gbw
Member
To be clear: I do so think. There is no reason or excuse good enough for leaving guns unlocked and unattended (when you're not home). Too many ways, not forseeable, for things to go wrong and end tragically.
I'm done, I'll leave it there.
Handgun Safe for Nighstand
- Thread starter Captains1911
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To be clear: I do so think. There is no reason or excuse good enough for leaving guns unlocked and unattended (when you're not home). Too many ways, not forseeable, for things to go wrong and end tragically.
I'm done, I'll leave it there.
I see it differently. I see two sides - on one hand, having a handgun readily available in any room of the house. On the other, having them locked up. I think I'm better off having them readily available.
I used to keep them locked up unless I was carrying, but then I started thinking about it. What happens if someone breaks in, and I'm not able to get to the bedroom? That could end in tragedy for me, being unable to defend myself. On the other hand, I could purchase a handgun safe for every room of the house, but that will start to ramp up the price, and I'm on a limited budget. I already have a place to lock them up if I feel I need to for company's sake.
I'm not making an excuse. I've thought it through and weighed the benefits. In your case, you determined they need to be locked up. I don't know what your situation is, but I am not at all going to argue with you that locking them up is a good idea. As I said above, I weighed the pros and cons, and I believe there are pros for locking up.
But you should also keep in mind, that some of those unforseeable ways in which things can end tragically involve not getting to the gun in time because it was locked up, as opposed to a tragedy caused by the gun because it wasn't locked up.
I'm reminded of the very long speech by the woman who was complaining about gun control laws to the lawmakers in court, and one of the things was that her gun was secured in her car instead of on her when someone opened fire in a restaraunt, and if she was carrying she could have stopped him instead of fleeing.
I used to keep them locked up unless I was carrying, but then I started thinking about it. What happens if someone breaks in, and I'm not able to get to the bedroom? That could end in tragedy for me, being unable to defend myself. On the other hand, I could purchase a handgun safe for every room of the house, but that will start to ramp up the price, and I'm on a limited budget. I already have a place to lock them up if I feel I need to for company's sake.
I'm not making an excuse. I've thought it through and weighed the benefits. In your case, you determined they need to be locked up. I don't know what your situation is, but I am not at all going to argue with you that locking them up is a good idea. As I said above, I weighed the pros and cons, and I believe there are pros for locking up.
But you should also keep in mind, that some of those unforseeable ways in which things can end tragically involve not getting to the gun in time because it was locked up, as opposed to a tragedy caused by the gun because it wasn't locked up.
I'm reminded of the very long speech by the woman who was complaining about gun control laws to the lawmakers in court, and one of the things was that her gun was secured in her car instead of on her when someone opened fire in a restaraunt, and if she was carrying she could have stopped him instead of fleeing.
If your gun is not on you, it is of little purpose unless your home invader team rings the bell, or otherwise alerts you before crashing through the door or window.
I have several friends who hide guns throughout their homes, but they have not been involved in a home invasion. Having been involved in one you should know that you only have time to draw and fire.
Having guns laying around is not a good idea. If you live alone it is ok, but won't really accomplish your desired result. I leave one gun for my wife when I leave, as she won't carry, so it goes in a spot that is just a shelf hidden by another shelf, "slim" so as not visible. Otherwise they all go in the safe except the one I am carrying. Sometimes I wonder if some of our members are single that have these ideas about leaving weapons all over the house. You are bound to have a mishap unless you just never have people over for dinner or guests who stay for a few days . Having 4 young grandkids,"under 9 yrs old" , doesn't allow for leaving loaded guns around. At bedtime your gun should be in a holster on the side of your bed. That's where it's going to do the most good. Unless you can get your gun in a second or less it's too long. Lock the bedroom door if you have little ones. That way you have 2 doors to enter and your alarm and dog should have woken you up by then. Use the "chime" feature on your alarm system, "they all have it in the last 20 years" so if a window opens you can hear it. I would not consider a safe for my go to gun, it is just one more step to overcome, before being able to defend yourself. Your heart and brain will be running so fast that even the simplest task becomes difficult. Last thing you need is a sticky lock.There is also a foil that we have mentioned before for the windows, I know 3m makes one. It makes it very hard to break them with a bat or pipe. It won't happen with one shot, if you are on the ground floor, you may want to look into it. I have a second gun most times on my person, so at night I have 2 guns available within arms length in the dark. Also a strobe flash with 250 lumens, and a jewelry box with assorted mags for every handgun caliber I may have at my disposal. That's what works for me, your milage may vary.
I have several friends who hide guns throughout their homes, but they have not been involved in a home invasion. Having been involved in one you should know that you only have time to draw and fire.
Having guns laying around is not a good idea. If you live alone it is ok, but won't really accomplish your desired result. I leave one gun for my wife when I leave, as she won't carry, so it goes in a spot that is just a shelf hidden by another shelf, "slim" so as not visible. Otherwise they all go in the safe except the one I am carrying. Sometimes I wonder if some of our members are single that have these ideas about leaving weapons all over the house. You are bound to have a mishap unless you just never have people over for dinner or guests who stay for a few days . Having 4 young grandkids,"under 9 yrs old" , doesn't allow for leaving loaded guns around. At bedtime your gun should be in a holster on the side of your bed. That's where it's going to do the most good. Unless you can get your gun in a second or less it's too long. Lock the bedroom door if you have little ones. That way you have 2 doors to enter and your alarm and dog should have woken you up by then. Use the "chime" feature on your alarm system, "they all have it in the last 20 years" so if a window opens you can hear it. I would not consider a safe for my go to gun, it is just one more step to overcome, before being able to defend yourself. Your heart and brain will be running so fast that even the simplest task becomes difficult. Last thing you need is a sticky lock.There is also a foil that we have mentioned before for the windows, I know 3m makes one. It makes it very hard to break them with a bat or pipe. It won't happen with one shot, if you are on the ground floor, you may want to look into it. I have a second gun most times on my person, so at night I have 2 guns available within arms length in the dark. Also a strobe flash with 250 lumens, and a jewelry box with assorted mags for every handgun caliber I may have at my disposal. That's what works for me, your milage may vary.
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Gym, I do love alone, and rarely have people over, except for a specific friend (who's like my brother) and he knows where everything is. They are hidden, they are in a holster (so it's not like I will accidentally grab the trigger if I go for it).
If someone does break in, I will not be right at the front door. I will have enough time at any point in the condo to grab one. If I locked them all up in the bedroom, then 80% of my waking hours, the front door would be between me and my firearms.
I am not of the mindset that if I cannot resolve the conflict instantly I will give up.
If someone does break in, I will not be right at the front door. I will have enough time at any point in the condo to grab one. If I locked them all up in the bedroom, then 80% of my waking hours, the front door would be between me and my firearms.
I am not of the mindset that if I cannot resolve the conflict instantly I will give up.
That is utter B.S. You have introduced a canard into the mix. The presumption or hypethetical of illegal activity. As long as I am NOT BREAKING THE LAW, there is no reason for law enforcement and/or other branch of government or individual like you telling me what I can do in my own home including how I keep my guns.
gbw
Member
Wrong again. Those were just the easiest acts by which to make the point, and in any case were not excluded in the original sweeping statement.
But that's really not important. An act need not be illegal to be irresponsible, dangerous, or foolish. If enough of us continue to insist on some 'right' to leave guns lying around, which is irresponsible, dangerous, and foolish, it will result in tragedies and it will become illegal.
And now I really am done.
But that's really not important. An act need not be illegal to be irresponsible, dangerous, or foolish. If enough of us continue to insist on some 'right' to leave guns lying around, which is irresponsible, dangerous, and foolish, it will result in tragedies and it will become illegal.
And now I really am done.
The point, gbw, is we think we have the right because we do not agree that it is irresponsible, dangerous, and foolish. I think it is foolish to put all my eggs in one basket; that is - to lock my guns up in the safe I have, so that if I am not near the safe, I do not have them readily available. I also do not have that much funding to spend on a safe for every room in the house, so here's the compromise I have.
FAS1
Member
Wouldn't pocket carry around your home solve that? I always have a P3AT in my pocket even around the house. My kids are grown and gone so I certainly could leave guns in different rooms and I wouldn't have a concern about kids getting them. My concern would be more about a break in when not at home. There's not much a thief won't find. He could care less what he destroys while turning your place upside down.
To get this back on track
to the OP's question,
I just got one of these from Walmart. $50. has a concealed key in case you forget the code or the batteries die, and you can turn the keypad beep on or off. Combo can be set from 3 to 8 numbers. According to the instructions, with normal use, the batteries should last a year. I can always use lithium for longer life, if I want. It has a low batt indecator.
Not sure if I'll mount it in the drawer in the closet or by the nightstand (ill have to put drawer slide extensions on the drawer because it does not open enough), but in either case, it will not only be secured to the drawer, but because the drawer bottoms are pretty flimsy, i'm going to get a bit of coated cable from the hardware store, and fasten it to the wall with that.
Keeping my 3 year old out is more of a concern than theft for me.
One thing to note is the depth. The lid will close with my 9mm, but not with the 9 in it's cheap redhead holster due to the added thickness of the clip.
This safe will also not auto lock, you have to turn the knob. I think this is standard for something that is not a true "safe".
I too looked at the Gunvault, and the thing I didn't like about the ones I've seen, is that they front load instead of top load. If it is in a drawer, it seems the angle to grab inside the safe would be akward.
Just my 2c, take it for what it's worth.
PS. I applaud you for doing the responsible thing and securing your firearm with children around.
to the OP's question,
I just got one of these from Walmart. $50. has a concealed key in case you forget the code or the batteries die, and you can turn the keypad beep on or off. Combo can be set from 3 to 8 numbers. According to the instructions, with normal use, the batteries should last a year. I can always use lithium for longer life, if I want. It has a low batt indecator.
Not sure if I'll mount it in the drawer in the closet or by the nightstand (ill have to put drawer slide extensions on the drawer because it does not open enough), but in either case, it will not only be secured to the drawer, but because the drawer bottoms are pretty flimsy, i'm going to get a bit of coated cable from the hardware store, and fasten it to the wall with that.
Keeping my 3 year old out is more of a concern than theft for me.
One thing to note is the depth. The lid will close with my 9mm, but not with the 9 in it's cheap redhead holster due to the added thickness of the clip.
This safe will also not auto lock, you have to turn the knob. I think this is standard for something that is not a true "safe".
I too looked at the Gunvault, and the thing I didn't like about the ones I've seen, is that they front load instead of top load. If it is in a drawer, it seems the angle to grab inside the safe would be akward.
Just my 2c, take it for what it's worth.
PS. I applaud you for doing the responsible thing and securing your firearm with children around.
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@ Post 13
"Alternate solution:
$60 safe, about the size of a microwave, at Harbor Freight. Holds guns and other stuff, including the bolts out of rifles you keep in the closet."
I actually bought that one from Harbor freight, but returned it when I got it home and realized it wouldn't fit in the drawer. It's huge.
It also had a loud ratchet mechanism designed to hold the lid open, that I didn't like.
"Alternate solution:
$60 safe, about the size of a microwave, at Harbor Freight. Holds guns and other stuff, including the bolts out of rifles you keep in the closet."
I actually bought that one from Harbor freight, but returned it when I got it home and realized it wouldn't fit in the drawer. It's huge.
It also had a loud ratchet mechanism designed to hold the lid open, that I didn't like.
I could pocket carry, FAS1, but I prefer not to have anything in my pockets while I'm at home.
Like I said, if I'm not home and a thief finds them...oh well. He could find it if it was in a safe, and most handgun safes are easy to take with them. If he wants a gun, he'll get a gun, whether or not he steals mine.
If I'm home, I know where they are, he doesn't. I can get to them a lot quicker than he can find them. They aren't out in the open.
Like I said, if I'm not home and a thief finds them...oh well. He could find it if it was in a safe, and most handgun safes are easy to take with them. If he wants a gun, he'll get a gun, whether or not he steals mine.
If I'm home, I know where they are, he doesn't. I can get to them a lot quicker than he can find them. They aren't out in the open.
weblance
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2011
- Messages
- 912
I have the same as thefish in post #60. I got it from Amazon.com for $38. Its well made and will keep the kids out. Its not a gun safe. It wont stop a thief. It will slow down a child or teen. They are not easily pried open. They DO need to be bolted down to something large. They are best opened at night before bedtime, and closed first thing in the morning. Its the best, reasonally priced solution I could find, and for $40, may save someones life.
http://www.amazon.com/Stack-On-PDS-...IU4W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337216779&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Stack-On-PDS-...IU4W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337216779&sr=8-1
I keep mine unlocked at night also. My wife's sp101 and my Service Six.
I picked up this Winchester safe at Walmart for $48 and bolted it to the dresser (five foot dresser 1/16" metal plate underneath). The bolts underneath will not loosen without holding the bolt in the safe. They will have a hard time getting this safe out the door. I keep the guns loaded along with a speed loader. The reason for the safe was not my kids, but when the neighbor kids come over to visit. Quick access with 3 to 8 digit combo, and a key if you forget your combination. I would recommend this product to anybody that has a lot of curious kids around.
Keep this on track folks. This is a discussion on what brand of lock-box or small safe are good and hard to pick or break into, and how some are less robust or downright defective designs. Some containers are good but the locks are junk, hoping you don't notice or do research. Research is the key in this important purchase.
This video shows a locksmith/security tester detailing some small lock-boxes, slightly NSFW since he does some casual swearing at a casual security conference. Still good info.
http://vimeo.com/31177302
This is not a discussion of whether you need a safe or not. If kids are visiting or moving in, you need something to lock up guns until they are old enough to learn firearm safety. It's also handy to delay burglars and increase the chance they get caught and arrested, or better make them look elsewhere and stop robbing you.
Argue semantics or flaws in logic in another thread or forum, please.
This video shows a locksmith/security tester detailing some small lock-boxes, slightly NSFW since he does some casual swearing at a casual security conference. Still good info.
http://vimeo.com/31177302
This is not a discussion of whether you need a safe or not. If kids are visiting or moving in, you need something to lock up guns until they are old enough to learn firearm safety. It's also handy to delay burglars and increase the chance they get caught and arrested, or better make them look elsewhere and stop robbing you.
Argue semantics or flaws in logic in another thread or forum, please.
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Give a look, it's self explanitory.
http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/Mass...utm_campaign=Feed:+MassadAyoob+(Massad+Ayoob)
http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/Mass...utm_campaign=Feed:+MassadAyoob+(Massad+Ayoob)
LeonCarr
Member
I have a V-Line just like the one in Post #23, and actually have it inside the top drawer of the nightstand. Works great.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
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