Carrying A Gun At Home

[Smoke]

Since I picked up my M&P Shield I’ve made a habit of carrying at home. Part of the reason is simple convenience. I can put the shield (holstered of course) in the pocket of my hoodie and I barely know it’s there.


Another factor is the fact that I live in an apartment where I don’t know anything about the person that lived here before me. I can make inferences from the numbers of process servers that have shown up at my door looking for her but I don’t really know what kind of people her life may attract to what is now my home.


Another factor that goes with living in an apartment is my neighbors, when we moved in our neighbor across the hall worked in a MMJ shop and let’s just say he brought his work home that could attract some unwanted attention as well.


On the up side this particular apartment is two stories up on a flat wall and only has one door which makes it easy to secure. Short of a SWAT team and a breaching charge you aren’t going to kick my door down easily.


I'm also curious as to who carries a reload at home?

[Iggy]

If I got my pants on, my gun is on my hip. If I don't have them on, the gun is within reach.
A reload is a given.
Been that way for 48 years. So far, so good.

[Kanewpadle]

Nope. Don't need to.

My home is extremely secure. It will take several minutes for someone to get in if they succeed in doing so at all.

Buy yourself one of these.
Model No. 265DCCSEN | Master Lock

It sure helps.

[Rastoff]

Originally Posted by Smoke

I can make inferences from the numbers of process servers that have shown up at my door looking for her...

...when we moved in our neighbor across the hall worked in a MMJ shop and let’s just say he brought his work home...

Brother, you need to move. I hate it when people tell me stuff like this because I know how difficult it is to move sometimes. Even so, based on the stuff you've told us over the last few months, this is a bad neighborhood. OK, I won't mention it again.


Carry at home? Why wouldn't you? This way, if you have to go out, the gun is already ready to go. If you run into an issue at home, you're ready. No, I see no benefit to not carrying at home.

[Ivan the Butcher]

All day every day 49 no dash and a reload. I'm semi-retired, sometimes the 49 becomes a BUG to a LDA 45 with spare 1911 8 round mag or a Sig 245 w/spare 220 mag (at this point I may not have the strip of 38's). When dressed up the 49 is there, along with whatever work with the clothes. Just today, made sure the wife remembers how to use the 49, she uses a Glock 17 in/under her coat. She doesn't know it yet but she gets to practice with the 49 on her next trip to the range. But to answer your second question with a question; Do humans become nicer just because you got to your home? When I lived in the country, I carried 24/7, now I live where people are always around, so I only carry 24/7. Ivan

[amazingflapjack]

You'll need it the worst when you don't have it.

[took]

Pants on gun's on, pants off gun's in reach.

[petepeterson]

I have one on me when at home, usually a j-frame or Kel-Tec in the pocket. I don't carry a reload, as my home reload is a 12-gauge coach gun.

[Comrad]

Why live in a place you don't feel safe in?

[wheelyfun66]

If I am dressed, holstered gun is on my body.

Undressed, it is always in the same spot, making it easier for me to "remember the drill" should I be under pressure to fetch it!

[Donn]

If I'm dressed, I'm carrying. Would do so even if I lived in Cheyenne Mountain. Undressed, well within arm's reach.

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Yep, when I get up in the morning I put them on and they stay on until I go to bed unless I go into a "gun free zone" then they get locked in the lock box in my truck.

Part of it is because I'm in the country and it's nice to have a gun with you when a yote is trying to get the chickens or goats (they haven't messed with the hogs yet, the ol' boar might have something to do with that. ) and for the other four or two legged predators that come around time to time.

[BaaBaa]

I'm always carrying, again, out in the country and if I need it I need it right then plus it's easier to just have one on than not. And yes, I carry 2 reloads as well.With a 5 shot j-frame reloads are more likely to be necessary and yes I do practice reloading.

Bigger issue is right now, trying to put on the outdoor heavy coveralls and still keep it accessible is a challenge.

BTW I also practice drawing from under the winter clothing and with gloves on, you never know when you might need it although in our case it's most likely to be stray dogs or coyotes than a person.

[Old cop]

I don't carry at home unless the grandkids (ages 7 to 14) are coming over. Then the 442 goes in my pocket b/c I don't want one of them to find it w/o my knowledge. There's no hiding place where they could not, eventually, find the gun.

[Rastoff]

Originally Posted by Old cop

I don't carry at home unless the grandkids (ages 7 to 14) are coming over. Then the 442 goes in my pocket b/c I don't want one of them to find it w/o my knowledge. There's no hiding place where they could not, eventually, find the gun.

There's this new invention, it's called a safe. Just sayin'...

Then again, you could teach the kids about guns and then it would become innocuous.

[Magster]

I`m armed whether I`m at home or outside the house. I usually carry the same gun I`ve carried that day, usually a K frame or a compact Glock. My wife doesn`t often carry in the house, but has quick access to her Sig if needed.

[chuckster57]

I spent about 30 years in close proximity to about 3000 inmates who could pretty much ruin your day in an instant. That taught me to have a "sixth" sense that is still VERY active today, 6 years after retirement.

Carry when I'm out and about? For sure, carry in my own house while I'm home? Nope, but that doesn't mean I can't get to it and defend what I treasure before it's taken from me.

IMO, if you need a weapon on your person while you eat dinner, maybe you should think about moving.

[Lycan]

Originally Posted by took

Pants on gun's on, pants off gun's in reach.

Exactly. I carry my Shield 9mm in a HHH holster and it is literally so comfortable that I see no reason not to always have it on. It's convenient and quick. It doesn't matter if I feel safe at home or not. That's not the point. I do feel safe, but most people that have been victims of home invasions or other situations probably felt pretty safe too up until the moment that they weren't. I see no good reason not to carry it, so why not?

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Walking downtown or snoozing on the couch, there's a gun in the pocket.

Disarming throughout the day, at home or wherever, is adding another layer of ooops to the carry routine.

[Iggy]

In my case, it's not a matter of feeling insecure, it's that I have been carrying a sidearm for 48 years.

When it's not on my hip, it doesn't feel right, bordering on physical discomfort. The pressure of a belt without a holster is disconcerting.I'll bet some of you old geezers know what I mean.

A side arm is just part of my everyday equipment. Watch, wallet, keys, gun. It's not a big deal, it's just getting dressed.

[BaaBaa]

Originally Posted by Iggy

When it's not on my hip, it doesn't feel right,

I'm brand new and yet it feels that way to me as well. I am much more comfortable with my sidearm on than not. No worries, I just have to remember to store it properly when I need to go into the post office. Otherwise it's on me.

[Muss Muggins]

I worked in the garage organizing some new tools, cut some limbs out back with my new Stihl Pole Saw (christmas present), and helped my nephew move into a new apartment just down the street from my house. Kel Tec P32 in my front pocket all day. Relaxing on the back porch watching the bowl games and surfing the net. Governor on the table next to me, and a Mossberg pistol grip riot gun within reach. The actual guns vary regularly, but something is always around.

[.455_Hunter]

Unless I am in the shower or in bed, I have a pocket friend with be at all times. It might be just a NAA .22 mag Mini, but it's something.

[ISCS Yoda]

Okay, my house is as secure as almost anyone's - deadbolts, locked door handles, dogs, and a door security bar in place front and back if I am inside, plus it has an alarm that I generally keep on. It will take some effort to "invade". However, color me paranoid, I don't care, I am never without a firearm on my person or within easy reach. Bathroom? I have one there, too. Read John Taffin's recent column in GUNS magazine on home defense guns - I am NOT the only one to recognize the vulnerability of the bathroom. It's hidden, it's kept dry, it's loaded, it can be reached if an invader hasn't breached and caught me in the shower.

But before I go on let me make a separate point. Some folks don't have as many guns as some of us. If you're a fan of guns but haven't, for whatever reason, bought more and more of them over the years then your plan is different because it has to be. No issues with that - but if you're covered up in firearms, well, even undressed you can have one available if you so choose. It's all personal - what works for me isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Asleep? Revolver within easy reach. Been that way for close to 40 years.

Shotguns? Two in one hall closet, a third in a bedroom closet, and a .44 caliber lever gun in there, too. Why? Because I can. Is it a necessity? Probably not. But I have the guns so why not?

Living room? Revolver in a cabinet.

So they're all reachable - and if I'm dressed my 642 is in my pocket. Otherwise, it's somewhere reachable, too. But what if I'm in my t-shirt and sweats, or similar sleep-time clothing?

Double action .22 Magnum derringer in my robe pocket or little Beretta 950BS. Easy to do and thus I am never without a gun.

Paranoid? Probably. Scared? Not one bit.

YMMV

***GRJ***

[ClayCow]

I was once scared to live in my home. But most of it has subsided. As someone mentioned move elsewhere, the amount of stress you retain is worth the little bit more money to live in a nicer place

[shouldazagged]

No. If I'm one step outside my door I'm armed. At home my carry gun is within reach, but not on my person. I don't carry one to the bathroom in the middle of the night, or while drinking my get-the-heart-started first mug of coffee in the morning.

Some of you will consider that to be near-criminal complacency, but at my advanced age I have no desire to live every moment at Condition Orange. I don't chase women anymore, so jealous husbands or boyfriends are no longer a source of concern.

[shawn mccarver]

I am with Iggy on this one. If I am wearing pants, I am also "wearing," if you know what I mean.

Via Clint Smith:

"If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. That's ridiculous. If I have a gun, what in the hell do I have to be paranoid for."

Several have remarked about others being in the house. My personal belief is that if your personal weapon is not on your person, it should be locked up so that unauthorized users do not have access. A good reason to carry at home.

[rwsmith]

Moving into 'better' neighborhoods costs money.

[Pierre330]

The only place I don't carry is at work (because it's prohibited) or any other place with prohibitive signs. As soon as I get home from work and out of work clothes, the gun goes on.

[andrewcdub]

I've been carrying my shield 9 in a galco stow n go around the house for a while now. Even in gym shorts it still carries well.

[Tracer_Bullet]

I've had a few suspicious/strange people show up on my doorstep over the years (especially when I had a dumpster in the yard when my old siding was being replaced), so yes, I'm always armed or within easy reach of a gun and I carry a reload.

[Kframerbluvr]

Always have a J-frame .38 in my pocket at home and more often than not, carry a full size belt gun of some sort, plus at least one reload for each. You just never know...

[Arik]

My home attire is a t shirt and sweat pants so no holster or gun. Don't like wearing jeans at home, not too comfortable lounging around in jeans and a holster. However I have a gun near by.

[Waywatcher]

No for me as well.

Locked doors and a shotgun in a ShotLock are good enough for me.

[SW01SS]

I don't, but I live in a small place. 2-3 guns upstairs, 1-2 downstairs depending on where certain ones happen to be at a given time. My pistol is usually within arms reach. No kids so when I'm home none are locked up and all can be accessed quickly. My girlfriend who I live with can shoot also so if she's home then the bad guys will have two firearms throwing lead their way. If I'm not home she know's where every gun is at and can handle shooting all but one of them so she's good to go as well.

[SMSgt]

Why are you wearing hoodie inside? Don't you have heat in your apartment.

[Shooting Padre]

Two words - Home Invasion- . I don't want to have to go into my safe or anywhere else for my gun when I go to see who's at the door, and they are not someone nice! The enemy attacks when you least expect it. Yea, I carry at home.

[John R]

Originally Posted by Iggy

In my case, it's not a matter of feeling insecure, it's that I have been carrying a sidearm for 48 years.

When it's not on my hip, it doesn't feel right, bordering on physical discomfort. The pressure of a belt without a holster is disconcerting.I'll bet some of you old geezers know what I mean.

A side arm is just part of my everyday equipment. Watch, wallet, keys, gun. It's not a big deal, it's just getting dressed.

One old geezer to another.

[Smoke]

Originally Posted by SMSgt

Why are you wearing hoodie inside? Don't you have heat in your apartment.

I live in Colorado

And I actually don't have heat (per se) in my apartment.
My neighbors blast their heat so much that my apartment stays at around 65 all winter long with out me having to turn on the heat more than once or twice a year.

[Smoke]

Originally Posted by Rastoff

Brother, you need to move. I hate it when people tell me stuff like this because I know how difficult it is to move sometimes. Even so, based on the stuff you've told us over the last few months, this is a bad neighborhood. OK, I won't mention it again.

This is a common response when I post about my neighborhood and I don't have any hard feelings reading it.

If I haven’t spelled it out guys I don’t make a lot of money, any place that I could afford to live would be the same neighborhood in a different part of town.

Knowing that there are advantages to this neighbor hood, I’m close enough to work that I can ride my bike; I can throw a rock and hit my church from here.

The management here is first rate, my wife has physical issues and on the days that she’s not up to walking our dogs they do it for her free of charge. They also are happy to carry groceries upstairs for her if I’m not home. I’m not going to find that in any other apartment complex in town.

Finally I am absolutely convinced that the apartments we live in are the apartments God wants us to live in and until I’m convinced that HE wants us to move I’m not moving

[scooter123]

I live just about a mile north of the Detroit border and 2 miles north of one of the most notorious drug areas in Detroit. Fortunately it's a city with an excellent Police force but even an excellent Police force can be minutes away when you need them right this second. So, if my handgun isn't on my hip, it is within 2 steps of being in my hand. Good lord willing I'll never need it but being prepared doesn't cost me a thing.

[Brian41]

I live in the country in a safe area but still keep a J frame in my pocket at home. I carry it almost anywhere I can and taking it out is more of a pain than anything. Still home invasions have happened here too and having one in my pocket is much quicker than getting to one in a drawer.
My wife asked me the other day why I carry at home and told her because of home invasions. She rolled her eyes and thinks me paranoid but I can live with that.
A neighbor up the road heard a noise in his kitchen awhile ago and found two guys there who claimed they had wrong house and left. There was a rash of daytime break-ins then and a couple were caught from out of the area and drug addicts so it happens everywhere now.

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Carrying at home isn't necessarily a reflection of anxiety or fear.

It's because I'm at ease with carrying that I don't feel the need to disarm myself at home. I just drop an LCP in my pocket when I get dressed and that's that. I'm not worrying about needing a gun in the living room anymore than carrying my wallet with a DL is an indicator of worry about getting a speeding ticket in the dining room... though sometimes I eat too fast . I'm in and out of the house throughout the day. A carry routine that well serves my general routine is key.

[CO_Kid]

I don't carry on my person at home. With a 5 year old who loves to wrestle around, not feasible. Heck, last night at Walmart, I don't know what he was doing, but he ran up and tried to jump/grab onto my leg, and got a bloody nose because he smashed his face into the model 10 under my jacket. Unfortunately I was turned away from him and didn't see him coming.

One is always in an easy location to retreat to at home however. Unfortunately with kids, you can't just hole up with a shotgun and wait for the bad guy to come to you, you have to fight your way through the house to get to the kids' rooms. When my son was younger, I had guns in his closet and in the guest room, which made it even better. Fight my way to his room, then hole up. With him being 5, and a new baby, I can't leave a gun in his room, and I don't have a guest room, so there aren't any guns in that back part of the house.

[Cal44]

Originally Posted by Smoke

This is a common response when I post about my neighborhood and I don't have any hard feelings reading it.

If I haven’t spelled it out guys I don’t make a lot of money, any place that I could afford to live would be the same neighborhood in a different part of town.

It's interesting how easy it is to think of a solution to another person's problems --

up until you know their real situation, that is.

I don't carry around the home, but may start soon depending on the local crime situation.

[Neumann]

Originally Posted by Kanewpadle

Nope. Don't need to.

My home is extremely secure. It will take several minutes for someone to get in if they succeed in doing so at all.

Buy yourself one of these.
Model No. 265DCCSEN | Master Lock

It sure helps.

The last time I looked, sliding doors were mostly glass. Some barrier against forced entry, eh?

A surprising number of home invaders are simply invited inside by opening the door. My cousin thought it was his neighbor, who frequently dropped by when he got bored.

[Arik]

The only crime around here are soccer moms driving those Porsche SUVs. What a sorry excuse for a Porsche

[JJEH]

Originally Posted by Iggy

If I got my pants on, my gun is on my hip. If I don't have them on, the gun is within reach.

Come on, even w/o your pants on you can still wear the gun belt

Originally Posted by Comrad

Why live in a place you don't feel safe in?

Doesn't matter where you live, you simply never know...!

[Bob O]

I have a pistol on me during all waking hours. There are threes time I don't have one "on" me:

1. When I'm sleeping (it's on a shelf near my head and within arm's reach).
2. When I'm "in bed" (same location as #1).
3. When I'm in the shower (it's on top of the medicine cabinet within arms reach from inside the shower).

What good is a loaded firearm if you can't get to it when you need it? The only way I'd not have a pistol on my person while at home, is if I had one in every room in the house.

BTW, I open-carry when I'm outside in the yard on my own private property. Whether I'm doing yard work, working on or washing the car, taking the garbage out, etc. It can't hurt for people you don't know who are driving or walking by to know that you're a person who chooses to be armed......just in case those people are in the process of selecting their next "target".

[Smoke]

FWIW my entire home is 720 sq (23' X 30') feet. I literally can’t get 10 steps from my front (only) door and still be in my home. If someone kicks in the door I’m going to have about a second to react.

The door is also between the LR and BR so if I’m sitting in the LR and someone kicks it in I have to go past them to get to any gun in the BR.

I’m better off with it in my pocket