Advice needed - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

LewsTherin · 05-09-2008, 07:07 PM

Hey guys, I'm in a tight spot and I need some input from you. I own an XD45 service for home defense/carry. When I'm not at the range, or otherwise carrying it, I keep it loaded and holstered, and in my dresser drawer located next to my bed. My wife has a big problem with this. She says that keeping loaded guns in the house makes her uncomfortable. I will take this time to add that we don't have any kids to worry about. Now, I have 5 other long guns in the house, and none of them are loaded as I don't plan on trying to use a .300 WSM to fight off a BG. My question is, how do I help my wife past this stumbling block? I have explained to her that an unloaded gun is a paperweight, and when you need it, you need it NOW. You may not have time to load it. I have also explained that the only way the gun is getting fired is if I am pointing at a BG and I pull the trigger. Its a last resort to defend my/her life. I'm not trying to wear her down and *win* an argument. I want to help her understand the principles behind keeping a loaded gun ready in case of extreme circumstances. Has anyone else out there had to deal with this issue? Sorry for the long winded post, and thanks for any input.

mongoose33 · 05-09-2008, 07:51 PM

Many people have angst about this kind of thing. My wife does, for instance. Unless there's been actual BGs in people's places nearby, it may seem unnecessary to such people. That's just the way it is.

[I live in a small town, pop circa 10,000; I'm not sure there's been an instance in the history of the town in which a pistol defended a homeowner from a BG. Not that it wouldn't have, but there hasn't been any instance in which it was *needed.*

[This kind of record makes many people--with some justification--argue that guns don't accomplish much. In my town, in this context, they're probably right. That makes it difficult for them to accept a gun in the house, because there's no apparent need for it.]

I suspect that much this angst is that the gun isn't secured. Any burglar entering your house (without you there) would look in that dresser drawer as a matter of course.

Here's a suggestion: Get a pistol safe. You could install it under the bed (maybe), in the closet, in a variety of places. It would still be instantly accessible, and I bet it would allay her fears.

I'm ordering one tomorrow, which has a digital keypad system so I don't need a key (there are keys for backup in case you forget the combo).

There are many different models, and many less than $100.

I'll bet that would solve your problem, and hers.

**BOFH** · 05-09-2008, 08:26 PM

I would also suggest the use of a good 'quick access' pistol safe. Not only does it help protect from theft, it also makes sure that only you or your Wife can gain access to it in case a BG got into your bedroom before you did. In our house the pistols are in a quick access safe that I can get into just about as quick as I can get out of bed, but if that is not quick enough, I have a ASP baton and a large can of pepper spray in a sock drawer. If for some reason I need to get to the pistols and dont have enough time I would grab the ASP and spray while my Wife got the guns. Not perfect, but everything is a compromise.

**PackerfanXD** · 05-09-2008, 08:31 PM

Tell her it's hard to fight off a potentially armed bad guy with a paperweight.

LewsTherin · 05-09-2008, 08:54 PM

Exactly how fast can you get into these quick access safes? Does anyone have one that they could describe to me? I think a safe might be a good compromise, but all I can envision is fumbling to get into the thing while the BG is doing his thing. Here in Montana I would wager that more homes are armed than not; I just haven't encountered any quick access safes in the local stores here, just the heavy duty ones designed to protect from fire, theft, etc. Can anyone recommend a good company or brand?

**BOFH** · 05-09-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LewsTherin

Exactly how fast can you get into these quick access safes? Does anyone have one that they could describe to me? I think a safe might be a good compromise, but all I can envision is fumbling to get into the thing while the BG is doing his thing. Here in Montana I would wager that more homes are armed than not; I just haven't encountered any quick access safes in the local stores here, just the heavy duty ones designed to protect from fire, theft, etc. Can anyone recommend a good company or brand?

I have a DAC SportSafe....under $65 from WalMart.

I can get into it and have a gun in my hand in about three, four seconds. On that particular safe you can enter a code that uses combos of buttons so you can have a really 'quick' code that would be very hard to guess..ie: Press 1-4 at the same time then 2-3. The door is spring loaded to spring open in a hurry and it has a small light inside that stays on long enough to see what you are grabbing.

Wild Rice · 05-09-2008, 09:00 PM

According to the Springfield Armory XD manual, your wife is correct and you are wrong.

Page 3 (first page after table of contents):
"Store guns unloaded, locked and in a secure place. Obey gun storage laws. Store guns and ammunition separately."

Fully loaded in an unlocked drawer does not meet these safety recommendations.

Also, a leather holster can retain moisture and contains acidic tanning compounds. Don't store guns in leather holsters.

**BOFH** · 05-09-2008, 09:02 PM

Here is a link to the DAC unit: Walmart.com : DAC SportSafe Portable Gun Safe : Hunting

Its good for two pistols, perfect for one and a few clips. It will hold a pistol with a 6" barrel without a problem.

**BOFH** · 05-09-2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Rice

According to the Springfield Armory XD manual, your wife is correct and you are wrong.

Page 3 (first page after table of contents):
"Store guns unloaded, locked and in a secure place. Obey gun storage laws. Store guns and ammunition separately."

Fully loaded in an unlocked drawer does not meet these safety recommendations.

Depends where you live. For me, I have no choice, CA laws require the gun to be secured and we have kids so its just the right thing to do...but where he lives it may be perfectly legal to store a loaded handgun in a sock drawer.

LewsTherin · 05-09-2008, 09:19 PM

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out. And with all due respect to Springfield Armory, those safety recommendations are just that: recommendations. I think I'd hard pressed to find a person who keeps their HD gun perpetually unloaded and locked away. I don't think there is a "right" or "wrong" attitude to have towards keeping loaded guns easily accessible. My wife just has a "different" attitude

05-09-2008, 07:07 PM	#1
LewsTherin XDTalk Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bozeman, Montana Posts: 35	Advice needed Hey guys, I'm in a tight spot and I need some input from you. I own an XD45 service for home defense/carry. When I'm not at the range, or otherwise carrying it, I keep it loaded and holstered, and in my dresser drawer located next to my bed. My wife has a big problem with this. She says that keeping loaded guns in the house makes her uncomfortable. I will take this time to add that we don't have any kids to worry about. Now, I have 5 other long guns in the house, and none of them are loaded as I don't plan on trying to use a .300 WSM to fight off a BG. My question is, how do I help my wife past this stumbling block? I have explained to her that an unloaded gun is a paperweight, and when you need it, you need it NOW. You may not have time to load it. I have also explained that the only way the gun is getting fired is if I am pointing at a BG and I pull the trigger. Its a last resort to defend my/her life. I'm not trying to wear her down and win an argument. I want to help her understand the principles behind keeping a loaded gun ready in case of extreme circumstances. Has anyone else out there had to deal with this issue? Sorry for the long winded post, and thanks for any input. __________________ So long, and thanks for all the fish!

05-09-2008, 07:51 PM	#2
mongoose33 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 235	Many people have angst about this kind of thing. My wife does, for instance. Unless there's been actual BGs in people's places nearby, it may seem unnecessary to such people. That's just the way it is. [I live in a small town, pop circa 10,000; I'm not sure there's been an instance in the history of the town in which a pistol defended a homeowner from a BG. Not that it wouldn't have, but there hasn't been any instance in which it was needed. [This kind of record makes many people--with some justification--argue that guns don't accomplish much. In my town, in this context, they're probably right. That makes it difficult for them to accept a gun in the house, because there's no apparent need for it.] I suspect that much this angst is that the gun isn't secured. Any burglar entering your house (without you there) would look in that dresser drawer as a matter of course. Here's a suggestion: Get a pistol safe. You could install it under the bed (maybe), in the closet, in a variety of places. It would still be instantly accessible, and I bet it would allay her fears. I'm ordering one tomorrow, which has a digital keypad system so I don't need a key (there are keys for backup in case you forget the combo). There are many different models, and many less than $100. I'll bet that would solve your problem, and hers. __________________ . The world doesn't want to hear the labor pains, it just wants to see the baby. XD Service 9mm

05-09-2008, 08:26 PM	#3
BOFH XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 199	I would also suggest the use of a good 'quick access' pistol safe. Not only does it help protect from theft, it also makes sure that only you or your Wife can gain access to it in case a BG got into your bedroom before you did. In our house the pistols are in a quick access safe that I can get into just about as quick as I can get out of bed, but if that is not quick enough, I have a ASP baton and a large can of pepper spray in a sock drawer. If for some reason I need to get to the pistols and dont have enough time I would grab the ASP and spray while my Wife got the guns. Not perfect, but everything is a compromise. Last edited by BOFH : 05-09-2008 at 08:47 PM.

05-09-2008, 08:31 PM	#4
PackerfanXD XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ground zero of the invasion Posts: 6,487	Tell her it's hard to fight off a potentially armed bad guy with a paperweight. __________________ The wealthiest nation in the world with the mightiest army man has ever assembled could not stop them. Mexican 300 http://www.break.com/index/mexican-300.html Love your country, but never trust its government. - Robert A. Heinlein

05-09-2008, 08:54 PM	#5
LewsTherin XDTalk Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bozeman, Montana Posts: 35	quick access Exactly how fast can you get into these quick access safes? Does anyone have one that they could describe to me? I think a safe might be a good compromise, but all I can envision is fumbling to get into the thing while the BG is doing his thing. Here in Montana I would wager that more homes are armed than not; I just haven't encountered any quick access safes in the local stores here, just the heavy duty ones designed to protect from fire, theft, etc. Can anyone recommend a good company or brand? __________________ So long, and thanks for all the fish!

05-09-2008, 09:00 PM	#7
Wild Rice XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 188	According to the Springfield Armory XD manual, your wife is correct and you are wrong. Page 3 (first page after table of contents): "Store guns unloaded, locked and in a secure place. Obey gun storage laws. Store guns and ammunition separately." Fully loaded in an unlocked drawer does not meet these safety recommendations. Also, a leather holster can retain moisture and contains acidic tanning compounds. Don't store guns in leather holsters.

05-09-2008, 09:02 PM	#8
BOFH XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 199	Here is a link to the DAC unit: Walmart.com : DAC SportSafe Portable Gun Safe : Hunting Its good for two pistols, perfect for one and a few clips. It will hold a pistol with a 6" barrel without a problem.

05-09-2008, 09:19 PM	#10
LewsTherin XDTalk Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bozeman, Montana Posts: 35	safe Thanks for the link, I'll check it out. And with all due respect to Springfield Armory, those safety recommendations are just that: recommendations. I think I'd hard pressed to find a person who keeps their HD gun perpetually unloaded and locked away. I don't think there is a "right" or "wrong" attitude to have towards keeping loaded guns easily accessible. My wife just has a "different" attitude __________________ So long, and thanks for all the fish!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode