The USA is known for having fewer “hot” burglaries (i.e. with one or more occupants at home) per dwelling per year than most other countries, due to would-be intruders’ fear that the occupants might be packing heat.
However, too ostentatious a show could also signal the presence of a cache of valuable weapons to be plundered at a time when the dwelling is believed to have no occupants. A cheap gun or two in an inexpensive utilitarian holster, with the rest kept well out of sight, should suffice.
And I as a “workman” also go armed, ..even if the homeowner doesnt know it.
Of course....I’m not crass enough to advertise it either...
Your first step to avoid being the victim of a “workman” crime...
DONT HIRE ILLEGAL DAY WORKERS.
Second step:
Hire a licensed contractor and ask for references.
So true. When a group of low lifes moved into my townhouse community, just up the street from my home, numerous breakins began...all during the day when people were at work. These two had no visible means of support. Anyway, they were out working on one of their motorcycles in the car port as I came home one day so I introduced myself to them. I told them to be careful with their possessions as there had been a rash of burglaries recently in the neighborhood. They both looked at each other somewhat bemused. I then told them I was an armed agent who worked odd hours and if I ever found someone in my home when I came in, ransaking it, they were going on feet first. The upshot, almost every one of the over 24 nearby units in that complex had been entered over the next few months, but not mine! Message sent, message received.
I generally leave a box of #4 12 gauge ammo out for all the employees to see. Sometimes I’ll leave a holstered handgun out. They can put the connection together that someone in the family carries concealed and this home is not considered a prime burglary choice.