HOME DEFENSE: if ever a situation arises…

[SHV]

+3 on a dog (and XD, and ...) Years back, we had a very sophisticated alarm system, but one afternoon my wife forgot to set it and laid down for a nap in the main bedroom. I was at work.

We found the unlatched, partially open spare bedroom window in pieces on the carpet, with the rock used to smash it laying next to the pieces........ luckily, the 2 dogs took care of scaring the BG away.

[The Kentuckian]

Your goal is to keep you and your family alive and unharmed. Let your wife call the police from a bathroom or closet while you get into position. It is your house, you know it better than a would-be intruder. Position yourself between the threat and your family and look to AMBUSH. Maintain the element of surprise, use choke-points and hallways to your advantage. Force the fight to occur on your terms, where you have the positional advantage and your family is out of the line of fire. Stay covered!! Give the BG as little of you to see/shoot as possible.

Shouting out warnings will reveal your position, and weaken your focus. But they may keep you from shooting your sleepwalking neighbor.

I would never "go huntin" for intruder(s) who are already in my house for several reasons.

Assume there are multiple threats, never approach a downed BG.

When the police arrive, put down your weapon.

Just my $.02, feel free to critique.

[Ezra Smack]

Use the shotgun.

[Toocold]

Have more than one plan. About 5 weeks ago a friend of mine was at home in his kitchen. A guy came through his front door, said I'm going to kill you, and went for a butcher knife on the counter. My friend pulled his 380 and shot the guy one time and killed him.

The cops came and took the body, the gun he used and ALL his other guns. He hasn't been charged with anything but he still does not have his other 4 guns back. He has also spent about 4K on a lawyer so far. The cops are not you friend in these situations.

[Alpha]

Originally Posted by tARfoo

Get a dog.

True story...
Years ago while at college I had a small pit bull named Roxy. Like most pitbulls, she was affectionate and non-aggressive. I shared a house with my buddy Dalton - who worked as a bouncer and was a former Marine.

The old house we shared lacked AC, so we usually had most of the windows and doors open. One night when I was gone, Dalton fell asleep with the back door open. He awoke several hours later to hear my dog growling. As he slowly woke up he could hear her growls becoming more and more intense. He shook off his slumber and realized that someone was in the house. He got up, grabbed a gun and entered the hall way, where he came face to face with an intruder.

The intruder, obviously surprised to meet a large, armed man dressed only in boxer shorts, immediately turned and hauled ass out of the house, with Dalton and Roxy in hot pursuit. The guy exited the house through the backdoor, then fled across the yard, vaulted the fence, and disappeared down the back alley.

I shudder to think how that situation could have turned out. I imagine the intruder was hoping to find a sleeping woman or other vulnerable victim. Instead he found a well armed guy and loyal dog.

These days I have a couple of other dogs. Both do a good job of alerting us when people or animals are approaching the house. I have a feeling that they'd both put up a hell of fight if they thought their pack (my wife and son) was in danger.

If you like animals and your life style permits, a dog can be an extremely valuable asset. However, if you don't like animals, or don't have the time or the interest to take care of one, its probably best to stick with the alarm system.

Good luck.

[Dal1as]

Originally Posted by Toocold

Have more than one plan. About 5 weeks ago a friend of mine was at home in his kitchen. A guy came through his front door, said I'm going to kill you, and went for a butcher knife on the counter. My friend pulled his 380 and shot the guy one time and killed him.

The cops came and took the body, the gun he used and ALL his other guns. He hasn't been charged with anything but he still does not have his other 4 guns back. He has also spent about 4K on a lawyer so far. The cops are not you friend in these situations.

This story doesn't sound right. First, why did police take "all" the guns when only 1 of them was used in the shooting. Second, why has he spent 4k on a lawyer when the shooting was only 5 weeks ago. The grand jury must work pretty fast in Alaska. Also, doesn't Alaska have the castle doctrine?

Not one to call bs but the story doesn't add up.

[Alpha]

Originally Posted by Dal1as

This story doesn't sound right. First, why did police take "all" the guns when only 1 of them was used in the shooting. Second, why has he spent 4k on a lawyer when the shooting was only 5 weeks ago. The grand jury must work pretty fast in Alaska. Also, doesn't Alaska have the castle doctrine?

Not one to call bs but the story doesn't add up.

I can't speak to the truthfullness of the story, but it doesn't surprise me that police might seize all the firearms from someone involved in fatal shooting. It also doesn't surprise me that someone involved in a fatal shooting might retain a lawyer immediately after the shooting, regardless of the circumstances. I would.

[Toocold]

Believe what you want to believe. The point is to have more than one plan. Having a gun in the bedroom may not be where you need it. I'm an old fart but I have one in the bedroom, garage and in the kitchen.

Victim identified in fatal shooting - KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source |

Why the cops took all his guns, his phone, and some other junk - who knows.

Lawyers cost money and they want it up front I guess. There are criminal and civil issues to be concerned with and he wanted guidance. I didn't think he needed one but he wanted someone to speak for him, get a restraining order for the neighbors girl friend, and get his stuff back. He works on the north slope two on and two off.

[thepunk76]

Originally Posted by thepunk76

Well now that we are expecting out first child in a few weeks ...

BABY is here! mom, baby girl and daddy (me) are well, once again thanks for all the advice and sugestions.

[DangerDave]

I am currently a police officer who served in the Marine Corps. I have two kids both under 2 years. My training will say always trust in you "long gun" first. But I have my pistol on my side for when my long gun goes down. Malfunction, misfire, ext. I carry but one pistol and carry it everywhere. No multiple guns in the house, cause my kids will find them later in life.

I would also invest in a flashlight for both guns. 3 essentials I must have Weapon, Light, and Radio. In your case Weapon, Light, and Phone. And don't forget finger straight and off the trigger until your ready to fire. There is nothing like accidentally aiming the gun at your family members/officers in the dark while searching the house and getting spooked. Have a plan and know not everything goes to plan. Congrats on you kid.