What do you do when a criminal is breaking in to your occupied home?

[rpicardi1]

If you follow the advice of the gun control crowd should someone break into your occupied home, you should just "Roll Over, Bark, and Beg."

http://www.lakechapalasociety.org/

Go to the link Lakeside Living, Safety, Personal Safety.

A very effective system without a lot of cost is a microphone and two outdoor speakers. You simply install weather resistant speakers, one on the front, and one in the back of your house. Set them high enough so they can't be tampered with. Then just attach them to a microphone somewhere within your house. If someone is trying to enter your home while you are there, simply pick up the microphone and let the neighborhood know. (It may help to know how to call for help in Spanish.) This system also works well for people with health-related problems. In an emergency you can get your neighbors' attention.

Then, if you have survived, you can call 911 since when seconds count, the police are always minutes away.

Here is the argument for the other alternative;

http://fredoneverything.net/FOE_Frame_Column.htm

Far more effective then a large dog which you may not be allowed to own due to most association restrictions where you live.

[inflammable]

Very interesting.

It's a good thing we have all these extra societies, with extra rules and guidelines, on how we should live.

As a side note, I've heard that a shotgun is the better weapon for apartment defense. The type of shot loaded, which they said and I forgot, was less likely to penetrate multiple walls.

It's on my list of things to test, when I get out of these cardboard box living spaces.

James

[CARex]

If the would be burglar does not recognize the sound of a 'pump action' and immediately weigh his options... electing to quickly reverse his path, well, then there's always the second option (aim low).

Have a sparkling day,
Bob

[jtr1962]

I can't believe any sane person would advocate a passive defense. The only way I can see this working at all is if you manage to hide yourself well enough so the criminals think the home is unoccupied. Once they know they have witnesses, all bets are off.

Of course, in a hypothetical situation where I actually had a gun I'd be kind enough to at least fire a warning shot. That would be the second one.

[Shortliner]

Heh, someone break into my home, they'll be answering to a .45 handgun and a .50 Desert Eagle (one of my female friends loves guns, and she has a thing for me hehe. )

[jhilden2]

Having an intruder in your house is not a reason to shoot them. They may be a product of our greedy society and are only looking to make a few dollars to survive. I’m sure most of us have more than one TV or computer in the house. Is it really worth shooting and killing someone over a tangible item? Any cash lying around just might be extra cash. Jewelry? Come on, that is a luxury not a necessity. The poor person can pawn it off for much needed cash. Family heirlooms? Don’t be so sentimental! Why not just consider these losses a donation to the poor?

If you confront the robber and do not prefer the person to be in your house, why shoot them when you might have the chance to verbally tell them to leave or maybe even reason with the person? In fact, there might be a slight chance that you can turn the thief’s life around! Imagine that, instead of taking a life, you might give a new life!

But what if the person sees you and confronts you, not listening to your voice of reason? Again, just let them take what they want. Remember to act very weak and subservient as not to make the home intruder uneasy and do something stupid. Offer them a drink of water or a cup of coffee, it might win them over! All they want is something to turn into cash, why perform a risky and dangerous act such as trying to shoot them?

What if they tie you up? Just pretend it is an old kindergarten game. A good friend and/or a family member should be around sometime to untie you; just be patient. Remember; let the robber leave with what they want. As a reminder, to make you feel better, just think of it as a donation to the poor.

If that feeling of loss is too strong to take after the robbery, be sure to contact the police. They are properly trained to take your statement and look for your stolen goods. If it was meant to be, your stuff will be returned to you. What about if the police catch the perpetrator? Well that is what the legal system is for. If the robber is convicted, they have a chance to be rehabilitated by the system. Another chance to turn their life around for the better!

[rpicardi1]

Having an intruder in your house is not a reason to shoot them.

True, you can just hold him at gunpoint, if necessary, until the police arrive.

But what if the person sees you and confronts you, not listening to your voice of reason?

There are way too many stories of what happens to people with your thinking that have ended up being badly beaten, raped, or dead as a result of the forced entry into the occupied home. Criminals do not want witnesses that could finger them for their crime and result in them doing time in prison. Once they see you, it's too late. Either bail out of the house, or lock yourself in your safe room and pray that the crook can't break in or doesn't set fire to the house to cover up the evidence.

Most criminals, when confronted by an armed homeowner either flee, or submit to a citizen's arrest. The ones that get shot are never going to listen to reason and will certainly do you great bodily harm weather you are armed or not. Most of those that get killed turned out to be either crazed on drugs, broke in with the intent to kill or rape, or have long criminal records.

A word of advice for the armed homeowner;

1. Know how to safely handle your gun and be proficient in its use. http://www.nrahq.org/education/index.asp
This knowledge also goes for all family members in the home. http://www.nrahq.org/rtbav/index.asp
The Eddie Eagle program is an excellent way to teach your kids about gun safety. http://www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie/

2. Know your rights under the law and how the law applies under your personal protection.

3. If you decide that it is necessary to carry for your protection, take the CCW course and get your CCW permit. This is a deadly serious commitment. You should expect to get the same serious training as a police officer or someone in military service before being issued a license to carry.

Contrary to what the antis say, obtaining a CCW permit is serious business. Those with a criminal or mental record need not apply. Expect several weeks of intensive training in the use of your firearm and courses about gun laws and human behavior. People with a CCW do not go about looking for trouble. They will avoid trouble or a dangerous situation. However, because they have made the choice to refuse to being a victim, they will defend themselves with deadly force should there be no other alternative available.

Above all, when seconds count, you can rest assured that the police will always be minutes, sometimes hours, away.

[jhilden2]

Ron – My post was satirical – I thought I went over the top enough to make it appear as a joke. Did you think I was serious? Well, I guess with some of the crazy bleeding hearts out there, this could be a real point of veiw. Also, I have a .357 that I carry with me everywhere I go (Except post offices, banks, etc…). A CCW is a nice thing to have. I had to use my gun three times since carrying. All three incidents only required a draw and hold.

[CGW409]

Heh, someone break into my home, they'll be answering to a .45 handgun and a .50 Desert Eagle (one of my female friends loves guns, and she has a thing for me hehe. )

Sean
It is truely amazing what being confronted by a verily pi$$ed off homeowner in a 3 point stance with a .45 can do to "persuade" a potential home invader that he might want to be gone real F'in fast.

Local PD found the one that tried that crap on us hiding in the bushes across the street.

[shadowr434]

I agree,If someone makes it past my alarm system and my American bulldog that hates strangers around they will meet my 12 gauge or my 9mm.

[jhilden2]

I agree,If someone makes it past my alarm system and my American bulldog that hates strangers around they will meet my 12 gauge or my 9mm.

Use the 9mm, a 12 gauge will leave a big mess.

[EMD E8A]

Thank goodness there are sane people on this forum. Try looking through the Democratic Underground forum. I did, regarding this topic, to see what they're reasons are to be against defending your home. I swear they must be completely out of touch with society. Needless to say, I won't be going back there any time soon!

[Shortliner]

Yea, we do plan to have a home security system put in place. But sometimes the guy can be high on drugs and won't listen to reason. That's when you bring out the guns.

[rdamurphy]

In Colorado, we have the Homeowner's Protection Act, otherwise known as the "Make my Day law." It presumes innocence on the part of a homeowner or renter in the event and presumes self-defense in any incident involving a breaking and entering. Recently a 70+ Grandma planted a 38 slug between the eyes of a rapist that broke down her door. One news report said that the cops that responded showed her how to reload her weapon...

Of course, in Colorado, it's legal to carry a holstered firearm in plain sight. We also have a "shall issue" concealed weapons permit law.

Robert

[Paul1953]

I got a moat! Now if Robert could send me some of those attack penguins...!