Dedicated home defense gun(s).

[denton]

The last time I got sprayed (training) I put the guy who did it on the ground and handcuffed him. OC isn't the Hammer of Thor that people think it is

Well.......dang! Having never sprayed or been sprayed, I have to bow to your experience.

Or maybe you're just awfully tough??

 

[D.B. Cooper]

The last time I got sprayed (training) I put the guy who did it on the ground and handcuffed him. OC isn't the Hammer of Thor that people think it is

I think some of that might be training-to learn and be confident that you can still operate, albeit at diminished capacity, after a chemical attack. (or so said my drill sergeant in 94). So perhaps you might be able to power through in a pinch, but they may not apply to everyone.

 

[BSA1]

Remember many criminals are graduates of State Pen. Many graduate several times. So they are familiar and may have actual first hand experience with Pepper Mace.

The worst feeling in the world is when 6’ 4” angry felon rock hard from working out in the weight pit everyday takes a deep breath after being hit directly in face with Pepper Mace and says “Now I am really pissed.”

That is the moment that you realize solving this situation is going to hurt. Been there, done that.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I think some of that might be training-to learn and be confident that you can still operate, albeit at diminished capacity, after a chemical attack. (or so said my drill sergeant in 94). So perhaps you might be able to power through in a pinch, but they may not apply to everyone.

They sprayed me with a can of Sabre red it was the same stuff that I carry on my belt

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Well.......dang! Having never sprayed or been sprayed, I have to bow to your experience.

Or maybe you're just awfully tough??

If you're going to use spray I highly recommend that you take a class so that you have an idea of what its limitations are. The language in this video is a little salty (They're Marines I guess that's to be expected) but please note after this woman is exposed it takes a full minute for the spray to take any effect at all.

 

[BigBore44]

Catahoulas are pretty good dogs I hear. I have a lab that does the same thing, although he's getting pretty old. Girlfriend has already ruled out a German Shepard, my personal favorite breed-I've had two in my lifetime, as a replacement.

That is a shame. My best friend (also an officer) has had German Shepard’s for many years. By far his favorite breed. This is Moses. A true German. Just over a year old and 105lbs. Dogs can serve many roles. They don’t just have to be “security”.

 

[herrwalther]

In regards to pepper spray, I have been certified live hit with Sabre, First Defense .4, and Freeze. While they all sucked to get certified with, some more than others, they did not take away my function completely. At best, pepper spray is a distraction to get away, get to/employ another non lethal weapon, or go to a lethal force option. One should NEVER expect pepper spray to drop someone on the ground for 2 or 3 hours. It does not happen. With that in mind, I carry a can of Freeze (the worst of the sprays I have been trained in) in my pants pocket. Pepper spray is not the best option, just an option. As someone else has mentioned, pepper spray has no winners. Whether you are on the pointing or receiving end, you will get some. In order to reduce this (especially indoors) I recommend getting a gel based pepper spray.

In regards to HD firearms, a 380 in a pocket beats a 12ga anywhere you can't get to.

 

[JR24]

I think if I carried inside our home, I would be single and looking for a new place to live in very short order. That would be seen as evidence that I had gone over the edge or off the deep end.

My wife would be more concerned about the deep end if I started stashing shotguns around the house. It's pretty easy to routinely belt my gun on in the morning and leave it till bed. It's always handy and never unattended.

If I feel the need to carry inside my house, I would move shortly.

Couple summers back there were two daylight armed home invasions less than twenty miles from my rural home. Meth heads don't only hang out in terrible places, sometimes they rob nice rural homes. My wife called me when the news got out to make sure I was carrying (I was home with our infant), which I was since it was a day that ends in "y"

 

[Thomas Mayberry]

I'll chime in on the use of pepper sray. It's good stuff, much better than the old CS/CN mace I was first issued but.....

By a conservative count I've pepper sprayed 70-80 resistant/fighting people. In my experience it was about 80% effective. By effective they either ceased fighting or their ability to fight effectively was reduced. The other 20% required old school methods to subdue them. The OC affected them later after the fight was over.

 

[Armored farmer]

I like the "safe room" approach.
Hardened door and deadbolt on the bedroom.
Under bed safe with shotgun of choice. Flashlight. Pistol.
That is my present set-up. Except I have two ARs and a pistol in mine.

 

[Browning]

true, which is why most often a home invasion is because the owner was a drug dealer, or someone was flashing around their bling. As far as rape, a woman (or man) can have a stalker which may become dangerous. Home invasions being randomly selected are rare.

Statistics to support this?

 

[Deanimator]

True. But I'm not going to wear a gun around my home 24/7.

You're choice, but you're looking at the cost of a decent holster versus that of additional guns plus multiple means of secure quick access storage (or the risk of theft).

I'd rather carry an LCR than face the choice of fist fighting a possibly armed opponent to get to a gun or trying to outrun him to get to another.

 

[Deanimator]

That's innovative.
My FIL used to, and probably still does keep his revolver on the top of a grandfather clock... it's not in sight because of the decorative molding on the top of the clock. He's 84 now.

I used to know a guy who kept a loaded S&W Model 76 on top of a bookcase.

 

[Deanimator]

true, which is why most often a home invasion is because the owner was a drug dealer, or someone was flashing around their bling. As far as rape, a woman (or man) can have a stalker which may become dangerous. Home invasions being randomly selected are rare.

I'm sure that doctor in Cheshire, Connecticut thought the same thing... until a couple of animals broke in, beat him half to death, and raped his wife and two daughters then burned them to death. He was neither a drug dealer nor did he live in the "hood".

I live in a "safe" town, but Cleveland is at most twenty minutes away on foot and our anti-criminal force field is on the fritz...

 

[D.B. Cooper]

You're choice, but you're looking at the cost of a decent holster versus that of additional guns plus multiple means of secure quick access storage (or the risk of theft).

I also have to look at the cost of a ruined relationship.

Odds of a home invasion: IDK but pretty small. Odds of a separation over being armed in the house at all times: almost 100%

 

[Deanimator]

I also have to look at the cost of a ruined relationship.

Odds of a home invasion: IDK but pretty small. Odds of a separation over being armed in the house at all times: almost 100%

If you think the odds are that low, I'm not sure I get the need for staging guns around the house.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I also have to look at the cost of a ruined relationship.

Odds of a home invasion: IDK but pretty small. Odds of a separation over being armed in the house at all times: almost 100%

And again I have to ask, the same person who will leave you because you have a Glock43 in you pocket is going to be OK with you stashing shotguns around your home?

 

[BigBore44]

I also have to look at the cost of a ruined relationship.

Odds of a home invasion: IDK but pretty small. Odds of a separation over being armed in the house at all times: almost 100%

Not trying to be a jerk. But does she have a smart phone? If she’s like most people (myself included) they almost panic when they can’t find their phone and keep it in arms reach at all times.

In the scenario of a home invasion, phones are very useful tools. But usually after the fact. The firearms is much more important during than after. So, assuming she is a smartphone user, I’m not sure her logic is very sound. Your firearm will (help) keep you safe. Her Facebook status and ability to like a funny post, wont. It would seem logical that she would want her life to be protected more than she wants her phone.

I don’t always carry at home. But if I take my gun off my belt, it sits on the nearest table. So what exactly is her aversion to being protected? And more importantly, what is your aversion to taking a stance to defend not just your girlfriend, but yourself as well? If my girlfriend told me I absolutely couldn’t, I wouldn’t have that girlfriend. Now I’m not saying if she doesn’t want you to be armed to dump her. You’re probably quite invested in this relationship. And I’m sure we aren’t getting the whole story. And you wouldn’t listen to me anyways if I did tell you too. No-one would. So far we've read that she won’t let you own your favorite breed of dog (a near perfect guard dog) and she will leave you if you carry a firearm in your own home. How invested in YOUR happiness and HER protection is she? Maybe you should have a serious conversation with her.

The likelihood hood of a home invasion, burglary, or rape is statistically is very small.....until it isn’t.

 

[denton]

If you're going to use spray I highly recommend that you take a class so that you have an idea of what its limitations are. The language in this video is a little salty (They're Marines I guess that's to be expected) but please note after this woman is exposed it takes a full minute for the spray to take any effect at all.

Very informative video. Thanks.

My daughter was so opposed to firearms in the home that my SIL almost couldn't have his hunting rifles in the house. Then one night she looked out her bedroom window to see a group of thieves trying to get in the back door. SIL headed to the younger kids' bedroom, and she ran down the stairs to their teenage daughter's room. About halfway down the stairs, she realized that if they got in, she had no defense. Next morning, she demanded and got my wife's extra 38 on loan. She now has her own 38 and is happy to have it on hand. You might say that she got in touch with her inner Klingon warrior.

They live in a very safe neighborhood. The would-be thieves were druggies, looking for fix money. The po-po did their job and nabbed them in the end. Bad things do happen in nice neighborhoods.

 

[Deanimator]

In the absence of a defensive firearm, a phone with a camera allows you to livestream your own murder...

 

[D.B. Cooper]

If you think the odds are that low, I'm not sure I get the need for staging guns around the house.

As I've said earlier, while deliberately remaining vague on the internet, my newfound concern(s) about home defense and CCW are motivated by certain events in my life.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

And again I have to ask, the same person who will leave you because you have a Glock43 in you pocket is going to be OK with you stashing shotguns around your home?

Actually, probably not. She's never been concerned about my having/using guns for hunting/fishing/camping and range/competition. I routinely come home from the range, leave my range box and gun in the dining room for several days until the next trip to the range. Guns in and around the house have never been an issue.

Guns on my person at all time are, at least emotionally, a completely different scenario. But I think we need to leave this alone now. I'm not wearing a gun 24/7 inside my home. End of the discussion.

 

[Browning]

As I've said earlier, while deliberately remaining vague on the internet, my newfound concern(s) about home defense and CCW are motivated by certain events in my life.

To me that sounds like your odds of having something happen just went up.

But I think we need to leave this alone now. I'm not wearing a gun 24/7 inside my home. End of the discussion.

I don’t sleep while having one in my pocket (that eliminates roughly 8 hours), but okay. Don’t. :Shrug

 

[Deanimator]

Actually, probably not. She's never been concerned about my having/using guns for hunting/fishing/camping and range/competition. I routinely come home from the range, leave my range box and gun in the dining room for several days until the next trip to the range. Guns in and around the house have never been an issue.

Guns on my person at all time are, at least emotionally, a completely different scenario. But I think we need to leave this alone now. I'm not wearing a gun 24/7 inside my home. End of the discussion.

If you're counting on being able to get to a gun not on your body, you'd BETTER harden ALL potential points of entry. Remember, the killers in Cheshire got in through a basement window.

 

[RedlegRick]

I'm siding with the OP here, it's not always practical or necessary to be packing around the house. I know I don't, I just keep mine handy enough should the troubles try to come through my door. Even though there are no kids here, I always keep mine at a safe level just in case I have a visitor with one (very rare).
Home defense should always begin from the outside in, not the other way around, in my opinion.