Why Carry A Holstered Gun At Home?

[1911Tuner]

Just last week, we had a double homicide over in Winston-Salem. Two miscreants...a BF/GF team...entered an old man's home while he waited for his lunch from the Meals on Wheels volunteers.

The volunteers...an older Husband/Wife team...walked in on the robbery and assault in progress.

The old gentleman was already dead or dying from blunt force head trauma. The man-child and apparent brains of the invasion team shot both of them...killing her and badly wounding her husband. They had a 4 week-old baby in the car, and ran into Virginia where they staged a standoff with police for several hours...with the baby still on board.

This happened in a "nicer" section of Winston...in broad daylight...and the house was within 30 feet of a business thoroughfare.

Home isn't the safe haven that it appears to be. Yes. I carry at home.

 

[Feanaro]

You'll find out when you think you need it and it ain't there. At least, I hope you only think you need it.

 

[Rumble]

Frankly, I don't feel the least bit worried in my home. The prosaic reality is that it's usually easier than disarming and then putting it back on when I go out again. And, what's more, if I do need it - it's there.

 

[AStone]

Home isn't the safe haven that it appears to be. Yes. I carry at home.

Bears repeating.

Read it over and over again until you get it.

This ain't the 1960's when unlocked doors were the "friendly neighborhood" way of doing things.
"Home" is no longer safe. Those who lived in medieval castles understood that the castle had to be defended.
We have become complacent about that "defense" thing, thinking that all is well.

This is a time of mortgage crisis, increasing unemployment, dwindling oil, cultural melt down, and other dissolution.

To those of you in the heartland who scoff at what's happening on the coasts: don't get smug.
Smug is what the miscreants want you to be so that they can get into your home more easily.

How close is your handgun?

 

[riceboy72]

I agree with all of the other answers, but would like to add that carrying at home builds confidence in the gear you will carry on the street. For example, I have a new holster for my Kimber and I am breaking it in at home where I can adjust it with out everyone knowing I am carrying.

Very valid point, shooter45.

I have, over the past year and a half, started carrying inside my residence as a part of my daily routine (although I've carried concealed for just over fourteen years now). For me, it's part of being prepared for whatever may come my way. Because I'm in my residence behind a locked door doesn't guarantee I'm safe and harm won't find its way to me. Granted, carrying at home doesn't guarantee that either, but it gives me the better hand should malice happen to make an unplanned visit one day.

Last fall, I got a phone call as I was getting ready for work from a close friend who's a Deputy. She said the bank two blocks east of me was robbed at gunpoint, and the suspect had run off to the west. My neighborhood is the first one in line with the bank, so every possibility of him coming through the area existed. I live in the second most populated and crime affected counties in Washington, and I know about the bad things that happen daily because of what I do. It's not fun to think about and it's sad that it's gone the way that it has, but it is what it is.

On a closing note, I spent some time at my dad's house tonight. He's in his mid 60's and I've convinced him to carry his pocket pistol and his Surefire with him at night when he takes his dogs out. This is the same house I grew up in, but it's a different world and I'm glad to see he's willing to take that step to make sure he and my mom stay safe. While I don't think I can get him to carry around the house, I at least have him carrying while he's outside - something I'd never even thought about growing up in my community. Times have changed; so must I.

 

[cambeul41]

Do you feel unsafe at home?

Not at all. I even sleep there.

I have greatly enjoyed all of the excellent answers that have been given

 

[1911Tuner]

I guess the main issue is that recently...many home invaders have switched strategies and tactics...from relying on stealth to obtain their objectives to using terror to force compliance. They enter with full knowledge that the occupants are at home...or kick in the door, as required.

So, the old image of the quintessential cat burglar with a Lone Ranger mask, flashlight, and loot bag has pretty much given over to storming the gates in a lightning strike assault...very often with violence, injury and death as a result of the feeding frenzy.

Some will catch a resident involved in yardwork, and approach on some pretense of car trouble or for directions...force them inside...and have at them hidden from public view.

Yes. It's a much, much different world. We accommodate, or we risk losing badly.

 

[Fred Fuller]

I carry concealed at home because I have not yet learned how to schedule my emergencies. I may be working anywhere on our several acres of rural property, I may be five minutes by car away in the small town nearby. I might encounter a rabid animal, in fact that's probably more likely than having trouble with a human varmint. There's no telling what might happen out here, or where or when.

It's just easier for me to carry from pants on to pants off. YMMV of course, in that event I hope time does not prove you wrong.

lpl/nc

 

[csmkersh]

I carry concealed at home because I have not yet learned how to schedule my emergencies.

Too true.
​

 

[TallPine]

The closest I have ever come to pulling a gun on another human being was while I was standing in my dining room. My daughter had opened the door ( we had a talk about that later!) and the no-good-nik refused to leave and was standing there demanding that I go help him get a pickup out of a snowdrift off of a property that he had no right to be on.

They finally left, but that was not the last time that some suspicious folks have showed up around here. They all have the same story - "just got out of the service" (even though their hair is down on their shoulders) and they are always begging for gas to get back to town after they can't get anything else out of you.

The last time somebody showed up unexpected late in the evening, I met them with a rifle in my hands. That sort of intimidated the guy which was just as well. So when I say a carry a holstered sidearm because a rifle is too hard to carry around all the time, I am not completely joking

 

[1911Tuner]

TallPine...I, too have had people appear on my property out of nowhere with that little somethin' that I couldn't quite put my finger on that raised my hackles. The presence of the pistol under my shirttail was a comfort, and I think in a couple of instances...my calm demeanor and straightforward, watchful response very likely gave them reason to reconsider whatever it was they had in mind.

 

[REB]

For me it's simple, when I get up in the morning I put my gun on. when I go to bed I take it off. That way in the unlikely event I need it I have it at hand.

 

[TallPine]

TallPine...I, too have had people appear on my property out of nowhere with that little somethin' that I couldn't quite put my finger on that raised my hackles.

Well, when they come around looking for so-and-so my former neighbor - there is more than a little something to put my finger on

Last time, the locked gate probably saved the new owner from getting his house ransacked, but they came to my house to ask about it.

 

[mljdeckard]

I carry at home because I see repeated donning and removing of my sidearm as needless handling, which is not good for the gun, or for accountability.

All common-sense security steps should be followed at home, but you would indeed feel foolish if you carried everywhere EXCEPT home, and then were victimized while you were at home. I don't keep a rifle in every room in my house, but given the chance, I will not use the handgun at all. I will get a long gun.

 

[mehere]

Also - The Dartmouth Murders

If the link doesn't work, google Ayoob and the Dartmouth murders.


http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_169_28/ai_114475580/pg_1

 

[1911Tuner]

Last time, the locked gate probably saved the new owner from getting his house ransacked, but they came to my house to ask about it.

Which brings up another point...

These cretins are starting to move further away from the city limits and the suburbs, and into the more rural, outlying areas to pursue their mischief. Country folks who revel in their privacy and the fact that the nearest neighbor is a quarter-mile away are also pretty well isolated and out of earshot when they come to call.

In my way of thinkin' a body'd have more reason to carry at home on the farm than in the inner city.

 

[papajohn]

I was at home last night after a 12-hour shift, sitting at my computer, and I heard the PD helicopter overhead. That's not uncommon, it's up and flying most nights, but especially weekends and when the weather is nice. But I heard the chopper circling (the police chopper has a very distinctive pitch, higher than the commercial and medical choppers that constantly fly over me) and as I went to the window to see what area he was focusing on, a squad car went by and lit me up with his alley lights. I already had my .45 on, so there was no need to "go git a gun". I never figured out who or what they were after, but I wasn't concerned. The shotguns and the AR-15 are loaded, a few steps away, if needed.

A week ago, I was in back of my apartment building barbecuing, and my neighbor came outside to chat. He's not a typical clueless Yuppie, but he's pretty much a gunless Liberal, and when I casually adjusted my holstered 45 under my shirt, his eyes watched me carefully. "You packing........in your own back yard? Isn't that kinda......paranoid?" I was still formulating my answer when a large SUV with $500 rims and blacked-out windows drove by, music blasting, and the lyrics we were subjected to were saying something about "Killin' Every Cracker M-F'er I see..........." I just smiled back at him and said "Why should I be paranoid, Dave? Who around here would ever think of doing us harm?"

He got the idea. The funny part is that his wife was an Olympic Air Rifle competitor in the 90's, and LOVES to shoot my handguns! At least one of them gets it. I'm sure if the SHTF they'd be at my door in seconds!

PJ

 

[Aguila Blanca]

I've noticed quite a few who post here claim they carry a holstered gun at home while going about their daily routine around the house. I'm not being critical here, it's certainly your right to do so. But, I have to ask why? Do you feel unsafe at home?

Considering the number of armed home invasions is on the rise, the answer to your question would have to be "Yes!"

In the most recent issue of Shooting Times magazine Jim Wilson wrote about a home invasion in which the husband was beaten and the women raped and murdered. I was certain he was referring to the incident that happened near my brother and it appeared he had some details incorrect, so I e-mailed him. He responded the next day to let me know that, while superficially they sounded like the same incident, the one he referred to was NOT the one near my brother.

About a month ago there was another one a few miles from my brother's place. Two women shot, one survived and the other was raped and her body dumped in a quarry after the perp stole her car.

We're not in Kansas any more. Where I live, if I call the police they might get here in 10 to 15 minutes -- if I'm lucky, if they aren't too far away, and if they're not already on another call. In other words, it's MY job to protect me, my wife, and our home. The bad guys aren't going to knock politely and ask permission to rape, pillage and plunder. They'll come bustin' in. That's why I wear a gun around the house.

 

[invictus82]

Here's an additional question: do you carry chambered at home?

 

[CZ-100]

Here's an additional question: do you carry chambered at home?

Is there any other way????

Not for me.

 

[papajohn]

I was taking my trash out to the dumpster in the alley behind my building last fall, when a St Louis PD cop and his partner drove by. It was well after midnight, and I guess it looked suspicious, so they slowed down and lit me up. I raised my arms and showed them empty palms, and they cut off the alley light as I walked up to them. The passenger side cop was an older guy, around my age, and he saw my vest and knew what it was for. He mentioned that it was kinda late to be roaming around in a dark alley, and I just shrugged and said I wasn't worried, if anything came up, "I'd deal with it."

He grinned and lowered his voice, and asked what I had. I peeled my vest away from my waist, exposing my Surefire G2, a large folding knife, and the butt of my Bersa. "9 Mil?" he asked, and I said, "Nope, 45." As we started to chat about my neighborhood I mentioned that I had almost been carjacked a few weeks before, about three blocks away. They asked about the details, and I mentioned that it ended when I jammed a .380 into the lead bad guy's forehead as he leaned in close. Both of them proclaimed that I shoulda shot the dude, as he had a (butter) knife in his hand.

I told them that I'd bought the 45 a week later, after deciding the .380 wasn't enough, and the older cop laughed, and agreed. Then he turned to his partner, and said, "See, Junior, Mr Boy Scout here unnerstands Life In The Big City." They bade me a pleasant night as we parted, and I remember thinking as I walked to my front door, "Sheesh, when the cops are GLAD to see an old white guy packing heat, this must be a crummy neighborhood!"

It was kinda funny and sad, all at the same time. But at least my Attack Cats are on the job.......when they're not sleeping 20 hours a day..........

Papajohn

 

[1911Tuner]

Here's an additional question: do you carry chambered at home?

Sometimes.

 

[invictus82]

My thought on it, at least for myself, is since most SD shots are single handed, and very quick every second counts. I carry a true DAO striker fired semi auto with about 7lbs on the trigger with a long DA pull, so I don't worry about having one in the chamber, so long as it is in a holster that protects the trigger guard. My only concern is I'll be wrestling around with my 18 month old daughter and the darn thing will fall out on me. Guess I should get a ccw holster with a thumb break away. Anyway, thanks everyone for your insights in this forum discussion. I've found it really interesting, and it has helped to answer some questions of my own.

 

[Rumble]

Here's an additional question: do you carry chambered at home?

Yes; when I carry the gun at home (which is not always), I carry it the same way I do any other time - it will hopefully eliminate one more possible stumbling block should it ever actually be needed.

 

[revolverman357]

In the past 20 yrs, I've been robbed at gunpoint, someone kicked in my front door at 3am, and various miscreants have showed up and been very suspicious. All this and I live in a rural generally peaceful area. These people come from the cities to the north of me and look for opportunity. Yes, I carry at home.