Author Topic: Do you ALWAYS carry; EVEN at home? If not, read this! (Read 2677 times)

Sir Knight · « **on:** December 12, 2006, 10:55:04 PM »

A dedicated shooter, handloader, gun collector and president of a local gun club just north of Boston were sitting in his kitchen one Saturday morning in the early 1990's when a local homeless man appeared at the door. It was someone that the gun owner "knew" and had even occasionally treated to a meal.

Suddenly he pushed his way inside waving a pistol and muttering uncoherent accusations. Then he fired his first shot fatally wounding the home owner, who, had a number of defensive handguns around the house with the nearest one in the kitchen drawer just six feet away.

The killer was ultimately caught and sentenced to life in jail with no parole. While this may seem like an extreme case, the other day a man walked into a Seattle Jewish Center angry at Isarel and started shooting. While such cases are rare, they are STILL happening and defenseless people are dying.

There is a thin line between paranoia and reasonably prudent behavior. The point is that none of us will ever know when, or if we'll ever need a firearm but if and when you do, you'll be glad that you have one. If you own a gun, carry it whenever you legally can.

As the dedicated shooter in the beginning of our story learned too late, a gun even just six feet away in a drawer might as well have been locked up in a safe for all the good it did.

SOURCE: Re-typed and condensed from an article written by Peter Caroline in the January 2007 edition of the Blue Press on page 22.

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2006, 02:39:46 AM »

Something capable of deadly force is always 'at hand', meaning on my body or within open reach. Let them call me paranoid if they wish - I know I am just prudent. Mikey.

jhm · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2006, 03:04:22 AM »

I fully agree, I carry a handgun 100% of the time, and nothing burns my back side more than to get to a place where the legal law abiding licensed legal to carry a concelled weapon Individual is treated as if he/she is a considered a criminal by it being off limits places church/post office/police stations/city/county/federal property/gun shows/ etc etc

JIM

Kaimi · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2006, 03:42:13 AM »

And people always ask me during the hot summer months here in Vegas why I wear a jacket! I just tell them that my parents always told me to look my best in public.

BTW, it is the last thing I put on whenever I leave the house and the first thing I remove when I get home. BUT, with three pieces around the house I am not worried.

Kaimi

44 Man · « **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2006, 08:38:32 AM »

Always! I put it on when I get dressed and take it off when I undress to go to bed. I do often take of my 'cover' garment when home. A couple of times I have taken my gun off when sitting in the evening watching television. On those couple of occasions, my wife has said to me, 'What, you don't want to protect me if someone breaks in?' and I have put it back on. I love having a woman with good, common sense! 44 Man

rockbilly · « **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2006, 08:57:03 AM »

If they can get past the three dogs, and past the locked door without me knowing, I am at their mercy. I do keep a couple of loaded guns at different place through out the house and also keep one in my shop. I live in a good area, and don't worry much about an intruder at home, but we do keep doors locked and an eye out for anything out of order. I live fairly close to a major highway, so the threat of an intruder is always there. Both my wife and I answer the door to any stranger or person we are not sure about with pistol in hand and are prepared to deal with them accordingly.

Funny story, Several years ago, I answered the door with a model 27 Smith in my hand, I did not know the man standing there, but after talking to him I found out he was a realtor selling the house next door. We stood and talked a few minutes, me with gun in hand, and he left. About 20 minutes later a cop knocked on my door and asked why I had the gun when I answered the door. I informed him that I also had one in my hand as wee talked, and it was my right to carry in my house whenever I pleased. He told he didn't think it was wise for to amswer the door with a gun. My response was, If I don't know you there will be a gun in my hand, and if ever you get a call that there has been a shooting here you will know that someone attempted to enter without my permission, and while on the way to investigate you need to notify someone to pick the body up. He said he did not like my attitude, I told him to contact my attorney.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #6 on:** December 13, 2006, 05:32:17 PM »

I sounds to me like this guy did not harden his perimeter. That's the first step in home security.

williamlayton · « **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2006, 11:51:13 PM »

I must admit that I do not carry in the house or have one handy when answering the door, though this little piece has made me stop and think.
My wife is not as permissive as some, though I do not often listen too her complaints.
I must stop and re-think this. It makes sense for me to have weapon handy at the door.
I would also stop and think that I must take some risk and not feel the need to be ready at ALL times. I guess things can happen at any time but I like to be prudent. I think I am willing to take some risk.
Anything can happen any time and I do not feel that I can be prepared all the time and I am willing to take responsibility for this.
Blessings

Sir Knight · « **Reply #8 on:** December 14, 2006, 01:18:53 AM »

William, I have certain "home" guns which I carry in and around the house (small, lite weight, low caliber). I would not normally feel comfortable with them as my primary weapon when out and about but when I'm home and other weapons are within quick reach, I look at these "home" guns as gaining me the time I need to reach a more powerful weapon. Maybe that is foolish thinking on my part but it's still better than not being armed at all.

44 Man · « **Reply #9 on:** December 14, 2006, 10:10:48 AM »

If my wife hears something in the night (I always sleep through) and wakes me up to go and check, it is with a .45 in my HAND. Same thing late in the evening with someone I do not know at the door, I will have a .45 in my hand. During daylight hours, I will have my CCW weapon on me, but concealed. Yeah I am always amazed when I hear of the police surounding a house because someone saw a man with a weapon in his living room! Maybe he is just cleaning it and what business is it to the police until he leaves his house and threatens someone with it? If I had a nickle for every time I have sat on the couch and cleaned/handled/tinkered with a gun, I'd be able to buy another gun! 44 Man.

williamlayton · « **Reply #10 on:** December 14, 2006, 04:47:46 PM »

Far be it for me to critize anyone for doing it the way a person wants. If I came across that way I owe an apology---and I do.
I guess, what I am trying to say is that I can accept the responsibility if something happens and I am not prepared.
The thread did cause me to stop and re-think though. I can understand the thought and cannot disagree--even though i may not follow to a "T".
Blessings

RollTide · « **Reply #11 on:** December 14, 2006, 05:43:51 PM »

I don't carry at home, but I do have a really hard perimeter (bars on doors and windows.) I once talked to a police officier in Houston who said from his experience, most innocent people get killed doing something they are not supposed to do or being somewhere they had no business being. He gave me a few simple rules about living in my rough neighborhood. (He had answered my 911 call (after about 45 minutes late) about a knife fight in my yard involving 2 people I did not know.)

1. Never let anyone in your home or car you do not know and trust with your life.

2. Never even open the door to a stranger, talk through the door.

3. Never be anywhere there is a high likelihood where people will be under the influence and armed at the same time, which includes not allowing that in your home.

4. If there is a fracus outside, stay barricaded in your home until the police arrive.

5. If someone tries to force their way into your home, be prepared to use lethal force to stop them.

If you obey those rules, and carry when you go outside, it will go a long way toward keeping you and your loves ones safe. I keep a firearm where I could get to it before anyone could break in. There are many times I just happen to have my gun on at home, but I don't make a point of it unless there is some precipitating event.

Your best defensive weapon is still between your ears.

TrenchMud · « **Reply #12 on:** December 15, 2006, 03:34:09 AM »

First off, A Rhodesian Ridgeback (look them up, great dogs) would have had thoroughly sampled him before he ever got to the door. I am kind of on the paranoid side myself and do not know who all is reading these posts (you are not anonamous on the internet, people can find out exactly who you are by your IP address) This being said, I am not going to talk much about what I have to respond with to an intruder.. Overwhelming responce comes to mind as a description. Yes, I stay prepared.
I worked for the Government in Military research for many years. It is amazing what you can make during your breaks and lunch hours in an incredibly well supplied machine shop. Man, my house could almost defend itself without me even being at home if I were to turn everything on before I left.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #13 on:** December 15, 2006, 02:14:10 PM »

I'll second the Rhodesian Ridgeback. The are big, strong, courageous, and very loyal. The memsaab won't have one that big in the house or I'd've gotten one long ago.

m-g Willy · « **Reply #14 on:** December 17, 2006, 04:20:10 AM »

Having a gun anywhere but in your hand while answering the door (holster ,pocket) will put you at the mercy of anyone intending of doing you harm with a weapon.
A few years ago I got a knock on my door at about 3-4 in the morning .
Like a idiot I answered it by opening the door to see who it was!
It was a guy at the door asking for a person I never heard of.
I told him he had the wrong house.
When he turned to leave I noticed there was another guy standing out of sight around the side of the house.
Another guy was standing beside his truck in the drive.
I always wondered what they wanted this guy for.
Seems that it was more than to just talk too.
Then I started thinking (what if they were planing on killing this guy they were looking for? What if they would have just knocked on the door and shot whoever opened the door before i d-ing their intending victim)?
NEVER AGAIN will I open the door to someone I don't know!!!
If I ever get a knock at the door like that again I will answer it by calling through the door to, COME IN !
They will have to open the door to a dark house with a 12 ga,
. aimed at their chest !
THEN! they can state their buisness . But they will be at the disadvantage if they had any intentions that I didn't agree with!
So, be careful of even opening the door with a gun in your hand when you don't know who or what their buisness is for being there.

P.S. Don't stand in front of, or have a light on behind you to out line your postion while unlocking the door, before telling them to come in !

Willy

jimster · « **Reply #15 on:** December 17, 2006, 07:44:57 AM »

I always have something on me, or at hand when I'm in my home as well as out and about.
Nobody who has been mugged or brutalized will think we are paranoid, but others who have not had anything happen to them could think we are for sure. With what goes on in the world these days I want something with me all the time.
Even as I sit home and watch TV there is something close by, if not for protection at that moment, it is for carrassing and fondling, which brings us to another set of people who would think I'm perverted in some strange way, although I'm not worried about anyone on this site thinking that, I have a feeling you all know what I'm talking about.
As I attempt to write this reply, I have a 4 3/4" SAA in 45 colt laying on the desk within inches of this keyboard.
I'm actually thinking about taking out the 5 rounds and carrassing it and working the action when I'm done with this.

I might have a problem here....but there are worse things I could be doing I suppose.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #16 on:** December 19, 2006, 06:44:19 AM »

Yep... it aint no good to me in the other room.

Heavy C · « **Reply #17 on:** December 20, 2006, 06:34:00 PM »

Always prepared, even at home. If someone knocks and I'm not expecting anyone I don't answer the door - especially if I don't recognize them. I've heard of too many home invasions where families were just watching TV and the next minute they're dead. Refuse to be a victim is what I say.

Lee Robinson · « **Reply #18 on:** December 22, 2006, 09:28:43 PM »

A LOT OF DOGS will put up a great front...looking very intimidating and capable...but when a perp doesn't back up an inch...many "great" personal protection dogs simply won't perform to the expectations of their owner's imagination. Proofing the behavior is necessary IF you are going to expect them to perform and something we do with EACH and EVERY dog we breed. Here are a few of our videos if you would like to view them. http://www.chimerakennels.com/videogallery.htm

To not proof a dog, but to use it for a defensive parameter would be like owning a gun and NEVER test firing it. A bark is nothing more than "dry firing" as it is the last inches before the bite that tells you if the dog will engage...and then you still don't know how committed the dog is without proofing that as well.

BTW, I have 12 alarms...all armed with canines. Then I have the firearms to back the dogs. LOL.

Paranoid...no. Tested and proofed...yes. Prepared, I hope I don't have to find out.

jimster · « **Reply #19 on:** December 26, 2006, 10:57:19 AM »

I use my dogs for alarm purposes only, just to bark is all I ask....they bark like crazy at anything or anybody that comes close to the driveway. There are lot's of times I cringe when they bark like crazy when someone drives up or walks by the house, but I never try to make them shut up, they are good alarm systems.

PAPACHUCK · « **Reply #20 on:** December 30, 2006, 03:47:31 PM »

Yup!

Mikey · « **Reply #21 on:** December 31, 2006, 02:48:49 AM »

jimster - that's exactly what my dogs are for, to raise a ruckus when someone shows up. And lemme tellya, they can make a racket, as you know. But it works just like it was intended. Had a local LEO show up the other day looking for the house next door (rural area without many houses) and the dogs let out one hey of a howl. Even though the poor guy was on the front porch with two doors twixt he and the dogs, he mentioned the alarm system and did not look comfortable. But, I let him shake hands with the loudest one, who then gave him a lick and all was well.

He never saw the cocked and locked 1911 I carried under my shirt, so I think he left a 'happier' camper. Mikey.

BTW - if you ever want your dogs to act a bit more politely when someone shows up, expectedly or otherwise, there is a show called the Dog Whisperer on the Nat'l Geographic Channel featuring a fellow named Cesar Millan, who is simply excellent in managing those types of behavior (note please that I said 'managing', not necessarily stopping or preventing it, but just making it more manageable). My youngest is also the loudest and most easily frightened by new company, but when I am expectiong someone I can have him behave quite nicely. As my hunting buddy said recently - Mike, he's licking my hand now. I said - that's good. Then he said - Mike, now he's chewing my hand and I said - that's not good (lololol)...........He has stopped that though, I think (lololol). Mikey.

Old Griz · « **Reply #22 on:** January 01, 2007, 10:09:09 AM »

I wouldn't take the garbage out in our neighborhood without being armed. Dangerous town. New Years Eve @ midnight it sounded like a war zone. It's a black tradition to shoot your guns off on New Years. All that lead going up has gotta come down. Amazing that no one was killed. In years past some people have.

No South African dogs, but my German Shepherd works pretty well!

txray22 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 02, 2007, 03:20:36 AM »

I have a Rigdgeback mix and she has a very deep bark. No one wants to find out if she's bluffing.

slave · « **Reply #24 on:** January 06, 2007, 03:28:23 PM »

Mans best friend and a 12ga full of # 4 or 00 is a great investment. I have no problem sleeping.

oops! · « **Reply #25 on:** January 09, 2007, 04:22:06 PM »

On with my clothes, off with my clothes. Always.
I don't answer the door to anyone I don't have a work or family relationship with, PERIOD! If they are in a police uniform I'll ask what they want, I will be armed when I open the door, if the officer does not approve, well, he can just go get a warrant.
Anyone else can read the sign, " no trespassers, no solicitors".

My doors have insanely bright lights on both sides to pretty much blind anyone outside at night.

MikeP · « **Reply #26 on:** January 11, 2007, 08:42:54 AM »

A few months ago I was working near my travel trailer on the side of my house and I heard a funny noise on the other side. I was wearing my everpresent Ruger SP 101 ready for use but concealed under my shirt.

The noise was from a slim young man with a clipboard. He looked surprise to see me. He said he was with the TV cable company and was checking the connection. With him was a young woman who had a funny look on her face. I told him that I had satellite TV service, not cable. He thanked me, and they left in their plain, unmarked truck.

I called the cable company, and they said they had no employees working out of uniform or in vehicles not marked with the company logo, that a working employee would not be accompanied by a second person to check a service, and that the guy was obviously not their employee.

We called the sheriff's office and made a report. The deputy said he was glad my wife and I were not hurt, because there were a lot of crackheads out to steal property. I felt good about having my trusty 101 with me, even if it was in my own yard.

toysoldier · « **Reply #27 on:** February 16, 2007, 03:23:13 PM »

Being a Naturist (nudist) means I often don't have a belt (or anything else) on around the house or enclosed back yard. However, there's a weapon of some sort close at hand anywhere in the house or garage. At my previous residence in a more rural area, I posted this sign beside my driveway about 20 yards from the road:

An armed nudist is living here---nothing to hide, nothing to fear.

Win 73 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 16, 2007, 03:59:33 PM »

As I sit typing this, I have an S & W .38 snub in my pocket. About 10 feet away on the other side of the living room are two .45's, a Ruger Blackhawk SA and a Ruger P97 semiauto. In my bedroom is a 9 mm Ruger P89 semiauto. When I go to bed, the .38 will go into my nightstand drawer which is about 6 inches from my bed. The drawer will be left partly open. Not enough to get the gun out without opening the drawer further just to give some protection from grabbing it in my sleep not knowing what I am doing. I've never done anything like that before but taking a precaution. And the P89 is about 3 feet from the bed.

By the way, even if someone broke in, I could have all five rounds fired from the .38 before they could get to the other guns even if they knew where they were. But all I have to do is reach up and grab them.

I guess the time I am the least protected is when I take a shower. I take the .38 into the bathroom and place it on the counter beside the sink covered by my clean underwear. That places it about 8 feet from me. My wife questioned me one time about taking the gun into the bathroom. I told her that if someone did try to break in, we wouldn't get to choose a time convenient for us.

georgeld · « **Reply #29 on:** February 18, 2007, 05:16:57 PM »

The last several years there's been a bunch of house breachings with folks home. Several have been killed, mostly by people they know. But, a number of them have been to older folks home's and they've been robbed & some beaten. Although I'm younger than most of them, a yr ago I had back surgery. With all this going on and me not being as able as I've always been. I've started carrying a 38 in my pants pocket all the time. When in the shower it's on the back of the toilet right outside the shower door with a towel over it. At night, it's laying beside my head on the table connected to the bed.

For some reason I've had 'that bad feeling about something's gonna happen before long' and I want to be ready for it. There's at least half a dozen other handguns, bigger bore's scattered around the house. But, this one in my pocket all the time is a real comfort. I do wish it was a .40 cal though.

I just don't understand why the makers don't produce a snubby in .40.

About 7 yrs ago a friend was staying with one of his buddies when they got into a fight and he got beat some and left, came to our place. Not expecting anything, and not knowing the guy was a lefty he sucker punched me. When I saw it was someone I was friendly with I laid the 38 on the couch arm next to the door and held the partly opened storm door fairly tight as I expected him to try to come in.

When I asked what he wanted: "where's Rick?" "he's here" "I want to talk to him", "ho you can't come in" and he pulled the door, I held it, then he yanked it and I lost the grip, soon as it opened he smacked me in the eyebrow and broke my glasses. I then stepped out and busted him between the eye's and knocked him over the porch railing. The wife came to see what was going on. Just about then I kinda turned to tell her to get back when he picked up a foot long piece of display log and beared down on the glass storm door. I just barely saw it in time to get the door partly closed to deflect it. Soon as he launched it he took off running. I called the cops and told them all about it, including the 38. One said: "if you'd shot him, I'd arrest you". I know damned well IF I'd had it in my hand when he had the log, I'd sure as hell stepped out and blasted him dead. So maybe laying it down saved his life and mine too.

Cops broke into his house a couple months later on a drug raid and he went out a second floor window and jumped off the porch roof. Busted both of his knee's and ankle's. So he got waht he deserved. The real shame of it is. The guys great, and a registered pharmacist, turned druggie. Now in prison for a good long spell.

Something to think about isn't it?

George