I carry my gun with me 95% of the time while I'm away from home, but a gun is on my body or within my reach 100% of the time while I'm at home - If someone breaks in, you've only got SECONDS to act. So if this ever happens to me, I want to be able to make the absolute most of those few seconds.
Sure, it's not that easy to carry a gun in your pajamas, but it's still possible if you want to. Some Remora Holsters, for example, don't have a clip, but they still stay in place quite well in your waistband if your elastic isn't super loose. The Betty Holster, from Looper Law Enforcement, is another IWB option that doesn't require a belt since the clip is super heavy duty. You could also try wearing something like a pair of UnderTech Concealed Carry Compression Shorts - either by themselves (if you're home alone with the curtains shut...) OR underneath your pj pants, skirt, or regular shorts. Or the Flashbang Bra Holster is yet another option that works well for some women.
One great thing about carrying at home is that you may not even need to keep your gun concealed IF your residence is private enough or you are careful enough to make sure that no-one can see in through your windows. (There are a lot of Peeping Toms out there!) Just thread on a belt with your favorite OWB (outside-the-waistband) holster and you're good to go! You could also wear a shoulder holster or something like a Smart Carry or Pistol Wear Holster (over top of your clothing) without worrying about having to put on a cover garment.
What if someone rings the doorbell while you're open carrying? You have several options to choose from - You could (1) not open your door at all, (2) remove your visible holster and go to the door unarmed, or (3) open the door with your firearm remaining visible. I don't personally like ANY of those options, so here's what I do: (4) I remove the visible holster but still take my gun with me to the door.
It's usually just the mailman or the UPS driver that rings my doorbell (so I answer the door 95% of the time someone is there!), but every single time I open my door, I make sure that my gun is either inside my waistband or right next to the door (but out of sight). I don't even let the mailman know that I'm armed since I'm very cautious about allowing anyone to see that my home contains any firearms what-so-ever.
Still don't want to carry at home, either open carry or concealed? I don't blame you - My residence is quite private, so I usually carry at home using an OWB holster. But even if I'm not carrying on-body, I still always have a gun within reach, even when I'm in the shower. I'd rather have my gun and never need it, than need it and not have it.
Since I don't have any kids yet (aside from Tika & Sako), one thing I did was strategically place several "gun coasters" (neoprene pot holders) around my home for easy little resting places for my daily pistol of choice (usually my M&P9c). They look nice and protect my guns from un-necessary wear, so my trusty M&P has no problem following me around the house. My pistol can easily keep me company no matter what room I'm in, even if I decide not to carry on-body.Now even though these gun-coasters work great for me, I'm not saying that you should leave guns laying around your house - ESPECIALLY if you have children, you leave your doors unlocked, you leave your curtains open, you have visitors coming and going, etc. You need to be safe, smart, and secure in all ways that you handle and store your firearms. If you live on a ground level where it's possible for someone to see into your home OR if you leave your curtains open during the day or night, then you would not want to be open carrying or carelessly laying firearms around the house. Sure, if a potential intruder saw that you had a gun, it might keep them from breaking in... But more than likely, it could also do the opposite, by making your house a prime target for theft if someone wants to steal your guns. It could also allow someone who's casing your house to see that you're armed and know exactly where your guns are kept - and then they could plan around that information, potentially leading to a more violent or lethal attack.
If you are a licensed (& trained) concealed carry permit holder, of course it's important for you to carry your gun with you in public, with so many unfamiliar people around - But I do think it's especially important to keep your gun nearby when you are in your own home. You NEVER know when the unexpected might happen, and I especially want to protect the place most dear to me, where my family sleeps. I always keep my doors locked, and I don't leave my pistol unattended. If for some reason my nearest gun coaster is empty, seeing that is a great visual reminder that I accidentally left my pistol in another room so I need to go and retrieve it. If you ever hear a strange sound or think you saw something that makes you pause, don't second guess yourself. Always be on your guard and arm yourself. Don't assume that you didn't hear or see anything. Always trust your gut and stay alert.
Regardless of whether or not you personally decide to carry a gun with you in your own home, one thing is for certain. If someone breaks into my home like they did in this video, they're going to regret their decision.
