Home defense options with toddlers

[sierratangofoxtrotunion]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=43455

This story, and the others in response, reinforce that I need rapid and potentially lethal defense. It would be fine if I was single, or single and lived with a couple other guys. In fact, in that case, you'd have to step around all the guns. Partially because I'd have more disposable income. But I have 2 toddlers, a wife, a drunk father in law, and one more kiddo who will be crawling in a few weeks. I can't very well leave a 870 on a coat hook behind the front door, or hide 45s behind the couch cushions. And I actually have far more to defend now. What the hell are my options?

[NeoWeird]

That's a good question, and one EVERYONE should ask.

Honestly, what I would do is find a safe, even a small one, that you could mount something on the door, like a shotgun, so when you open the door it is right there. If only you know the combo or have the only keys then you should be safe from kids. Another option is those quick open handgun safes. These options will allow safe storage in your room away from everyone's knowledge (and hands).

There are also more discret methods. I've seen wall safes that get mounted into the wall. Put in a combo and viola it opens to reveal a loaded handgun. Could be nice for a hallway from the entry area to the kitchen where it would be within close range at all times. Another option is putting it up VERY high; out of sight out of mind (and hopefuly out of hands).

Obviously these both have advantages and downfalls. You have to decide where you want to live; with the most readily available firearm with increased chance of someone getting their hands on it; or more time required to get to it but the highest probability no one will get into it.

Personally, I take an alternative method. I carry while at home. When I get home a pistol goes into my belt and it stays there, or near me, at all times. It's never loaded, but it has a mag loaded in it. That way I never have to worry about bumping it, dropping it, snagging my clothes when I pull it out, etc but at the same time I can pull it out and rack the slide in a matter of seconds and be ready for anything. This might be a good option for you until your kids are old enough to understand the importance of gun safety. As always, the way to keep everyone the safest is to teach them proper gun handling and safety at the earliest possible time. Of course this doesn't address the drunken father issue, but it is a start.

I'll post more ideas as they come to me. Hope you figure out something that works for you.

[rkt88edmo]

Wear your pistol, or lock it up.
I'd choose training and a good holster over an empty chamber for carry.
S&W 642 on sale at Turner's this week

Also, don't open the door for strangers.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...ad.php?t=43455
This story, and the others in response, reinforce that I need rapid and potentially lethal defense. It would be fine if I was single, or single and lived with a couple other guys. In fact, in that case, you'd have to step around all the guns. Partially because I'd have more disposable income. But I have 2 toddlers, a wife, a drunk father in law, and one more kiddo who will be crawling in a few weeks. I can't very well leave a 870 on a coat hook behind the front door, or hide 45s behind the couch cushions. And I actually have far more to defend now. What the hell are my options?

[WokMaster1]

Here are my $0.02

Dogs? They sure make a great first line of defense. When there are dogs around, BGs tend to move on to easier targets.

Baseball bats. A pair of rattan escrima sticks 25". They can do a lot of damage to one's bones.

I have a nice set of samurai swords mounted on the wall as a display. Easily reachable by adults.

I tried carrying a pistol when I was wearing my pajama pants. Took the pants right down. Not pretty!

[Fjold]

I use one of the instant-open four digit combination locked steel boxes that Walmart calls a safe for a handgun. $56+tax.

Long guns are a little more difficult.

[colossians323]

I use one of the instant-open four digit combination locked steel boxes that Walmart calls a safe for a handgun. $56+tax.

Long guns are a little more difficult.

You can get one of the newer gun safes with the S&G biometric keypad, and have access by finger print or combo, or both.

[NeoWeird]

Wear your pistol, or lock it up.
I'd choose training and a good holster over an empty chamber for carry.
S&W 642 on sale at Turner's this week

Also, don't open the door for strangers.

If I am out of my house, I carry chambered, but when home I don't. With children, who could easily reach up and grab at your waste, the last thing I'd want is having a loaded chamber pointed down at their head. In your home isn't like outside where they can surprise you and you are ****ed; in your home you should either hear them at the door, or breaking in. Either way you should have a couple seconds to rack the slide. It really is your choice, but the benifits outweight the danger to carrying loaded when at home, at least for me.

[ARRRR-15]

This might even work for you?

http://www.swps.com/progshotgunl.html

[M. Sage]

Yeah, but then the kids'll put holes in the ceiling. :P

[m1371]

I tried carrying a pistol when I was wearing my pajama pants. Took the pants right down. Not pretty!

That's where a good shoulder rig comes in handy. Keep it where you can get to it and then just throw it on when needed. You've got a handgun with ammo at the ready, then just clip a SF flashlight to it. Throw a bathrobe over it and you're ready to go.

[five.five-six]

Here are my $0.02

Dogs? They sure make a great first line of defense. When there are dogs around, BGs tend to move on to easier targets.

statisticly dogs are much more dangerous to kids than guns... yes even the lovable family dog snaps, injures and kills far more often than guns. at first i kept my handgun in the sock drawer about 4'6" up he will not reach that for years but wifey was not to hip to that so I got one of those biometric safes, cabled to my bed. let him play with it for hours, he can not get in. now when he wants to get in it he grabs my thumb and trys to put it on the print reader. he has figured out that is the only way in the safe

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

You're either going to have to settle with a small safe that can be near the bedside or a gunlock for a sidearm. I wouldn't recommend any kind of rifle or shotgun for home defense when you have loved ones nearby. Too much penetration with the rifle will have bullets flying through walls, and too much spread with the shotgun in my mind to take chances with. So either get a small safe that can be quickly opened with a key/pad/whatever, or a sidearm with a gun lock or trigger lock w/ an empty chamber. With the gun lock, you'd have to insert the mag. With the trigger lock, chamber a round. Your choice.

[Aluisious]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...ad.php?t=43455
This story, and the others in response, reinforce that I need rapid and potentially lethal defense. It would be fine if I was single, or single and lived with a couple other guys. In fact, in that case, you'd have to step around all the guns. Partially because I'd have more disposable income. But I have 2 toddlers, a wife, a drunk father in law, and one more kiddo who will be crawling in a few weeks. I can't very well leave a 870 on a coat hook behind the front door, or hide 45s behind the couch cushions. And I actually have far more to defend now. What the hell are my options?

Land mines?

Divorce?

I don't know, I hope I don't have to figure out your situation soon

[Aluisious]

Here are my $0.02

Dogs? They sure make a great first line of defense. When there are dogs around, BGs tend to move on to easier targets.

Baseball bats. A pair of rattan escrima sticks 25". They can do a lot of damage to one's bones.

I have a nice set of samurai swords mounted on the wall as a display. Easily reachable by adults.

I tried carrying a pistol when I was wearing my pajama pants. Took the pants right down. Not pretty!

Shoulder rig?

Requires an understanding wife, though, and last I heard that model is still in beta testing.

[Aluisious]

You're either going to have to settle with a small safe that can be near the bedside or a gunlock for a sidearm. I wouldn't recommend any kind of rifle or shotgun for home defense when you have loved ones nearby. Too much penetration with the rifle will have bullets flying through walls, and too much spread with the shotgun in my mind to take chances with. So either get a small safe that can be quickly opened with a key/pad/whatever, or a sidearm with a gun lock or trigger lock w/ an empty chamber. With the gun lock, you'd have to insert the mag. With the trigger lock, chamber a round. Your choice.

I've read that the lighter 5.56mm FMJ rounds disintegrate quickly after hitting soft walls etc. Better than 9mm for over penetration issues.

Having a handy AR is a trouble though. Best I can think of is having a room everyone in the house can retreat to from anywhere, and putting the guns in there in a safe. Nice sturdy door, too.