Do you carry at home - Why do people feel safe at home?

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TSR,

you are looking at it from a different view point than the average joe. First, you are almost ridiculing the average citizen for carrying a gun because they have never been in a true combat scenario. You need to bear in mind that there are many kinds of danger. Yes, the odds of something happening to average joe is slim to none. Yes, being strapped 100% of the time is probably a bit much from the POV of the person who has been in military combat looking at the white collar worker.

However, you need to bear in mind that not everyone in this country live in the same conditions as yourself. Im not saying your wrong. Im saying your being too extreme on the paranoid white collar worker thing and are actually doing the RKBA people a disservice.

I am a white collar worker. I have never been in a gun fight. I keep a gun close by always. I have been burglarized, dogs killed, and guns stolen from my home when younger. I have befriended bad guys in my younger and more reckless days. I do not underestimate the capacity of the average neighborhood thug to do evil.

I have had someone attempt to invade my home on several occasions in the recent past, some while i was there and some not. I can think of at least 2 occasions where being too paranoid, as you put it, saved myself, my girlfriend, and my belongings. Am I paranoid? to you...yes. To me... in a neighborhood where my race and social class is a minority i do stand out as a target. This is not unfounded paranoia talking, it is experience.

your set of experiences and your situation in life differ from many other people on earth thus so does your ideology.
 
You are not arming yourself to shoot your wife or brother-n-law over a small domestic scuffle. You are arming yourself to protect against home invasion. Home invasion and domestic disputes are two unrelated things.
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You're missing the point. Stats were put up to justify carrying at home. Said stats, at least with respect to assaults, did not differentiate between DV assaults and assaults from home invaders. If you remove the DV assaults the the number is cut in half at least, likely more. That means you now have half as much justification to carry from what was a paltry statistic to being with.

Once again, if you want to carry because you like it, thats great. However using these stats as evidence that carry in the home is warranted or necessary just doesn't pan out.


IMHO those who obsess about guns in the bathroom and guns being carried in the home to be "ready" for something that aint gonna happen in Whitebread, USA are folks that are living in fear...I'm not gonna live like that.
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Now that I've gotten that mental image of you in your BVD's sitting on a bean bag chair surfin TFL with your cheeto stained fingers out of my head, +1.

Lifes to short to wear clothes all the time.
 
Mavracer, beg to disagree here. I do not think it is particularly smart to have guns hidden all through your house. Yeah, I'll get flamed for saying this on this board, but ... it's true anyway.
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Pax,I agree I was actually joking.Guess I should answer OP.I carry at home sometimes usually just don't take it off.
and for the record all my guns ar either locked in reloading room or in my bedroom.each of the 18 year olds have a gun in their rooms with trigger locks only me, mom and them know.
My kids were raised with the rule they can look at any gun they want just ask first,it worked for us.
 
I think many, not all, that make a living from firearms and training have a ditorted view of what the average person really needs to defend themselves. No doubt they have a personal and financial interest in their agenda but regardless of statistics skewed to their point of view, the average citizen doesn't need to carry 24/7, or keep a gun in every room, or subject themselves to a training regimen that they will seldom use and soon forget.
Life is too short to spend time obsessing about percieved threats. while a little self research and common sense will do just fine.
Thank you.
 
This is always an interesting topic.

The people against carrying at home typically have the following main points:

Assertion 1: People who carry at home are paranoid.
Assertion 2: It's pointless (or it's an over-reaction) because the chance of being attacked at home is small.
Assertion 3: It's pointless because even if you carry you might be unable to ward off an attack.

The first assertion (people who carry are paranoid) is an example of a logical fallacy called an ad hominem. Rather than discussing the benefits/disadvantages of the opposing premise, it seeks to dismiss the opposing argument by attempting to discredit those who espouse it. It is not only a logical fallacy, it is an offensive tactic and not one that lends itself to polite discussion for obvious reasons.

The second assertion is irrelevant. In spite of the fact that attacks are rare, they do happen. To imply that there's no need to prepare for rare occurrences ignores the fact that rare is not the same as never. Furthermore, the fact that an event is rare is no comfort for those unlucky enough to be affected. "They kicked in my door, raped my wife, beat up grampa, shot me and the kids will be in therapy for life--but hey, we don't mind because this hardly ever happens." RIGHT. :rolleyes:

The final assertion is also irrelevant. One prepares with the understanding that not every event can be overcome with preparation. Having fire extinguishers in your home won't do you any good if you're away from home when the fire starts or if you can't get to one for some reason. So if we follow the "logic", we shouldn't bother to buy fire extinguishers because in some instances they will be useless.

Monitored alarms are pointless if the phone lines are cut--should we get rid of the alarm system because it won't work if the phones are out? The point is that having a gun very readily available increases one's chances of being able to effectively resist. Will everyone who carries a gun at home be able to prevail in every case? Clearly not, but that doesn't mean that the practice is useless, it just means that it's not universally effective. Not surprising since nothing is.
 
Reckon the bearing this has on the discussion is that those who feel so paranoid about being attacked in their own home to the point they need either constant valium or a constant sidearm strapped to them should probably start doing some background checks on their acquaintances. . .

That is, if they truly believe the statistics they like to trot out.

Jeff
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My point is that just because I know someone doesn't mean that I won't defend myself against them. I would hate to hurt someone I know, but if they for whatever reason decide that they wish to do me harm, I have no problem defending myself with an appropriate amount of force.



Its relevant because if most attacks in the home happen from people you know or ar related to, your carrying a firearm isn't the deterrent that some claim it is because 1) odds are the person knows you're carrying 2) you aren't going to be on guard because you know them and 3) you probably aren't going to shoot your friend/relative.

As a result, the odds that you would need a firearm in your home for are much smaller. Add to this the fact that these stats aren't applicable equally to every neighborhood (stuff happens much more in bad areas than in good areas) and that even further decreases the percentage.

Hence my point that moving to a good area (and not hanging out with friends that will rape you) will be a far better solution than strapping on a gun. Sure you might successfully defend yourself, but why bother with that at when you don't have to.
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I've never had a problem in my home from visitors. I've also never been in a car accident, but I still pay the insurance;)
 
The second argument is irrelevant. In spite of the fact that attacks are rare, they do happen. To imply that there's no need to prepare for rare occurrences ignores the fact that rare is not the same as never.
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Not really. There is something valid in pointing out the fact that people who use stats to justify one action, don't take similar precautions for other hazards that are far more likely. It tells me that at the end of the day they carry because they want to and not out of some genuine fear of crime, and that they are trying to find a reason to justify it.


I've never had a problem in my home from visitors. I've also never been in a car accident, but I still pay the insurance
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Cause the law requires you to.
 
Cause the law requires you to.
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Nope, because I feel it's needed. I did it even when insurance wasn't required by law.

It's also not required in FL for motorcycles without a lien. I fall into that category, but still carry full coverage insurance.
 
This is always an interesting topic.
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And is almost a reductio ad absurdum topic, although one beaten to death:D

My thoughts...again.....

I repeat my question earlier? Anybody run around naked in their home? Ya put a gun on?

Y'all do the horizontal rhumba with SWMBO and have your gun belt on? Tape a derringer between your cheeks.

Its 6am and you have to take a leak...your can is right across the bedroom...strap on your Wilson Combat over your jammies?

Christmas party time.....you keep your Glock strong side under your Santa Suit?..you dont' have a drink or two, in fact you NEVER have a drink or two in yOur own home CUZ YOU ARE ALWAYS CARRYING A GUN.....24/7 365...

How about In the public gym? In the sauna? You go to them dont ya? Belly gun under the spandex?

Answer no to that bunch of questions and home carriers are blowing smoke.....and if you answer yes then I honestly and truly beleive you need to examine your life...for if you feel you have to be in condition red with a gun on at all times, if you feel that you need to make your own home into an armed camp then you have no life at all..or at least not a happy one.

And I assume that if you are carrying a gun at all times you go NOWHERE where you can't...ever....

WilditrytobebluntAlaska TM
 
I don't have a place to carry a pocket knife when I'm wearing clothes without pockets, but that doesn't make a pocket knife any less useful. Nor does it mean that I've never needed a pocket knife while wearing clothes without pockets. NOR does the fact that I'm occasionally without a pocket knife mean that pocket knives aren't practical. NOR does the fact that I'm occasionally without a pocket knife prove that the value of having a pocket knife on one's person is overrated. It just means that it's not always possible to have a pocket knife on one's person without resorting to ridiculous strategies.

Similarly, proving that it's impossible to be unwaveringly vigilant and that it's foolishly impractical to always carry a gun doesn't prove anything other than it's impossible to be unwaveringly vigilant and that it's foolishly impractical to always carry a gun.

Which makes this...
Answer no to that bunch of questions and home carriers are blowing smoke.....and if you answer yes then I honestly and truly beleive you need to examine your life...
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...a false dichotomy.
 
John your gettin' as bad as Applesanity :)

...a false dichotomy.
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But your post supports my argument ;)

"It just means that it's not always possible to have a pocket knife on one's person without resorting to ridiculous strategies."

WildfromthetacticaltothephilosophicalAlaska TM
 
But your post supports my argument
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Of course--up until the conclusion.

Accepting that there are situations when it's ridiculous to carry doesn't mean that it follows that there's no value in carrying when it IS "non-ridiculous". Nor does it imply that carrying at home must include even the times that it's wildly impractical to be of value. And it doesn't follow that a person who doesn't carry when it's wildly impractical is being hypocritical.

The false dilemma you posed gives a person the choice between admitting they're not serious about being prepared (because they don't carry when it would be ridiculous to do so) or that they're crazy (because they do). Those aren't the only two options.

I don't carry when it's wildly impractical BECAUSE it's wildly impractical, but I do carry at home when it is "non-ridiculous" because it's very easy to do and because I find it simpler and more practical than caching guns around the house. Not that I EXPECT home carry (or cached guns) to pay off tonight, or even in my lifetime, but rather because there's a very tiny chance it COULD pay off at any time.

I don't have to remember where the closest gun is in this room and how to get to it. I don't have to remember where all the guns are when someone brings kids over. I don't have to spend time collecting guns or redistributing them before & after trips out of town. I always (ok, ALMOST always :D) know exactly where the closest gun is so I don't have to think about it at all. When I take it off and put it in the safe (or when I leave the house) the house is already child-proofed or ready to be vacated for an extended period.

I think that this is part of the disconnect. I (and I'm sure others) find that carrying a gun at home is the simplest and most practical way to have ready access to one. In fact it's so simple and practical that I can't find a reason not to carry at home. I suppose that if I equated carrying a gun with servitude I might have a different attitude--fortunately I don't.
And guess what the odds of you getting into an accident are compared to a home invasion.
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Still irrelevant.
 
And guess what the odds of you getting into an accident are compared to a home invasion.
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I'm not playing the statistics game. I'm playing the insurance game.
Pax is the one with the stats:D


But I'd have to say that for me personally, based on previous experience the probability is about the same. I've never had either one happen. I had also never had anyone try to hold me up either until 1989 in RiverFront Park, but I'm glad I didn't play the odds and applied for my CCW permit the day I was eligible in 88 while living in Spokane. No shots fired, but it definitely reinforced to me a need to be prepared for the unlikely. Hold ups weren't common place in the park back then, I don't know what it's like there now. It also drove home the need for additional training since I didn't feel I handled it as well as I should have even though no one was hurt and I kept my stuff. I'm just thankful that he decided he didn't want to test his skills with a screwdriver against mine with a 1911; we both would have been hurt IMHO.
The need for additional training based on the probability of me needing it ever again is low, but I'll continue to train just the same.


To make WA happy I won't say I have a gun 24/7, but I do have a firearm on me as much as feasibly and legally possible and adjust appropriately for times when a gun/knife/club is just not legal or feasible. I never could keep the derringer from rubbing my butt cheeks raw:p
 
Of course--up until the conclusion.
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John you're ignoring the naked aspects of my argument:D.....unlike Don, who, whilst I am enjoying a rare beef on rye with Russian Dressing, Swiss cheese and coleslaw, leaves me with an image of a HiPoint chafing a set of hairy male buttocks....

Its not an issue of practicality, its a worldview I can't relate to, nor quite frankly, understand....

Even the soldier puts down his weapon.

Wildhelpicantwalkwiththis629stuffedintomyfeetiepajamasAlaska TM

PS

I don't have to remember where the closest gun is in this room and how to get to it.
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Now if that was me, it would be CANT remember instead of don't have to bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahaha...hey home invader dude, wait up, chill, I got to rummage through the dirty laundry so I can shoot your sorryass bwaaaaaaaaahhahaha...:eek:

Hmmmm....think I'll go lock the door:cool:
 
hey home invader dude, wait up, chill, I got to rummage through the dirty laundry so I can shoot your sorryass bwaaaaaaaaahhahaha...
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WA,
You always make me laugh dude.


On the worldview, I grew up in small town MI and we didn't lock the doors, even when we went on vacation. I guess I've just become jaded;)
 
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