Like many gun owners, I carry everywhere I’m legally able. And that includes at home. I encourage others to consider doing the same as well. Because keeping a gun on my person remains the safest place for it. Yes, even at home.
In my world, if I’m dressed, I am likely armed except in non-permissive environments. The gun stays on my hip, along with my wallet, keys, knife and other stuff. That’s my everyday carry.
I don’t carry at home because I think MS-13 ‘bangers are going to use my patio table to batter down my back door. Nor do I expect someone to let go of a vicious dog’s leash while my family enjoys some fresh air in the back yard. I carry all the time, in part, because it’s the safest and easiest course of action.
I still remember one of our TTAG commenters writing that someone “was probably one of those people who strap on a gun to mow the lawn.” For me, I don’t strap on the gun to step out and mow the lawn. I’ve already worn it all day. Why take it off just to mow the lawn?
And if I did take it off — to mow the lawn, jump into a pool, or otherwise — then I have a problem. I would need to secure it in a place where its inaccessible to unauthorized persons. So not only would I need to loosen my belt, unsnap my rig, and work it out of my pants, but then I’d need to find a place to stow it where kids or reckless (or ethically challenged) adults can’t get it. Once more, on my person stands as the safest place for the gun.
In the olden days, I used to carry extra firepower in the car. Save for unusual circumstances, my car today has become gun-free. In part that’s because I don’t want to give a car burglar a free AR-15 and a half-dozen loaded mags. But my bigger concern has to do with my family condition changing. Young hands don’t need to find a gun unsupervised – loaded or otherwise.
On the other hand, with the gun tucked against my side, I know its exact location and status. I know that neither my kids, nor the teenager around the corner with a reputation for sticky hands (and fire-starting proclivities) will ever get hold of it while I’m cutting the grass, cooking on the grill, taking Fritz outside for a potty break or enjoying a cigar.
With my comfortable carry rig, I can carry all day long and oftentimes forget I’m even wearing a gun. As with any good carry rig, I could even sleep with the gun on my belt. For those who don’t carry because it’s uncomfortable, my advice remains to find a better holster system.
Having my EDC handgun available in case things go sideways at home at any given moment remains only a fringe benefit.