All this is dead on. +1DONT TREAD ON ME wrote:Carrying at home is the same as carrying everywhere else. I carry to protect my family and myself on the off chance that I find us/myself in a bad situation.Beiruty wrote:While carrying at home is a bit "freaky" for the average joe, or soccer mom, I can see where this is plausible. However, if someone does not feel safe in his house, I would say it is the time to move out to a better place. In case, this option is not possible for whatever reason, An AK, or Shotgun is a better home defense option. Carrying a Pistol at home maybe an option. However, at home I would say you should all the time be able to retrieve your shotgun or your preferred home defense weapon, if this is not possible, security measures are to be reviewed.
Do I feel safe in my home? Yes but I know that there is always a possibility that something can happen while I am there (the applies no matter where you live, gated community, trailer park, apartment building, subdivision, projects, suburbs, rural area etc.).
Do I feel safe when I go out? Yes but I know that there is always a possibility that something can happen while I am out.
I agree that a shotgun is a better home defense gun compared to a pistol but it is not nearly as portable. Just because one may not be able to get to a shotgun all the time does not mean that their security measures need to be reviewed. Most people keep their shotgun in a back/spare room or a bedroom. These rooms are often on different floors or opposite ends of a living room or a kitchen (rooms people are in the majority of the time). If you are sitting in your living room and someone breaks in through your front door the odds of you getting to your shotgun are slim to none. You could take it with you everywhere that you go in the house but that is not at all practical. With a pistol it is the same as going out. You put it on and forget it is there until the time comes that you need it. It goes with you with no effort on your part and allows you a chance to protect yourself if need be.
And I'd like to add that I carry on me because I can't leave an easily accessible long gun the house. There are these little creatures around here called children.
Having a Glock 19/32/26/27 on my hip is MUCH safer. (Heck... even an unreliable 1911 is a good option)
<-- that was for you. 
Of course if I *knew* someone was coming in, the first thing I'd grab is my AR with 30 rounds, but given the realities of living in a household with little critters and a wife, it's not feasible to leave this or an 870 easily accessible.