*Someone* recently PM'd me and their words are what prompt me to type what I am about to. No matter what fussing I get as a result.
Concerns of confrontations, or serious situations in one's home or business is not a new thing. Just some of us may of have been raised in an enviroment which these concerns where part of how raised - even if - in my case I am now 50 years old.
I was also just flat raised with the idea of a firearm was "handy" at the home/ business/ travels , if not on person back in the day and age simply because " That is what one did". City or country - no nevermind, we didn't have persmission papers or anything saying yeah or nay...Just how stuff was done- period.
My concerns have always been entering, leaving, or answering the door. I mean having a long gun is great, the reality is one doesn't get to always tote one in these situations. Hence the sidearm on person - preferebly concealed for element of surprise, and not advertising one' self.
Folks kidded about Guns in the Bathroom, well in Hotels/ Motels one never knows when "room service" may knock and let themselves in. Nor does one know how many Master Keys for your Apt has been given to maintence persons - past or present.
I had access to valuables. I had access to alarms, and safes which held said valuables. We had Professionals that roamed different areas with different "skills". Some by-passed alarms, some were 'back the tow-truck in, snag safe and drive off", some kidnapped folks...all sorts of Professionals.
One learns from mistakes - less expensive and painful if learned from someone else's-Mentor and Elder.
I did not order a Pizza, I used peep-hole. I called my neighbor, she didn't either, she like me wondered why a Pizza guy would be using a Rental Car. I dunno, but when LEO advises me a new MO has been happening, and some Professionals are reportedly in the area...I stay put and make a direct call to someone in LEO.
Been walked in on in my Apt, Motels and Hotels. I also happened to be in a Hotel Bathroom when a fella let himself in and the other folks were caught by surprise....bathroom just happened to be near door, this fella was well into the room, I came up from behind.
Alarm company called. I headed out the door in a hurry at 2AM. Weather was bad , I show up and guess what, no alarm going off...and that car I tried to lose, showed up anyway. You drive to LEO station and lay on the horn for help. I never ever again left to answer an alarm without calling Alarm company to make sure my alarm was ging off - and the LEO had been notified to meet me...
I also learned to have a codeword with Alarm company...seems the Professionals figured out that little detail when they would kidnap a guy's wife, family and make the guy at gun point open business and safes...
Good idea to have beefed up window and doors, motion lights and such. Home alarms are good...still it really sucks to arrive to abode and the guys are good enough to by-pass alarms and greet you at your front door. It really ruins one's evening. I had my fun filled evening...
I'll mention a competitor's wife beat him home, they took two cars to work that day. His wife had the shotgun bbl in her mouth when he opened his door. He got to go back to work with someone riding with him, and his wife being babysitted.
Another had the fun time of riding around in the trunk for hours, his family too had company, he made the mistake of opening his business for a "late customer". He had a wee hours in the morning all right. This was the night I was targeted for same...only like an idiot " you were hard as hell to predict, and when we did find you, you picked up the phone while looking directly across the street at our car". I heard this face to face thru cell bars, I had to hear this and face that demon when they were caught. I had to know how come it was not me that night. My call...I just called a customer to let them know I had something ready for them is all. Pure Luck. I saw the car all right, not uncommon for folks to park there...
This using of Uniforms of Utility companies and delivery folks ain't new either...
This "bump and grab" when driving is not new either. Car bumps you, you get out and rut-roh. Of course this run off road and shoot the driver thru window isn't either...
So while I prefer a 12 ga with slugs, while I do all the stuff best I can to not get into situations, take precautions best can, from beefing up the home, lights, locks, patio doors and such...kinda hard to handle a 12 ga while driving too..
I still have to enter, leave, answer the door. A true gentleman removes the dishes before he tinkles in the sink...but ya know, sometimes you do have to use the bathroom. And since I never can be sure another will take precautions in answering door or there is not a Master Key floating about, or perhaps the fella is smart enought to listen to shower running outside bathroom window...
I'll just wear a handgun(s) concealed all the time , in the bathroom have one, and in sleeping have it handy as well.
Nobody said these learning curves were gonna be fun...they got that right.
Steve