In The Home Carry

[Don P]

This from Massad Ayoob in a recent email message and mods it states share this at the bottom.
It has been discussed here about folks who carry at home and have a handgun on them as being paranoid. maybe this will cause those folks to rethink the point. So here for your reading,

WHY WE CARRY GUNS
Posted: 09 Nov 2011 04:36 AM PST
A pleasant senior citizen couple living out the remainder of their golden years in a quiet, bucolic place.
A madman.
Bad combination. See the link below, sent to me this morning by a nationally respected police chief.
http://www.king5.com/news/Elderly-H...rossbow-wife-attacked-with-axe-133395258.html
I am reminded of the two teen thrill killers who conned their way into the home of a beloved couple in Hanover, New Hampshire some years ago. Google “Zantop Murders.” The little fiends butchered that good man and woman like Jack the Ripper.
Not long before the atrocity, the same pair had surrounded a home in nearby Vermont, cut the power lines, and attempted the same thing. This time, though, they were met by a dad who protected his kids with a Glock drawn from his ever-present holster, and fled like the cowards they were.
There is, I submit, a lesson in this.
It’s why I carry a handgun at all times when on my own rural property. When a sudden, unprovoked attack comes, there won’t be time to run to the gun safe.
Condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. May others learn from their sacrifice, that it may not be repeated.
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As some stated in earlier disscusions where these folks living in a place that they should move from. I think not. Bad things can/will happen no matter where we live/work or travel to.

 

[BlueTrain]

I agree completely. My home is one of the most dangerous places I know of. I stay away as much as possible.

 

[briandg]

I don't carry in home. I would given other circumstances. If I was on rural property around here, I would almost certainly carry outside of the home. There is nothingn stupid about carrying in home. I do think that many who do carry in home are probably overestimating their situation, and they could probably live out a thousand lifetimes in their current circumstances without having ever had a home invader.


In reality, I see this particular incident as beyond redemption. Because they were the people that they were, with community responsibilities, they were at times compelled to open their homes. I don't think that the boys were acquainted with the people.

had the old man had a gun, it would not have mattered. An old many attacked by a young and strong predator by surprise probably didn't have a chance. his wife probably had no opportunity to get to a weapon, and would not have been carrying one if her husband had been armed.

The only reasons that this couple died were that there are psychopathic killers who strike at random, and their way of living put them in danger, just like a life of prostitution does. They were vulnerable to those boys, whereas I doubt that very many of the people here would have allowed those boys through their doors. I've allowed strangers into my home, but this article has once again reminded me to be on guard when I do.

I have always assessed my personal risk of a home invasion as moderate. We live in a complex neighborhood. two people simply out to kill may have chosen any of the homes in this neighborhood; specifically the SW corner of the intersection I live on. The old man and woman who live there are exact counterparts of the zantops. independent music teachers, who give lessons out of their home.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Actually, I think carry in the home makes a lot of sense. The two prime aspects of a firearm for self-defense are keeping it out of the hands of unauthorized people/children and having it accesible in a very short time frame. Normally these two requirements are in direct conflict with each other. The one exception to this is a handgun you are wearing.

The handgun is safe from children and other unauthorized people because it is under your positive control at all times. It also provides the fastest practical response time if you need to access it in an emergency.

 

[briandg]

I want to add that no matter how safe the statistics say we are, denying the real possibility of catastrophe is a risk.

Nobody has ever invaded my home, but see what I found on my piano one morning. it found it's way into my basement through the chimney of my water heater. I found myself incapable of dealing with this home invader.

My house has been struck by lightning, when it hit, it blew the roof open, and struch the ceiling of my bedroom exactly dead center above my pillow. At least 3 more times, trees on my lot have been struck. We were missed by a couple miles by the EF5 that went through, and just this week, we had a minor quake.

How many one in a billion chances have I already lost in my lifetime? Why does a person assume that a billion to one chance of winning the lottery is different from the billion to one chance of a violent crime occurring? They spend hundreds of dollars in hopes that one will come true, and the other, they wander about their daily lives, oblivious to risk, in blind faith that the other won't happen.

I don't get it.

 

[kraigwy]

I live in a relatively safe place. Rural, 10 miles from town. Home invasions would not be on top of my list of worries.

Now, having said that I carry my 642 in my pocket constantly. I've shot rattlers under my back steps, I've come out of the shop and shot a fox raiding my chicken pen.

There is a pack of dogs that like to hang out at the mail box on the highway a mile away that kept my granddaughter from getting the mail.

Just a week ago I had to put down a horse. I'm not worried about two legged critters, but more then once I've found use for my pocket revolver.

Not worried about my grandkids, but some times they bring their little friends over. Not much of a chance of some kid digging through my pocket to get access to a loaded gun.

I've practiced and shot my little 642 that I've developed the confidence that I don't feel the need of a truck gun anymore.

 

[ClayInTx]

In this instance there was no advantage for carrying in or around the home because the killer apparently shot without giving an indication of his intent. We don’t know the details of the killing because there is no witness. We don’t know if the victim ever saw the killer.

Of course, a crossbow is hard to hide.

Essentially the victim was shot by a sniper. A visible sniper but a sniper just the same.

There is no guard against such as that.

I do carry in and around my home. It’s easy for me because I pocket carry an LCR and it’s just part of my normal dress: underwear, over wear, belt, shoes, watch, keys, wallet, pen knife, change, and revolver in pocket.

Am I paranoid? No, but I do know that somewhere, sometime, someone is out to get me. No, there is likely no one in the city who is intent on going out into the boondocks looking for Clay. He’s there but is merely looking for anyone who’s a possible target with money.

I’ve been there a few times and before I started carrying I got out of it by ruse or trickery.

Paranoid? The odds? Very high odds against it, thousands to one. Thousands are never hurt, but if you’re that ONE….

 

[C0untZer0]

You could make an argument that you should wear a Level IIa jacket too... But people usually don't.

We also don't know how the husband was shot. Was he shot from behind? Was the shooter concealed?

As has been said - having a gun doesn't protect you from a sniper. If it did - snipers wouldn't be even 1/10th as effective as they are because 99% of their targets are armed.

However, body armor probably would have protected Ralph Aldrich, aside from a head shot, a jacket with front and back Level IIa panels would have stopped an arrow.

I don't know how the situation unfolded with June Aldrich, but probably a case could be made that having a gun would have helped her.

 

[bikerbill]

That's a horrific story -- a guy wandering around with a crossbow doesn't attract any attention???? -- and the odds are that carrying a bazooka wouldn't have helped the victims.

I live in a quiet little town, I and most of my neighbors are retired, and I don't anticipate being attacked in my house or yard. That said, I pocket carry an NAA Pug all the time at home, and am never more than a few steps from the 1911s in my bedroom and living room.

The odds of being attacked are small, but when you're dead or maimed because you were unarmed, the odds don't matter. We have the right to be armed in this country, and I'm taking advantage of that right.

 

[pax]

his wife probably had no opportunity to get to a weapon, and would not have been carrying one if her husband had been armed.

Why not?

I know dozens of women who carry regularly. To the best of my knowledge, none of them disarm simply because their husbands are armed.

When I encounter a student who says something like, "Well, I don't need to carry a gun because my husband does," I (gently!) help her see the serious error in that kind of thinking.

pax

 

[dalegribble]

carrying at home is a good idea but usually i'm wearing a t-shirt, underwear and slippers. i don't like a shoulder holster, i'm thinking maybe a jock strap type holster or ankle holster but i'm not sure. also where would i put an extra mag or two? any help is appreciated.

 

[BGutzman]

My wife and I regularly carry in the house because carry has been so integrated into our lives. It actually takes a conscious effort to not carry which only occurs when we are preparing to go someplace it would be unlawful to carry.

My wifes work forbids it so she doesnt carry there but way more than not we are in ccw mode.

 

[Patriot86]

I like to keep a handgun around me at all times; I do not carry in my condo simply because a gun is typically only a couple of seconds away. On my family's Wisconsin Property I think its high time I invest in a Utah CCL so I can CC on our property there.

 

[farmerboy]

To Patriot, You can carry on private property without a CCL????

 

[Bailey Boat]

Having carried for so many years it is a subconsious decision. Pants on, armed, pants off......well, you get the idea. Carrying a handgun has become a normal part of getting dressed and I can't imagine what it would feel like to not feel that familiar weight, I would imagine uncomfortable.......

 

[Don P]

i'm thinking maybe a jock strap type holster or ankle holster but i'm not sure. also where would i put an extra mag or two? any help is appreciated.

Just get yer tighty-whitey's an extra size larger. Then ya got room for everything

 

[markj]

A good dog might haved helped. It is one of my early warning devices that works. 6 dogs, not one person can sneak up on me or come on my place without causing a ruckus day or nite.

Not sure if it would have made a difference here, seems pure evil will do evil things.

 

[Stressfire]

Something to be said for prison inmates self-regulating their population. Don't make a habit of wishing harm on others, but I kinda hope they forget to put this poor excuse for a human being in protective custody and he gets to hang out in general pop. for awhile.

Would a firearm have helped? Possibly, but if shot from afar, I doubt it would have made a difference.

 

[Burger]

I agree completely. My home is one of the most dangerous places I know of. I stay away as much as possible.

HAHAHAHA, that made me laugh!!!

I may not go as far as carrying in my own home, but I live by myself so I have a pistol here or 2 laying around that's much easier to get to them some punk trying to kick my door down.

 

[MonsterB]

Disgusting and horrible story. Similar to one that happened in Nh several years ago when some punks broke into a house and slashed a mother to death and almost killed her young daughter at the same time. It was in an area you would never expect it to happen, and was just some punks looking to satisfy thier fantasy of killing. When Im not at work (in Mass, where Im not legal to carry), I have my Glock or S&W 686 on me at all times, even in the house. When I go to bed, its on the nightstand right next to me, with those glowing green eyes I can see in the dark at a glance. I dont see how anyone can think they know when an attack may come, it could be anywhere, at any time, in any place. No guarantees in life, and like others have stated, thinking you can get to the safe, unlock it, and get into action in time of a surprise is not being rational. People who go looking for trouble are usually not as much trouble as someone who is ready for them. Keep your self defense weapon with you at all times.