Do you carry while at home

[WheelGunMan]

Absolutely...I always carry while in street clothes. When I change into lounging attire I have a firearm within an arms reach at all times.

We live on a main road in a remote rural location. I've had a couple of incidents where strangers have come to our door with unusual or suspicious requests. I think it's only going to get weirder in the coming months. I prefer to be vigilant and prepared.

 

[Ignition Override]

WheelGunMan:

A friend in a rural area, maybe 30 miles east of Memphis (about 300 yards from Hwy 72) heard a clear knock on his door:
>> about 3:00 AM <<. Only one house is close to his (80' ?), but yards are separated by a high wooden fence. A few other homes (three) are 200 and 400 yards away.

Ralph is middle-aged and left Germany when he was about 22 years old. Despite having eight guns, including two handguns, he was quite Unprepared for anybody, but wisely let the stranger speak only through the Closed door.

Being unprepared while sleeping, my friend didn't have any visible Or concealed gun when he went to the back door.
The strange visitor with blood-shot eyes said that he could use some gas money, had his wife and child at the station about a half mile away (station closed). My friend didn't have any loose change and the guy left.

When my friend asked me what I would have done, my response was that--having no idea Who was at the door (could be a Deputy....), I would calmly hold a concealed handgun in a hand kept behind me, and tell any Non-LEO civilian stranger that I was armed and would not open the door.
Nobody there expects anything like this. Really weird.

 

[Ignition Override]

For rural people, look up the frightening close-call in Vermont where a NY LEO was renting a cabin with his small son.

Late at night, a young guy knocked on the door and said "There has been an accident". Wanted to come in and use his phone. The LEO displayed his gun: either in a holster, or in his hand, and offered to make a phone call.
Having obviously seen the handgun, the young stranger immed. decided to leave without another word. No more knocks on the door--not a sound from the quiet, very isolated rural area.

The next day, the father/LEO finally went outside and looked around. He found two freshly-dug graves which had been dug the previous night for him and his little boy.
His sixth sense about that stranger at the door gave him a feeling that something had been really wrong. The father's comment to the media was very calm, and said something like "Somebody had to protect that little boy".

* Somebody here has seen this story. Having seen it on tv, it gave me the creeps like not many others.

 

[bullseye308]

If I’m dressed I’m carrying. If I’m not dressed, one is within reach at all times except in the bathroom.

 

[JohnKSa]

It's very rare that I don't have a _____ on me.

Fill in the blank with any of the following.
Mini Swiss Army knife
Lockblade knife.
Flashlight
Keys
$20 bill
Magnifying glass
Small pocket screwdriver set
Gun

 

[Meeks36]

Ive bought 5 holsters in the last month for my wife and I and she is on board now too. She works at home and our kid is remote learning for the foreseeable future

We live in the country and dont expect a quick reaction from law enforcement for that reason (we understand their limitations and have all the respect in the world for those that choose that line of work).

How many of you have a firearm on your person watching TV, walking the dog, taking out the trash or answering the door etc?

Quick reaction? I got into aa wreck in the city (atlanta) called 911 was in hold for a few minutes until a officer rode by. And 911 called me back 20 minutes later. So dont except much. Could be different in other areas States. Oh and yes I carry at home. Usually my ruger LCP ll. And a can of pepper spray.

 

[Rexster]

I replied to the poll question with a “Yes,” as that has generally been the case, for a number of years

The narrative, in the original pot, however, is more complicated. “Walking the dog,” or more often, dogs, is not done only “at” home, so that is a different kettle of fish than carry “at home.” That falls onto “street” carry procedures, as even a short walk usually goes to the ends of the block, and we live on a residential street that also connects several neighborhoods, as it crosses under a nearby controlled-access highway.

I have only “watched” computers or iPads for so long, I did not not know that folks still watched TV. If at my “workstation” in one of the rooms, I have a shotgun near at hand, so might might, or might not, wear a handgun actually on my person. In the recliner, in another room, where I spend much time, with an iPad, I have a shotgun so close that I am almost touching it, so, I may not actually wear a handgun, but have the handgun nearby.

I consider “answering the door” to be a particularly high-risk activity.

Mas Ayoob wrote a magazine article that specifically cited examples of good folks who were attacked and/or injured, while taking out the trash.

 

[jamesgs4]

of course. 100% of home invasions happen at home

 

[Blue Brick]

Its very had explain or justify why I need a firearm while shoveling horse biscuits. That being said, one is always close. Same can be said for a cell phone.

 

[JR24]

Pants on, gun, spare mags and knife are on. I like routine, that way I never forget (this applies to most of my life, I'm a creature of routine).

I will occasionally lase around in the AM in sweatpants or in the evening if I have an adult beverage or two. Then I have a gun in the kitchen safe that's 5-7 seconds from my armchair (I've timed it) and I'm sure my two dogs can give me that. The collie barks at anything that looks at my property and the young mutt seems to have some Dane in him at the rate he's going. 7 months and almost 70 pounds so far.

 

[FFGColorado]

I get dressed, put either the G48 or G42(depends on clothes) on..keep it there till I get undressed at night. Have the grand daughters over quite a bit..7yo and 9yo. Safest to have the gun on me.

 

[Pat Riot]

The survey said “Do you carry at home?”, not do you answer the door armed or arm yourself in strange out of the ordinary situations.

 

[FL-NC]

I have enough surprises secreted through the house I don't need one on my body.

 

[CDW4ME]

of course. 100% of home invasions happen at home

Beat me to it ^

Yes, and I live in a "good area" where I perceive it extremely unlikely that a handgun will be needed.
However, the same could be said for when I go to a restaurant or store, I don't expect that I'll need a gun there either.
Problem is "bad" people are mobile, not completely nocturnal, and may show up at the store, restaurant, or house.
So the pistol that would be carried in an area where "bad" people are perceived to be, is also carried at the store, restaurant and house.
For example, if I want a lightweight "commander" 1911 in area ____ then that is carried everywhere, restaurant, store, home. Consistent.

 

[AK103K]

The whole point of carrying a gun, is to carry a gun. If and when youre going to need it isnt really up to you.

Once you understand its really no different than anything else you carry with you all day, every day, it just ends up being one of those things you carry with you, and you dont give it much thought.

Personally, Ive never understood hiding guns all over the house. Unless you have some advance warning, youre really not going to have any time to go look for one. If and when you need it "now", youre SOL.

Not to mention, there is the safety issue of loaded guns scattered all over the house, just waiting for kids, buglars, etc. Not real hot on the idea of coming home to someone there with bad intentions that I just armed.

 

[FROGO207]

Most generally yes. At minimum pocket carry a P3AT as well as many other firearms as needed. I generally have several firearms often within arms reach in the house as well. locally the LEO usually take in excess of 20 minutes to arrive so we are basically on our own.

 

[Palladan44]

I dont want to hijack the thread, but I have 3 small children. They crawl all over me all day and night playing, sleeping, wrestling, etc....The whole point of self defense is to mitigate hazards as much as possible...
Wearing a gun if youre in constant physical contact with people, like your family, a gun could be more hazardous to the ones around you than a possible home invasion. Its all in the mindset of the self defender. Could it be done safely, yes. But I personally choose its not worth it. Getting pre occupied with so many other things gets distracting, and personally when i am armed outside of the home all of the time, i am typically less distracted. Never do i "put it on and forget its even there"
It is on the individual to weigh these risks intelligently. My concern is to make sure none of my small children can access a firearm no matter what, that is the threat I focus on at this point, at all costs, period. My children are the biggest threat, to themselves, and to best keep us safe the firearms stay locked up.
Now, prior to these Rugrats, it was a different story.
When they grow up and i teach them the ways of gun safety, shooting, etc, then my decisions will change over time.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Yup

 

[stonebuster]

Walking the dog especially at night I carry mostly because of a big black bear that frequents our back yard. Inside I've got a nightstand gun. Personally, if I felt I needed to carry in my house 24/7 I'd move.

 

[Kleanbore]

Do some searching.