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02-03-2016, 01:00 PM
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2 Story House…1 gun
I just recently moved into a two story home and can't decide where to keep my home defense gun. I don't have the $$ to add a second gun yet. Do y'all recommend upstairs for bumps in the night, or downstairs for strangers at the door?
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02-03-2016, 01:08 PM
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Keep it close by,whether upstairs or downstairs.
f.t.
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02-03-2016, 01:18 PM
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If I had to keep it in just one spot, it would be upstairs in the bedroom, for the bumps in the night. I figure during the day/early evening you are awake and can get upstairs quickly to get the gun, if needed...
That said, for now try to keep it close by while you are home. And of course, save some dough to get a second. If you shop around you can get a quality gun for a decent price. For your needs, I'd look into a lightly used shotgun (one with a short barrel). Relatively inexpensive, and a great choice for home defense.
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02-03-2016, 01:20 PM
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Pistol - buy a holster, carry it. Stuff it under your pillow at night. My defense pistol goes lawn mowing, TV watching, to the bathroom, to dinner and to bed with me.
If it's a long gun, let's rethink the holster.
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02-03-2016, 01:23 PM
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Downstairs, somewhere handy. Then take it upstairs at night. Meanwhile, a couple of $10 machetes stashed just out of sight could suffice in a pinch.
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02-03-2016, 01:47 PM
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It makes no sense to keep a gun anywhere other than where you are.
The only advantage a homeowner has is when they establish a safe vantage point and monitor the only entrance to the room where they are. Until then you can call 911 and wait for the police. If he doesn't come through the door, he cant hurt you.
This isn't always a good plan if you have children, of course.
It makes no sense to have your firearm in a place where you have to go and retrieve it. You are opening yourself up to encountering the intruder while on the way to your firearm, which obviously is a terrible idea.
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02-03-2016, 02:39 PM
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On your side till bed time then on our night stand next to bed when you retire for the day is the way I do it ..
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02-03-2016, 02:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by coachcash86
I just recently moved into a two story home and can't decide where to keep my home defense gun. I don't have the $$ to add a second gun yet. Do y'all recommend upstairs for bumps in the night, or downstairs for strangers at the door?
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On your hip . . .
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02-03-2016, 02:59 PM
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Carry it, or move it around to where you are.
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02-03-2016, 03:26 PM
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Within reach, 247365...
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02-03-2016, 04:13 PM
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Where you place the firearm depends on where you want the intruder to find it. The answer I come up with is as close to my hand as is practical. Ankle seems pretty far out, but on the belt or in a front pocket are probably OK.
As it happens, I live in a state that outlaws leaving guns lying around, anyway.
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02-03-2016, 06:11 PM
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Mine sits between my bed and night stand , leaning against the wall . 12 gauge pump.
Seems as most bumps in the night happen when I'm in the bed, usually half asleep, I want it close because it's dark and I do not want to have to fumble around trying to find it in the dark . I sit up and it's right there.
Gary
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02-03-2016, 06:18 PM
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Keep it with you in a holster and get a dog. A barking dog is a big plus for scaring the BG to some other house.
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02-03-2016, 06:22 PM
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If it's a handgun then all posts that suggest that it be near you at all times are correct. Leaving it upstairs when you're downstairs, or vice versa, doesn't make sense. When you need it you NEED IT NOW.
A long arm like a shotgun ought to be moved around, too, but I can see where that could create a little problem logistically and you don't want that in your hands when you open a door - a handgun you can hide.
I live in a small, 1 story house. I just keep a gun in every room where I think I might need one. So the guest room doesn't have one. The others do, except the office, because when I meander in there I always take a gun in with me.
You'll get around to that eventually. Meanwhile, tote that smoke wagon place to place!
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02-03-2016, 06:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Model520Fan
Where you place the firearm depends on where you want the intruder to find it. The answer I come up with is as close to my hand as is practical. Ankle seems pretty far out, but on the belt or in a front pocket are probably OK.
As it happens, I live in a state that outlaws leaving guns lying around, anyway.
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That must be one of those "Common Sense" gun laws designed to keep us safe and protected. Yeah Right ! I can tell you from first hand experience, when the bad guys come, no police are there to protect you. After being shot in an armed robbery in my office,
a Police Lieutenant told me " I'm so sorry Sir , but the truth is we can't protect you " and then explained to me all the places I could legally carry without having the need for a permit. Baton Rouge Police were very helpful and I appreciate all the info I learned that day . I was amazed at all the places you don't need a permit to carry .
Less common sense gun laws I say.
Gary
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02-03-2016, 06:38 PM
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Some states have laws that state a gun must be secured and the ammo must be secured in another location. If this isn't followed and there is an accidental shooting you are possibly going to jail. If you have children then you could get arrested for child endangerment.
Good reason to have the gun in a holster on you not laying around.
Having an unloaded gun is no protection when it is needed in a spur of the moment.
Last edited by gman51; 02-03-2016 at 06:40 PM.
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02-03-2016, 06:50 PM
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If you are the " lazy" type, keep it in the bedroom. If you are the "always vigilant " type , move it to where you are going to be at any given time.
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02-03-2016, 07:11 PM
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Moving a gun around with you in the home sounds like a gun that is going to end up somewhere in the house other than where you are. Get a holster.
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02-03-2016, 07:12 PM
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I am strongly opposed to unattended firearms. For purposes of this discussion, "unattended" means "not worn on your person."
When you cannot wear it, then keep it in a "ready box," which is a lock box that is instantly accessible by code or other means. When locked in such fashion, it can be loaded ready for instant use as no one else has access.
The "ready box" can accompany you from room to room, and it can be on, or in, your night table while you sleep.
The above assumes we are talking about a handgun.
If you only have a carbine, then it should either be slung and on your person, or locked in a "ready locker."
Because of the size of the ready locker, you will have to select a fixed location in your house, and I would opt for near where you sleep.
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02-03-2016, 07:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gwpercle
That must be one of those "Common Sense" gun laws designed to keep us safe and protected. Yeah Right ! I can tell you from first hand experience, when the bad guys come, no police are there to protect you. After being shot in an armed robbery in my office,
a Police Lieutenant told me " I'm so sorry Sir , but the truth is we can't protect you " and then explained to me all the places I could legally carry without having the need for a permit. Baton Rouge Police were very helpful and I appreciate all the info I learned that day . I was amazed at all the places you don't need a permit to carry .
Less common sense gun laws I say.
Gary
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AFAIK, that particular law, passed in 1998, was intended to protect the chillun, yet it applies also to those of us who do not have chillun in the house. That leads me to believe that its actual purpose was to harass legal gun-owners. That said, I believe that a very strong argument could be made for following the details of the law, based on what would be a reasonable tactical response to actual (historic) "home invasions."
The mere fact that neo-Nazi Democrats have legally mandated a particular choice is not sufficient to dissuade me from that choice when a most unusual coincidence has made it the best tactical choice.
Capisce?
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02-03-2016, 07:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil
Moving a gun around with you in the home sounds like a gun that is going to end up somewhere in the house other than where you are. Get a holster.
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I strongly agree with Phil. If you do not decide on one location
having to figure out where it is will be a problem and in a threat response situation, you do not need that problem.
I had one such threat at home, a man fleeing from Police.
I am glad my 539 was holstered. When he charged into my basement directly toward me,it was there when I needed it. I drew,he stopped.
No shots fired, man arrested and my wife and daughter were not even awoken from their sleep. Happy ending.
Good luck and hope you stay safe.
Jim
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02-03-2016, 07:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by coachcash86
I just recently moved into a two story home and can't decide where to keep my home defense gun. I don't have the $$ to add a second gun yet. Do y'all recommend upstairs for bumps in the night, or downstairs for strangers at the door?
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On your hip for both?
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02-03-2016, 08:08 PM
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Another vote for keeping the gun on you. That's what I do. Even if I had a second gun (or third, or...) I'd still keep one on me.
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02-03-2016, 10:03 PM
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Keep your weapon on your person !
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02-04-2016, 09:38 AM
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Since I don't know what gun you have, it makes it hard to answer.
If its too large to pocket carry or otherwise conceal carry, you might think about trading it in for one that is.
Since you only have one, I would opt for having it on me except when asleep or in the shower.
The easiest way to achieve that is to have one that's small, light and easy to carry. Like a J frame or small auto.
That will get you over the hump until you can afford a second one
and you'll never be unarmed no matter where you are in the house.
When you get that second gun, size won't matter as much and you'll already have your BUG.
Last edited by Jessie; 02-04-2016 at 09:44 AM.
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02-04-2016, 10:42 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gman51
Some states have laws that state a gun must be secured and the ammo must be secured in another location. If this isn't followed and there is an accidental shooting you are possibly going to jail. If you have children then you could get arrested for child endangerment.
Good reason to have the gun in a holster on you not laying around.
Having an unloaded gun is no protection when it is needed in a spur of the moment.
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Those types of laws really make me mad... If someone breaks into my home to get my gun, it was secured... it was already behind lock and key!
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02-04-2016, 11:11 AM
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You've got to be kidding me, you really can't figure this out for yourself?
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02-04-2016, 02:06 PM
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Here is a story on what NOT to do. Years ago I got home around 3:00 am after being on Narcotic stake out all night. I place my weapon and radio on top of the gun vault down stairs in our townhouse apartment and went upstairs to bed. Several hours later I woke to voices down stairs.
I found no guns in the bedroom so descended down the stairs with a screwdriver as protection. Well the voices where on my radio I had left on.
I shortly there after purchased a double barrel shotgun 18"1/8 long and it still stands next to my bed today some 40 years later. The lesson was a good learning experience.
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02-04-2016, 02:46 PM
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Whatever you decide, do some simple and inexpensive mods to deter or slow an invader. This will allow you more time to reach your weapon no matter where you leave it.
Motion lights outside, and door bars; cheap and may save your eardrums.
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