Handgun Locations for Home Security

View · by **MNblockhead** on Sun Dec 13, 2015 1:38 am

How many guns do you situate in your home for access in a home invasion situation, where do you locate them, and how are they stored?

This is where some would say I'm being paranoid. I'm not. I live in a safe neighborhood, but I approach it like you I fire extinguishers: I divided my home into zones by type and likelihood of risk and install the appropriate type and size of extinguisher. For example with my fire extinguishers, I have three ABC 7lb extinguishers, one mounted on the kitchen wall near the side the leads to the bedrooms, one in the basement on the wall diving the downstairs kitchen from the TV room and near the fire stove, and a third in the garage. Also have two 3lb dry chemical kitch fire extinguisher at each kitchen in each access from the stoves.

So applying the same logic to gun placement, I'm thinking an easy access safe in the bed room, near the bed (already have this). I'm planning on getting the same kind of safe for my guest room (as I sometimes sleep there when working late at night and don't want to wake the wife—also provides a gun in the basement. Right now I keep a Springfield XDM loaded with one in the chamber and an extra magazine and at the end of the day, I put my EDC (Glock 42) still in its holster into the same safe. My plan is to put my EDC into the guest room safe. When I have guests, I'll just move the safe to my office. Which is on the same level, so I have gun available on both levels.

When I can effort it, I'm thinking about putting another in the garage.

For me, I think that should do it. I know some people want a gun accessible in the bathroom, but I generally shower before bed after I've put the door clubs in place and set the alarm, so the risk is low. IF ANYTHING, I suppose I go get in the habit of putting my EDC, in its holster, on top of the toilet tank while showering and then put it in the safe after the shower.

All my guns are in safes because I have young kids. Even if I didn't, I don't want to just stash guns around the house not in safes because it would be too easy to forget about when someone visits with kids (and I'm don't really trust leaving unlocked guns lying around even with adult visitors). I use V-line safes with simplex locks for quick access.

I'd be interesting knowing your setup? Am I missing anything obvious?

View · by **MJY65** on Sun Dec 13, 2015 7:28 am

If you really think you need it, why not just keep your carry gun on you at all times? Nightstand when you go to bed.

View · by **Holland&Holland** on Sun Dec 13, 2015 8:13 am

MJY65 wrote:If you really think you need it, why not just keep your carry gun on you at all times? Nightstand when you go to bed.

Because it is impractical and the cops would be called if I mowed the lawn with an AR strapped on.

View · by **Holland&Holland** on Sun Dec 13, 2015 8:23 am

I have one handgun that both my wife or I am familiar with on each level. If I remove one to take to the range I replace it with something else. This has caused the need for multiple same models. I have one in a safe on the night stand. I have 2 of this one so it is always there always ready to go extra cell phone charged up for 911.

I also have an AR and a shotgun in the bedroom ready to go. These are not as strict in that they may come out for range use but this is their permanent home. They are also in a small safe l, loaded like a carry gun, with extra ammo and ready to go.

View · by **old guy** on Sun Dec 13, 2015 11:04 am

Holland&Holland wrote:
MJY65 wrote:If you really think you need it, why not just keep your carry gun on you at all times? Nightstand when you go to bed.

Because it is impractical and the cops would be called if I mowed the lawn with an AR strapped on.

I open carry 90% of the time so when I mow the lawn it is visible and no one has complained in the last 7 years.
Once when mowing the boulevard a squad pulled up and stopped and a lady city official got out of the passenger side and started asking me about the house next door.
When the officer driver got out and came around the front off the car I informed him I had a permit and was armed, his reply? "I don't blame ya a bit".
Many times I have had to do with police, detectives, fire investigators while openly armed, and when they come into my house to see what's on my cameras they are in plain view of some of my rifles with ammo here & there.
Sometimes one will ask, what caliber is that I got on a them.
The cop shop is right across the street and when I go over there with information or a complaint I don't bother to cover up and no one cares. UMMV

John

View · by **mmcnx2** on Sun Dec 13, 2015 12:48 pm

In my house and on my property I open carry, not to make a statement but because it is easier and more comfortable for me. I've had a sheriff do the slow drive by a few times, even had one tell me I couldn't carry(open or otherwise) on my property. A quick call to his supervisor and a polite conversation about private property and carry laws and he was on his way with a hand shake.

View · by **yukonjasper** on Sun Dec 13, 2015 1:51 pm

If you are that concerned, get a home security system and arm it when you are home. Carry at all times. When you are not carrying, place you weapon within reach. When the alarm system goes off get to your weapon. Police are already on the way and the alarm will likely scare away the intruder, if not, you are armed.

View · by **UnaStamus** on Sun Dec 13, 2015 4:41 pm

I have a gun upstairs at all times, and then my lower level is compact enough that I am always one room away from my office/gun room. Everywhere in my house I'm within one room of a gun or a huge knife. It's not paranoia. Paranoia is putting disruptor pistols and lightsabers around the house because you believe that you're going to have to defend against space aliens.

View · by **Holland&Holland** on Sun Dec 13, 2015 6:54 pm

UnaStamus wrote:I have a gun upstairs at all times, and then my lower level is compact enough that I am always one room away from my office/gun room. Everywhere in my house I'm within one room of a gun or a huge knife. It's not paranoia. Paranoia is putting disruptor pistols and lightsabers around the house because you believe that you're going to have to defend against space aliens.

Light sabers staged in 15 locations in charging stations. The key is you have to pay a bit more to get the 3rd generation sabers. The 2nd gens lose charge capacity if left plugged in and the 1st gen, well we all know those just sucked so...

View · by **MNblockhead** on Sun Dec 13, 2015 11:04 pm

MJY65 wrote:If you really think you need it, why not just keep your carry gun on you at all times? Nightstand when you go to bed.

That is what I currently do for the most part, but...

1. My primary home-defense gun would not be my EDC. The nature of my job requires fairly deep concealment. The glock 42 in a keydex pocket holster works very well with business-casual attire in that nobody has ever noticed, yet I can draw very quickly (much more quickly than, say, a super tuck holster under a tucked-in shirt. I'm thinking of replacing the Glock for a snub nose, but same thing, limited rounds—a trade-off I have to make to be able to carry every day. In a home defense situation, I would grab my Springfield XDM with the crimson trace because: 9mm instead of .380; 19+1, instead of 6+1; and I shoot the Springfield much better.

2. Sometimes I want to just relax in sweatpants and don't want to carry it. Generally, that would be later in the evening, after I've armed home security.

3. It is hard to always maintain security best practices in a family. If I had to run for a gun I wouldn't want to be in a situation where I had to get to the second floor bedroom from the lower level, past the front door which may be where the bad guys are forcing their way in.

View · by **MNblockhead** on Sun Dec 13, 2015 11:10 pm

Holland&Holland wrote:I have one handgun that both my wife or I am familiar with on each level. If I remove one to take to the range I replace it with something else. This has caused the need for multiple same models. I have one in a safe on the night stand. I have 2 of this one so it is always there always ready to go extra cell phone charged up for 911.

I also have an AR and a shotgun in the bedroom ready to go. These are not as strict in that they may come out for range use but this is their permanent home. They are also in a small safe l, loaded like a carry gun, with extra ammo and ready to go.

I've thought of buying several of the same handgun, but can't afford to right now, and if I could afford to, I'd rather buy a long gun. I currently only have handguns. Your practice makes a lot of sense, but I'm not there yet.

View · by **MNblockhead** on Sun Dec 13, 2015 11:14 pm

UnaStamus wrote:I have a gun upstairs at all times, and then my lower level is compact enough that I am always one room away from my office/gun room. Everywhere in my house I'm within one room of a gun or a huge knife. It's not paranoia. Paranoia is putting disruptor pistols and lightsabers around the house because you believe that you're going to have to defend against space aliens.

I usually have a gun and a knife on me. I'm not within one room of a gun, but have one on each level.

The weak point is the garage. Generally, I'm still carrying when I'm taking the trash out or putzing around in the garage, but I'm not religious about it.

View · by **Seismic Sam** on Mon Dec 14, 2015 5:06 am

Pretty simple, one gun on every floor, and my carry gun stays in the garage in the truck so I never leave home without it. The upstairs gun is by the bedside, main floor and basement are in non-obvious locations but easy to get to. I have no children in my home. I think the KISS principle applies here. Also have a small (only 80 pounds) female Great Pyrenees who puts up a racket if anybody comes to the door, and I have no idea what she would do if somebody kicked the door in, but Great Pyrenees are bred to be guard dogs rather than herding dogs.

View · by **PhilaBOR** on Mon Dec 14, 2015 10:36 am

A gun on me from when I get out of bed until I go to bed, except shower and gun "free" zones. The 938 sleeps in the nightstand and watches my shower from under clean undies.
There are guns accessible on every floor, but not nearly as quick as the one on me.

View · by **Snakeman721** on Mon Dec 14, 2015 12:44 pm

Here's a thought I've had if you don't have kids at home....Velcro a holster (with gun) to the backside of the front door. It can't be seen from the outside, nor when the door is opened. If there are bad guys at the front door ringing your doorbell trying to gain entry by first seeing if anyone is home, you have a gun at your fingertips when you answer the door. If the bad guys bust down the door, they're not going to see the gun there. I was just thinking it's a good spot in case of a home invasion scenario where you open the door expecting the UPS guy and it's not. Thoughts??