Bedside Guns and anxiety

[coloradokevin]

Part of my job in the past was to screen patients admitted to the ER under a psych order for assessment. It was my job to determine if they went free, to the hospital, or to jail. That was in Kansas and I am now retired. A colleague of mine had the same job in Arkansas. On more than one occasion the patient and the family got really angry because I recommended jail instead of the hospital. Sometimes they threatened me. My colleague "Joe" in Arkansas had the same experience. As a result of one particularly nasty threat from a meth addict, Joe started keeping his Browning A 5 next to his bed. But, after a few days he discontinued the practice__said it made him too paranoid. Personally I feel more relaxed knowing I have a gun handy if I need it. I've kept a firearm handy for many years and I feel a bit naked when I'm forced to leave my gun home when I travel. I don't think I'm any more "paranoid" then I've ever been. I live a trust-but-verify life. Here's my question. What is your psychological reaction to having a gun under the bed? In your night stand? In the corner? Do you remember when you first started this practice?

I've been carrying a gun for so long (personally and professionally) that I almost feel naked without it. That's not to say that I'm dependent on the gun, or that I'm scared of unnatural threats in our society, or that I'm paranoid. Rather, it has become such standard equipment for me that it simply feels like something is missing when it isn't there... kind of like how you feel odd if you forget your cell phone, or don't carry car keys that you typically carry, or things like that.

I grew up around guns, and have had guns of my own since childhood. I can't recall when I first started keeping a gun at the ready in my house, but if the practice wasn't routine when I went into law enforcement, it certainly became that way fairly quickly for me (there are too many crazy people who could go after me outside of work). Nevertheless, I don't think I've had a "gun free" day in the past 13 years. I bring a gun when I travel, I wear a gun when I work, and when I'm off duty I'm either wearing my CCW gun, or it's on my nightstand.

On the psychology side of things, I think that it's often true that people who didn't grow up around guns seem to attach more emotions to their presence than those of us who see guns as rather commonplace. For me, very little thought goes into the act of carrying a gun. I don't mean to say that I haven't trained, practiced, psychologically prepared, or anything like that. Rather, I mean to say that the act of physically carrying a gun is one that comes naturally to me, without any emotion attached to it. I give it as much minute to minute thought as I do to the shoes I'm wearing, my wristwatch, or my sunglasses. Conversely, people who aren't "gun people" tend only to carry and acquire guns when they perceive some imminent threat to their safety (as your colleague Joe seems to have above). These folks generally only have a gun because they're worried about some real or perceived set of circumstances playing out in the very near future. As such, it isn't a huge leap for them to begin to feel paranoid about having the gun when nothing actually ends up happening.

I see no paranoia involved in keeping a gun around. Then again, I'm also prepared for things that many folks aren't. I road trip to remote areas quite a bit on my own time, and I keep extra food, water, clothing, and stove fuel in my truck, along with a good selection of tools that could come in handy during a breakdown. Like carrying a gun, some people see that as paranoid.

 

[Sulaco]

I don't overthink it. I keep a gun around for protection. It doesn't cause me anxiety.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I got my first BB gun for Christmas when I was five. Best day ever, don't tell my wife.
I carry a gun always and there are usually three by the bed, an AR, a handgun and a 22 of 17 rim fire.
That probably sounds extreme to many people. It has nothing to do with paranoia or anxiety. It's just being prepared.
The rim fire is a tool for dealing with the possum, coon, etc that my little dogs tree in the yard at night.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

What is your psychological reaction to having a gun under the bed? In your night stand? In the corner? Do you remember when you first started this practice?

I first started keeping a gun next to the bed the day I brought home my first gun.

As far as psychological effect goes, I'm not sure I understand the question. To me it's in the nights stand with all the other things I might need while I'm in bed.............. ear plugs, melatonin, condoms, phone charging cable, cell phone............... Having a gun on hand does not invite violence, it's merely a way to end it.

 

[Demi-human]

Condoms! Hahahaha! I remember those! In the before times...before I got married, had children, then got divorced. As a single Dad of two, I can nearly guarantee I'll never get to use those ever again. Unless it's to make a red Solo cup slingshot. Single Dad might just as well rhyme with Plague.

I may well be more likely to use a firearm in defense of the house from Ninjas.

 

[Pepa]

Seems sensible to keep tools where you will need them. Knives in a block on the kitchen counter, TP in the bathroom, towels near the shower. When you need a tool, it's handy to have it close at hand.

 

[9MMare]

I first started keeping a gun next to the bed the day I brought home my first gun.

As far as psychological effect goes, I'm not sure I understand the question. To me it's in the nights stand with all the other things I might need while I'm in bed.............. ear plugs, melatonin, condoms, phone charging cable, cell phone............... Having a gun on hand does not invite violence, it's merely a way to end it.

^^^ This

 

[MTMilitiaman]

I was about eleven or twelve when I was introduced to my first centerfire rifle, a Ruger Mini-14. After passing the requisite hunter's education program, I started sleeping with that rifle at the foot of my bed. I kept it with an empty chamber and a five round magazine loaded with the same 55 gr JSPs I had for deer hunting (MT has no minimum caliber restriction). Couple decades later and I am so used to having at least my Glock 20 within arm's reach I truly feel naked.

 

[1MoreFord]

I must admit I haven't read this thread beyond the OP's post. I keep a bedside pistol and two more around the house and I don't feel paranoid and I don't even have a job with hostile people involved. I'd like to have an easy entry safe with loaded guns inside just for backup.

 

[Sniper66]

My original post has drawn some really thoughtful responses and has reminded me of other experiences. I recently answered an ad in a local ad flyer. Called the guy and asked about some guns he listed. After our phone conversation he invited me to his home to view them. It was clear that the questions he asked were prescreening. When I knocked on his door, he asked me to identify myself before entering. Once I identified myself, he invited me to come in. He was a big man, some overweight, but not obese, and wore a full beard and silver hair, a bit like Santa Clause. He was seated in a large and fairly typical leather recliner. But, mounted on the side of his recliner was a holster with a Colt 44 magnum revolver__"Not for sale", he said. He was an interesting character and I spent over an hour talking to him and bought a couple of nice guns.

 

[Rockrivr1]

As to the bedside, I feel more comfortable with easy access to a firearm in the event something happens. I don't live in a particularly dangerous area and the biggest issues for our local LEs is drunk drivers from the town's only bar. But, bad things happen everywhere so the gun is there as well as a good flashlight and cell phone just in case bad guy cuts the line before entering.

As to going to someone's home to buy a gun, I'm not overly fond of that but have done it. Made sure the wife knew where I was going in case I "disappeared". Have always felt better if a face to face transfer was done in a public place. Less likely to have any issue that way.