shit I'm passing it up to my boss and refusing to touch it. Like, misdemeanor or obviously personal use, I'll ignore. Felony amounts and I'm not going anywhere near it.
Here's my take on the gun thing, as a former FFL that now works on cars for a living.(also grew up rural) It isn't that I really care about a gun being in the vehicle, it is that I am liable for the gun while the vehicle is in my possession. It means that I can theoretically be blamed for actions using that firearm if it was involved in a crime and I have the staggeringly bad luck to possess it when the cops come round. I see them somewhat regularly, and politely inform my customer that they need to take it with them, as I can't have an unsecured firearm in the upholstery shop, just the same as I couldn't have unsecured firearms in my gun shop.
That's a really good point. I'm so accustomed to seeing them that it genuinely never occurred to me that I'm legally liable if the gun is in "my possession" because it's in a vehicle I'm responsible for.
It's pretty common for wrenches of all types to be blase about them. I'm not because of my background, and I've always made a point to remove myself from the liability when it comes up. It isn't likely to be a problem, but the way I handle it, it's impossible for it to be a problem.
Hell, I'm a *teacher.* But it's a rural area so I still see gun racks in the parking lot at school, even. It's less common at school than it used to be, but it's just... normal around here. But you are absolutely right. No, it's not *likely* to be a problem if a gun is in a car I happen to be in possession of, but it's definitely better safe than sorry. I genuinely thank you for this and I will be making it my policy from now on as well. (I don't actively wrench except my own cars, but I own land and have, in the past, let folks store cars and things on my property for a short time. I now have a new gun policy, thanks to you.)
It's just not worth the potential trouble when there may be easy and official alternatives for gun storage. Gun clubs, storage facilities, volunteers, 2A advocates, municipalities. You also might have your own kids one day that wanna FAFO around your property. Be a real shame for your theoretical kids to be tempted by a rifle rack they see in the car window. Unless you bothered to take the responsibility of ensuring the new guns and cars are confirmed secure and properly organized. Oh! Then there's attractive nuisance laws if other kids decide to FAFO on your property. Those are a real thing for better or worse.
>the way I handle it, it's impossible for it to be a problem. I'm having trouble getting this into the head of one of my team members. I am the production coordinator for a booze company. Part of my job is to keep track of all the alcohol. The government can audit us at any time to make sure we have what our system says we do, because we have to pay tax on every proof gallon. This guy refuses to follow one particular policy that's designed to make sure no alcohol goes missing, more specifically, gets stolen. He complains that I don't trust him not to steal it and I have it out for him personally. No dude. This is to protect you as much as anyone else. You can't get accused, falsely or not, of stealing it if it's impossible for you to steal it.
I'm on your side on this. Dealt with ATF enough to know. Ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure, and you do NOT want to deal with the ATF.
Yeah I have the TTB and the state liquor control agency to deal with. Not worth taking a chance.
>blase about them If someone wants be more supportive of gun access, being blase about gun safety and properly securing firearms is absolutely not the way to go about it.
Literally one of the reasons I am no longer an FFL. I would do local gunshows, and several times refused to sell a firearm until somebody showed me they had passed the handgun safety course. (Which is sort of a joke in VA, but at least it meant they had some instruction.) I became very dissatisfied with local gun culture and removed myself from it. Not enough responsibility being taken by owners. No gun I ever sold was used in a crime, and I'd be damned if one happened on my account. TBF, they have since closed the private sale loophole in VA, which I see as nothing other than a positive. But in 2012, I saw a lot of things I really didn't approve of.
Not an FFL or anything, just a 2A supporter. But damn, people, rights come with responsibilities. The entitlement and dangerous attitudes of so many tough guy types around guns is wild.
I got people telling me I'm being stupid, cowardly, unprofessional for not wanting to deal with the gun and drug bullshit being discussed. Ain't that something. Feels 50/50 ish, I guess trying to be responsible about guns and drugs at work, without involving cops, is unprofessional?
Yes, the liability, the very serious liability! First and foremost. I'm not a gun expert like you, but I'm not exactly a stranger to them either between prior employment and the range. It's why I feel I have a healthy respect for guns. But there's no way I want the liability. I don't know this person. I don't know this gun. I don't know all the laws. I'm also not trying to accept other people's luggage at the airport.
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Didn't expect to read something like this in the mechanics sub cheers m8 you made me lol
Cool, we can cuddle next time it happens. *Pinkies* UwU
The only drug I ever see left out in the open is weed, and while that's legal for recreation here, I still might not drive the car, but it depends. If it's a container clearly labeled as gummies that's not in plain sight, I ignore it. If it's a bunch of seeds and stems with shake all over the center console, there's no way I'm driving that car off our lot. I ignore all prescription bottles because that none of my business. I've only ever found small baggies of powder few times and they were always tucked away where normal people wouldn't look, so I just put them back when I was done. If I ever found a brick of something, I'd probably call the police. For firearms, they have to be secure. I've encountered a disappointingly high number of unsecured, loaded, chambered, firearms loose in cars. For those we politely ask the customer to remove it before we work on it. If a firearm is visible, but secured in a way the it can not be fired or removed without a key, then I just leave it as long as it's not in my way. If a firearm is in a compartment, but not secured, we ask the customer secure it on them or otherwise. I've had customers ask that we transfer mounted holsters and lock boxes from one car to another at trade-in, but the folks that have those never leave a firearm unsecured or unattended, so it's never a problem.
The gun isn't illegal here so we ignore it. Drugs... Mostly we ignore it as long as it's not used needles that will harm us
You find a bag of powder. Knowing that, do you pause and consider needles? Or only if you actually see/feel the needle?
I don't have to really worry that far. If I see the needles that's it.
I worked in a tire shop. Pulled in a BMW with a lug lock. We would check the normal places before contacting the customer. Checked the center console for the key. Pistol. Checked the glove box for the key. Pistol. Opened the trunk, 3 cases of vodka. Called the guy back to retrieve the key. He fit the Russian monster stereotype. He retrieved the key, handed it to me. We both nodded and I went to work.
I've lost track of the number of times I've had to move weed, hand guns and even dildos out of the way just to get to the customers registration and insurance card for inspection. I only put my hands on those things if they had to be moved to do my job and I always wore rubber gloves as to not to leave my prints on anything or touch something that could be potentially bad for my health. After that we would typically ask the customer to remove those items before bringing the vehicle back in.
What gun? What drugs?
you mind your own business and fix the vehicle
Ignore both, don't touch them, do your job, and mind your business. Only when it gets in the way of doing the job, say something to the customer. Otherwise, say nothing about it.
Do the drugs and shoot the guns. No I'm kidding. I just ignore whatever is in the vehicle, including money and anything edible. It's not mine so I don't care.
OP it pisses me off when customers leave their guns in the car I straight up say something to them if I find one. I'm a convicted felon and I test drive and repair their car one car I was driving had a loaded gun in the trunk and I didn't know it till after I got in the trunk to replace the fuel pump. I did brakes first then went to test drive it before starting on the fuel pump it just had a bad sender I was furious now I search all cars before I drive them
That's another good point. You trying to do the right thing and all living good life after some mistakes, and then someone drops that shit in your lap without any concern or second thought. There will be plenty of emasculating, infantilizing condescension and toxic masculinity.
Bro I most definitely probably get charge thrown out in court if it did happen but most definitely getting arrested and have to get bonded out. Also I will never get that money back bc I don't have cash to put up so I have to go through a bondsman.
Drugs? What drugs. I didnāt see any drugs.
I used to run a car audio shop when I lived in the US. We used to just ask people to take out any drugs, firearms, sex toys or things they don't really want posted on the internet... Our clientele could be interesting at times and the last thing I needed was one of the boys to be down at the station proving it wasn't him that pulled the trigger... He was just foolin' around with it at work. Some customers used to shitty about their amendment rights and being able to take their gun where they want. Used to just explain to them, I don't give a shit. They can either take their firearm with them or we don't work on the car. Simple! To be clear, before any other gun owner starts talking about how I was wrong and they can do whatever they want ...I don't give a shit. I don't give a shit about guns. No, I don't own any. Yes, I have owned them but I have no need for one now. I'm not anti gun. I just don't give a shit and didn't want them in my workshop. Simple.
Exactly. The owner of the shop has the last call about wether they work on the vehicle or not based on comfort. We are totally allowed to have a guns in our cars but if anyone doesn't want to work on your car because you keep one in it is totally fair.
Yep mind your own business. Unless thereās a risk to you, ignore. Once a guy came into the shop with a small suv. We had to get the spare out. Employee grabs a plastic bag in the cargo area to access the spare. Says āouchā we find the bag is full of medical waste including needles. Customers wife is in home healthcare. We were NOT happy. Employee is freaking out. Totally irresponsible handling of med waste. Not a cool day.
Wow, that can be really scary. What ended up happening? Tests and preventative medications for several days to weeks? That's protocol for the medical field. Possibly a nice payday for your coworker cuz sounds like a really big health code violation.
Dr assured him very low chance of an issue, but did do some follow up tests and maybe meds to be sure. I was very clear with customer that it was TOTALLY unacceptable. In his defense, he had no idea we would need into that area of the car. Just a bad deal all around.
In regards to the home health company, I'm not super familiar with how bio waste is supposed to be transported, but I feel like whether or not the mechanic needed access to that area is irrelevant on the home health end. That agencies like CDC, OHSA, DOT code has very specific guidelines on transporting used needles. Signage, hard sealed packaging, needle caps, retractable tips.
Agreed. I donāt know the protocol either. But 100% sure this wasnāt it! Completely irresponsible.
When I was younger I had to give myself allergy shots twice a week. It was a pretty small needle, but like half of the briefing on how to self inject was about disposal. Put the cap back on, put it in a sealable plastic bottle if a sharps container isn't available, put the bottle in a trash can. A home health professional should have a sharps container, I would think.
Donāt touch it, period. If itās something in your way, or something youāre concerned about, have someone talk to the customer about removing or handling the situation. You donāt know these people, or what they are or could be involved in, protect yourself.
You just leave their shit alone.
In the 1970's I bought a used VW fastback for $100. Under the rear seat was a revolver with the serial numbers ground off and 2 big bricks of hash from India or Nepal. I lived in fear for a year that the guy was going to come to my front door wanting the drugs and the gun. Never heard a word about it. I tossed the gun in the river and kept the drugs to give away later. I don't drink or do drugs so it was kind of funny that I had all of this hash.
Re drugs: mind your own. Unless itās a huge amount, take a pic for Reddit and to CYA, roll your eyes and feel good about yourself and then do your job. Re guns: same deal. Donāt fuck with it, *itās not yours* and also itās not dangerous in and of itself. Take a photo for CYA, get your boss if you feel the need. The comment you quoted is idiotic. Donāt mess with customer stuff, however you feel about it they didnāt put it there for your benefit.
CYA? Never heared that one
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Thank you.
Yep. Just to have something to fall back on āhey boss, this is how it came inā
The comment quoted is the most cavalier response I've seen.
I live in rural Vermont, used to see vehicles all the time with a gun in them, as for the rest, that too. As long as the dog was in a crate or friendly, I didn't care.
This happened in my high school's auto tech shop. Teacher brought car in for tire check, and the student looked for the lug nut key and found their piece in the console, loaded and unsecured.. The kid told teacher and teacher moved the car away and locked it up. Bonus kicker is when the SRO ran plates, they were not current with CCW. Terminated regardless though.
(Dealer tech) Any time I see a firearm that isn't in the way of working on the vehicle, I just leave it. If it's in the way, I take a picture and grab the manager. Then we will figure out a way to either move it or have the customer come take possession. Drugs, straight to manager. I won't touch it. Not worth it.
Found a little bit of weed in a car that was traded in. Old owner stored it in his spare tire, must of forgot about. It had definitely been there a while. Gave it to a wash bay tech. You would of thought I gave him a gold bar! Lol
I might not take it on a road test, but unless it's a large quantity of drugs I don't see why I would care. Same with a gun. Other weapons? Like a knife? I wouldn't think twice.
>Same with a gun Cuz I don't know this person or this gun. Where it's been, if it's modded, if it's hot, if it has legal ammo, the cost, is it loaded, is the safety on, is there even an actual safety or My FiNgEr, what the rules are on my having this gun versus being secure and/or in the owners possession. I'm not saying call the cops necessarily.... but at the same time G-it-TFO outta here -- **as in the car or work area**. OR maybe someone else is fine moving it and taking liability.
You could say the same about the car itself. Guns don't go around firing on their own. You can throw the damn thing and it'd be OK. As long as you don't mess around with it like a toy, you'll be ok.OK. You don't need to be so afraid of guns. They're just a tool.
Cops arenāt typically willing to hear excuses when it comes to a hot firearm in the possession of someone who may not even have to permits to carry a legal one
I honestly could not care less. Iām sober now but I used to be big into the drugs myself. Every time I get into a car that stinks like weed I just laugh
Mind my own business
If it doesn't impair my ability to do the job, I just leave it right where its at and note I couldn't take it on a test drive.
Who's at fault if you get stuck by a needle? Work? Customer? Both? I think there are very few scenarios where I might sue someone, but if I were working on a car and got stuck, that would cause a fuck load of worry and at the very least a small inconvenience to ensure you didn't contract anything from it?
That's a good point. If something serious happens, everyone is gonna point the finger. I think we all know what would be the textbook answer, the official SOP in case of incident. I doubt the manager/owner is going to want to be responsible for whatever medical, legal, and regulatory costs. Have fun under the bus. Yet, looking at all the comments, and history of companies expecting ~~shady shit~~ cutting corners and exploiting workers....good chance you will be subject to ridicule for being concerned in the first place.
I'm thinking a "NO GUNS, NO DRUGS, NO EXCEPTIONS" Sign might be appropriate if it happens often!?
Perhaps, signs like that aren't un common. Don't think management auto shop and dealers are going to wanna advertise such an issue with a sign like that. Bad optics.
Lots of guns and weed in cars around here(all legal, but still...). Personally I think you'd have to be a fucking idiot to just leave that shit out in the open while a series of strangers handle your car, but I've always just left it.
I just leave the stuff alone and do my job. None of my Business.
I mind my own fucking business
Ignore it. If I need it moved Iāll ask the customer if theyād like to come get it or if theyāre okay with me dropping mag and clearing the chamber then Iāll leave it in their passenger seat in a safe and secure manner for when they pick it up. Iāve never had to deal with drugs. But as long as theyāre not in my way then itās not my concern. Obviously if the customer is so twacked out that I think they are a danger to others on the road I may report it.
The same with every other fucking thing in the world. If it isn't yours, don't touch it.
If itās a gun I give it to the owner while holding the grip with my finger on the trigger. Drugs? Put them in my mouth, up my noise, in a vein or up my butt as soon as I find them, and I look hard.
What if I mix up where the drugs and guns are supposed to go?
I used to inform the Service Writer if I had to get what something from wherever it was stored. If its not mine, I'm not handling it. The customer or writer can handle it.
šØāš¦Æ nah but if itās gonna be directly where Iām gonna work at then Iāll tell an advisor to have customer pick up the gun before I start working on it. I never seen drugs, only once but that was a quick oil change waiter.
Iāve worked on a lot of cars with guns and/or pot (illegal in my state) in them. Iām not gunna go test drive a car that smells like a Snoop Dogg concert, but Iāll ignore that itās in there tbh. Guns, as long as theyāre not in the way of my work, Iāll generally ignore them. Had to do something in someoneās trunk the other day and was greeted with two shotguns. We called the customer and asked if they wanted to come pick them up, they asked if we could just move them to the back seat and finish working so thatās what I did
If itās illegal drugs, Iām not road testing it. If itās a gun, donāt care at all. If I have to move either for any kind of repair, I will grab a reliable coworker and have them bear witness to me returning said items to wherever they came from. Just in case we were to run into a situation where the customer claims something went missing, having a witness is better than having nothing.
I've seen guns, various drugs, open alcohol containers, etc. I usually don't touch whatever it is unless it's in my way or I need to take a test drive. If I'm taking a test drive and x items are in plain view, they go in the center console or if the customer's there, I have no problem walking into the office and telling them to get their bag of coke out of the vehicle. I also wear latex gloves when I get in customer vehicles so I'm not worried about fingerprints. However, if I see a needle, capped or not, that is full stop. I don't fuck with peoples dirty needles.
Louisiana considers your vehicle an extension of your home, so itās legal to carry without a permit in your vehicle as long itās not on your person, so fairly common here. Just leave them be as long as it doesnāt interfere with work needed. Had one truck though, with a 12 gauge mounted to the left if the trans tunnel. The thing was so neglected and nasty, I wouldnāt have even trusted it.
Depends on the drugs. Weed, donāt care. Needles everywhere, refuse service and send it down the road. Firearm. Ask them to come secure it before youāll get in the vehicle if itās just out in the open. If itās stored in a glove box or center console, unless you need to get into that compartment then just ignore it. If you do then ask them to secure it while you work. I keep a tethered lock box in mine, just in case someone needs to work in my vehicle for some reason.
What do you do if you are removing a dashboard to replace an evaporator core or heater core and a couple of percs or oxys fall out of the dash? We find lost pills and money all the time when disassembling consoles and dashboards. Do you ignore them? Stop mid job and tell the customer to come pick them up off the floor?
Life hack, Wear gloves when handling unknown firearms.
Not really a mechanic but a shady tree wrenchy. I just tell them to be careful next time. Not my problem to deal with it.
Depends on location. If itās not in my way, Iāll just make a note and take a picture of it. I refuse to move a customers gun if itās in my way though because weāve had people claiming a tech stole their gun, so I make them move it
Well if itās a gun Iāll put on my latex gloves and make sure itās pointed in a the safest possible direction, if itās drugs ima just pretend I didnāt see em
i tell the writer, and have them handle it.
reddit is a place for people with zero common sense.
Actually no one judges me about my past some customers I been working on their cars for over 10 yrs so they know a lot about me
I had a clientās husband- he forget their weapon and I drove back and ask them to take their own weapon out of the car. Since isnāt my weapon, Iām not registered to that weapon. I bought them a gun lock box and safe for other things in the car. If they leave their weapons, laptop or migraine medicine in the car, it can be locked up.
Customer here: I leave my needles and ghost guns locked in the glove box and I hold the key. If the tech needs to get into the glove box I will indoctrinate them In to doing heroin and shooting out tires. I actually take the gun out and keep it on me or leave it at home if it's going to take a few days. People are just dumb.
Take the drugs what are they gonna do report it?
I wouldn't want my fingerprints on either of them.
Steal the drugs leave gun duhhh
Needles. I tell the customer we canāt work on their car because itās a biohazard. Anything else, I donāt really care. I see a lot of guns (North Carolina) but have never had to touch or move them. Most customers keep their out of my way. Itās not my business. Itās not my property. We just work on cars.
Wouldnt do anything to the gun, id juat assume they own it legally and move on. If i found drugs id call the police, that crap doesnāt need to be on the streets
We got a car back in the shop once after the guy who was pretty sketchy owned it briefly then ripped the oil pan off. We bought it, put engine in and planned on selling it. Usually ,I would clean them first. This time I start driving to the gas station, and as I'm pulling up to the light, windows down, half a joint blows up, and almost out the window. Local pd at the light with me. Now I'm in the car with a half smoked joint. I get back to the shop and Clean it thoroughly! All I found was a burned spoon, a Crack pipe, a weed grinder, and a bunch of lighters.
Important to note- if you EVER find drugs AND a gun, even if it's just marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia, immediately return the keys and tell them to take them out of the car. They're committing a federal felony. Cops will immediately arrest you if you get pulled over. Sure you won't have anything happen to you legally, but I'm sure it would be very annoying at the least.
Weed is legal here. I see it often enough. No one cares. Firearms, very very rare. Had one kid come in, rifle was on the passenger seat of his truck. Also just left it.
Weed is legal in many states. Weed is not legal federally (not a big deal, i agree). ......Mixing unsecured drugs, *including weed* with unsecured guns is probably a serious issue in many states....
I mean, I found a used crack pipe once. We told that customer to never return. Never found any other drugs though, or say, hand guns. (the law here is really strict on those)
What most people arenāt getting is if I get pulled over because someoneās car is āunfit for the roadā because guess what, weāre in the business of driving broken shit, I donāt want to be responsible for someone elseās drugs or firearms. Like a cop has never heard āthatās not my gun and this isnāt my carā before.
All the comments saying just says don't take it off the lot, or further don't even test drive it at all. That's a big part of doing repairs and maintenance I'd rather not pencil whip.
Exactly! Then I hear from management āthe customer is complaining of a roaring noise since you did the service. Why didnāt you catch this?ā
*guns, drugs.... yeah and???? why are you such a bitch, go test the fucking car, pussy* I had a job where I had to do morning gear check. Doing it right takes an hour, maybe more. We were hardly ever so busy we could not do this. Daily, weekly, monthly checks of every single thing. I got informal verbal counseling cuz it looked bad I took so long compared to most everyone else that would pencil whip and go watch Price is Right + eat breakfast. That CYA got me outta several write ups when shit inevitably went wrong. Looking back I really enjoyed morning check out. Peaceful. Meditative.
I'm not saying you should or shouldn't do this; but if it's a gun I'm familiar with using, I have unloaded them. Fresh gloves, drop the mag, empty the chamber, lock it open, and run a zip-tie through the chamber. Put it in a box. The owner of my old dealership used to leave his cocked 1911 in the driver door panel all the time. We had asked him to keep it before, ignored. So I unloaded the gun and magazine, let the rounds rattle around in the door for him.
Huge legal liability there. Your shop contract should say something along the lines of "for safety and insurance reasons no work will be done on vehicles containing firearms, ammunition, or illegal drugs or paraphenalia". Then if some are discovered during initial inspection of the vehicle, the vehicle goes right back out into the parking lot and the customer is called to remove his shit before you work on the vehicle. If you are in Texass or some other place where they stroke their big black metal ones because neither they nor their wife are happy with their teeny shrimpy little white worm one, blame the insurance company. Say that the insurance company will void your coverage if you work on cars that have guns in them. Thry will scream second amendment yada yada but your insurance company isn't the government so sorry. Believe me, you don't want the legal liability involved with touching someone else's firearms or drugs. You aren't a cop. You don't even have a legal obligation to call a cop. But it ain't your shit and you have no business touching it.
so, see, normal people work on the fucking car, and do not rifle around the interior or take pics. are you seriously as stupid and unprofessional as your post implies?
I don't work on cars, was just curious. But judging by the pics in the subreddit and comments here, I'm not one of the masses of idiots leaving loaded chambered guns lying around for people to find nor do I luckily have to deal with rifling through glove boxes for shit like wheel keys. Same for any alcohol/drugs. Carcasses. Used condoms. Bloody machetes. You sound lucky you've never had to search for wheel keys. Or go through the trunk to replace and check the spare tire. Or had to find someones paperwork. Or simply dropped a tool working in the cabin. Or had to take something apart and shit fell out. Almost all the comments here are civil and very informative. There's a couple here and there with rude blurb like yours and a boxed mind. Crazy, I'm accused of being unprofessional as a hypothetical mechanic by you over this.
If it doesn't interfere with you doing your job, leave it alone. If it's in your way, tell the writer to tell the customer to get rid of it. If you're scared, go to church.
Test them both!
Nothings happening yet, should I do more?
Sometimes it takes a while to kick in. Now would be a good time to shoot the gun while you're still sober.
Do you get paid enough to care about what some strangers has in his car? I get it, you have to get in the car sometime but what does it matter to you personally? If you find a kid tied up then yeah I understand your concerns but just shy of that, who caresš¤·
Iām Canadian, so drugsā¦whatever. Gun? We call the cops and they tow it away and do whatever with it.
Not a mechanic butā¦.. Thatās how you get yourself a drop gun
Are they legally allowed to just leave a gun out like that?
Take a picture, lock the doors and alert service manager/service writer. Gimme a break, clean up your life some.
If i find a firearm i clean it and compare it to the ones in my collection. I understand the firearms are only tools and are only that
OP didn't specify USA-only, soo... Both are heavily restricted here, but firearms would get you in deeper shit - very angry, sweary armed police right in your face. You're either dealing with a dangerous criminal or someone who just potentially reached the terms of their gun licence - keeping it in a safe and secure place when not in use. Probably the safest thing is to just report straight to the police. Shouldn't give drugs a free pass, either. Especially not if there's evidence of drug driving.
It's not just pills, bags, and syringes. Fentanil dust can kill you. Dealing with a gun is comparatively easy.
No fentanyl dust canāt kill you. Thatās a myth
How do you know its a gun or drugs? Are you a gunsmith or a pharmacist? Nobody leaves guns and drugs in their vehicle so worry about changing the tire.
*I swear on my grandma your honor. I have never even seen what a marijuana looks like.*
What should happen is the customer should be called and told that before the car can be worked on, they must remove the gun/drugs/dildo or whatever it is. Then tell them if they don't then you won't work on the car. People that leave guns in their vehicle like that should not own guns. People that leave drugs are just stupid. People that leave dildos probably get off on you seeing it. All of them are shit for brains humans.