The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > Hogan's Alley > Tactics and Training

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old January 8, 2005, 03:51 AM   #1
chris in va
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 26, 2004
Location: Louisville KY
Posts: 13,805
Bad element in my town, need HD advice

Honestly, I really should take a HD course. The First Steps pistol class was good but didn't cover any HD ideas.

As of the past 2-3 years, a bad element has taken over the town I live in. Just today someone got shot twice in the head walking down the sidewalk, not a mile from my house. The bodybag was visible for all to see for 5 hours.

So now I have a 20ga Nova, with a 3rd extension tube (7+1) that I have been using to shoot clays with. Fun.

In general, do you guys keep the magazines loaded, but one not in the chamber...or how does that work at home? Another adult lives in my house, along with her (almost) 13 year old daughter who is quite responsible with guns. She goes to the range with me sometimes.

I'm guessing it needs to be handy, but not 'obvious' to others. Thanks for any advice.
chris in va is offline  
Old January 8, 2005, 03:57 AM   #2
FrankDrebin
Junior member
 
Join Date: May 21, 2004
Posts: 1,101
Move.
FrankDrebin is offline  
Old January 8, 2005, 09:11 AM   #3
Derius_T
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 29, 2004
Location: South West OHIO (boondocks)
Posts: 1,337
I second Frank. Move if possible. If not possible, since there are no 'young' children in the house, I would certainly put the gun in an easily accessable, yet 'out of the way' location, chambered, with saftey on for a scattergun.

But it sounds like honestly that home defense is not the problem. If people are getting gunned down in the streets, its not safe in that neighborhood period. I swear, one of these days soon I'm going to run for public office, and I'll open peoples eyes at the very least. Too many sheep.....not enough
courageous sheep dogs...........
Derius_T is offline  
Old January 8, 2005, 10:40 AM   #4
Dwight55
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 18, 2004
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 2,568
chris in va, . . .

My thinking would involve decisions on:

1) can we move, and will it accomplish the desired safer neighborhood? If at all possible, I would seriously do this.

I have a 25 year old son that I moved for twice, 2 long stories, but it was worth the moves even though $$$ for me it was not good.

2) can you get a CCW? I would if I could, . . . and I would pack all the time in a neighborhood like that.

3) are there "safer" ways in and out of the community where you are less apt to meet agression, . . . seek them out and use them.

Most importantly, though, maintain street smarts: be aware of where you are, what is going on around you, who is where, and is there a threat involved in what you can see?

Best wishes, . . . but seriously, . . . think about moving and the CCW.

May God bless,
Dwight
__________________
www.dwightsgunleather.com
If you can breathe, . . . thank God!
If you can read, . . . thank a teacher!
If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a Veteran!
Dwight55 is offline  
Old January 8, 2005, 11:15 AM   #5
Timulator
Member
 
Join Date: December 31, 2004
Location: Kitsap County, Washington state
Posts: 48
Chris in VA: Absolutely MOVE!!!

There is no excuse, financial or otherwise, to subject yourself to that kind of danger. There are ALWAYS viable solutions to the difficulties of such a move. Not so convenient, perhaps, but viable. Your life is worth it.

As for an idea for storing your shotgun, in just the past couple weeks I installed a Mossberg "Loc-Box" for my Mossberg 500 (it works for several other models too). http://www.mossberg.com/locbox.htm

It consists of an L-shaped rubber-coated lag bolt that you screw into a wall stud, pointed downward, which is slid into the muzzle, and a locked compartment mounted a little lower on the same stud which secures the shotgun. Inside the lock compartment is a rubber-coated hook that sticks into the empty chamber of the shotgun to support it. A hinged lockable door closes over it to hold the gun in place.

The magazine tube is loaded, but chamber necessarily empty. To get the gun into service, open the door with the key, lift it 3/4", pull the stock toward you a few inches to get it off the chamber hook, then lower it a few inches to clear the lag bolt in the muzzle. Rack the slide forward, then back and forward again to chamber a shell, and I'm in business. I put a simple coat hook a few inches above the shotgun on which I hang a bathrobe so the shotgun is completely hidden, yet extremely accessible, right there on the wall next to the bed.

Yes, there is the matter of all the racket I have to make chambering a shell, but in my HD situation, this is not an issue.

Good luck, chris in va, and get yourself out of that area! Get a CCW and defensive handgun training too.
Timulator is offline  
Old January 8, 2005, 12:50 PM   #6
chris in va
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 26, 2004
Location: Louisville KY
Posts: 13,805
I would definitely love to move. We looked at several houses further out already, but with the 'DC influence' all the house prices are artificially jacked up. I may have to look again though.

My CCW was applied for over a week ago...
chris in va is offline  
Old January 8, 2005, 02:50 PM   #7
keens
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 23, 2004
Posts: 446
Good on the CCW...carry a primary and a backup too if you can...you do also carry a good folder too right? For night time get some sure-fire flashlites...I have three...one to carry, one for my room, the other for the truck. They are all the G2 Nitrilons...I also have a Streamlight attached to one of my HD guns...I keep them (semi autos) in the chamber yes...safety on. Revolvers are just ready all the time...familiarity here is important...once (the only time I was really afraid, I grabbed instinctivly the gun I was most familiar with (and the most reliable) even though two others were right next to it...
__________________
Speak the truth in love, for truth without love is legalism, and love without truth is liberalism.
If you count ease and comfort more than character, you will never be who God meant you to be.
keens is offline  
Old January 8, 2005, 04:05 PM   #8
Mannlicher
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 8, 2001
Location: North Central Florida & Miami
Posts: 3,207
Move or learn to use the search function of this BBS. I know this question has been asked 50 times.
__________________
Nemo Me Impune Lacesset

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan
Mannlicher is offline  
Old January 20, 2005, 12:40 PM   #9
Arc Angel
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 17, 2004
Posts: 284
As long as children have ready access to your home, you're going to have to be very careful with that shotgun. A cheap, but effective, Wal-Mart gun safe is a must. In the meantime there's a lot to be said for getting out of there.
__________________
‘There are, only, two kinds of warriors in this world: Those who dream of war, and those who have nightmares about it. As for me? I dream of a better world. I dream of war!’
Arc Angel is offline  
Old January 22, 2005, 12:27 AM   #10
PsychoSword
Junior member
 
Join Date: August 11, 2002
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 1,486
There was a double homocide that then ended in suicide two houses up the street awhile back. Should I move too?
PsychoSword is offline  
Old January 22, 2005, 12:49 AM   #11
Lycanthrope
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 1, 2001
Location: PA
Posts: 1,752
OK, even if you move you can have your home invaded. Either way, you need to be prepared. In that respect, time is of the essence. Keep the gun with one in the hole and NEAR you. If you're being invaded you won't have time to unlock the safe. 13 is old enough to hunt and gun handle, but you must consider their feelings on the matter.

Discuss this with THEM and suggest a plan. Train them about gun safety. If you might need a HD gun, then they don't?
Lycanthrope is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:58 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.07298 seconds with 8 queries