Poll Do You Sleep With A Gun Under Your Pillow?

[red]

I have an 18" steel flashlight standing on the floor right where my hand falls.

 

[Red Baron]

Not under the pillow

I always have a firearm close at hand. I fear nothing nor anyone. To me a firearm is just another tool (I collect tools). I have carried since I was 12 years old (prior to 1968 there was no age restriction on firearms in the U.S.) In addition to hunting and sport shooting and the military I have worked in armed security and law enforcement. When the grandchildren visit, weapons are on my person or are secured.

 

[wattle]

My hubbys farm guns are stored(locked away) in our room, doubt if I'd ever use one on a two legged intruder though, I have used a shotgun to kill a snake in the kitchen once and once to put a sick cow down. I think if an intruder came to the house, I'd have Bucklees of getting a gun out of the gun locker, first I'd have to get the key which is kept elesewhere.

I have a kitchen knife beside the bed along with a cordless phone and a softball bat beside the bedroom door.

 

[jeapea]

I worked in law enforcement for 8 years. I have two loaded pistols in my bedroom. A shotgun, a .22 rifle that's loaded and has an extra clip right next to it, and I used to have a nightclub, too, but my ex stole it from me.

I was taught that the level of threat determines the use of force neccessary to stop the threat. Training in the use of these 'tools' is imperative. My first, best "weapon" is my 'alarm' for intruders... which is my sons Jack Russell Terrier...If an intruder hears an 'alarm' of any kind, they're more likely to leave than to find out what's behind door number 2. That would be my wolf-dog... she's BIG and she doesn't 'bark'.

btw.... I keep all but my .22 in their cases unless I'm target shooting or hunting. The .22 is for coyotes and other pesky critters around the ranch.

I am responsible with and for my firearms. I don't forget that... ever.

 

[A-RON]

Hmm... Interesting post. I used to have a baseball bat tucked away in the bushes near the front porch, an axe hiding next to the back door, a rifle next to my bedroom door, and multiple escape plans and attack plans around the house. I could never stop thinking about hypotheticals such as killing an intruder, especially "the" intruder. I wondered if I would go to jail, if I could get charged with premeditated murder, if I would get temporary insanity, and then I was constantly wondering if I was even capable of doing anything. Is it in my character to fight?

My worst recurring nightmare has been where I'm in my home, and my exploiter/abuser walks up to the front door, invites himself in, says hello in a friendly manner, sits on the couch, starts eating potato chips, and looks at me with a smile and waits for me to respond.

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

That dream has tormented me so much, and kept me up night after night, because I really feel like I want to not only kill this person, but make them suffer for a long period of time, and yet, violence goes against everything I have ever believed or known. I'm basically a pacifist and an idealist, so coming to terms with this specific reality and question has haunted me. Especially since this person knew me so well and knew exactly how to manipulate me while maintaining trust. He really played me.

To put this all in context, my abuser/exploiter was one of my best friends for 6 years, and we used to hang out all the time. After he fled, I discovered that the name I knew him by was actually an alias, and that he was actually a professional con artist and a fugitive.

I've learned that one of my triggers is when I'm aware that other people are aware of my presence, but I can't see them. For example, last year a car pulled in to my driveway, and I couldn't tell who it was. It's a long driveway, and they pulled in all the way up to the house. By the time I got to the kitchen to look out the window and see who it was, they peeled out and took off down the highway. I felt like I was going crazy. Who was this?!! I mean, it was just a car pulling into a driveway. It could have been anything. But this trigger led to my first five and only five counseling sessions so far. The counselor was truly incompetent, but I think it was still good because it helped me acknowledge that I have a problem.

Anyway, a few months ago, I moved out of the house and now live in a van. I don't have the nightmares anymore. I have a knife, airhorn, and mace within arms reach. When I hear people walking by at night, I pretty much always reach for the knife. I don't really know why, since I always park in a new place and I'm positive it couldn't possibly be "the" person since he fled the country and because everything is different about me since the last time he saw me.

Whew, sorry for getting side tracked. I could go on forever. Peace everybody.

Aaron

 

[jeapea]

A-RON,

I can relate to the intruder in the driveway. Long driveway, no neighbors. I had one of those last spring. Almost the same story! And it sounds like the person you just described, too! Even the dream because my abuser WAS just like that... IS just like that!! But, I don't know for sure if it was him in the driveway or not... could have just been a drunk. (but I still think it was him.....)

I felt like I dissociated at the time in order to deal with the situation at hand. Real threat vs. perceived threat. Tactical training taking over? Maybe. Anyway...they left... the same way... peeling out.. driving like an idiot. I didn't have to do anything. And nothing really happened except the holes in the driveway that needed filled in. (And.. maybe they got in a wreck after they left?) One can only hope.... since a normal person wouldn't be doing that!

Something that I've been told... and I think it's true to some degree... That once you get away... and stay away from an abuser... and take back a measure of yourself... they KNOW they aren't in control any more. And that makes them afraid of you. More afraid of YOU than you are of them. THAT was their power over you. You don't have to give it to them any more. For me.. that's my best weapon of defense.

I guess it depends on whether this topic is asking if there is an underlying reason anyone would keep a weapon next to their bed or under their pillow. Just because? Or for a specific person or purpose....

 

[satara]

No
The only time I did something like that was when I was alone with my children and a telemarketer phoned and threatened me. He told me that he knew who I was and where I lived. That scared me to death especially since my husband was a shiftworker and was working that night.
Took a hammer to bed with me that night. Changed my number and for the first time in my life locked my doors.

My partner now though, is heavy on security especially since his son's Mother is delusional. So doors are ALWAYS locked and he wants to get a weapon.

I am nervous as he has ptsd too and worried if it is ever used by mistake.
Don't want to pay the price.

 

[LadyLux]

I sleep with a knife by my bed and a set of car keys with the alarm part of the key chain on the night stand. I am lucky enough to be able to turn my car alarm on from inside my house. I actually didn't know that It was a bad thing until I read a few posts.

 

[rmf3175]

Not under my pillow but within reach. Multiple guns/ammo.

 

[Mahtalat]

Nah, no guns for me, my Dog had PTSD (I didn't know they could have PTSD) but whenever she saw guns she would freak out her tail would drop down and she'd start panicking and I would have to calm her down to let her know it was alright. I don't know where that came from with her, even toy guns set her off. We got her when she was a puppy, with us she had never seen a gun/toy gun before that day and she just freaked out...but basically I slept with my dogs and other animals, and we were the weapon. They were all very protective of me.

 

[disenchanted]

I slept with a hammer under my pillow for a year when I was about ten. I've kept mace in my bedside drawer. I'm a window and door locker (I add locks to my doors approved or not) and I have dogs. I've had burglar alarms too.

Security, security, security. Comes in all forms.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Guns and me do not mix.

Especially after trying meds that give me bad thoughts.