The last thing in the world that either my wife or I would want is to take life away.
 
I quit hunting because even though we ate what I hunted, I got to where the killing wasn't
setting right with me.
My wife became proficient with handguns, rifles and shotguns as I did because of life...not because
we wanted to take life away.
 
Protecting oneself and others around them is a way of life to prepare for or not. It's a choice to make
and one to think about so one is comfortable with their decision(s).
 
I just wanted to be understood a little better about this topic.

All the women in my family have and carry guns with concealed weapon permits. I feel sorry for anyone or any thing that ever causes them any grief. I've seen them shoot. They keep them in their cars and next to their beds. Me, I don't need no stinking gun!

One of my main concerns is I have 3 little ones in the house and protecting the family is my primary objective.  With such a big gun and3 little ones running around, I'll have to find a lockable cabinet to house it in (for the daytime).
Do you guys generally keep gun(s) by your bedside at night? (although I know how to use one, this whole owning a gun is new to me). 

Thanks everyone... it is a no win situation. If my wife had to shoot someone, it would change her life, we would have to move. ME? If someone comes into my house intent on harm or theft, I will shoot them and drag them outside so they don't bleed on my floor. Yeah, it might bother me but really.. I don't think it would bother me much considering what would happen to me or my family if I didn't defend myself or them.
 
I really don't like killing either. (Excepting the occasional bird or squirrel hunting... and I'm not too sure about the squirrels). I am an exterminator, I will NOT use glueboards and wont use baits unless there is no other option. I use big snap traps for a fast kill or sometimes I use a live trap and release rats out in the country. I live trapped an oppossum yesterday and released it across town... but it didn't intend me harm, it was just coming in the back porch and eating the cat food.
 
A person... coming uninvited into my home...??? That is different, WAY different, it is a major violation unless it is someone who is mentally challenged and lost. I am not one to fire away if given a choice but neither am I going to worry if someone forces my hand.
 
I live in a town about 40 minutes north of Atlanta, more rural than metro where I live. There is a fire station across the woods on one side and a house on the other. I don't think there are any security cams but there will be on MP6 Black and a Covert Special Ops Black installed. The Spec Ops sends pics to a cell phone, the other one just takes pics but both are invisible, no flash, no glow, no sound.
 
Thanks for asking!! and thanks for the advice.
 
Julien

spacey
Glad nothing happened.
 
I don't see where time has changed anything and I don't
see target practicing with a pistol the method for home defense.  (to each their own)
Maybe a good idea if one is planning on packing.
 
Home defense....

To hell with worrying about aiming. His and hers and you can remodel
your home if need be....without aiming.
5+1 for @$350.00
Take a lot of targets if you go practicing :)....at least 2.

I like that but it wouldn't be handy. Who wants to walk around the house with a shotgun, then again, there is a S&W 12 gauge pump with 00 buckshot standing in the corner now, a .40 semi-auto on my chair arm, and an 8mm semi-auto in the BR.
What I really want are some night vision goggles... but they are like 1k. If I had those I would go out and look around in the mornings and evenings, maybe catch me someone and hold them for the sheriff... unless they caught me instead.
 
J

Mesh
One of my main concerns is I have 3 little ones in the house and protecting the family is my primary objective.  With such a big gun and3 little ones running around, I'll have to find a lockable cabinet to house it in (for the daytime).
Do you guys generally keep gun(s) by your bedside at night? (although I know how to use one, this whole owning a gun is new to me). 

Mesh the size of gun does not determine how safe it is or not.
I really believe that folks seeking information about protecting their home should consult with a professional that they know and trust.
Here, I can safely assume the only answer that would be 100% correct is not to answer.
 
 

Thanks Michael......I'll def. look into it.
 

jbow
My wife gets up defore the sun and has coffee etc. This morning she took something to the mailbox about 7:45. It was light but not bright yet, sun just coming up. She came back in and thankfully deadbolted the door. About 10 minutes later someone tried the handle on the door four times. Our dors to the outside are all handles. She said that the cat had come in and was sleeping beside her. The cat jumped up and ran to the door. It scared the wife into immobility, she did get up and go into a part of the hall, just past the kitchen where she would be hidden. I wish she had gone to the door and opened the shutters, then again if she had done that and seen someone they may have kicked the door in.
The alarm people are coming, should be here any time now. I am going to have CC cameras installed outside.
I went out and checked the front yard, and the lawns across the street and next door. They are sod and with the morning dew they show any tracks. The only tracks were from a small animal, probably the cat. However, there is a wooded patch on both sides of our house and woods in the back. I think I am going to get a couple of trail cams too.
I am staying home today because she is afraid. We are going to a shooting range so she can get more comfortable with a handgun, I just hope she will keep it handy. In the meantime I think I will keep a 12 guage handy for her, unless the grandkids are over. I keep my .40 cal chambered unless the kids are coming over. I figure if trouble is coming at you it will be coming fast and I have no intention of keeping my gun and my magazine in different places... or my guns locked up in some box. we have home invasions in the metro Atlanta area and they don't give you time to got prepare.
So.. new cameras coming to the house.
Does anyone know if they, being wireless, make for any audio interference? Anything I can head off or should consider?
 
I think this guy, whoever it was, is inexperienced... someone who will progress into more boldness and either rape and rob, maybe kill some homeowner or get killed himself. If he comes back around here he will be on camera and if he comes in here and I am here it will be the last house he comes into. You know, it takes a bit of boldness to actually walk up and try someones door...
 
I hate it because now my wife feels insecure at her own home. We have a screen porch on the back with a couple of chaise lounge chairs where she likes to nap. Maybe it is time to get another couple of dogs, a small one and a big one. The small one to wake up the big one. I had airedales when I was young, maybe it is time for another one. They don't take any BS off any one.
 
Maybe I will get some night vision goggles too.
 
Any ideas?
 
J

 
 
 
First I'm glad everyone is safe.
 
 
No disrespect intended here but I know many an expert at the firing range.
 
 
Hitting some stationary target, even a moving target under a controlled setting is a whole different ballgame then hitting something when you're under stress.
 
 
When the s**t hits the fan there's a pretty good chance the average gun owner is not going to hit what they're aiming at; no matter how well-trained they are.
 

I've got the 2 dog alarm system. The little one has super canine hearing, and seems to able to hear birds land on the deck. She barks and my big dog Elvis goes nuts. His bark rattles windows. Back in the spring, we had a couple of guys come to the door soliciting. These guys just didn't seem right, and were a little too aggressive about wanting to talk inside. I was polite, but firm about saying that wasn't going to happen. The one at the door turned and looked at the one standing on the sidewalk at the bottom of the steps, and as he began to climb the steps, I let Elvis out. Game over. He sensed trouble and tore into the closest one, while the other was trying out for the Olympic sprint team. I heeled Elvis, and the guy lunged off the porch into the yard and crawled on hands and feet to the street and didn't look back. I called 911, and they were there in a few minutes. No sign of the guys and we never heard anything about it again.
 
I'm not a proponent of handguns in the home. However, I will say, that in the quiet and darkness of night, nothing will take the larceny and mayhem out of someone like the sound of a shell being chambered in a shotgun.
 
Randy

Of course, you know I'll offer my 2 cents
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2gCFOtaZPo
 
or
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_E5ciYpA98
 
Having the proper training and the proper weapon in a situation such as this is invaluable.  Advanced tactical training with her chosen, preferred weapon is worth every penny. Understand the laws of your state is a MUST. You have to know when and where and under what conditions you can pull the trigger in your own house because in some states it is murder or attempted,  and in other states it is self defense.
 
Look up your local concealed carry firearm instructor (unless you live in NJ, NY, DC, MD, DE or Il ) and take their basic CCW course if you haven't already done so. You get basic firearm handling and a fairly good over view of the laws pertinent to your state, and ask about advanced training that actually trains in stressful conditions.
 
Forced entry in NC is totally at the risk of the assailant.  Gotta love this state. The law has been tested and in all cases the perps were shot or killed and no charges were brought when it was determined to be B&E with mal-intent.
 
It is very important to lock all doors immediately upon entering. A security system will give a sense of security so that you know that no one is hiding inside.  Don't fall victim to the security company and load up with all the bells and whistles.... camera's are generally not needed. If you want a camera, go by a deer trail camera for $100 and it will work just as good if not better and certainly a whole lot cheaper. 
 
Just my advice.
 
Be safe.