Home defense?

[treelizard]

Whoa!!!... you only have a swamp cooler? I've been to your neck of the woods and that must SUCK!

Actually, I'm really happy because the swamp cooler in my new place actually works. And the heater too!! I'm the richest woman in the world!!

[Tant01]

This morning around 4:00 we heard noises from the kitchen, it sounded like some thunks and a ratchet wrench and when I looked down the hall I saw shadows moving. Luckily there was no one in the house. The noises were so distinct it sounded like they were in the house but I think someone was messing with the outside of the house and their flashlight shone in the window so we called the police and all that.

What would be the best response if someone actually was in the house? My first thought was to yell something and hope they bolt for the door but I'm not really an expert. How would you prepare for that? What weapons would you keep by your bed, assuming your wife would never allow firearms in the house?
I admit I'm a little shook up and I realize that I'm really not prepared for something like that.

"One sort of personal weapon which performs many useful tasks in a rural household is the compact, rimfire semi-auto pistol. With this little gadget you may reach out and touch various small targets at will, either for sport or for tidying up the place. The ubiquitous 22 ranch rifle is usually at hand for this purpose, but it is unhandy in the sense that it is too long always to be there when circumstances arise. The compact 22 pistol, on the other hand, may be worn around the place daily, and while it does not hit hard, it hits hard enough for housecleaning and it is always there when you need it...."

Jeff Cooper's commentaries

[Adept]

Hey, I'm just taking a stab here, but how about a panic room? I'm not sure how much it costs, but it's an idea and you can maybe even install it yourself. I know it sounds far-fetched but I was actually thinking of one while I was reading this topic. Maybe the master bedroom's closest can be the panic room? Go to Home Depot, buy a steel door and just switch the closest door with the steel one? Have either a phone (telephone or cell phone) in that room with you so you can dial 911, or install a panic button? I'm not an expert on this, but I thought I'd toss it out there.

[kikr]

Home protection requires a multi layered approached. Outer perimeter, inner perimeter, and inside the house. Start with insuring your yard is clean and orderly, shrubbery pruned to allow a clear view, yard gnomes and pink flamingoes are not placed in a manner to cast shadows deep enough for the BG's to hide in. Call your city and either have street lights placed ($100 in most locales) or have them serviced if not working (free). Try to avoid parking on the street if possible. Solid chain link fence at least 4ft high. Next place either photosensitive or motion detection lights at your doors and possible corners of your house depending. Ensure no shrubs are covering your windows. Have solid curtains and/or blinds on all windows. Peep hole in the door. Locks on all your windows. 1/4" wood dowels bought at home depot and cut to fit snuggly work nice if no hard ware is mounted. Doors should be solid wood or metal with a deadbolt that allows for atleast 1" throw. Metal security doors are nice as well, some can even have screen in them. Inside the house, clear walk ways with no clutter. Place night lights in every room. Locks on bedroom doors. Phone in bedroom. Flashlight in bedroom (2 D Cell Maglight is my favorite) If your inclined to have a firearm (which I strongly recommend) Receive qualified instruction on its safe use from a local firearms instructor) and keep it stored with some sort of safety device that is easy to manipulate in the dark while disoriented from sleeping while in a panic. I recommend a 12 gauge shotgun loaded with 2.5' 00 buck (9 .32 cal pellets traveling at 1800fps with 1" spread every yard of travel, and 78lbs of recoil) Mossberg, Remington, and Winchester all make good quality guns. This is just the tip of good solid home protection but its a place to start. Hope it helps and let me know if I can be any further help. Good luck!

[Adept]

He said he wanted a home defense, not a prison....

lol just kidding around. The devil made me do it.

[EmptyneSs]

This morning around 4:00 we heard noises from the kitchen, it sounded like some thunks and a ratchet wrench and when I looked down the hall I saw shadows moving. Luckily there was no one in the house. The noises were so distinct it sounded like they were in the house but I think someone was messing with the outside of the house and their flashlight shone in the window so we called the police and all that.

What would be the best response if someone actually was in the house? My first thought was to yell something and hope they bolt for the door but I'm not really an expert. How would you prepare for that? What weapons would you keep by your bed, assuming your wife would never allow firearms in the house?

I admit I'm a little shook up and I realize that I'm really not prepared for something like that.

i keep an escrima stick right next to my bed when i sleep, so i can grab it easily if needed. i sleep right under a window facing the street on the 1st floor

[EmptyneSs]

btw, a couple of big dogs may be of service to you?

[treelizard]

i keep an escrima stick right next to my bed when i sleep, so i can grab it easily if needed. i sleep right under a window facing the street on the 1st floor

EmptyneSs, I hope your stick is made of something heavier than rattan!

I used to sleep right by the window and had some strategically place cactuses on the windowsill... defensive house decorating.

[Tant01]

EmptyneSs, I hope your stick is made of something heavier than rattan!

I used to sleep right by the window and had some strategically place cactuses on the windowsill... defensive house decorating.

How about epoxy filled steel tube (mop handle)?? subtle, no?

I have a fast growing cactus in pots near the windows outside...

[darrianation]

Options for someone in your house:

1. If someone is in your house, stay where you are bolt the door (if able), climb the out window, and call police.
2. If someone is in your house, stay where you are bolt the door (if able), call police from there.
3. Hide in the closet with a baseball bat. Hide behind the clothes so when he opens it he doesn’t immediately see you than bonk on the head.

What I would do? First I have a very large and mean dog that sleeps in the front room at night. If that doesnet scare him off, I keep my shotgun next to my bed. They will be carrying the dumb **** out in a body bag!

This actually happened to me twice at my moms house. Both times the guy ran out before I could shoot him with my colt1911...damn it!

[treelizard]

Yeah, bolt and close the door, call the police, grab your firearm and tell the BG you'll shoot him if he comes in.

[Tant01]

Unbolt and crack the door open, shoot him without warning when he steps inside...THEN call the police.

My evil side wants to play...

[jubaji]

What I would do? First I have a very large and mean dog that sleeps in the front room at night. If that doesnet scare him off, I keep my shotgun next to my bed. They will be carrying the dumb **** out in a body bag!

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[stabbychick]

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