landlords and guns

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I've heard (just anecdotally) of cases where landlords have denied leases to gun owners/collectors - anyone know for certain of any such cases? I can see a university banning them from dormitories, say, but otherwise,I would think that a civil contract that contravenes an established constitutional right would not be enforceable. Any informed legal opinions on this?



-ljp

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Landlords have the right to deny a lease to anyone as long as the reason is not that the person is a member of a "protected class"--ie they can't decide to not rent to someone because of their race, sex, religion, etc.

Gun ownership is not a protected class. It is therefore legal to not rent to somebody because they own guns.

I would think that a civil contract that contravenes an established constitutional right would not be enforceable.

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TheConstitution only limits what government can do. It does not restrict private citizens or corporations. An employer can restrict your wearing of a shirt that says something that they do not like--if the government did that, they would be violating your First Amendment rights. Likewise, a landlord can restrict your ownership of firearms on their property; in many states though, a landlord who recieves government money (ie government-subsidised housing) cannot restrict firearm ownership by tenants.

I live in a rented apartment. My complex has no written policy on gun ownership that I can find, but I didn't ask. Asking gives them a chance to tell you know. If they did have a policy prohibiting guns, I would take my money elsewhere.

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Their property, their rules.