How quickly can you reach your gun inside your household? - Tilted Forum Project - TFP - Sexuality, Philosophy and Political Discussion

ChrisJericho · 11-22-2007, 01:21 AM

There has been a story in the news here in western Washington about a young couple who was found shot to death in their home. The bodies were discovered when a neighbor noticed that the victims' front door had been kicked in. Here are some articles about the story in chronological order:

http://www.komotv.com/news/11541841.html
http://www.komotv.com/news/11657071.html

Essentially one of the victims' neighbors, who had been released from jail after stabbing his own mother to death, wanted a $50 debt back and when this did not occur he murdered the couple.

What stood out to me was that the door was kicked down, which may mean that if the husband had a weapon to defend himself, he could of have had enough time to go get one. Generally things tend to escalate, with initially the door being slammed to the murdered (this is pure speculation on my part), possibly the murderer pounding on the door and yelling, and finally the murderer kicking in the door and then killing the couple. Or maybe it all happened instantaneously, who knows.

I know there are many advocated of keeping a firearm in each room of your household, but how much time do you budget for yourself to get to your gun, and then be able to fire rounds at an intruder? Thank you for your input.

hrandani · 11-22-2007, 01:50 AM

I really feel like your best bet is a solid steel reinforced door.

However if someone comes into my home trying to do harm to me and mine it will not be pretty for the paramedics.

Kpax · 11-22-2007, 03:26 AM

Good question. As far as the gun goes, I would say assume 1 minute of prep time. I had a pocket knife opened up and stuck into my bedframe, so if anyone barged into my room the knife would fly at their face immediately.

...but yeah if you take care to lock a gun, unlocking it would probably take too long in a sudden intrusion. It should be loaded and at your side, but then it also depends how far the front door was from the bedroom. If he kicked it down and ran towards them the only way they could've survived is if the dude sleeps with it in his hand, and that isn't wise, of course. A female cop used to sleep with a 9mm under her pillow. Imagine how scary it was when it went off one night and shot her hand! Loud, painful, and during sleep... That's a heart attack waiting to happen!

Fire · 11-22-2007, 04:22 AM

as to how my wife and I keep our firearms, most of the collection is in the locker, but a few are kept within reach should they be needed- gun locks defeat the purpose, and can get you killed- not saying that there is not a need for something to separate kids from guns, hence my gun locker, but getting murdered while trying to unlock a weapon is sad and a little dumb....essentially, our child is not even crawling yet, so we keep a few guns beside the bed, and various blades throughout the house, easily grabbed if not easily seen..... and we put the guns in the locker when we leave the house, so as not to be murdered by our own weapons should we come home and surprise a burglar....... so if someone comes in at night forcefully, we would both be armed in seconds, but anywhere but the bedroom its a blade instead.......

Crompsin · 11-22-2007, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisJericho

I know there are many advocated of keeping a firearm in each room of your household, but how much time do you budget for yourself to get to your gun, and then be able to fire rounds at an intruder? Thank you for your input.

A properly fortified house (dead bolts, solid core doors) is absolutely crucial.

Sane people that work for a living generally don't have enough money or paranoia to put a respectable firearm in every room of their house. One in the bedroom and one by the front door might be a more realistic option.

MSD · 11-22-2007, 10:04 AM

There are two factors that cause me to keep my guard down. One: my mom is vehemently anti-gun, meaning that she only knows about one of the five I have. The other is that I live in the second safest neighborhood in 2006's second safest town in the US. There has never been a home invasion in the neighborhood (although the new neighbors got into a fight that ended with a SWAT raid when he took her hostage in the bedroom after arguing over building permits.) My chances of needing a gun at home might be slightly lower if I lived on a deserted island, but not by much. I doubt that the wild coyotes will be enough of a problem to warrant shooting them, but that's really the biggest threat. I still keep it in mind because two summers ago, two coyotes were standing on the edge of a 15' mini cliff in my neighbor's back yard, staring at her through the screened-in porch until she went inside.

I still keep an AK by my bedside, a shotgun in my car, and the rest downstairs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire

we keep a few guns beside the bed, and various blades throughout the house, easily grabbed if not easily seen.....

I vaguely remember you saying that you have to be heavily armed and extra prepared for home invasions because your wife testified against a white supremacist group, leading to your house being firebombed. That was you, right?

Crompsin · 11-22-2007, 10:27 AM

Yeah, the answers in this thread are based on where you live.

I live near one of the highest crime areas in the US. I stay guarded.

twistedmosaic · 11-22-2007, 12:22 PM

I live in a low crime area (in a house on a college campus with frequent police patrols), and there are never any children in my house. It's in my nightstand next to the clip. If I'm in bed, 30 seconds, liberally? I'm almost never home during the day.

ring · 11-22-2007, 01:10 PM

I used to live in a very bad neighborhood in VA, all neighbors were hoods.
my ex-husband insisted we keep loaded (chambered with safety on)
guns in every room of the house. I was sick and tired of opening the kitchen drawer to get a spatula and having to gingerly poke my way around a loaded gun, always checking to make sure the safety was on.

I insisted it was foolish IMO to keep them chambered, considering some of the safeties were not of the best design, and the trigger lb. pull on most of them were fairly light.

I live alone and keep one short sword handy at bedside for now until I can afford another handgun.

Shauk · 11-22-2007, 01:53 PM

I dont have a firearm, I have a medeival style 10/15 lbs ball and chain with 4 inch spikes all over it.

figure if I'm going to make a mess and protect myself, might as well do it in style.

that said, i don't own a gun, but if someone is coming in the front door and I'm aware that they intend to to me harm, i may be at a slight disadvantage to someone in the same scenario with a gun.

however, in either scenario, gun or without, if you have no idea someone is coming to do you harm, neither situation matters, you'll be caught unaware.

dksuddeth · 11-22-2007, 05:33 PM

mine sits in my holster on my belt the entire time i'm awake. when i'm asleep, it's right next to me on my nightstand. i'm prepared.

kel · 11-22-2007, 06:27 PM

15 seconds. I live in a small apartment. I have no special provisions for access. That is how long it takes to leisurely walk into the bedroom, open up the safe, and take one out.

ring · 11-22-2007, 08:31 PM

as a side note.. If they take my guns away some day, I'm a machinist-tool and die person, I can always make one.

Crompsin · 11-22-2007, 09:18 PM

Yeah? Well, I know kung fu!

...

...

...

(okay, so I don't... but I'm not half-bad at karate)

ring · 11-22-2007, 09:26 PM

my ascerbic tongue aint half bad ass either, It has sent many a critter scurrying.

Strange Famous · 11-23-2007, 03:37 PM

I dont have a gun and my door could be booted open in about a second. I have a 2 foot length of copper piping by my bed for which to treat any attempting house breakers with though.

As for having a gun in every room... well, it is possible that it might come in handy one time, but I think it is unlikely and the kind of atmosphere of feeling under siege to that degree that you feel you need that cant be much fun. I'd spend the money all those shooters cost on moving somewhere safer!

Crompsin · 11-23-2007, 03:39 PM

Guns are cheaper than golf or SUVs.

Strange Famous · 11-23-2007, 03:52 PM

and heavy tools are cheaper still!

In the immortal words of Dizzee Rascal

"Kick off your door
I ain't got a .44
I'll have to make do
With a long metal bar"

Telluride · 11-23-2007, 04:27 PM

The time it would take me to grab a gun is much shorter than the time it would take me to get to my phone, call 911, and then wait for the police to get here.

Crompsin · 11-23-2007, 04:42 PM

... and possibly get hurt while the cops take 5-10 minutes to respond.

911: Government sponsored dial-a-prayer.

I take care of myself. Copper pipe or handgun or kung fu grip or stinky feet... whatever works.

MSD · 11-25-2007, 04:28 PM

One thing that should be mentioned is that the best thing to do is have a strong first line of defense.

-Heavy doors with deadbolts that anchor into a reinforced frame are a must, so is actually locking the doors.
-Ground floor windows should be drilled and pinned for a mix of easy opening and security
-Impact resistant glass coating will prevent someone from punching through a window and unlocking the door or window from the inside.
-Ladders and anything else that could help a burglar get to a higher window should be locked up
-Bright, motion-activated lights should cover the perimeter of the house.
-Anything hidden from view by privacy fences or bushes should be extra secure.

Crompsin · 11-25-2007, 05:35 PM

Haha, didn't Jeff Cooper have blueprints on how to build a modern urban castle?

I have it around here somewhere. Anybody want pictures?

JStrider · 11-25-2007, 06:35 PM

I can make it across my apartment and get to my pistol in just a few seconds.

would be a little bit longer to get to my AR, its out of sight in a zipper bag.

Crompsin · 11-25-2007, 06:37 PM

You should trade priority places with your pistol and your rifle, bro.

Seems most gung-ho males have a "be-all-end-all" handgun fetish.

A compact shoulder arm with a flashlight is 100% better than any handgun for a "oh shit someone is in my house" situation.

Ammo is a huge factor, of course... but we're all intelligent here so let's not start that debate.

IMHO: Pistols are what you use to get to your rifle or for concealed carry.

...

Or get a shotgun. Any major brand will do and they're cheap piece of mind.

Willravel · 11-25-2007, 06:58 PM

Oh god... MY GUNS ARE GONE!
Wait. Never mind.

My antique sword is on display in the living room, and I think my wakizashi is in my closet next to my wooden practice sword. I doubt I'd go for these in case of a home invasion. I'd probably just grab the family if possible. If not possible, I'd distract the invader so everyone else could get out.

Crompsin · 11-25-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willravel

I doubt I'd go for these in case of a home invasion. I'd probably just grab the family if possible.

Did you just say that you'd arm yourself with your family?

*imagines WillRavel swinging his lovely wife at would-be attacker*

...

Come over to the dark side, Will. You know you want a $800 piece of plastic in a lockbox under your bed.

DEI37 · 11-25-2007, 09:06 PM

I can get to my shotgun in less than fifteen seconds. The .22 and 7mm-08 take about twenty. But, the shotgun is what I'd go for first, obviously. It takes about 15 seconds to get from the front door to my bedroom, and if you kick in my front door, it will wake me.

11-22-2007, 01:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
ChrisJericho A Constellation of Frustration Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Seattle	How quickly can you reach your gun inside your household? There has been a story in the news here in western Washington about a young couple who was found shot to death in their home. The bodies were discovered when a neighbor noticed that the victims' front door had been kicked in. Here are some articles about the story in chronological order: http://www.komotv.com/news/11541841.html http://www.komotv.com/news/11657071.html Essentially one of the victims' neighbors, who had been released from jail after stabbing his own mother to death, wanted a $50 debt back and when this did not occur he murdered the couple. What stood out to me was that the door was kicked down, which may mean that if the husband had a weapon to defend himself, he could of have had enough time to go get one. Generally things tend to escalate, with initially the door being slammed to the murdered (this is pure speculation on my part), possibly the murderer pounding on the door and yelling, and finally the murderer kicking in the door and then killing the couple. Or maybe it all happened instantaneously, who knows. I know there are many advocated of keeping a firearm in each room of your household, but how much time do you budget for yourself to get to your gun, and then be able to fire rounds at an intruder? Thank you for your input. __________________ <ngdawg> any one else equate jericho with a stage extra who just runs across the stage, yells one word and runs off?

11-22-2007, 01:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
hrandani Insane Join Date: Sep 2004	I really feel like your best bet is a solid steel reinforced door. However if someone comes into my home trying to do harm to me and mine it will not be pretty for the paramedics. Last edited by hrandani; 11-22-2007 at 03:06 AM.

11-22-2007, 04:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
Fire Warrior Smith Join Date: May 2003 Location: missouri	as to how my wife and I keep our firearms, most of the collection is in the locker, but a few are kept within reach should they be needed- gun locks defeat the purpose, and can get you killed- not saying that there is not a need for something to separate kids from guns, hence my gun locker, but getting murdered while trying to unlock a weapon is sad and a little dumb....essentially, our child is not even crawling yet, so we keep a few guns beside the bed, and various blades throughout the house, easily grabbed if not easily seen..... and we put the guns in the locker when we leave the house, so as not to be murdered by our own weapons should we come home and surprise a burglar....... so if someone comes in at night forcefully, we would both be armed in seconds, but anywhere but the bedroom its a blade instead....... __________________ Thought the harder, Heart the bolder, Mood the more as our might lessens

11-22-2007, 10:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
Crompsin STRIKE FACE Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Prime Self	Yeah, the answers in this thread are based on where you live. I live near one of the highest crime areas in the US. I stay guarded. __________________ C19H28O2 = C6H2(NO2)3CH3 All your base are belong to us.

11-22-2007, 12:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
twistedmosaic Inane Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wunderland	I live in a low crime area (in a house on a college campus with frequent police patrols), and there are never any children in my house. It's in my nightstand next to the clip. If I'm in bed, 30 seconds, liberally? I'm almost never home during the day. __________________ ☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻ ☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻ ☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻ ☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻

11-22-2007, 03:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
Kpax Crazy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Washington	Good question. As far as the gun goes, I would say assume 1 minute of prep time. I had a pocket knife opened up and stuck into my bedframe, so if anyone barged into my room the knife would fly at their face immediately. ...but yeah if you take care to lock a gun, unlocking it would probably take too long in a sudden intrusion. It should be loaded and at your side, but then it also depends how far the front door was from the bedroom. If he kicked it down and ran towards them the only way they could've survived is if the dude sleeps with it in his hand, and that isn't wise, of course. A female cop used to sleep with a 9mm under her pillow. Imagine how scary it was when it went off one night and shot her hand! Loud, painful, and during sleep... That's a heart attack waiting to happen!

11-22-2007, 01:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
ring Facilitator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: now	I used to live in a very bad neighborhood in VA, all neighbors were hoods. my ex-husband insisted we keep loaded (chambered with safety on) guns in every room of the house. I was sick and tired of opening the kitchen drawer to get a spatula and having to gingerly poke my way around a loaded gun, always checking to make sure the safety was on. I insisted it was foolish IMO to keep them chambered, considering some of the safeties were not of the best design, and the trigger lb. pull on most of them were fairly light. I live alone and keep one short sword handy at bedside for now until I can afford another handgun. __________________ You're never going to catch me, because I'm not running away. - ring

11-22-2007, 01:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
Shauk Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Seattle, WA	I dont have a firearm, I have a medeival style 10/15 lbs ball and chain with 4 inch spikes all over it. figure if I'm going to make a mess and protect myself, might as well do it in style. that said, i don't own a gun, but if someone is coming in the front door and I'm aware that they intend to to me harm, i may be at a slight disadvantage to someone in the same scenario with a gun. however, in either scenario, gun or without, if you have no idea someone is coming to do you harm, neither situation matters, you'll be caught unaware.

11-22-2007, 05:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
dksuddeth Junkie Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: bedford, tx	mine sits in my holster on my belt the entire time i'm awake. when i'm asleep, it's right next to me on my nightstand. i'm prepared. __________________ "On every question of construction, let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed." thomas jefferson

11-22-2007, 06:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
kel WARNING: FLAMMABLE Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ask Acetylene	15 seconds. I live in a small apartment. I have no special provisions for access. That is how long it takes to leisurely walk into the bedroom, open up the safe, and take one out. __________________ "It better be funny"

11-22-2007, 08:31 PM	#13 (permalink)
ring Facilitator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: now	as a side note.. If they take my guns away some day, I'm a machinist-tool and die person, I can always make one. __________________ You're never going to catch me, because I'm not running away. - ring

11-22-2007, 09:18 PM	#14 (permalink)
Crompsin STRIKE FACE Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Prime Self	Yeah? Well, I know kung fu! ... ... ... (okay, so I don't... but I'm not half-bad at karate) __________________ C19H28O2 = C6H2(NO2)3CH3 All your base are belong to us.

11-22-2007, 09:26 PM	#15 (permalink)
ring Facilitator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: now	my ascerbic tongue aint half bad ass either, It has sent many a critter scurrying. __________________ You're never going to catch me, because I'm not running away. - ring

11-23-2007, 03:37 PM	#16 (permalink)
Strange Famous Adam The Word King Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ipswich, UK	I dont have a gun and my door could be booted open in about a second. I have a 2 foot length of copper piping by my bed for which to treat any attempting house breakers with though. As for having a gun in every room... well, it is possible that it might come in handy one time, but I think it is unlikely and the kind of atmosphere of feeling under siege to that degree that you feel you need that cant be much fun. I'd spend the money all those shooters cost on moving somewhere safer! __________________ "Lying in bed on a summer morning, with the window open, listening to the church bells, eating buttered toast with cunty fingers.” (unknown man, on what it meant to be English) "And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff--I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be. I know it's crazy." (Holden Caulfield)

11-23-2007, 03:39 PM	#17 (permalink)
Crompsin STRIKE FACE Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Prime Self	Guns are cheaper than golf or SUVs. __________________ C19H28O2 = C6H2(NO2)3CH3 All your base are belong to us.

11-23-2007, 03:52 PM	#18 (permalink)
Strange Famous Adam The Word King Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ipswich, UK	and heavy tools are cheaper still! In the immortal words of Dizzee Rascal "Kick off your door I ain't got a .44 I'll have to make do With a long metal bar" __________________ "Lying in bed on a summer morning, with the window open, listening to the church bells, eating buttered toast with cunty fingers.” (unknown man, on what it meant to be English) "And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff--I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be. I know it's crazy." (Holden Caulfield)

11-23-2007, 04:27 PM	#19 (permalink)
Telluride Psycho Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The Lost Continent	The time it would take me to grab a gun is much shorter than the time it would take me to get to my phone, call 911, and then wait for the police to get here. __________________ "I am certain that nothing has done so much to destroy the safeguards of individual freedom as the striving after this mirage of social justice." - Friedrich Hayek "America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." - Claire Wolfe

11-23-2007, 04:42 PM	#20 (permalink)
Crompsin STRIKE FACE Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Prime Self	... and possibly get hurt while the cops take 5-10 minutes to respond. 911: Government sponsored dial-a-prayer. I take care of myself. Copper pipe or handgun or kung fu grip or stinky feet... whatever works. __________________ C19H28O2 = C6H2(NO2)3CH3 All your base are belong to us.

11-25-2007, 04:28 PM	#21 (permalink)
MSD Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: CT	One thing that should be mentioned is that the best thing to do is have a strong first line of defense. -Heavy doors with deadbolts that anchor into a reinforced frame are a must, so is actually locking the doors. -Ground floor windows should be drilled and pinned for a mix of easy opening and security -Impact resistant glass coating will prevent someone from punching through a window and unlocking the door or window from the inside. -Ladders and anything else that could help a burglar get to a higher window should be locked up -Bright, motion-activated lights should cover the perimeter of the house. -Anything hidden from view by privacy fences or bushes should be extra secure.

11-25-2007, 05:35 PM	#22 (permalink)
Crompsin STRIKE FACE Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Prime Self	Haha, didn't Jeff Cooper have blueprints on how to build a modern urban castle? I have it around here somewhere. Anybody want pictures? __________________ C19H28O2 = C6H2(NO2)3CH3 All your base are belong to us.

11-25-2007, 06:35 PM	#23 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The Woodlands, TX	I can make it across my apartment and get to my pistol in just a few seconds. would be a little bit longer to get to my AR, its out of sight in a zipper bag. __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

11-25-2007, 06:37 PM	#24 (permalink)
Crompsin STRIKE FACE Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Prime Self	You should trade priority places with your pistol and your rifle, bro. Seems most gung-ho males have a "be-all-end-all" handgun fetish. A compact shoulder arm with a flashlight is 100% better than any handgun for a "oh shit someone is in my house" situation. Ammo is a huge factor, of course... but we're all intelligent here so let's not start that debate. IMHO: Pistols are what you use to get to your rifle or for concealed carry. ... Or get a shotgun. Any major brand will do and they're cheap piece of mind. __________________ C19H28O2 = C6H2(NO2)3CH3 All your base are belong to us. Last edited by Crompsin; 11-25-2007 at 06:42 PM.

11-25-2007, 06:58 PM	#25 (permalink)
Willravel [wil-ruh-VEL] Join Date: Aug 2004	Oh god... MY GUNS ARE GONE! Wait. Never mind. My antique sword is on display in the living room, and I think my wakizashi is in my closet next to my wooden practice sword. I doubt I'd go for these in case of a home invasion. I'd probably just grab the family if possible. If not possible, I'd distract the invader so everyone else could get out. __________________ ɯǝɥʇ ǝʌlos uɐɔ ǝʍ ʇɐɥʇ ǝɔuɐɹouƃı ɥƃnoɹɥʇ ʇou sı ʇı 'sɯǝlqoɹd ǝʇɐǝɹɔ uɐɔ ǝƃpǝlʍouʞ ɟı

11-25-2007, 09:06 PM	#27 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Wisconsin	I can get to my shotgun in less than fifteen seconds. The .22 and 7mm-08 take about twenty. But, the shotgun is what I'd go for first, obviously. It takes about 15 seconds to get from the front door to my bedroom, and if you kick in my front door, it will wake me. __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.