diff --git a/SQF/dayz_code/compile/fn_check_access.sqf b/SQF/dayz_code/compile/fn_check_access.sqf
index a551da543..c91087afa 100644
--- a/SQF/dayz_code/compile/fn_check_access.sqf
+++ b/SQF/dayz_code/compile/fn_check_access.sqf
@@ -70,8 +70,8 @@ _targetType = if(typeOf _target in DZE_DoorsLocked) then { "DOOR"; } else { "GEN
 // and check if player is owner of target object
 _playerUID = getPlayerUID _player;
 _characterID = dayz_characterID;
-if(DZE_permanentPlot) then {
-	_targetOwnerUID = _target getVariable ["ownerPUID","0"];
+if (DZE_permanentPlot) then {
+	_targetOwnerUID = if (isPlayer _target) then { getPlayerUID _target } else { _target getVariable ["ownerPUID","0"] };
 	_isOwner = (_playerUID == _targetOwnerUID);
 } else {
 	_targetOwnerUID = _target getVariable ["characterID","0"];
diff --git a/SQF/dayz_code/compile/fn_gearMenuChecks.sqf b/SQF/dayz_code/compile/fn_gearMenuChecks.sqf
index acbee271c..8060b1e87 100644
--- a/SQF/dayz_code/compile/fn_gearMenuChecks.sqf
+++ b/SQF/dayz_code/compile/fn_gearMenuChecks.sqf
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-private ["_exit","_nearestObjects","_friendlies","_rID","_display","_cTarget","_dis"];
+private ["_exit","_nearestObjects","_rID","_display","_cTarget","_dis","_friendlyTo","_lastSave","_startTime"];
 
 // players inside vehicle can always access its gear
 if ((vehicle player) == player) then {
@@ -29,9 +29,9 @@ if ((vehicle player) == player) then {
 			};
 		};
 		if (DZE_BackpackAntiTheft) then {
-			_friendlies	= player getVariable ["friendlies",[]];
+			_friendlyTo = player getvariable ["friendlyTo",[]];
 			_rID = if (DZE_permanentPlot) then { getPlayerUID _cTarget } else { _cTarget getVariable ["CharacterID","0"] };
-			if ((!canbuild or isInTraderCity) && {alive _cTarget} && {isPlayer _cTarget} && {!(_rID in _friendlies)} && {(player distance _cTarget) < 12}) then {
+			if ((!canbuild or isInTraderCity) && {alive _cTarget} && {isPlayer _cTarget} && {!(_rID in _friendlyTo) && !(_cTarget in (units group player))} && {(player distance _cTarget) < 12}) then {
 				localize "STR_EPOCH_PLAYER_316" call dayz_rollingMessages;
 				_display closeDisplay 2;
 			};
@@ -59,4 +59,4 @@ if ((vehicle player) == player) then {
 	} else {
 		DZE_GearCheckBypass = false; //exit will always be false the when the above code opens a new gear menu, this will reset the variable
 	};
-};
\ No newline at end of file
+};
diff --git a/SQF/dayz_code/stringtable.xml b/SQF/dayz_code/stringtable.xml
index a48334cb9..82c211e0d 100644
--- a/SQF/dayz_code/stringtable.xml
+++ b/SQF/dayz_code/stringtable.xml
@@ -13092,8 +13092,8 @@
 			<Czech>%1 je omezeno.</Czech>
 		</Key>
 		<Key ID="STR_EPOCH_PLAYER_316">
-			<English>You may only access friends' gear in this area.</English>
-			<German>Du kannst hier nur auf das Inventar von Freunden zugreifen.</German>
+			<English>You may only access friends or group members gear in this area.</English>
+			<German>Du kannst hier nur auf das Inventar von Freunden oder Gruppenmitgliedern zugreifen.</German>
 			<Russian>Вы можете открывать рюкзаки только друзей в этой области.</Russian>
 			<Spanish>Sólo se puede acceder engranaje amigos en esta área.</Spanish>
 			<Dutch>U mag alleen toegang tot versnelling vrienden 'op dit gebied.</Dutch>