Why Carry A Holstered Gun At Home?

[TallPine]

Why Carry A Holstered Gun At Home?

Certain creeps will just not give it up and leave us and our new neighbor alone

Gate's locked again, and I have been advised that so-and-so is not welcome.

 

[PTK]

Same reason I carry outside my home, too. "Just in case".

 

[Werewolf]

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?

Ya know...

I'd bet the family killed during the home invasion described in Truman Capote's book "In Cold Blood" (true story about a Kansas family) would - if they'd survived - wish that someone in their family had been carrying on that ill fated day. Then there's the more recent killings that took place in CT during a home invasion. There are more examples but those are two most folk probably have at least some knowledge of.

I used to think there was no such thing as a dumb question. Guess I'VE been wrong all these years.

 

[jungleroy]

Because my home is not a firearm free zone.

 

[arizona98tj]

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. ...... Do you feel unsafe at home?

I don't live in the best neighborhood anymore....it was pretty good 22 years ago when I bought my house, but times have changed.

That being said, I have a couple of options available to ensure my safety and that of my family. I can carry a 2" J-frame or I can carry 150 pounds of doberman pincher and pit bull. Contrary to what you may have heard, fitting the latter in your pocket isn't that easy.

 

[La Pistoletta]

But, I guess I'm not prepared (or is it paranoid?) enough to carry inside of my house in my low-crime suburban neighborhood. Examples of things going wrong in any area exist, but it isn't worth the trouble to me when I'm relaxing in my sweats at home!

What does it matter if it's "low-crime" if you're the one it happens to? I have yet to hear about a NO-crime residential zone.

Plus, it isn't like I'm helpless without a gun. A firearm is only one layer of defense. Awareness, security, and hand-to-hand tactics (among other things) should not be completely disregarded.

You can have those things - and a gun too.

As for me, well I'd carry but if you look to the left, below my name, you'll see where I live...

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Why Carry a Holstered Gun at Home?

Another Reason:

I bought one of those elastic waist-band holsters:
the ones that look like an exercise belt with a
pocket for a pistol and two pockets for magazines
or revolver reload strips.

I carried my .38 snub in it about the house all day
before using it outdoors. The pistol stayed in place
and the holster was comfortable. Later my son,
grandson and I explored an abandoned rock quarry
outside town that was only accessible by foot.
The gun carried safely and confortably in that rig.
I have carried that .38 in that rig outdoors often
since then.

I later tried carrying a remington-style derringer
about the house in that rig, and it would always
work its way out of the pistol pocket in the waist
band.

It is better to test a concealed carry rig in the home
than on the street or in the field.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

A low-crime suburban neighborhood is often the neighborhood "cased" by burglars or home invaders for lucrative targets or by sadists looking for victims to rape, torture and kill.

 

[scndactive]

I live in a wooded area along side a river next to a public park

off the top of my head I would say dogs, snakes, gators, and thugs. And not in that order

 

[MD_Willington]

When I was allowed too...

I carried even at home, I live on a major thoroughfare and have all manner of vehicle and persons pull up in front of my house all the time, even though it is not legal to park on my side of the road...

Last month some greasy looking fella was parked in front of my house and was spying on my female neighbors, older mom, one daughter in mid twenties, and daughter in teens, all are very good looking, and all were working in the yard at the time.

Then we get some shady looking people who are in plain site of my children playing in the fenced yard...


We also have no local LEOs...

Currently, my State has legally disarmed my family, on hand for defense is a Chainsaw and a nice bit of pipe, other than that... I have some pointy sticks.

 

[coloradokevin]

A low-crime suburban neighborhood is often the neighborhood "cased" by burglars or home invaders for lucrative targets or by sadists looking for victims to rape, torture and kill.

Okay... I work as a police officer in one of the less desirable areas of my state. Crime is through the roof there, and home invasion robberies/burglaries/carjackings are not at all uncommon.

I don't live there.

I disagree with your comment, and again state that while it can happen, it isn't likely to. In fact, I'm not aware of any home invasion robberies having taken place in any of the suburban neighborhoods I have lived in, ever... And, I do read the crime statistics, and talk with the local LEO's who police my area.

Again, it could happen. But, it isn't likely to. And, statistics would support that (despite the fact that many noteable incidents have taken place in "quiet" neighborhoods -- hence why they made the news in the first place).

What does it matter if it's "low-crime" if you're the one it happens to? I have yet to hear about a NO-crime residential zone.

...

You can have those things - and a gun too.

You are correct, there is probably no area that has never had a crime. But, again, there has not been a single home invasion robbery in my neighborhood in the time that I have lived here, and the same can be said for the other places I have resided in the past 15 years. The most noteable incident that has happened in a neighborhood that I have lived in (excluding shady areas near campuses when I was in college) was a guy who shot his wife in a domestic, then himself.

I do own a gun, and I carry one on-duty for 40 hours a week. I also carry off-duty whenever I leave the house, which is a requirement of my job. But, I still don't buy the argument that I am not safe if I don't wear the pistol at home.

I just finished a ten hour shift and got home about twenty minutes ago (unusual hours for me today). I was wearing a gun for the last ten hours, I hardly feel like keeping that belt on at home.

But, I won't accept that this choice on my part means I'm foolishly not looking out for my safety (it isn't like I left my gun at work... it is only ten feet away from me right now. And, again, it isn't the only option I have to protect myself).


As I've said before... Do what you want, but I think the idea does smell a bit of paranoia in a circumstance like mine (other folks face different situations).

 

[Defensory]

"Home invasions only happen to bad people in bad neighborhoods!"

Of course, any self-proclaimed home defense "expert" knows that home invasions just don't happen to "good" people in "nice" upper middle class suburban communities like Cheshire, Connecticut.

Or do they?

"A quiet Connecticut community woke up on Tuesday to more details behind a home invasion that ended with a prominent doctor injured, his wife and two daughters killed and their house up in flames."

Complete article:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,290542,00.html

 

[1911Tuner]

while it can happen, it isn't likely to.

Beinbg struck by lightning isn't very likely. either...yet people do get struck.

I still don't buy the argument that I am not safe if I don't wear the pistol at home.

About 3 weeks ago, over in Winston-Salem...a couple delivering a Meals on Wheels walked into a home invasion in progress. The shut-in had been bludgeoned and was dead or dying. The invaders shot the man and his wife, killing her and nearly killing him. This occurred on a busy thoroughfare around noon. A little "paranoia" would probably have provided a different ending to that story.

I was wearing a gun for the last ten hours, I hardly feel like keeping that belt on at home.

It's supposed to be comforting...not comfortable.

 

[1911 guy]

Quote:
I was wearing a gun for the last ten hours, I hardly feel like keeping that belt on at home.

Well, when I go to work I wear a handgun, a few reloads and steel toe work boots. When I get home, I take off the unnecessary equipment. I put on sneakers.

 

[lance22]

Carrying at home sounds shocking to uninitiated ears. But so does carrying in general. Heck, owning any firearm for any purpose can sound shocking depending on your background.

The more people hear about it, the less shocking it seems. Personally, I'm shocked by the boldness and heinousness of many crimes, and the fact that some wish to protect themselves should be viewed with charity.

 

[beaucoup ammo]

I see San Antonio as an "average" big city (1.5million). There are at least two (2) home invasions every day. These crimes cross economic lines and rarely is the home owner strapped at the time.

The home invasions that make the headlines are the ones where the home owner IS strapped, prepared (what a concept!) for the off chance someone will break into their home.

The paper, without fail, mentions in some form "the bad guy chose the wrong house to rob" whenever the owner employs rational thinking by toting at home, which he has every legal and logical right to do.

Wether random or planned due to the home owner's age or physical condition, these "invasions" happen every day. We have home owner's insurance, auto insurance, health insurance, etc. Why wouldn't anyone in their right mind NOT want to protect the lives and well being of their family, themselves and the items they've worked so hard to get from the thousands of career, predator criminals who exist for one reason: to inflict harm and economic hardship on hard working, law abiding Americans?

 

[MinnMooney]

One less decision to make.

When I made the decision to carry, I decided to carry 24/7.

I don't have to think "should I carry to..." it is already in place.

Exactly. I was out back splitting logs (VERY noisy and your mind HAS to be on the task at hand - or your hand might come off) when my neighbor walked up to me and stood 20 feet away. It was several seconds before I noticed him and shut the engine off. He asked, "Are you was about to be robbed or invaded?" I simply said, "I don't know. Do you have a crystal ball?"

I carry 99.9% of the time. I'd carry it in the shower except I wasn't born equipt with beltloops.

 

[blackcash88]

Currently, my State has legally disarmed my family, on hand for defense is a Chainsaw and a nice bit of pipe, other than that... I have some pointy sticks.

Your location says you're in Washington state. How have they legally disarmed you? Guns aren't banned in WA.

As for the "never would happen in my nice neighborhood" types, uh, where do you think all the good stuff is? Hmmm, would Mr. Thug rather rob a well-to-do house and get some quality goods or rob one of his neighbors in the subsidized housing projects only to make off with some grape soda, malt liquor and pork rinds? Well, he could probably score some drugs and maybe even a phat set of spinnerz or sneakerz.

 

[GaryP]

Well, whether I carry a holstered weapon at home or not is a personal decision and no explanation is necessary!

 

[Leanwolf]

WEREWOLF - "I'd bet the family killed during the home invasion described in Truman Capote's book "In Cold Blood" (true story about a Kansas family) would - if they'd survived - wish that someone in their family had been carrying on that ill fated day. "

Werewolf, a slight correction here. That incident and those murders happened at night, when the family was asleep. They slept with unlocked doors. (Hey, it was in a rural, "safe" area!)

Perry Smith and Richard Hickcock, the murderers, had no problem getting in the remote Clutter house. We'll never know what "might" have been the outcome if Mr. Clutter had had a pistol beside the bed.

In my opinion, people who "feel safe" and leave their doors unlocked, and their windows open, are very foolish indeed.

L.W.

 

[Defensory]

There were 448 home invasions in Houston in 2005, a 25% increase over the previous year.

In Sacramento, there were 63 home invasions in the first five months of 2006, a 37% increase over the same period the previous year.

 

[cambeul41]

coloradokevin says,

I think the idea does smell a bit of paranoia

but he is required to carry when on duty and required to carry when away from home even when off duty. Mightn't that influence his thinking? "If I don't have to, I'm not going to!"

I carry even at home, not out of fear, not because I have to, but because I like guns and carrying whenever I can makes decision making and remembering just that much easier.

 

[papajohn]

I've tried all my life to schedule my crises for convenient times...............It hasn't worked out yet.

Bad guys are NOTORIOUS for interrupting things at a bad time.

I live on the ground floor of an apartment building in the inner city. In nice weather when lots of folks are out walking around, anyone walking by can see in the windows, see my stuff, see me. I'm not a physically imposing guy. I kinda resemble an older version of a Keebler elf. Sometimes my weapon's visible, sometimes not. But if I hear a strange sound, I don't have to remember where the nearest gun is. My hand is already on it, and the other is reaching for the SureFire light on my other hip. If I can blind a bad guy and take him down without shooting him, I'll choose that option. But I ALWAYS leave myself options!

Getting caught without a gun isn't what I consider a good option!

PJ

 

[redneckrepairs]

If i wear pants i wear a pistol . Home or not , If i get up and put on " jogging pants " well a Kahr pm9 is either dropped into the pocket of them , or clipped into the waist band . I have had folks visit my house who i would rather not even know where i live ( tho in all fairness all relate to my former occupation as an le ) . When i got out of LE i went to a ccw permit ( no i dont carry under the laws i could , i carry under colorados laws and only carry in recip states ) . IMHO if your not willing to carry all the time you are awake , and its legal then you should not carry at all . I just dont understand the idea of " i am home " or " i will only be in safe neighborhoods today " so i can " factor my risk "
If you feel like you can grade sort your risk , well good on ya , for myself i have no idea when i might need a pistol , that is why i carry . As a math thing i would not carry at all because pistols come at a cost . I choose to pay the cost but then i choose to have a career option where by i answered your calls .

 

[1911Tuner]

for myself i have no idea when i might need a pistol ,

I've tried all my life to schedule my crises for convenient times...............It hasn't worked out yet. Bad guys are NOTORIOUS for interrupting things at a bad time.

And there it is in a nutshell.

A wise man once said:

"A pistol is like an ambulance. You don't often need one, but when you do...you need it badly, and you need it immediately."