Good Guy with a Gun: Why Your Home Is the Frontline of Self-Defense
This week’s Good Guy with a Gun blog takes a step back from analyzing a single dramatic incident to explore a broader — and equally urgent — truth: most defensive gun uses in America happen not in alleyways or convenience stores, but inside our own homes.
The Statistics Behind the Door
As Attorney Tom Grieve explains, the numbers are eye-opening. According to a 2013 CDC report and several independent national studies, Americans use firearms defensively between 500,000 and 3 million times each year. That figure includes everything from stopping a home invasion to deterring a violent encounter in a garage, backyard, or driveway.
But here’s the part most people don’t consider: roughly 80% of all defensive gun uses occur on your own property. Whether it’s inside your home, in your yard, or even your garage, it’s likely that if you ever have to use a gun for self-defense, you’ll do it where you sleep, eat, and raise your family.
Criminals Know the Clock is on Their Side
Another powerful insight from Grieve’s commentary is that 57% of convicted felons report fearing armed citizens more than the police. Why? Because they know that police response times average 10–15 minutes — and often longer in rural areas or during high call volume.
In that window, you are your own first responder.
Criminals count on that delay. They often choose to strike when they think no one’s watching — but statistics show that many homeowners are, and many are prepared.
Preparedness Isn’t Paranoia — It’s Responsibility
Surveillance footage from a high-end home intrusion shows just how quickly things can escalate. A group of masked individuals forces their way into a well-lit foyer, one of them wielding what appears to be a yellow crowbar or tool. Within seconds, the home’s calm is replaced with chaos.
Even if a homeowner has called 911, they may only have seconds to decide — to act — and to protect their loved ones.
This is the type of scenario that Good Guy with a Gun is all about: not glorifying violence, but helping everyday Americans think through what preparedness really looks like in the places that matter most.
TimberVaults: Where Preparedness Meets Design
At TimberVaults, we craft concealment furniture that helps homeowners stay ready without sacrificing style. Whether you need a fast-access concealment shelf in the hallway or a discreet hidden gun safe near your bed, our designs keep your tools close without drawing attention.
