Example of Why We Should Carry at Home...

[speedsix]

...especially outside at night... http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/Man-Ki ... ers-031912" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; not much info here...but if he or she had had a gun...they would have had a chance...detectives told reporters that the motive was robbery...

[74novaman]

Yep, always carry or have one within reach.

Since I don't have kids yet, I'm lucky enough that I can just throw a revolver into the coffee table drawer, or set my glock onto the table.

Last night I needed to take the trash out. You can bet I picked up a gun before I went outside at 10pm.

[Purplehood]

Yep, always carry or have one within reach.

Since I don't have kids yet, I'm lucky enough that I can just throw a revolver into the coffee table drawer, or set my glock onto the table.

Last night I needed to take the trash out. You can bet I picked up a gun before I went outside at 10pm.

I do that regardless of the time, Sir!

[74novaman]

Yep, always carry or have one within reach.

Since I don't have kids yet, I'm lucky enough that I can just throw a revolver into the coffee table drawer, or set my glock onto the table.

Last night I needed to take the trash out. You can bet I picked up a gun before I went outside at 10pm.

I do that regardless of the time, Sir!

Point taken. I do as well.....I guess my "awareness" is just a tad heightened when its dark out.

[TexasAggie09]

It's sad that we all need to strap up before going to take the trash out but you can bet I do the same!

[Dave2]

It's sad that we all need to strap up before going to take the trash out but you can bet I do the same!

<pedantic>I don't "need" to because I live in a generally safe area, but I do usually choose to in case I'm wrong about that whole not needing bit.</pedantic>

[speedsix]

...at least a .380...thanks to the Guvnuh, hungry coyotes regularly come to town to explore our garbage...you might get lucky and have a gun named after you!!!

[mommagamber]

We always carry at home and have been grateful a couple of times. We have lots of acreage and a couple of stray dogs that have become aggressive. I had one come running at me growling and barking the other day. Hubby fired a shot at it and it took off (it was lucky this time) Don't chase and growl at me on my property.

[speedsix]

...I won't...I promise!!! great example...

[TexasGal]

I'm out at my horse barn late at night very regularly. You bet I am armed every time. It is well lit right at my barn. One night as I filled up the water barrels, I was thinking I might just be silly always being armed here in my quiet neighborhood. About then, I heard the slightest cough and was alerted to a man standing in deep shadow down by the road. I watched as he put out a cigarette. I could not make him out, but I could just see the fire as it hit the ground and was stamped out. I went indoors. The next morning, I went to that spot and found where the grass showed he had stood there quite some time. I can think of no reason other than he was watching me go about my tasks feeding horses. After that, I did not ever second guess my reasons for carrying on my own property. He was only about 50 feet from me when I was cleaning one of the pens earlier and I was unaware of him. Now, I do not let down my guard.

[Dave2]

I'm out at my horse barn late at night very regularly. You bet I am armed every time. It is well lit right at my barn. One night as I filled up the water barrels, I was thinking I might just be silly always being armed here in my quiet neighborhood. About then, I heard the slightest cough and was alerted to a man standing in deep shadow down by the road. I watched as he put out a cigarette. I could not make him out, but I could just see the fire as it hit the ground and was stamped out. I went indoors. The next morning, I went to that spot and found where the grass showed he had stood there quite some time. I can think of no reason other than he was watching me go about my tasks feeding horses. After that, I did not ever second guess my reasons for carrying on my own property. He was only about 50 feet from me when I was cleaning one of the pens earlier and I was unaware of him. Now, I do not let down my guard.

Infrared-capable cameras are not particularly expensive anymore... Amazon.com has several color/night-vision cameras for under $100. You're not gonna win any filmography awards with them, but they'll show you if anyone's out in the yard. Dunno how much the "base stations" cost, but I don't think they're too bad either.

[Beiruty]

I'm out at my horse barn late at night very regularly. You bet I am armed every time. It is well lit right at my barn. One night as I filled up the water barrels, I was thinking I might just be silly always being armed here in my quiet neighborhood. About then, I heard the slightest cough and was alerted to a man standing in deep shadow down by the road. I watched as he put out a cigarette. I could not make him out, but I could just see the fire as it hit the ground and was stamped out. I went indoors. The next morning, I went to that spot and found where the grass showed he had stood there quite some time. I can think of no reason other than he was watching me go about my tasks feeding horses. After that, I did not ever second guess my reasons for carrying on my own property. He was only about 50 feet from me when I was cleaning one of the pens earlier and I was unaware of him. Now, I do not let down my guard.

Infrared-capable cameras are not particularly expensive anymore... Amazon.com has several color/night-vision cameras for under $100. You're not gonna win any filmography awards with them, but they'll show you if anyone's out in the yard. Dunno how much the "base stations" cost, but I don't think they're too bad either.

The expensive ones are the real thermal imagine thing. We are talking $10,000+

[speedsix]

...maybe some switchable lighting needs to be installed...if on your property, motion-detector-activated...if a rented barn, that you could switch on before entering that area...that's a serious situation...be wide awake and have a powerful light...as well as your gun...and maybe a dog...only an evil mind would lurk in the shadows like that...

[The Annoyed Man]

I usually disarm when I walk in the house, but I always set the gun where it is in easy reach...plus there are others in easy reach scattered around the house. I don't go outside at night without one, but I am less less likely to do so during the day. Rarely is there ever anybody on my street who doesn't belong there. That said, I never leave home without it. Not ever.

BTW, "less likely" means I still do most of the time, but not every single time.

[Jumping Frog]

....only an evil mind would lurk in the shadows like that...

Yep, and most of what he was pondering would chill our blood . . .