Self defense: How prepared are you?

Lord Tammerlain said:

Fire extinguishers are passive once put in place unless a fire occurs, decisions to carry a weapon in your home and outside it, require an active process

You made the decision to place fire extinguishers in your home a long time ago, and I expect other then when you (I hope) inspect them every few months, doubt you think about them all the time. Neither do you carry a fire extinguisher around all the time, when you go to the bathroom you are not carrying one, but you are a weapon (or stated as such) when you go for a job, you dont carry an extinguisher, but are a weapon.

It is the active everyday decision to carry a weapon out of fear of being attacked that I cant seem to rationalize. I can see the point of having a gun at home for personal protection, but having right beside you when watching TV, or going for a walk to the corner store to me seems an irrational fear. Yes fear, even though you made the decision to carry long ago, it would have been out of fear and fear that causes one to carry it still

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The fact that you can't seem to rationalize it doesn't mean it is not rational; it simply means that your personal life-experiences have not lead you to conclude that carrying a gun is prudent. Mine have.

I grew up around guns. To me they are as normal as TV sets and shoes. I put them in the same category as power tools: "useful items to be handled with care."

Your perspective apparently differs. Very well... but that doesn't mean my perspective is invalid. Simply different.

My best friend like-a-brother was murdered at 24, at his place of business, in a robbery. I had been going to go there that night to help him close up shop, as I often did; something came up and I did not go. My friend was a very different fellow than me, he did not go armed or concern himself about crime... and he died young. I often wondered how things might have turned out differently if I had been there. Someone with a higher level of awareness and caution, and a ready sidearm, could have changed the story substantially. But, that is what-if and useless now.... but this matter reaffirmed to me that my decision to go armed was prudence and not paranoia.

Perhaps you will construe this story as more reason to cast me as "fearful". Would you do so if I instead told a story about someone I knew who died in a housefire because he didn't have a handy fire extinguisher? What some call prudence, others call paranoia.... but I think your apparent bias is causing you to fail to see the correlation between the two forms of preparedness.

Once one has grown accustomed to being armed, it is little more bother than wearing shoes or carrying keys. There is no emotional content to my usual morning ritual of adding "sidearm" to the list of things I wear and carry. It is no more burdensome to me than my shoes, and no less "normal".

I'm hardly alone. Most of the men (and a good many women) I know own guns, and many of them keep one close at hand; a fair number carry as regularly as I do. To me it is the norm; to you it seems odd. :shrug:

It seems to me though, that you're trying to make a distinction about going armed that you don't make about having fire extinguishers, insurance, or a spare tire and tire-changing equipment in the car. You're trying to paint the one as fear-based (irrational fear) and the other as "normal".

Normal is what you're used to.

Given my experiences in life, my background and where I grew up, carrying a gun is "normal".

Lord Tammerlain said:

Fire extinguishers are passive once put in place unless a fire occurs, decisions to carry a weapon in your home and outside it, require an active process

You made the decision to place fire extinguishers in your home a long time ago, and I expect other then when you (I hope) inspect them every few months, doubt you think about them all the time. Neither do you carry a fire extinguisher around all the time, when you go to the bathroom you are not carrying one, but you are a weapon (or stated as such) when you go for a job, you dont carry an extinguisher, but are a weapon.

It is the active everyday decision to carry a weapon out of fear of being attacked that I cant seem to rationalize. I can see the point of having a gun at home for personal protection, but having right beside you when watching TV, or going for a walk to the corner store to me seems an irrational fear. Yes fear, even though you made the decision to carry long ago, it would have been out of fear and fear that causes one to carry it still

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What's the point here about fear? So what? Frankly you seem a lot more fearful, they way your posts sound.

Lord Tammerlain said:

Fire extinguishers are passive once put in place unless a fire occurs, decisions to carry a weapon in your home and outside it, require an active process

You made the decision to place fire extinguishers in your home a long time ago, and I expect other then when you (I hope) inspect them every few months, doubt you think about them all the time. Neither do you carry a fire extinguisher around all the time, when you go to the bathroom you are not carrying one, but you are a weapon (or stated as such) when you go for a job, you dont carry an extinguisher, but are a weapon.

It is the active everyday decision to carry a weapon out of fear of being attacked that I cant seem to rationalize. I can see the point of having a gun at home for personal protection, but having right beside you when watching TV, or going for a walk to the corner store to me seems an irrational fear. Yes fear, even though you made the decision to carry long ago, it would have been out of fear and fear that causes one to carry it still

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Firearms are equally passive. Once you put them in place as a defensive measure they are no different than the fire extinguisher. The decision to properly equip your home w/ smoke detectors and alarms and fire extinguishers is not a fear based decision...it is a decision made by intelligent reasoned and rational people that understand the threat to life and proprty exists and any/and every preemptive measure you can employ helps to reduce the event but in the unfortunate event, combat the event.

Same exact reasoning applies w/ regard to firearms. The threat is real. A consious decision to be as prepared as possible against threat and employing ways to combat the threat is a common sense solution.

Personally...I think most people overstate their level of access to a firearm, especially in regard to the OP scenario. SOME may indeed live in an arsenal with weapons readily deployable in every room. Soom may carry strapped while sitting at home watching the TV. Most? I doubt it. I think they also miscalculate their response to such an event. If you calculate in reaction time to the OP scenario as well human response, Fumbling in pockets or running for nearest weapons is probably going to get you killed.

American said:

What's the point here about fear? So what? Frankly you seem a lot more fearful, they way your posts sound.

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Fearful nope

I have no issue walking around any part of my city at any time day or night unarmed.

To live in an area where to feel safe one needs to carry a weapon at all times is not something I have experienced. Perhaps many Americans do

VanceMack said:

Firearms are equally passive. Once you put them in place as a defensive measure they are no different than the fire extinguisher. The decision to properly equip your home w/ smoke detectors and alarms and fire extinguishers is not a fear based decision...it is a decision made by intelligent reasoned and rational people that understand the threat to life and proprty exists and any/and every preemptive measure you can employ helps to reduce the event but in the unfortunate event, combat the event.

Same exact reasoning applies w/ regard to firearms. The threat is real. A consious decision to be as prepared as possible against threat and employing ways to combat the threat is a common sense solution.

Personally...I think most people overstate their level of access to a firearm, especially in regard to the OP scenario. SOME may indeed live in an arsenal with weapons readily deployable in every room. Soom may carry strapped while sitting at home watching the TV. Most? I doubt it. I think they also miscalculate their response to such an event. If you calculate in reaction time to the OP scenario as well human response, Fumbling in pockets or running for nearest weapons is probably going to get you killed.

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It is the probably overstatement that I am commenting on primarily. Having a gun for personal protection I can see, having it strapped while watching TV I can not. Having a gun in your car when travelling, I can see, having a gun when you go to the local gas station at 3 pm I cant.

It is the having a gun strapped as you watch TV, that makes me think the person is either paranoid or extremely fearfull (perhaps the samething). Unless that person is somehow involved in the world of crime, I just dont see it being a rational action. If you are a drug dealer or an undercover cop for instance, I could see the point of having immediate access to a firearm. But for the average joe, not so much

Lord Tammerlain said:

It is the probably overstatement that I am commenting on primarily. Having a gun for personal protection I can see, having it strapped while watching TV I can not. Having a gun in your car when travelling, I can see, having a gun when you go to the local gas station at 3 pm I cant.

It is the having a gun strapped as you watch TV, that makes me think the person is either paranoid or extremely fearfull (perhaps the samething). Unless that person is somehow involved in the world of crime, I just dont see it being a rational action. If you are a drug dealer or an undercover cop for instance, I could see the point of having immediate access to a firearm. But for the average joe, not so much

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On that we actually agree. Ive never polled police officers, but most cops I know MOST LIKELY come home and secure their firearm before just chillin with family. Now...if my neighborhood was a little dicey...I could see it and not consider it paranoid. I also DO have teargas dispensers deployed at access points in my house. Im tryingto imagine a true to the scenario type response. A home invasion depends on 1-surprise, 2-aggression, and 3-fear of the intended victim. They will have elements 1 and 2...I highly doubt even the most well trained individuals sits in their home sitting on the edge of the couch constantly thinking...Oh...here it comes...wait for it...wait for it.......now! SO most likely we will get BOOM followed by a 1-3 second "WTF is happening!!!" moment. Then the show starts.

I never carry when I’m at my home in the United States. But I do have weapons in the house and I usually carry whenever I leave the premises.

I always carry my Glock-21 in Israel (sometimes openly), and keep an M-4 assault rifle in my car with the clip in.

In the absence of a weapon or weapons, aikido is probably one of the best Martial arts out there for your average person...

Lord Tammerlain said:

It is the probably overstatement that I am commenting on primarily. Having a gun for personal protection I can see, having it strapped while watching TV I can not. Having a gun in your car when travelling, I can see, having a gun when you go to the local gas station at 3 pm I cant.

It is the having a gun strapped as you watch TV, that makes me think the person is either paranoid or extremely fearfull (perhaps the samething). Unless that person is somehow involved in the world of crime, I just dont see it being a rational action. If you are a drug dealer or an undercover cop for instance, I could see the point of having immediate access to a firearm. But for the average joe, not so much

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Ah, but you see, once you've made the decision to go armed as a regular thing, you don't stop and think "do I need my gun to run to the store at 3pm?" Gun on/off is not an hourly decision, Gun/on is the default decision. You just put it on with your clothes and go, because that's what you do, because you decided long ago "better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it" (my father's words on the matter).

The reason being, is there is no way to predict when a situation will occur, other than "it will probably not announce itself more than a few seconds in advance."

As for "being strapped" while watching TV.... well if I'm wearing pants and a belt I'm wearing my gun, and this is no greater imposition or oddity to me than having my wallet in my pocket. However, at home I'm actually more likely to put my pistol on my desk, or in the top drawer of same. The desk is where this computer is; it is also in the living room near the TV-watching-couch, so I consider this "within arms reach". My child is old enough to trust around firearms, so that isn't a concern... when he was younger I was more inclined to keep it on my person indoors for safety reasons.

It is a question of mindset. Once you've decided that you're going to live a life of preparedness, and that your preparedness will include being ready to deal with armed criminals, all else follows in course and becomes "normal".
You have trouble concieving of it because it falls outside of what is "normal" in your own experience.... but people and places differ in what is their norm.

Lord Tammerlain said:

For those that have weapons right next to them all the time
Are you really that scared all the time because you live in a really bad area (say Camden New Jersery) or just somewhat paranoid?

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Two words:
Be Prepared.

Goshin said:

No, I'm afraid you continue to misunderstand.

You don't accuse me of fearfulness for having fire extinguishers in strategic locations in my house. Yet I'll tell you plainly that the idea of waking up to find the house is on fire is more frightening to me than the idea of waking up to the sound of the front door being kicked in.

But in neither case is fear driving the decision. Does fear drive my decision to have health insurance? Homeowners insurance? A tornado shelter? Or simply well-informed caution and prudence?

I say the latter, and the same for being armed.

You speak as if my going armed is some kind of dramatic decision I make every day. It isn't. The decision was made once, long ago, on the basis of a rational assessment of need and risk, and the severity of consequence if I ever needed one and didn't have it. I have a tornado shelter, yet I do not live in fear of tornados... nor do I think it likely I will suffer a direct hit from a tornado... but the consequences of it happening were I unprepared could be most severe. The same regarding firearms, and my life experiences after that decision was made have simply reaffirmed to me that I made the right choice.

I don't get up every morning and do a gut-check to see if I feel too fearful to go outside unarmed. :lol:

Hardly. It's more like this:
Pants on.
Shoes on.
Put wallet and keyring in pockets.
Put on belt.
Add leatherman tool and pistol to belt.
Put on shirt/etc.

I'm about as emotional about strapping on my gun, as you are about putting on shoes.
Why do you wear shoes? To protect your feet from the environment.
Why do I carry a gun? To protect my ass from criminals. :mrgreen:

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Well said I would add Fortune favors the prepared Mind.....It actually has little to do with fear. Because I am prepared I have little to fear.

This is where you seem to be confused...Let me lay out my situation and then it will help..

1 .32 hand gun in the drawer right next to my favorite chair. Twelve Gauge in the kitchen and dining room.... a little .25 next to wifes chair(she prefers the litte guns but her aim is good so it will be useful)... a shot gun in each spare bedroom, and two rifles in the master. By my head board a .45 ACP and on her side a Gloch .9mm. IN my Vehicle I keep a Weapon under my seat. I reiterate at no time am I more than 5 ft from a firearm. We love guns, we train with them, we recreationaly shoot(hunt and target) I used them extensively in the military and I have no fear of anyone breaking into my home ans surviving to brag about it or sue. So while i dont walk around strapped at home I consider them tools in my home for defense and protection.

Bigkat80 said:

This is where you seem to be confused...Let me lay out my situation and then it will help..

1 .32 hand gun in the drawer right next to my favorite chair. Twelve Gauge in the kitchen and dining room.... a little .25 next to wifes chair(she prefers the litte guns but her aim is good so it will be useful)... a shot gun in each spare bedroom, and two rifles in the master. By my head board a .45 ACP and on her side a Gloch .9mm. IN my Vehicle I keep a Weapon under my seat. I reiterate at no time am I more than 5 ft from a firearm. We love guns, we train with them, we recreationaly shoot(hunt and target) I used them extensively in the military and I have no fear of anyone breaking into my home ans surviving to brag about it or sue. So while i dont walk around strapped at home I consider them tools in my home for defense and protection.

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Me personally I like shotguns, as in my case and at one time being in the military I don't actively shoot anymore or train(it's been years). So for my own defense and as for wife as well, we use a shotguns 12 guage 00 buck or slug, no accurate aiming required in the middle of the night.

Bigkat80 said:

This is where you seem to be confused...Let me lay out my situation and then it will help..

1 .32 hand gun in the drawer right next to my favorite chair. Twelve Gauge in the kitchen and dining room.... a little .25 next to wifes chair(she prefers the litte guns but her aim is good so it will be useful)... a shot gun in each spare bedroom, and two rifles in the master. By my head board a .45 ACP and on her side a Gloch .9mm. IN my Vehicle I keep a Weapon under my seat. I reiterate at no time am I more than 5 ft from a firearm. We love guns, we train with them, we recreationaly shoot(hunt and target) I used them extensively in the military and I have no fear of anyone breaking into my home ans surviving to brag about it or sue. So while i dont walk around strapped at home I consider them tools in my home for defense and protection.

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Since you used the word 'strapped' Im guesing you meant that to me...which indicates you missed or ignored this part...

"SOME may indeed live in an arsenal with weapons readily deployable in every room. Soom may carry strapped while sitting at home watching the TV. Most? I doubt it"

VanceMack said:

Since you used the word 'strapped' Im guesing you meant that to me...which indicates you missed or ignored this part...

"SOME may indeed live in an arsenal with weapons readily deployable in every room. Soom may carry strapped while sitting at home watching the TV. Most? I doubt it"

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I actually wasnt Directing My response to you, It was toward Lord Tammbelin. Strapped is a term We use here in the South to mean carrying or holstering a weapon. My apologies for the confusion. And yes I indeed agree most are'nt carry or strapped in their Home. I almost never holster in house I keep mine in multiple drawers and locations as outlined in my post. However when I am out almost every time I am holstered, as I have ccw Permits in Both of My states I usually am in.

Originally Posted by Lord Tammerlain
It is the probably overstatement that I am commenting on primarily. Having a gun for personal protection I can see, having it strapped while watching TV I can not. Having a gun in your car when travelling, I can see, having a gun when you go to the local gas station at 3 pm I cant.

It is the having a gun strapped as you watch TV, that makes me think the person is either paranoid or extremely fearfull (perhaps the samething). Unless that person is somehow involved in the world of crime, I just dont see it being a rational action. If you are a drug dealer or an undercover cop for instance, I could see the point of having immediate access to a firearm. But for the average joe, not so much

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Bigkat80 said:

I And yes I indeed agree most are'nt carry or strapped in their Home. I almost never holster in house I keep mine in multiple drawers and locations as outlined in my post. However when I am out almost every time I am holstered, as I have ccw Permits in Both of My states I usually am in.

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It is a sound feeling knowing you have weapons at your disposal in different areas of your home. I don't have any handguns yet, but do have three rifles.
I also have couple tomahawks located within the house plus a very loyal rottweiler.
Don't carry a handgun on me but do carry a razor knife.

I agree about not having to be running around in your own house with a gun strapped to your side. It just seems a bit too much. I guess if one was really concerned he could always have a pistol in his one free hand. But for me I don't even like keys or a wallet on me while at home well alone a pistol.

The most important point I have seen in this thread is to have a plan in place. Be it a fire or two crooks breaking into your house make some sort of plan and practice it every now and again.

I keep two loaded guns in my home. One is a 9mm handgun in my desk where I spend the majority of my time. The other is a shotgun at the top of the stairs with less than lethal rubber rounds. I've never had to use either for self protection but its an avaliable option.

bus said:

The other is a shotgun at the top of the stairs with less than lethal rubber rounds.

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far too kind. I might use LTL rounds on some kids ****ing around in my back yard. but if you break into my home, you are getting 00 buckshot with extreme prejudice...that's is if my great pyrenees doesn't chew your face off first.

Grab my drugs/money and run. I don't own a gun yet but I plan on owning some eventually. If I had one I would use it in that situation.

We have too many little great-grandkids in an out of my house to have loaded weapons readily accessible in every room. However, there is a weapon that the little guys can't jack up high enough to be out of reach and hidden, but not locked up - the noise of jacking it alone is enough to cause sane people to run.

For me, if I don't have a handgun within immediate reach... which unfortunately, I don't... my only recourse would be to try and strangle them with the tubing from my oxygen tank. In other words, consider this post my "it's been great knowing you guys" farewell in case the OP scenario occurs, because I'm **** outta luck. :lol:

DiAnna said:

For me, if I don't have a handgun within immediate reach... which unfortunately, I don't... my only recourse would be to try and strangle them with the tubing from my oxygen tank. In other words, consider this post my "it's been great knowing you guys" farewell in case the OP scenario occurs, because I'm **** outta luck. :lol:

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bummer Hooter babe. Now my son is 13, has a black belt and has shot scores that beat most adult male police officers in the local "Glock League" we trust him to keep his 22 rifle and ammo in his room. When he has friends over the ammo and gun are locked up since we don't know what training they have had. when he was little the only defensive firearm readily available still was locked in an easily accessed safe under our bed. That was for the wife, I had a Mike Bell handforged katana in easy reach-far too heavy for my then very small son to access.

Now we have the glock still in the box, My beretta upstairs in my office in a locked box, and a mossberg pump shotgun up high on a shelf in our clothes closet behind our bedroom

Heavier stuff remains in the safes in our basement and our recreational barn though

I have a double holster shoulder rig that hangs on a coat rack about 3 feet from me... it contains 2 twin custom, loaded & chambered, 1911's.

I don't think i'll be greeting any intruders amicably.

Depends on what they had as weapons. No matter what I would be getting my girls out of the house as fast as possible. To those that have guns... do you wear them in your house? The question is you are going about your business in your safe home. Vaccuming, for instance. How many of you are packing heat? If they busted in and I was close and they didn't hae a gun, I would get my girls out or if no time, defend myself. With years of martial arts I am sure I can handle myself. If they have a weapon I stay calm and make sure my girls are safe even if that means they get out and I die delaying the bad guys.

Thrilla said:

I have a double holster shoulder rig that hangs on a coat rack about 3 feet from me... it contains 2 twin custom, loaded & chambered, 1911's.

I don't think i'll be greeting any intruders amicably.

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Is that in every room in your house?