Sleeping With A Weapon

[Jet]

Used to sleep with a weapon but gave it up after a while. I do have three dogs, FatHead - American Bulldog/American Pit Bull Terrier mix, Jerron - German Shepherd/Border Collie mix and Tito - Chihuahua. Tito is psycho and intruders should fear him above all others :). If none of them do the job I will throw a cat at them....they are nuts too.

 

[Reclusive]

I toss and turn too much to sleep with a weapon to trust I won't hurt myself or my fiance in my sleep. But I have weapons stashed around our house at strategic locations. I don't notice them anymore when I see them, but when we first moved in, it was a real comfort to have them. I was taught growing up to always have a weapon handy, and I always have. Even before the PTSD. So, I don't know. Personally, I think that you have larger fish to fry right now and if it helps you sleep, then it helps you sleep. My teddy bear does the same for me right now. I feel like an infant, but my cats and fiance aren't going to judge me.

However, I suggest that if you do get a dog (and dogs are AWESOME for PTSD, just look at all the threads), I would put it somewhere out of reach for the safety of you and your dog. One or the other, not both. And I'll be honest with you, if I thought my cats could stand a dog, I would SO have one right now. I never felt safer at home than when I was living with my dad's dog.

 

[Srain]

Right under my mattress. Big dog beside the bed, big hubby next to me. knife next to the door. Stungun ready, pepperspray, etc. (gun in undisclosed location), business as usual. We live in a fairly nice area, middle of the road type place but it wouldn't matter. It's just how I am. I'm protective of myself and those I love, I run towards the commotion and not away so I want to be able to be able to protect myself.

 

[Lionheart]

Stungun ready, pepperspray, etc.

I like that you have alternative methods for protecting yourself that don't include fatal force. I think pepper spray and a stun gun should be automatically issued to all those with a PTSD diagnosis. :cool:

 

[Mercy]

I like that you have alternative methods for protecting yourself that don't include fatal force. I think pepper spray and a stun gun should be automatically issued to all those with a PTSD diagnosis. :cool:

Amen, Brother! You gave me a good chuckle and you're right too.

 

[anni]

I have a tough time with this since I realize some of it probably isn't what anyone would could term a 'good' thing. My T did help me somewhat with this since he said that well, whatever works.I used to have the .22 under the pillow when things really were awful and I lived quite literally not knowing if someone was going to come kill me any given night. Dad took that away on the grounds that he knew I'd use it. I still have a carry permit so do sometimes, plus a riding crop for any movement out doors ( inclusive of mowing the lawn), wasp spray and pepper spray in the car and a folding knife in my purse. Overkill? Well yes. On the other hand I get to leave the house once in awhile without the German Shephard. I don't rely on these things- they just make me feel safe,I think, that's all.

Does the baseball bat by the window over my bed count?

 

[Lionheart]

I used to carry a .22 on a .38 frame until I was arrested with it and had it confiscated by the police during a routine traffic stop. I only carried it for peace of mind and now I carry a fist instead. I am 6 foot tall, 227 lbs and yet I still feel vulnerable sometimes, so I am going to get some pepper spray and a stun gun to help me feel safe. I don't feel the need to sleep with a weapon anymore, but I still sleep in my clothes in case of an emergency. I don't think there is anything wrong with protecting ourselves, but we can sense danger when there is no real danger and therefore, I feel like the pepper spray and stun gun are good alternatives for a gun or knife.

 

[Srain]

Baseball bat counts ;)

 

[reddevil1111]

I used to have over 40 loaded guns in various locations all over my home. After 20 years, I am down to 5 guns, only 2 loaded and ready. One is a .45 1911. I sleep with it in my hand. I have never had any issues with it. It did help me with a break in one time. The other is a shotgun loaded with 00 buckshot. (Mossberg m-590)
I used both in the Marines and I know some of my use is irrational and still it is impossable to let go of them. I have tried many times. My already poor sleep goes away. I have to look into every room several times a night and if I hear something I have to go look for the cause.
It's more than 20 years from my date of discharge.
There is a feeling of security a weapon provides. A dog or a good lock cant replace it. I no longer have an armory scattered all around my home so I think I have made progress.
I also used to have a bug out bag filled with a sleeping bag, 7 days of MRE's ammo, water and a medical kit. I gave that up about 5 years ago. I got rid of a lot of my militery gear and old uniforms. I miss it sometimes. But I found by divorcing myself from the trappings of my past, I could finally move forward.
Do whatever you need to feel safe. Lock doors, have a weapon, or sleep in a clown suit if you feel safe in it. I think most of us that sleep with weapons are using them to assure ourselfs that we wont allow someone to cause us harm.
I belive this is something you can outgrow give time. I hope I can someday.

 

[Martin Metcalf]

I have a fighting machete next to the bed and items I can use throught the house. Spring trap in the garden - we were taught knife fighting in the army and I dread to think what would happen if I went into auto pilot. I have found myself awake, naked in the kitchen wielding the machete - i just dont know how I got there....

Must have been the aliens!

 

[missd84]

I sleep with a hammer under my bed, not under my pillow. I have done that even before I had ptsd. It's always made me feel just ever so slightly safer and my daughter knows not to touch it. If I could afford to have a dog tho, I definitely would. Like others have said, they are great protectors.

 

[Gamereign555]

Yeah I tend to stash weapons in parts of the house. My girlfriend have a big sword collection...I couldn't resist thinking that I could use them to defend us.