Home Invasion And What To Do…

home-invasion-self-defense

Home invasion happens. While there are geographical areas more prone to home invasion than others due to socioeconomic and other circumstances, no household is immune.

Home invasion could indeed happen anywhere. And you can be guaranteed that as we descend down further into the depths of economic turmoil, home invasion will become more wide spread as those who are desperate and those who make up the criminal element of society will assert themselves into your space – looking to ‘take what you got’…

We all know the sounds of our own house. The clicks, the creaks, the subtle noises, the appliances, – they all make their sounds under conditions that you have become accustomed to. Your subconscious hears these sounds while your brain goes through a series of ‘checks’ to determine that they’re ‘normal’. You tune it out, so to speak.

HOWEVER, it is remarkable (and a very good thing!) that when there’s something out of the ordinary, your subconscious alerts you that something’s not quite right. Even when you’re sleeping, your ears are still working. If there’s a ‘bump in the night’, your brain may awaken you from your dreaming because that sound did not pass the check list…

So, what do you do?


 

Before A Home Invasion

‘Tool’ Of Self Defense

First, preemptively, you should have in your house a tool of self defense, commonly known as a gun. Remember this: The police may be only minutes away but seconds count. Additionally, depending on where you live, police may be much more than minutes away! And under ‘collapse’ conditions, they may not be available at all…

 

The Location Of Your Gun Within The Home

Second, your tool of self defense should be kept in a place where you are in your home ‘most of the time’. Ideally, you would be ‘carrying’, however I realize that most do not – especially at home. So, the next ideal is to keep one ‘tool’ in a place where you are ‘most of the time’ and keep another where you sleep.

Related Article: Have More Than One Handgun? Do This For Better Home Security

 

How To Store Your Gun

Depending on your family situation (kids in the house, just you, etc..) and depending on your own State laws, the way you keep/store your gun or guns may vary. That said, one recommendation is to keep a handgun in a easy-to-access lock box (one in your most common area and another by your bed).

I personally have three of the following pistol safe’s and have had them in operation for years with 100% reliability. The safe will open with a key, a button-press combination, and via biometric fingerprint (will store 2 prints – great for husband and wife). We always use the fingerprint method as it has been 100% reliable and fast.

Sentry Safe Biometric Quick Access Pistol Safe

 

When You First Hear That ‘Bump In The Night’

There are two trains of thought as to what to do first. This too (unfortunately) depends on what State you live in and their laws in this regard.

-Evade/Retreat/Escape
or
-Arm Yourself

It’s a bit of a technicality which may become important in a court of law if you end up shooting, but with that said, perhaps there is no ‘safe’ way to evade/retreat/escape in your situation, so, ARM YOURSELF first.

Whether it be during the day (home invasions do happen during the day!) or during the night, first thing I would do is ARM MYSELF with a defensive firearm.

 

Position Yourself

If possible, it will be desirable to position yourself in a place that is or will be 90-degrees from the home invasion attacker. This will present the least likely position to be observed by the home invader while you will be in a position to take action first. Position or pre-position yourself 90-degrees from the attacker or from where the attacker will enter your space as he (she or ‘they’) proceeds.

Note: Escape If You Can

At this point in time, several variables come into play. If you have a spouse and/or kids, and depending on where the invader is right now, may alter what you do and the decisions that you make. If you’re alone, and if escape presents itself, it is logically wise to do so. Why risk your life for ‘stuff’ that the invader is after? Perhaps you can evade the situation even with kids in the house (herding them to wherever that evasion route may be). However if there’s no safe way out, then you must enter a strong defensive mindset.

 

Dial 911

If applicable (we’re not living in post-collapse SHTF yet), at this point I would dial 911. I’ve already positioned myself and taken measures to help secure my safety and survival (armed myself). Now it’s time to get the professionals on their way.

This is why it’s a good idea to keep your cell phone on your night stand, or a regular phone there…

When you call, the 911 operator is going to want to know a few things.
-What’s happening
-Where you are in the house
-Do you have a gun
-What you look like, what you’re wearing
-What the home invader looks like (if you can see)

Note: When the police get there, it is wise to NOT be holding a gun. At first they may not know who’s who, so be smart.

 

Deal With The Threat

The police are not there yet. Shout out to the attacker that you have a gun and command them to leave immediately. This may likely be all that you need to do.

HOWEVER! Note that this will immediately give away your location. If you are quite nearby (in the same room?) this may present a very bad situation in that if the home invasion attacker is ‘bold’, you may be fired upon. All situations are unique and home layouts, the attacker location, and your location will steer your actions to an extent.

‘Castle doctrine’ lays down that there is no duty to retreat from an intruder in one’s home. A justifiable homicide which occurs inside one’s home is distinct as a matter of law from castle doctrine’s no duty to retreat. With that said, as such, states with justifiable homicide provisions in pertaining to one’s domicile, do not in themselves authorize indiscriminate violence therein—the mere fact that one is trespassing is no defense per se to justifying homicide.

source: Does Your State Have A Castle Doctrine?

 
In Conclusion, There’s no ‘one size fits all’ here. I hope that I have you thinking about it, which really is Step #1. Put yourself in a hypothetical home invasion given your own home, your own ‘tools’ of self defense, and your own State Laws (you need to look this up).

 

“The world is a dangerous place. That’s why you’re prepared to protect yourself and your loved ones. Now arm yourself for the legal battle that happens after an attack. The first fight is for your life – the second for your liberty.”
The Law of Self Defense: The Indispensable Guide to the Armed Citizen

73 Comments

  1. I don’t know why any intruder would enter my home with 3 barking German Shepherds at the door or window they chose to enter. The last bump and thump I heard was a tree falling on the house 2 weeks ago and my dogs gave that tree hell, but not enough to scare it off the roof. :-)

    I have guns on safety in the two rooms I mostly occupy with easy access since I have no children at home. I am looking for a motion detector light (solar) to go on when movement is detected near and away from the house. These backward people here would think I flipped the light on and discovered them trespassing on my property. It would also help me see at night when I am walking around, but they have a flaw…they always went on at my mom’s house when bats and big bugs flew about and stayed on because it attracted more bugs.

    1. Stardust
      we have the Sunforce, 100 LED (I think). I included info on what I could find online, so you can research it, which is 80

      Sunforce
      Model # 82080
      80 LED Solar Motion Light

      Ours was purchased at Home Depot, and is totally OUTSTANDING.

      Has lasted / worked through three Prairie Winters/Blizzards/Hailstorms etc.

      You can set it to come on every night, or when activated.
      You can easily move it around to cover areas wished
      It does NOT activate with birds/cats/bats/wind (not even once)

      It quickly activates with people/deer.

      We bought ours at Home Depot, and then noticed they have a box/brand apparently with same specs at Costco, but on looking it over, the one from Costco is not the same, at least in appearance. Costco is cheaper, so maybe there is a reason.

      Maybe K can put a link to it on Amazon (although more than Costco, would recommend that one)

      I have honestly been shocked at how well it has worked/lasted. (hope I do not jinx us)

  2. Ok so we are talking about 2 things really. home invasion is when someone forcibly enters your home by doing something like kicking in the door as opposed to a burglary when they are trying to sneak in. On the first you will have every right to shoot as they ar not going to be running the other way and I am sure they will be armed. On the second you will have to make a decision on whether to shoot or not and how the law will deal with you depends on multiple things. Were they armed, were they facing you or going in the other direction are going to be 2 huge questions. Even with castle Doctrine states you usually need to believe either you or someone in the house is under threat of harm. If you yell freeze I have a gun and they turn to run back out the door then you shoot them in the back YOU ARE GOING TO JAIL! Aside from that while most people think that shooting someone breaking into your home is the right thing to do ( I agree with that ) they also have no idea of hat they will deal with emotionally from taking a human life. Trust me this is something you will live with for the rest of your days no matter if the shooting was justified or not.

    1. @ poorman

      I agree totally, you had better not shoot someone when they are retreating (aka in the back or even in the legs), unless they are heading for another person to put them in harm’s way….. You will be charged with the homicide, regardless of the Castle Doctrine.

      BUT, if that unarmed burglar (no gun) has a pry bar, axe or any other “weapon” that you may prove “intent to harm”, well do the math.

      NRP

  3. Two things;

    First, when you get 911 on the phone, do NOT hang up until told to do so by the police once they arrive, 911 records every sound (even if you’re not talking; forensics can hear movement and actions) and can/will be used in the Courts or to not press charges against you.

    Second, just because it may be a “justifiable homicide” and you probably will not be charged in criminal court, you will be sued by the scumbags’ relatives and your life will be hell.

    Hence if at all possible don’t be mucho and try to save that $50 you have on the nightstand, get out if at all possible and live to fight another day when the odds are in your favor.

    NRP

    PS; if you have to use your firearm, the noise from a pump shotgun is NOT what I want the perp to hear, just a “click” of the safety…. Remember unloaded/un-chambered firearm is just an expensive hammer………. In the time it takes to “chamber” a firearm the bad-guy can have shot 3-5 times….. Something to think about. JMHO.

    1. The Law Of Self Defense by attorney Andrew F. Branca

      This is the best book you’ll ever read on what happens AFTER you pull the trigger.

      It gives you all the information you will need to maintain you position of
      innocence and “self defense” before and AFTER you pull the trigger.

      The book also contains state-specific legal information/tables.

      A must for every person who has a gun in the house or carries.

      1. @grandee, Thanks for the ‘nugget’! Looks like a VERY good book in this regard. I will be ordering a copy and have also linked it in the article above. Thanks again…

    2. NRP I find it interesting you say don’t hang up. I just took my LTC here in Texas from a retired PO and he said give name address and info then HANG UP. Because of the recordings it can be used against you also. I guess it can go both ways.

      1. @ Recon36g

        Guess it depends if your planing on burying the body yourself??????

        NRP.

    3. the noise from the pump shotgun is not what the perp wants to hear either, if they are downstairs or another room it might be beneficial to let them hear the pump action, y’know so they can reassess their risk verses reward

  4. Ideally have your, ” home invasion tool of self-defense “, within arms reach.

  5. Ken,

    Thanks for addressing this issue once in a while. Most victems of home invasion are older individuals (older than 50 years of age) and are seen as easy marks. If I remember right, the demographics of this website are mostly older individuals too. (myself being part of that group)

    Within our home, we choose not to retreat beyond our bedroom. My wife and I both have shotguns but we also purchased one new thing once we relocated outside of California: a high capacity 9 mm pistol with several extra magazines. This is much too bulky to be EDC but it resides at home in a known location near the fire extinguisher and first aid kit.

    When evacuating to safe area within the home, you may have to lead people by the hand, open and close doors, and push things around by one hand. The other hand is holding your defensive arm. In this situation, less reloading is better. The spare mags are kept in a small daypack along with LED lights, spare house key on large, visible fob to toss out the door for responding officers to use.

    My wife has her cell phone recharging on the nightstand and I would be asking the responding officers to turn on the lights of their vehicles (light-bar) AND communicate with the dispatcher before i throw out the housekey from a window to the responding officers. I want to know the name of the responding officer through dispatch before I open my door to a stranger and place my weapons on the ground.

    Lastly, If you watch lots of movies, do not be cute or humorous with 911. Once contact is made, You are on tape and the entire transaction is being recorded with a note of the date and time.

    1. CaliRefugee:

      Please place your weapons on the ground BEFORE you open the door to the cop.

  6. For the less lethal minded, a can of hornet spray. The perp may be the high school kid down the road.

    1. Hornet spray does not work. Check u tube for videos. You can also be arrested on federal charges for using it in a manner not allowed

  7. Speaking from actual experience…

    If somebody is kicking in your door you will be groggy / hazy / half asleep at first not realizing what is happening within the first second or two.

    Create a Retreat/safe room. The Master Bathroom works better for us only has one hard to access window vs. the master bedroom with lots of windows.

    Consider an alarm system like simplisafe and cheap monitoring only $15/month.

    We have a panic fob in our master bathroom along with a self defense item all located behind a solid wood door and lock. The panic fob initiates the alarm and calls out on cell signal to the police. Hollow core doors will not keep you safe. You will need to create additional seconds for reacting to the situation. Separating yourself behind a solid wood bathroom door will give you a few extra seconds to gather your thoughts and asses the situation allowing the adrenaline to kick in and wake you up. Then access your weapon of choice. Finally dial 911 on the cell phone and barricade yourself in your safe room. The one window in our bathroom is also our escape route to the side of the house if needed.

  8. If you have older children it might be a good idea to install solid wood doors on for their rooms with locks a deadbolt etc.
    Then train them to lock the door and escape / evade during a home invasion.
    Let them keep an aluminum softball bat in their room as a weapon of last resort or for breaking a window to get out.

  9. We have an enclosed porch/front entry way with a locking exterior door on one side of the house and a sun room with a locking door on the other side. Then there are interior locking doors before gaining entry into the main house – if two doors get kicked in, I will believe this person means us harm and will catch buckshot. I hope I could prove intent in court.

  10. Lord help the person if Mr. hears them! Prevention is good too. We have a Beware of the Dog sign in window. Don’t have dog. Already two repairmen called while sitting in their truck before coming to the door. I have tried to get Mr. to let me get a sign made that says, Warning Old Vet has Flash Backs!

  11. I keep my Glock, whistle, cell phone and flashlight under the pillow next to me in bed. Being single makes this easy.

    I have motion lights in both the front & back yard. I also have a shotgun but I’m not as comfortable using it. Plus two young adult sons that work and/or up all hours of the night, so I lock myself in my bedroom.

  12. I keep a plasma rifle in the 40 watt range by the bed and the nuclear football is in the master bathroom closet if we need to go that route.

  13. Take up a good defensive position where you can protect the family. Wait for them to come to you. Don’t go looking for them. Call 911 when you can.

    If there are a number of them, dropping one tends to make the others loose interest.

    BI

  14. Become very , very familiar with your laws of self defense, castle doctrine, and such.

  15. I’m limited in what I can do at the moment (as far as self-defense items), but my room has two entry and exit doors–depending on the direction of the alarm, I can go in either direction. If someone kicks in one door, I go the other way.

    1. Lauren, put a tazer sp? under your pillow or somewhere. They are affordable.

  16. RE: Castle Doctrine in Florida

    It not only covers inside your home, but anywhere.
    You no longer have a duty to retreat, When a Person’s Life or Great Bodily Harm are threatened.

    Although, a prudent and reasonable person should retreat if given the opportunity to do so. Since retirement, I have done this more than once.

  17. We have all the windows away from sight lined with armor plate plastic sheeting. All entrances go through airlocks with double locked doors. Our bedroom is our panic room and all I have for protection is a little short 12 gauge with a handful and a half of 00 buckshot. Washington does not have a castle law, but after breaking down 5 doors to get to us, they will not walk away.

  18. Definitely know your state laws and practice what you and your family will do if this ever happens.

    If you don’t have a dog I would strongly suggest getting one. Even a little lapdog can be a deterrent.

    If someone breaks in to our house they have to first tangle with Gunner, Ruger and Ammo. The lightest is 45lbs and the biggest tips the scales at 75lbs. If they get past them, then they won’t be leaving upright.

    Also I have been told by lawyer friends and some LEOs if you have to defend your self shoot till the assailant is dead and ask for your lawyer after the cops arrive. Don’t talk to anyone without a lawyer present.

    Adapt and Overcome.

    1. Excellent advice – never, ever talk to Cops.
      ‘What you say can and will be used against you in a Court of Law’.
      Miranda Warning.

    2. @ 11HE9

      I agree, don’t say a word except;

      1. I felt my life was in danger
      2. I want a Lawyer
      3. I want to go to the Hospital now

      Do NOT try to tell them ANYTHING, just shut up and don’t let them intimidate you into talking.

      If you even say a word about what happened, the LEO will try to get you to confess, a LOT less paperwork for them. Not trying to be offensive to the LEO’s out there, but it’s the truth.

      Also you are correct, a dead witness has a difficult time pointing the finger at you. Just don’t shot them on the ground or in the back, you WILL be charged with a homicide.

      NRP

  19. If a home invader manages to break through my steel front or back doors with reinforced frames,I’m afraid he will run into bad weather.Namely,a lead hailstorm.Actually,I hope no one ever tries to break in.Perhaps my dogs barking will scare them off when they try.I would hate to have to dispatch them if they threatened my wife and I.what ever happens,I am prepared.

  20. Great reminder. We live out in the county on 20 acres with a driveway that is 780 feet long so we are pretty isolated. My wife and I understand that we will need to deal with any issue that comes up as police are about 10 minutes away at best. Ken, we have installed three of the motion lights you recommend around the outside of our home. The garage is always an entry point of home invasion so for our two service doors into garage they have 2×4 across them that slide into racks to hold them. Once inside an invader will have to deal with Molly, our German Shepard. If they are successful (which is unlikely) we have three hand guns around the house with the 9 being in our bedroom. The other two are a 40 and 357 mag.

    I would be interested in some kind of early warning alarm when a car pulls in the driveway, needs to be wireless. We do have tons of deers coyotes, fox and the occasional bear and wolf so I don’t want it good off for animals. Any ideas would be appreciated.

    This is my first time posting but I’ve been reading for years.

    1. I read somewhere of driveway warning systems that are solar powered electromagnet that would only go off if a vehicle went by,

    2. Dakota Alert makes one. We get over 1/3 of a mile range on ours, and we are not in an ideal area for reception.

      1. Thanks everyone for the feedback, one of the reasons I love this site. Ken I ordered it today.

    3. The Dakota Alert MURS system can monitor 4 sensors, each with it’s own identifier. We have two on our long driveway, if Zone 1 alerts it’s questionably a false alarm from a deer or such, if Zone 2 alerts shortly after Zone 1 we know someone is in the driveway. I have them mounted on boards extending from the backs of trees, so they can’t be seen until they’re past them. The range according to Dakota is 3 miles.

      Been using them for about 5 years, very happy with them. The batteries usually last about 6 months.

    4. My situation is the same except I have 2 dobermans. I have installed motion sensors at the end of the driveway (1000′) and the back gate. They are made by Chamberlain and are adjustable for sensitivity. My pups have learned why they make noise (vehicle or person) and go ballistic. The spouse travels for business and I feel much safer with these precautions, along with a couple of weapons around the house within easy reach. But dogs can’t be beat if they’re intelligent and aware enough of the usual goings-on at your homestead.

  21. Everyone needs to have a plan. Everyone needs a force multiplier. Unless you are clairvoyant and know in plenty of time before the need, that force multiplier needs to be on your person, or at arms length accessible, at all times.

    With the number of sub-compact, ultra-lightweight, reasonably powerful, reasonably priced handguns available, there is no reason not to have a weapon on your person at all times. I understand those who have a personal aversion to firearms better than I understand those who insist on only carrying large, heavy framed, hard to conceal, high capacity hand cannons with nothing less than +P+ ammo, except of course, when it’s hot outside or when jogging, etc., when they go unarmed because they wouldn’t be caught dead (careful what you wish for) with a “mouse gun”.

    I spent 34 years carrying the big, heavy handguns daily. As a retiree, I still carry daily. After much testing and research with numerous concealed carry candidates, I settled on the little Ruger LCP. If I have clothes on, I have this little friend with me. It weighs less then my wallet, less than my “Leatherman” and does not “print” in my pocket. Did I mention it’s always on my person?

    Are there better man-stoppers available? Of course. Is this “anemic” (according to some) handgun more effective than my 66 year old fists? I tend to think that would be the case.

  22. My home right now, is a small one-& tight due to how the rooms are laid out.
    At this time the living room is where I spend most of my time-during day & night. also sleep in living room.
    Do have loaded pistols (2 sat night specials}& 2 45’s.
    Do have 1 med size dog which seldom barks.
    Home does have med high bushes around front porch & a fenced in back yard.
    There is a back porch with 2 doors, 1 coming in from back yard into porch
    then you walk past washing machine & dryer turning sideways-very tight area.& that door goes into kitchen.
    there is a window you can look into bedroom from inside the back porch.
    Really have no place to hide if person breaks into my home.
    piano blocks door from living room to hall & bedrooms in back.
    that is the only place to put instrument at this time.
    also have no idea how the dog would react–she is too friendly with people.
    Being my luck she would constantly whine & jump on them.

    Any suggestions anybody???

    1. Install blinds or heavy cutains so no one can look into the bedroom. Also install double key deadbolts on the doors on the porch and keep them locked at all times. Put up beware of dog signs that are visible from the front and back of your house.

      You have a safe spot in your house, you just need to think like someone who wants to break in and harm you. Walk around at night, rehearse the situation and you will find a spot. Reinforce your weak points.

      Your dog may be a friendly pup but he will still let you know something is not right. Don’t introduce your dog to strangers. Also dogs react on your feelings.

      Adapt and Overcome.

      1. Thanks for the tips.
        Beware of dog signs are up in back of house & driveway side.
        And sign is on front door.
        Do have blinds on all windows but the bedrooms.
        Had bad mold situation while back & threw all away.
        Not planting any bushes now, want to move out of city.

    2. I don’t know if you rent or own but if you own you might want to consider security bars on all windows and doors, sure helps me feel safer knowing someone cannot just break a window and get in.

      1. Would do that but NO $$$ at this time.
        whenever get $$$ that goes to bills.
        Have no job at this time
        thanks

  23. Just as I posted the previous comment, I looked up to see an interview on TV with two of the survivors of the “Fort Hood massacre”. One was giant man, well over six feet tall and probably 350 pounds +. The other was a diminutive woman, barely over five foot and weighing maybe 120 lbs. Guess which one neutralized the murderous attacker.

  24. My wife & I are hoarders it’s in our genes from where and when we grew up. I hoard survival and ballistic items and she hoards everything else. Anyone coming into our house in the dark would have to be rescued from a crapalanch.

  25. Since I have the following I don’t much fear a break in, they will chose a place with easier access… Bars on all windows and doors, home alarm system, two dogs in the backyard. I have a. 38 in my nightstand and a 12 gage proper in the corner..
    The only scenario that I would worry about is someone coming up behind me while I’m trying to open the front door when coming home and forcing me in and the robbing/raping me. Therefore I don’t go out much at night except a rare occasion and I always watch my surroundings. There was a rash of crime in my surrounding neighborhood a few months of robbers doing just that or assaulting folks getting out of the vehicle in their driveways, but it was blacks targeting Asians only as they are known to carry cash and have large amounts of cash in the home. It got so bad the Asians went to the Mayor and said if more cops were not put in the neighborhood trouble would ensue. The Asians ended up arming themselves a day formed neighborhood patrols. Cops finally busted about 15 perps and things have calmed a bit.

  26. Wow. Reading all of these posts makes me wonder. I don’t lock my house. Most of my neighbors don’t either. I don’t lock my car, unless I am in the city, more than 100 miles away, and I have to forcefully remind myself that I am in the city and need to lock the car when I go into the store and shop.

    Is this normalcy bias, or do I just live in a good place?

    A few months ago, I was out of town for several days. Had a neighbor call me to let me know that someone was in my house. After getting a description, I was happy that it was a friend on a road trip who knew that he was welcome to make himself at home until we got back.

    I do have some home protection, but someone entering unexpectedly is way more likely to be a friend than an intruder with ill intent. When folks come over, they just open the door, stick their head in and say, “yoo-hoo, anybody home?” It’s when somebody knocks that I’m all worried about who’s there.

    I think it would have to be TEOTWAWKI before activating serious security, like locking the door. I know that crime could happen here, it is just so far out of the realm of my daily reality.

    BTW, I am 46 years old. Haven’t lived in a locked house for 27 years. No issues.

  27. I really like several of the comments. And have made a few notes. LOL

    IF there is a “non-invited guest” in my abode, particularly in the after midnight and before 6:00 AM type, I think I have a simple response:

    First: Dogs. Completely useless unless awaken abruptly. Then they bark incessantly. My response: grab the 22LR pistol. It has been afforded with 22 LR HP, with the hollow drilled out and packed with rat feces. Six rounds.

    Second: 12 Gauge pump, 7 rounds. (Lost the five-shot plug) First round, in the chamber, is 00 buckshot with salt added. Second is same. Third is Deer Slug. Fourth is 6 shot with salt. Fifth is deer slug. Sixth is 4 shot with rat feces. Seventh is deer slug.

    I think that can solve the current problem. If not, within reach is SKS with 30 round clip and then 9MM in kitchen. If more is needed I’ll have to go to the garage.

    1. OBTW….I’m pushing 70. For those having the desire to “visit” me, I wouldn’t pi$$ me off. I’ve been through .30, .50, 88mm, 120mm, 105 & 155 Howitzer, .45, and 9mm “conversations”. I WILL respond accordingly. And damned fast. For those ringing the doorbell….would you like red or white wine? Dr. Walkers elixer? A hot toddie? Un Magarita por usted?

      1. @ PNW

        Keep pushing that 70 as far back as ya can… LOLOL

        I’ll bring the Hot-Buttered-Run mixens and “ring the doorbell”….

        NRP

        PS; ya gata LOVE the 120mm…..

  28. to skibum:

    I do not want to disuade you from your present lifestyle. Sounds like you have a different philosophy on life and strangers. More power to you and I hope your neighborhood stays safe and secure. Your friend calling you while you were gone is a security measure in of itself.

    My own experience comes from living and working within San Jose CA. and working as a responding officer in Southern CA. Most of the home invasions in those areas were Asian gangs going after 1st generation asian immigrants from Thailand and Cambodia. (South Vietnamese left Vietnam and came to the US by way of Thailand refugee camps).

    The typical scenario is the family business setting up a noodle shop or other food vending business and then buying lots of gold and keeping it within their home. To top it off, many of the South Vietnamese felt it was important to DISPLAY their wealth to increase social standing. (Gold trim on a Toyota Camry? Really?) The first generation did not trust banks and they converted their wealth into gold and they kept all of it within the home. The Home Invaders were 2nd or 3rd generation and they knew all of this already.

    Based upon the reports I reviewed and took in, I began practicing my Range Drills to include multiple attackers within close range. (Minimum number of 3) Falling plates and pepper poppers are a good way to practice. Try to fire the 3rd round from your weapon before the first plate hits the ground.

    My brother married a 1st generation South Vietnamese. He lived the life described above. I have not been hit by home invaders yet. Probably because I never smile, look like i’m constipated and answer the door with a 1911 45 acp. My wife loves it because I tell the Jehovahs Witness people to: “Hurry up and say what you gotta say because I gotta take a dump.” At my age, this is quite believable. They usually leave rapidly.

    Now, back to Quality time on the Throne with the latest issue of “Shooting Times” and my roll of Charmin…

    1. Thanks, Cali. I live in a really small town (less than 1000 people.) Last time I saw someone on my street that I didn’t know was about 6 months ago. I did recognize the dog he was walking, so I walked up and introduced myself. It was the nephew of a neighbor a couple of streets over, who was visiting for a couple of weeks. He joined me and my hubby on the porch for a homebrew. I bet that if the neighbors saw me come home and unlock the door, I would be invited over for coffee the next day because of their concern over what may have happened to make me feel like I needed to lock up.

      Just thought that I would share my POV, because places like this do still exist. It speaks to the heart of what I love about this country, and my sadness that it has become something different for too many people.

  29. To Sandismom,

    Do you have children within your home? If so, you have 4 handguns which need to be kept in lock containers when children are present. Other than that, it sounds like you have plenty of weapons on the home front.

    I would plant thorny rose bushes or cactus outside the bedroom windows. I would watch the body language of your dog. (mine is friendly too but the home is its territory and ALL dogs are territorial and protective of their fellow pack members. You, in this case)

    It sounds like you’ve done a good analysis of where you spend most of your time within your small home. keep your weapons hidden in several locations within your primary living space. 11HE9 already offered up some good hints as well.

    The only improvement I’ve been thinking about within my own home is remote control switches for lights and lamps at or near the doorways in my home. the better to ID friend or foe without exposing my position.

    1. Children–none.
      Thanks for idea on remote control for lights.
      Due to me packing things up for the move, boxes are everywhere.
      If they came thru windows that would be a hilarious thing to see.
      Not knowing lay out of home & things in it they definitely would hurt
      themselves.
      also since having very very little $$$ I don’t have lights on in my home
      just light from the tv & light in kitchen.
      Also I keep the front porch light on at night.
      the windows in my 2 bedrooms are high enough where normal height people
      would need help getting up to the windows.
      House also has storm windows in every room.
      only window that would be “east” to get into is the living room window
      which the couch blocks.
      Also I keep flag by front door & baseball bat too.
      Am able to swing it too.

  30. If someone tried to ever break in here, they would have to be heavily armed, and there would need to be more than one. We are not in a position to be ‘randomly picked’ for a home invasion. That is if they didn’t die of a heart attack on the trek to the house. It would also have to be someone from out of the area, the locals aren’t stupid enough to try it. That being said, I am still armed almost all the time, and if I am not it is within a quick arms reach. More so for the 4 legged creatures than the 2, but you never know. I do need to get better at carrying when I am riding. I am bad about that.

    We have had a couple lower property incidents here. One guy spent several months in jail after entering my horse paddock with a shotgun. Thank goodness he was too drunk to actually use the gun.
    The other one was a contractor from the electric company “spraying” under the power lines (even though there was no brush), who supposedly didn’t speak English. Three patrol cars arriving at the bottom of the driveway took care of that one. The contractor’s manager said there were no signs on the gate. Actually it was just inside the gate, but they came through from the neighbors. So now there are two prominent signs on the gate, as well as the 4 along the driveway. I’m guessing they won’t be back.

  31. After reading the comments, there’s one thing I’ve noticed missing – making certain you know where everyone in your house is prior to engaging. Something going bump in the night isn’t always indicative of an intruder.

    With our wireless alarms, 3 large dogs, motion lights, it’s hard to imagine someone getting to our door other than by parachute without us knowing. But, if they did, Missouri has some very good laws regarding protecting yourself. Deadly force is legal anywhere on your property, when in fear for your life or others.

  32. One thing I meant to mention in my previous post, it’s not uncommon for home invaders to yell “Police” as they enter. My personal feeling is ANYONE breaking down my door, no matter what they yell, is asking to be shot. If the police have the wrong house, or I’ve been “swatted”, we’ll settle that after they retreat.

  33. To Ozarks Tom: Sometimes, West of the Rockies, the invaders are police

    Several case files from the past: One home invader driven off by armed homeowner was an off duty Sheriff’s Deputy.

    Another case was a group of friends within a Precinct getting together and taking down houses in California Coastal Cities and returning to their hometown of Las Vegas where they put their uniforms back on Monday Morning.

    These people know police procedures and response times very well.

  34. If you do not know who is at your door, you do NOT have to answer it. Find the “fatal funnel/s”, within your own home, and lie in wait for the invaders to enter those. Do NOT go “house clearing”, that is inhererently stupid and will get you killed.
    Make a violent tumultuous entry into your own home, non-survivable to the thugs, by proper planning for such an event. Normalcy bias, is “knowing”it can’t/won’t happen to YOU….of all people.
    Be smart, respond, never “react” you will persevere.

  35. Our home is a ranch with walk out basement. I was considering having a supply of 4×8 sheets of 3/4 OSB board to cover up ground level windows with 3 inch screwss into frames when the SHTF. Anyone have thoughts on this? I worry about windows as they are a weak point.

    1. Don’t use screws, use tortes. They are 8 pointed stars and nobody carries one of those bits around. They are sold in larger quantities, You can buy them in 2 1/2 to 10 inch length boxes and bits at the big box stores.

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