unlocked shotgun - good idea or bad?

gtomax · December 29, 2005, 11:59 AM

I live in california, by myself. No chance of small or unknown hands finding my shotgun. I leave it loaded, tang safety on.

The only reason this makes me nervous is what if someone breaks into my home while i'm gone. I come in and they've found my shotgun and are ready to use it against me. But what other choice do I have? Locking it up which means slow response time in case someone decides to come at me when I am home - making the effectiveness somewhat reduced.

Thoughts?

capnrock · December 29, 2005, 12:14 PM

This is just a thought.

If you have a garage keep one in there, that way if you come home and see suspicious activity in your house, you can "sneek" to your garage.

Just a thought.

DPris · December 29, 2005, 01:13 PM

Security vs Accessibility is always a balancing act.
You need to make your own decision there.
Might make a reasonable effort to hide the thing where it won't be easily visible, but still relatively accessible, depending on your layout.
Denis

capnrock · December 29, 2005, 01:16 PM

Plus I would think that if someone was to break into your home while you were gone wouldnt they possibly have their own gun? Call the cops, LOL.

mgdavis · December 29, 2005, 01:18 PM

I'd avoid leaving a gun in the garage. The average garage is not well secured, doors are easy to breach, if you are working in the garage with the door open, then go inside for lunch and somebody wanders in to help themselves to your tools, car, etc. Oh, and ever go to bed and forget to close the garage door?

Get a gun safe, get an alarm system, motion lights, door alarms, whatever that is in your budget. Then USE them. I leave my shotgun by my bed at cruiser ready all the time, and set the house alarm every time I leave.

clusive · December 29, 2005, 01:43 PM

Keep the shotgun loaded and ready when you are home and lock it up when you leave the house.

capnrock · December 29, 2005, 02:22 PM

Closing your garage door is pretty easy to remember especially if you are worried about someone breaking in. As far as being secured goes hide it in the garage where no one would find it. To me, thats like asking, "Ever go to bed at night with your front door open"? Obviously not. Having a gun stashed in a secured area instead of under your bed is a great idea if you are away from your home and you run into this problem. I, personally live in the country and have found this to workout great, even if its just a coyote on your porch instead of robber or whatever. Always cover that @#*!!!

Polydorus · December 29, 2005, 02:24 PM

Why not take it with you?

gtomax · December 29, 2005, 04:03 PM

although slightly labor intensive, i think the lock it up when you leave and unlock it when home would be the best answer. Although my main plan is to simply use a quickly accessible gun safe. Waiting to buy a house before I buy a several hundred pound safe though

Pezo · December 30, 2005, 09:47 PM

Quote:

although slightly labor intensive, i think the lock it up when you leave and unlock it when home would be the best answer. Although my main plan is to simply use a quickly accessible gun safe. Waiting to buy a house before I buy a several hundred pound safe though

This is what I would do. keep them loaded when at home and hide them very well when out. My biggest fear is the theft of them when out over the actual need to use them when home.

JohnBrowning · January 2, 2006, 03:08 PM

Why not move and get a carry permit? Just kidding, I would just make sure its well hidden.

December 29, 2005, 11:59 AM	#1
gtomax Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 84	unlocked shotgun - good idea or bad? I live in california, by myself. No chance of small or unknown hands finding my shotgun. I leave it loaded, tang safety on. The only reason this makes me nervous is what if someone breaks into my home while i'm gone. I come in and they've found my shotgun and are ready to use it against me. But what other choice do I have? Locking it up which means slow response time in case someone decides to come at me when I am home - making the effectiveness somewhat reduced. Thoughts?

December 29, 2005, 12:14 PM	#2
capnrock Junior Member Join Date: December 27, 2005 Posts: 10	here ya go This is just a thought. If you have a garage keep one in there, that way if you come home and see suspicious activity in your house, you can "sneek" to your garage. Just a thought.

December 29, 2005, 02:22 PM	#7
capnrock Junior Member Join Date: December 27, 2005 Posts: 10	well ok Closing your garage door is pretty easy to remember especially if you are worried about someone breaking in. As far as being secured goes hide it in the garage where no one would find it. To me, thats like asking, "Ever go to bed at night with your front door open"? Obviously not. Having a gun stashed in a secured area instead of under your bed is a great idea if you are away from your home and you run into this problem. I, personally live in the country and have found this to workout great, even if its just a coyote on your porch instead of robber or whatever. Always cover that @#*!!!

December 29, 2005, 01:13 PM	#3
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	Security vs Accessibility is always a balancing act. You need to make your own decision there. Might make a reasonable effort to hide the thing where it won't be easily visible, but still relatively accessible, depending on your layout. Denis

December 29, 2005, 01:16 PM	#4
capnrock Junior Member Join Date: December 27, 2005 Posts: 10	Plus I would think that if someone was to break into your home while you were gone wouldnt they possibly have their own gun? Call the cops, LOL.

December 29, 2005, 01:18 PM	#5
mgdavis Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2004 Location: Western Washington Posts: 397	I'd avoid leaving a gun in the garage. The average garage is not well secured, doors are easy to breach, if you are working in the garage with the door open, then go inside for lunch and somebody wanders in to help themselves to your tools, car, etc. Oh, and ever go to bed and forget to close the garage door? Get a gun safe, get an alarm system, motion lights, door alarms, whatever that is in your budget. Then USE them. I leave my shotgun by my bed at cruiser ready all the time, and set the house alarm every time I leave.

December 29, 2005, 01:43 PM	#6
clusive Junior Member Join Date: November 14, 2005 Posts: 11	Keep the shotgun loaded and ready when you are home and lock it up when you leave the house.

December 29, 2005, 02:24 PM	#8
Polydorus Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2005 Posts: 144	Why not take it with you?

December 29, 2005, 04:03 PM	#9
gtomax Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 84	although slightly labor intensive, i think the lock it up when you leave and unlock it when home would be the best answer. Although my main plan is to simply use a quickly accessible gun safe. Waiting to buy a house before I buy a several hundred pound safe though

January 2, 2006, 03:08 PM	#11
JohnBrowning Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2005 Posts: 140	Why not move and get a carry permit? Just kidding, I would just make sure its well hidden.