Mamas carrying at home with little kids

[EsotericEpsilon]

Question for all the mamas out there: do you carry with your little ones at home? If so, what style holster? AIWB? Belly band?

Background story: our neighborhood is typically quiet but recently there's been a string of break ins, mailbox theft, transient activity, etc.

Yesterday someone jumped our backyard fence through an empty field next to our house and took our pet tortoise (10 yrs old sulcata), all while my wife was home alone with our two little ones (2yr old and 1yr old). She's worried that person has been keeping an eye on the house because it happened after my parents came to take our 2 GSDs for a few days. She's concerned that person could come back while she's home alone with the kids.

She wants to start carrying her handgun, 9mm full size p320 with Romeo 1. She knows California self defense laws suck and she can't shoot perp unless he steps in the house.
Any helpful tips are appreciated!

[Garv]

Not a mama, but do you have a camera system to give a bit of early warning?

[EsotericEpsilon]

Not a mama, but do you have a camera system to give a bit of early warning?

Yes we do, but perp knew to avoid those areas by going through empty field next to our backyard. Perhaps I need to upgrade and add more.

[BadKitty]

I'm a female; but, not a mama. This is a tough call. I'm obviously pro-2A and pro CCW. However, this must be balanced with the consideration of young children in the house.

The thing is, mamas do a lot of bending, stooping, chasing, etc with children in the house. She has to make sure that the gun won't fall out and that the little ones won't try to grab at it or tug on it. Even something like having the baby kick at it while s/he is being carried in the arms can be a problem. I think it could be tempting to take the weapon out and set it down for "just a minute" while giving the babies a bath because guns can dig in while stooping over the edge of a bathtub. If she forgets that she set it down on the counter..... You know what I mean?

On the other hand, the gun is meant to protect her and her family in the event of an attacker coming in. As a woman, a gun is the great equalizer against a male intruder.

Also, be sure to investigate and note any local ordinances. For example, in San Diego, guns are required to be locked up inside the home, unless it is on your person or in your immediate control. Any accident with a firearm in the home could see additional charges due to our local ordinance. (See here: https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/defau.../nr190909a.pdf)

This is a personal family decision. Please feel free to come back and share with us what you considered and decided on. I think it would be a great help to other readers.

[XDJYo]

CA gun laws suck. Favor the criminals and not those attempting to live a quiet and peaceful life.

Please carry 100% of the time.

Be safe.

That is all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sbo80]

since in the home you may not care about concealing, maybe consider something with more positive retention, like some hip/leg holsters provide. There's holsters that army guys parachute with. Not gonna fall out chasing a toddler. Ultimately comfort and convenience do come in to play, if it is too much of a hassle you are less likely to carry (or like suggested, just take it out for a minute etc.)

[G-forceJunkie]

I hope she knows she can't shoot anyone just because they came on your property, came in your house, stole your jewlery, drank your beer, stole you dog, etc. This ain't Texas.

and she can't shoot perp unless he steps in the house.
Any helpful tips are appreciated!

[bugsy714]

[Kate]

I hope she knows she can't shoot anyone just because they came on your property, came in your house, stole your jewlery, drank your beer, stole you dog, etc. This ain't Texas.

I thought if they came into the house, you can shoot to defend yourself, since you do NOT know the bad guy's purpose in the house, and should rightfully fear for your life. OTOH, if, carrying your TV, he steps across the threshold outside, then you may not shoot.

Is this not true?

Katie

[G-forceJunkie]

Mamas carrying at home with little kids

I thought if they came into the house, you can shoot to defend yourself, since you do NOT know the bad guy's purpose in the house, and should rightfully fear for your life. OTOH, if, carrying your TV, he steps across the threshold outside, then you may not shoot.

Is this not true?

Katie

Absolutely not true in California. You can only use lethal force to stop great bodily injury. Does not matter where that happens.

[bugsy714]

[G-forceJunkie]

No, you can't shoot them for kicking our door. You cant shoot them for entering your house. If they want to kick in you door, then calmly walk in, offer you a nice greeting, take you tv and dog and walk out the door, you cannot shoot them.

The defining factor is if he/she (and can prove it to a jury) believes they or another person are in imminent danger of being killed or suffering great bodily injury, believes he/she must use deadly force to prevent death or injury, and he/she uses an appropriate level of force (under the circumstances) in self defense.

[Kate]

No, you can't shoot them for kicking our door. You cant shoot them for entering your house. If they want to kick in you door, then calmly walk in, offer you a nice greeting, take you tv and dog and walk out the door, you cannot shoot them.

The defining factor is if he/she (and can prove it to a jury) believes they or another person are in imminent danger of being killed or suffering great bodily injury, believes he/she must use deadly force to prevent death or injury, and he/she uses an appropriate level of force (under the circumstances) in self defense.

not a member of the family or household, who unlawfully and forcibly enters or has unlawfully and forcibly entered the residence and the person using the force knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry occurred."

I read that to say that if someone, not a relative, has broken into my house, and I had reason to believe that person broke in, I have a, "presumed reasonable fear of imminent peril," and I can shoot them...

Katie

[EsotericEpsilon]

I'm a female; but, not a mama. This is a tough call. I'm obviously pro-2A and pro CCW. However, this must be balanced with the consideration of young children in the house.

The thing is, mamas do a lot of bending, stooping, chasing, etc with children in the house. She has to make sure that the gun won't fall out and that the little ones won't try to grab at it or tug on it. Even something like having the baby kick at it while s/he is being carried in the arms can be a problem. I think it could be tempting to take the weapon out and set it down for "just a minute" while giving the babies a bath because guns can dig in while stooping over the edge of a bathtub. If she forgets that she set it down on the counter..... You know what I mean?

On the other hand, the gun is meant to protect her and her family in the event of an attacker coming in. As a woman, a gun is the great equalizer against a male intruder.

Also, be sure to investigate and note any local ordinances. For example, in San Diego, guns are required to be locked up inside the home, unless it is on your person or in your immediate control. Any accident with a firearm in the home could see additional charges due to our local ordinance. (See here: https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/defau.../nr190909a.pdf)

This is a personal family decision. Please feel free to come back and share with us what you considered and decided on. I think it would be a great help to other readers.

since in the home you may not care about concealing, maybe consider something with more positive retention, like some hip/leg holsters provide. There's holsters that army guys parachute with. Not gonna fall out chasing a toddler. Ultimately comfort and convenience do come in to play, if it is too much of a hassle you are less likely to carry (or like suggested, just take it out for a minute etc.)

Thank you for the info. We've discussed all of this and she's caught between a thigh holster, small of back, or a belly holster. She's leaning more between belly or thigh holster. Here's our brainstorming so far:

Belly pros:

• Hidden in case she needs to answer door
• Not easily accessed by kids. She has full control over firearm

Belly cons:

• Constant stooping and bending over could be uncomfortable
• Carrying the kids could be uncomfortable
• Firearm could be kicked by kids when she's carrying them
• She is currently breastfeeding our youngest. She's weaning off but it'll take time

Small of back pros:

• Stooping and bending over wouldn't be a hassle
• Carrying the kids wouldn't be a problem
• Hidden in case she needs to answer door

Small of back cons:

• Firearm is out of sight. Kids could try to tamper with holster when she's turned away from them.
• Sitting down while carrying kids could be uncomfortable
• She feels like small of back would require more practice than other holsters because she's reaching for firearm with out line of sight

Thigh pros:

• Firearm is in sight. Even if kids should try to tamper with firearm, she is in full control.
• Stooping and bending over wouldn't be a hassle
• Carrying the kids wouldn't be a hassle

Thigh cons:

• Firearm is in sight. Answering door would require positioning body a certain way
• Holster could get snagged on blankets, furniture, etc, or pulled on by kids while walking around house
• Kids could be tempted to tamper with holster, use crayons to color it, touch it with messy hands, smear food on it, etc. The food, dirt, and grime on firearm could affect performance of drawing from holster and proper grip.
• Sitting down while carrying kids could be awkward

I'll update this thread as we get more info/experience.

[EsotericEpsilon]

I know right?!
We're upset about our tortoise, but the more we thought about it, the more our concern for family safety grew.