How many open carry at home?

[AK103K]

I carry from time I get up till bed time. I live in country and sheriff deputy will be miles away if needed.

Thats how it is here. If youre lucky, a Trooper "might" be in the area (the last I saw drive by the house was back in December or January), if they arent, it could be a half hour or more depending on where in the county and/or which side of the mountain they are on.

Wearing a gun is no different than putting a wallet, pocket knife, or any of the other essentials you carry around every day in your pockets. Once you have done it for a little while, the only time you really notice, is when its not there.

 

[smee78]

I think its cheap insurance to keep one handy at home. There is always someone walking dwn the street or trying to sell something.

 

[monk d]

Why do Americans feel so vulnerable in their own homes. ?

I think basically [two] reasons, there could be more for others though:

1. The proliferation of street gangs. While street gangs have been around in the large cities for decades, in the last 20 years or so they have become prominent even in smaller cites and towns as they are romanticized, copy-catted, and franchised.
2. Home invasions. This may not be an issue in Europe, I don't know, but random home invasions have seemed to be a phenomenon that has gained traction and frequency even in quieter areas.

We could psychobabble the social causes and effects for days, but the bottom line for me is that stuff has happened where a person would not think it would, and the police are not able to prevent crime anyway, unless they are tipped off or happen to be right there when it starts.

As for me I do not feel vulnerable in my home, I am armed all the time

 

[Arizona Fusilier]

To the OP....do you consider yourself in a rural, urban, or suburban area?

Same question to anyone else who would care to answer.

It really is starting to sound like our notion of rural America as a sanctuary from crime has eroded significantly. But it is not clear what population densities we are dealing with for many posters on this thread.

 

[FITASC]

It is a good thing that home invasions never happen. Everyone is always safe no matter where they live. Rich people never get killed in their own homes because they are good neighborhoods. Nope break ins never happen.

Somewhere there is a mountain top and a Costco-sized package of tinfoil too.............

Guess where I live is safer than where you do........damn windows open all night long.......sometimes the garage door is up all night by accident......same for everyone else where I live and WOW.....no invasions.

Let's see the stats to justify the paranoia versus the quality of life. If your neighborhood really sucks like that, you might want to relocate.

 

[AK103K]

Its rural where we live. Our zip code has about 400 people in it, something like 60 people per square mile. Rush hour here is 5-6 AM, and maybe 4-5 cars/trucks, and a couple of buggies.

Ive lived all over, from rural to inner cities, and each has its own issues. There may be less people out where we live now, but the number of nut jobs per capita is higher. Still, it beats the hell out of living in a neighborhood.

 

[Glenn E. Meyer]

The Petit family is the Black Swan event for me. Thus, I carry.

When I was naive, I once just opened the door for a knock about the same time as I expected the Pizza guy. It was a nut. Luckily, I managed to get him out the door. Not so naive anymore.

 

[Blue Duck]

Sometimes I carry at home, both concealed and or open, sometimes I don't, but I usually have one close by.

Why do I carry at home, I live on a farm, with no close neighbors? Because I can, that's why, and I like guns. We just hear from time to time about enough stuff happening, and it's really not that far into town. Who's to say, if someone might or might not target our place.

 

[skizzums]

i doubt very many of us live in "unsafe" neighborhoods..., if we did, we probably wouldn't have many guns left.

you think we're nuts for carrying at home, we think your crazy to not. we will keep going in circles for many pages of posts. you have certainly changed my mind, i will no longer carry or move to a bunker......and i am sure i have changed your mind and you have already started carrying at home. i'm glad we had this discussion.

 

[walks with gun]

I have a gun on me or real close by at least 90% of the time at home and about 60% of the time it's out in the open. I usually prefer to keep my guns concealed but if working in the yard on a hot day I'm not going out of the way to cover it up. It's pretty rural here and my main worry is critters getting after my animals.

 

[A pause for the COZ]

T

o the OP....do you consider yourself in a rural, urban, or suburban area?

Same question to anyone else who would care to answer.

It really is starting to sound like our notion of rural America as a sanctuary from crime has eroded significantly. But it is not clear what population densities we are dealing with for many posters on this thread.

I would say Rural. Three miles out of town. The closest bigger city is MPLS/ St Paul about 65 mi away.

But the county is the poorest county in the state. 75% below poverty level.

Life out here was not always this bad. Sure there were plenty of poor people.
But then came METH... METH is a plague on civilization.
Once hooked they are hooked for good. They cant keep a job so how do you think they get the stuff?

YUP... They drive the dirt roads looking for a easy grab. You leave it out. Its gone.
I work for the power company... You would be surprised what we see.

The fact is... If you want to keep it. you better protect it.

 

[buckhorn_cortez]

It's interesting that this question is in "Tactics and Training" and the only security tactic being discussed is whether you carry at home or not.

I don't carry at home, I really have no reason to do that. You would have to climb a 5-1/2 foot high fence to get to my house. Should someone climb the fence, they would have to get past a 6-foot wall with another gate to get to the front door; or climb a second 4-foot high fence to access any other door or window. Criminals are opportunists and if you make it difficult for them, they will choose an easier target.

In 20 years, I've never had a knock at my door that I didn't know who it was, simply because the gate to the driveway is only opened when we know someone is going to be coming to the house.

Now, that doesn't mean we're not unaware of the need for protection. As I'm typing this, there is a SIG P229 within arm's reach, another SIG hidden in a bookcase near the kitchen, a gun in my wife's purse, a 1911 in my briefcase, a shotgun in the bedroom closet, two guns in the nightstand, and another gun hidden on the mantel in the bedroom.

If you feel the need to carry 24/7 - I'd suggest reviewing some other options for increasing your security and lowering your need for constant self defense - it can be done.

 

[A pause for the COZ]

Thats true enough. Home protection is more than what gun and were its at.

At our place it seemed it was a magnet for any one with a problem, question, need a phone, gas, ride, what ever.

The same things that attracted our gaze every time we drove by this place years before we purchased it were the same things working on the ding bats.

I installed a chain link fence around the road side of our yard. I did that to keep my dogs alive. But it must have also had a psychological effect on the dig bats.
The volume of stops decreased by I guess...... 80%.
I guess we dont look as inviting.. Thats ok with me.

I have also added 6 security cameras and signage letting them know we are looking.
IP Cameras are cheap now. Every one should have them.

Not one thing will keep ya safe, but it all helps.

 

[JohnKSa]

Why do Americans feel so vulnerable in their own homes. ?

I really don't. I honestly believe, and the statistics support the belief, that I will never have to use a firearm in self-defense.

I don't carry because I believe it's likely I'll need one in my lifetime. I carry for three reasons.

1. In spite of the odds being low, the stakes are high. It's the same reason people play the lottery even though there's virtually zero chance of their winning. Because if they manage to beat the odds, the payoff is incredible. Likewise, although the chance of my being the victim of violent crime is low, the cost of "beating the odds" is extremely undesirable.

2. Because it's so easy to carry. I do many things to be prepared for unlikely and likely events simply because it's easy to do them that it hardly makes sense to NOT do them.

3. Because I know about guns, like shooting, and am proficient with firearms. How stupid (and ironic) would it be for someone like me, who has spent a lot of time and effort becoming proficient with a handgun because I enjoy shooting, to end up being unarmed the one time I might really need a firearm at hand? It would be like being a master mechanic having one single breakdown in your car in your life and not having any tools on hand to deal with the problem.

Guess where I live is safer than where you do........damn windows open all night long.......sometimes the garage door is up all night by accident......same for everyone else where I live and WOW.....no invasions.

Good. I hope that stays true all your life. But you do understand that there are no crime free zones, right? Bad people can go where they like and some are smart enough to go where the pickings are easy. Places where people leave their windows and doors open, etc.

Being prepared to me just means that I don't fall into the trap of believing that nothing bad could possibly happen. In other words, I'm not constantly expecting trouble, I'm just not dismissing the possibility.

I've seen many people who want to dismiss the possibility of trouble and who actually become irate if someone voices a different opinion around them.

One interesting thing I've found to be true is that some people actually intentionally do things like leave windows and doors open or unlocked because it makes them feel safer. I think that they feel, at some level--perhaps subconsciously, that doing so is an affirmation of how safe they really are. People with this attitude tend to become angry and often insulting when dealing with people that take a more cautious approach to security. It's almost as if they feel, again, perhaps subconsciously, that bringing the topic up threatens them. Sort of a "knock on wood" sort of thing--if we don't talk about it, it won't happen.

 

[serf 'rett]

No open carry at home for me.

 

[Pond James Pond]

you have certainly changed my mind, i will no longer carry or move to a bunker......and i am sure i have changed your mind and you have already started carrying at home. i'm glad we had this discussion.

Should we only post if we agree?

Seems a shame to stifle discussion just because of the inconvenience of differing opinions...

 

[Blackbook]

I CC when out and about, but at home I did not. I sufficed that I had strategically located fire arms around in case the need arises.

I have since, in the last couple of months changed my tactics.
I live three miles out of a small town, and even here it is getting bad again.
I constantly note dirt balls out scoping some possibilities. Three or four days a week I am at home. You would be surprised who is driving the dirt roads when your at work.

Just in the last month with in 2 miles of me. One place got broke into and they were still in the house when the kids got off the school bus. Kids noted Dad's shot guns against the wall in the entry way. Figured some thing was wrong so hi tailed it to the neighbors. Scruff Muffins were gone by the time the Sheriff dept showed up.

1/2 Mile south of me. An old fella had died. When the kids came up to go through dad's stuff. There was nothing left to go through. They even took the wiring.

Last week at my place. I had a contractor doing some cement work. In between tasks he left his shiny new Bob Cat and a trailer in my yard.
That night around 11pm, we get a knock on the door.
Some jittery looking kid who could not make eye contact asking for directions. ( yea right, just wanted to see if any one was home)
He did note the PT111 on my hip.

Getting bad again:

I have choices for a home carry piece. But I chose my PT11 for one reason. (ok three reasons)
Its reliable, compact, and cheap. I think the new ones can be had for $199 on a good day.
If I scratch the heck out of it, And I will. No biggie....

My goal is not to have to pull it. But I want these dirt bags driving around looking for a mark to see me mowing the yard with a gun strapped to my hip.

" Aint going there. That crazy guy lives there."

I look forward to reading the opinions of those who dislike OC, as this seems to be a clear case supporting the deterrence advantage of OC.

I do always carry at home. Not deliberately, it's just that that my gun is something I have on my person while I'm dressed just as I also have my wallet, phone and keys, too. Exactly the same.

I don't OC at the house only because I favor IWB holsters and my over-shirt covers it. If I were faced with your situation, however, I might invest in a house holster and OC.

 

[zach_]

Guns are always within reach. I usually wear gym shorts at home. Not good for holsters. This area has gone down hill as well. "Section 8" housing and apartments have taken their toll. Not all section 8 tennants are bad people, but there are lots of them in the mix.

 

[psalm7]

Being aware of possible threats is not paronia . There are people out there that want what you got , any part of it and there are people out there that are serial minded that you or a famiy mamber may chance meet and it means something eles to them , there are people that may be wondering around under the influance or insane that are a threat to any one they randomly meet . I live in a rural area and there is normaly no trouble of any kind other than a preaditor killing someones live stock or maby a car wreck or something but there is also a ocasional break in or robbery from thoes that drive around looking for a easy target , a couple of times there has been someone become a drug dealer and that brings threats into our area , And as the big family farmes get sold off and broke up there is alot of new people move in and brings alot of baggage with them . I do not sit around armed to the teeth but rely more on sittuational awareness . The multi layer defence mentioned by others is the best defence . I have some of that going on and feel comfortable with my prepps . Also forgot to mention another threat many rural areas face are the weekend drunks and druggies that will leave town and ride around the countryside to get away from the Cops on ocasionas myself and Iv talked to others have had them in the middle of the night knock on the door when they have had car trouble or wrecked . People skills can keep this peaceful but you never know what could happen . Couple of weeks ago I was walking around my yard with a morning cup of coffee ( yes unarmed ) and saw where one of the ride around junkies threw out a sheet of plastic with a used needle , rubber strap , empty bud light can all with blood on them into the middle of the road . I work 60 plus hours a week enjoying my day off and have to look at their garbage . I do carry when answering the door and most of the time when when hikeing or patroling my property .

 

[buckhorn_cortez]

I will make one suggestion. There is a design concept in security called crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED).

CPTED deals with physical designs for a site to lower the risk of crime at the site. There are a number of disciplines and concepts in CPTED, but three areas can be directly applied to most private houses - natural access control, natural territorial reinforcement, and natural surveillance.

This can be summed up as deterrence through environmental design.

The subject is a bit too involved to get into on an Internet forum, but there are several books available on the subject. If anyone is interested in evaluating their residence for CPTED concepts, a good starting text is, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, Third Edition.