Presidents and Personal "Nightstand" Guns

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ReadyontheRight

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Instead of relying only on Secret Service protection...Which Presidents and/or First Ladies do you think kept a handgun or better handy in their White House bedroom at 3am?

Here's my list:

-Ronald & Nancy Reagan (each had their own snub-nosed 6-shooter. He - a S&W M60... She - a Ladysmith. Both stainless. Hopefully well-used)
-Johnson (.357 S&W Highway Patrolman)
-Ike (Colt .45)
-Truman (a shotgun stashed in the closet)
-Eleanor Roosevelt (snub-nosed .38) (MAYBE Franklin D. had a .32 Police Positive)
-Every single President before that.

***Please note - This list has absolutely NOTHING to do with historical fact. It's just my personal thoughts.
 
If you are the President of the United States of America and have to fall back on your nightstand gun, you are in a WORLD OF HURT. That being said a good nightstand gun is an immense psychological sleep aid.
 
Your quote:
If you are the President of the United States of America and have to fall back on your nightstand gun, you are in a WORLD OF HURT. That being said a good nightstand gun is an immense psychological sleep aid.
Click to expand...

My quote: "If you are ***ANYONE!*** and have to fall back on your nightstand gun, you are in a WORLD OF HURT. That being said a good nightstand gun is an immense psychological sleep aid."

You are a very trusting soul. History proves that power is difficult to protect.
 
You are a very trusting soul. History proves that power is difficult to protect.
Click to expand...

If a terrorist happens to get through untold dozens of secret service agents, I can't see Dubya being able to stave him (more like "them") off with a pistol.
 
You are a very trusting soul. History proves that power is difficult to protect.
Click to expand...

Those folks in power who have been killed have usually been killed by either folks who are extremely well prepared, planned, trained etc. or by those folks who don't care about dying for the cause. In either case a personal sidearm is not likely to change the outcome. I am sure Arch Duke Ferdinand probably had a piece handy and JFK was known to be a bit of a gunny himself.

In the off chance somebody breaks into my house they are likely some schmuck who hasn't likely planned and prepared for months to do so just to get to ME. If I am the POTUS then that changes.
 
You are a very trusting soul. History proves that power is difficult to protect.

Those folks in power who have been killed have usually been killed by either folks who are extremely well prepared, planned, trained etc. or by those folks who don't care about dying for the cause. In either case a personal sidearm is not likely to change the outcome. I am sure Arch Duke Ferdinand probably had a piece handy and JFK was known to be a bit of a gunny himself.

In the off chance somebody breaks into my house they are likely some schmuck who hasn't likely planned and prepared for months to do so just to get to ME. If I am the POTUS then that changes.
Click to expand...

You make very good points. But when it all comes down...do you want to have no means of personal defense? What if the Secret Service is compromised? Et tu Brute?

I would prefer to go down swingin'...I'd like a Commander in Chief (and an entire country of Citizens) who thinks the same.
 
Oh no, you get me wrong. Were I POTUS I would most certainly be carrying a rod so to speak, I am just saying that the likelyhood of that weapon being more then just a psychological linus blanket so to speak is pretty small.

I am a gunny and believe in all folks rights to protect themselves with their own weapons and skills be they POTUS or schmucks like me but the fact is if "The jackal" decides to off me then there is likely little I could do about it even if I was POTUS.
 
cslinger - Very good point. I suppose all of us here at THR would be bringing our favorite weapons to the White House when elected.

My question is more of an ideological exercise. I am thinking that I would trust a guy/gal in the White House who understands that the personal security of even the President of the United States could be compromised.

As we always talk about here on THR, it's like telling someone he/she shouldn't have a fire extingusher handy or wear seat belts. It's there for the one time in a billion you NEED it.

An unarmed U.S. President simply does not make any sense to me.

IMHO - A U.S. President should FLAUNT their choice of firearm. Because we are the only bastion of freedom.
 
Bill Clinton: Mauser C96 and a fake black mustache to twirl.
Jimmy Carter: Browning .25 ACP.
George Bush I: M60 7.62mm GPMG
 
I know GWB has Sadaam's Makarov but I doubt he keeps it in his nightstand.

Also I believe I read somewhere that Reagan used a 1911 to defend a woman in Iowa. Though I could be mistaken.

For Ike it would almost have to be a 1911, maybe the officer's model.

I would imagine Nixon, JFK and the original Bush would also be using 1911s also or some kind of S&W 38 revolver.

TR would use a Single Action Army in 44-40.

Jimmy Carter? Pepper spray.
 
You know, GWB was given Sadaams BHP by some soldiers, how great would it be if THAT was his nightstand gun?

Also as for Carter I am sure he would rather just talk it out.
 
A. I wonder if some of the 'leaders' past, present and future would REALLY know how to USE a firearm.

B. YOU mean that they get to pack heat when THEY deny others the same right in the USA? Geesh!

C. They have paid protection of ALL kinds. Isn't that 'special'? Their life is worth more than mere serfs, peons and citizens as some other politicos THINK.

D. I will have to think about who had what when it comes to my opinions in this matter... get back to this thread.

E. I think some of them couldn't and can't walk and chew at the same time worse off THINK or USE a firearm.

F. I think... well never mind.

Catherine
 
Presidents?

They should be restricted to DC rules. IOW, they should only be allowed to pull up their covers and bleat.
 
Dunno About Nixon

Wasn't he a Quaker who absolutely hated guns.

Although I suppose after Dean sang like a canary before Congress, paranoia might have persuaded him to get at least a snubnose .38 :evil:
 
The value of a personal weapon for someone in the President's position is impossible to evaluate. It's probably less important inside the President's quarters in the White House than elsewhere. Still, it can't hurt.


And by the time you're old enough to become the President of the United States, you will presumably have a lifetime of habit already in place. The habit of being armed should be well established and hard to break.
 
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