Reading the first post in this thread made it painfully obvious to me, that there are times when I step outside, I could be caught flat-footed and unarmed.
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Since a G19 is bigger than a 26 does that mean you're more paranoid than me?
This is one of those topics that come up over and over again and every time it does someone makes a comment to the effect of "I can't imagine being so fearful that I feel the need to carry a gun in my home.". They then go on to tell us they have multiple guns stashed all over their house. Wait, what?
I don't always carry at home because I'm not always dressed to carry. I'm currently sitting on my couch in sweats and a T Shirt I have a a Glock 26 with a 12 round magazine sitting on the table next to me. If I move to a different part of the house it goes with me. If I'm wearing clothes that will support a gun then I wear a gun. Usually the 26 which really isn't that much to carry.
I read a blog by Tamara Keel once that says (paraphrased) " It's not so much that I carry a gun at home as it is that I simply carry a gun." I carry at home 1% for "just in case" and 99% because if I have to take the dogs out or SWMBO sends me to Walmart I don't have to stop and put my gun on.
On a side note I also don't specifically answer my door armed. If I'm concerned enough about who's on the other side of that door that I won't open it without a gun in my hand I just don't open the door.
If you are ensconced inside of your residence there are very few good reasons (absent a rescue of those on your personal priority list) to go outside to challenge anyone.
Lives above property, family lives above all others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORvkElqw0QM
J/K.
Sounds like you handled it pretty well, all things considered.
I went to run an errand today and realized half way there that I didn't have my trusty P-07 on me. I felt a sense of vulnerability, irresponsibility, shame, and embarrassment. I was driving my wife's car and didn't have a backup in a console vault. More shame. I considered turning around, but I wouldn't have been able to complete my errand in the mid-day time slot available. So I went almost naked with 2 knives, 2 flashlights, a useless reload and a small can of Sabre Red.
It was a horrifying experience and I learned my lesson.
With regards to the "when do you carry" part of this, I treat carrying as if it's my right hand punch extended to 15 yards, and I expect it to be there anytime I may be surprised and need it.
I'll leave any fight I can, at the same time if I find myself in unexpected mortal danger I want to be able to "punch" at distance if I have the time and space. I always want to have my right hand on me so that my decision making matrix for dealing with mortal danger doesn't change, ever.
Bathrobe is the only thing I don't have at least a G26 under.
Anywhere outside my house, there's a spare mag, since the only stoppage I've had in my primary was magazine related.
I am almost always carrying around my 12 acre "yard," mostly because of critters. Often open carry (mowed for the first time this season with my Trooper Mk.III in a thumb break holster) and a concealed piece at the same time.
Anyone showing up in my backyard unannounced has already tresspassed accross two or three neighbors' properties. If I am lucky, LE would make it here in under a half hour after a call. If I am in the house, I would be grabbing a 12 gauge while my wife calls it in while I yell out the window at the intruder. Then wife would be grabbing PCC.
We don't get to many wandering folks on foot my neck of the woods. Used to get more people who were "lost" driving up, but that is rare now too.
What do you want to have happen? Do you want to get involved with the police and possibly the court system? Do you want to get involved in an armed confrontation? Or do you just want the stranger to get out of your yard?
It sounds like the camera system did its job. Lighting is a great tool inexpensive solar motion-detecting lights are good warnings, especially when backed up by brighter floods you can switch on.
I would NOT go out and confront a stranger at close range.
Something like lights on, phone in hand, Can I help you? from a window or door seems like a reasonable first step. If they approach, ask them to stop. If they continue, retreat, lock up and call 911.
Even if it is just a lost drunk do you really want to deal with a lost drunk? It can go badly more ways than it can go well.