I just read 8 pages with avid interest. I used to carry most of the time, a lil 25 in my front pocket. I don't know why I ever put it back in the safe.
Statisics are very interesting. My view on that one is, if you are carrying, and the bad guy thinks you are (or sees evidence) and splits, is that now a number that will never be counted?
Do I carry while sleeping? Yes, yes I do. I have a .22 Mag single action revolver, Loaded, under my pillow.
My husband died 6 months ago. I now live alone. I knew I was protected when he was here, he was a much better shot than I.
Single action means I will have to intentionally pull that hammer back. I am not worried about accidents while I sleep.
I now have a dog (if you can call it that) a 6 month old (or so) weiner dog. He loves people, so no help there, but he does have a mean sounding bark in the middle of the night.
I have 4 year old grandbabies through most of the day. I keep my door shut, the boys know the gun is there, they know its a 'real' pow-pow.
They have toys, MY kids were not allowed toy guns as I was raised that guns are not toys, but the youngest has been shooting with us a couple times and is already being taught firearm etiquette. (I raised 3 girls and they all love to shoot). I demonstrated to the baby what a .12 ga would do, close up, to a bleach bottle. His eyes got big, and I could see that he fully understood that this was a 'big owie'.
There have been cases of crime in our neighborhood, a trailer park. Attempted rape next door by a stranger, kids vandalizing and breaking into an eldery lady across the street- she was not at home. All kinds of domestic violence, even against my own daughter, 2 doors down by her husband. She now has her own revolver and a DVO for 2 more years.
I keep my doors locked when I am alone or with only a 4 year old. I am not going to invite trouble in the front door, but if it happens to force its way in, I will do all I can to prevent harm to those babies.