Home Invasion IV, Part B. Reality Check

Some of my Readers may think I am extreme, who knows maybe I am. However, take a look at the documented statistical researcher quoting grim facts of local mayors and police officials who are encouraging drastic methods in their cities to protect yourself from criminals “lock your doors –buy a gun.”

We have addressed the reinforcement of the doors to the house, or in lieu of this you may hire a carpenter who can install grillwork doors and windows now quite popular in high crime areas across this nation. Since we are trying to keep the expense down that old door, being the most vulnerable, can be broken into when you are in church, shopping, or visiting elsewhere. The farm sliding bolts cannot be operated from outside the door; only inside. I think these are the best, but if you want to vault proof the door for when you are gone you can install two (2) double keyed throw bolts in the door, one above and one below the door open handle. They are keyed inside and outside for maximum security, but again use long screws and a substantial striker bolt plate.

Thieves do not like lights. A motion sensor light that flicks on when anyone approaches the doorway is indicated as mentioned in the last article. Unfortunately many homes still have those big beautiful sliding glass doors leading to the back yard, or patio. Most of these glass doors, although easily broken, are merely lifted with a suction cup, or by the door handle up a couple of inches out of the sliding track allowing entrance.   A sliding grillwork is indicated in this case.

All this is a deterrent, not a fortified castle to keep out the Vikings. But, what happens if your home becomes the target of evil criminals, and they gain access?

Most likely if the criminal gains entrance they will tell you they do not want to hurt you and if you cooperate they will take their ill gotten spoils and leave.

This is the “Con”. The second part is the “Control” and the last part is the “Payoff”, they will hurt you. In most cases the crime is one of violence leading to injury, rape, and death.

At all costs you do not believe any thing they say, you do not talk your way out of a situation, you fight kick and scratch. You do not want to become tied up, thereby being controlled.

Let us back up a moment. Let us assume you are in bed and hear the break in. There are rules you have, and they may save your life.

Rule #1. You do not investigate the noise. You call 911. Use your cell phone and keep it in hand. Gather your children with you.

Rule #2. Go to the safe room. Perhaps your bedroom is the safe room. This includes a secure outside door installed inside, or a grilled door. A bathroom probably adjoins from inside: put the children in the cast iron tub.

Rule # 3. What really works well in a car theft preventative as well as break-ins at home is an installed siren that wakes up the neighborhood. This is not expensive and easily obtained from various on line sources and easily installed. Flip the switch. People will call 911 to report a fire, but will rarely call to report an assault. Amazon.com under “Fire Sirens” will have several contacts for you.

Rule #4. Let us assume you have a drill for a fire and with the thugs breaking down the door you are trapped upstairs. You have a hook and roll ladder that drops down from the window and you can climb down and be afoot to the pre-warned neighbor.

Rule # 5. The scenario is getting tight. You do not have a firearm to protect your family. You can use pepper spray, but I believe Hornet Bug spray, or Bear spray is better in a desperate situation. Stun guns are good for close skin contact. I do not think that is what you want. Many stun guns since the first “Nova” model at 50,000 volts do not work well with heavy clothing, or meth heads. Newer models are in the 5,000,000-volt range. Tasers can be effective if you get close and hit bare skin in the chest, or neck.

If you have a firearm, great! Let’s talk about what really works in such a situation.

You are beyond nervous. You are losing it, and the cell phone 911 is still jabbering away trying to get you to document what is going on. This is recorded for use in court – good or bad. Your concern is to stop the thugs.

Many people including the thugs are scared of dogs. I believe that a large security dog with you all the time is a wonderful deterrent, and if the thugs crash through the door that dog will give his life to protect you. This buys you more time to get to the gun locker – keeping in mind this entire scenario may be only a few moments, maybe a couple of minutes; this is why I stress drill and preparedness.

With military service I have used pistols and shotguns. I believe, from personal experience, your safe room will probably be pitch dark and you are a nervous, jittery, scared to death person with a handgun wavering all over the doorframe. If you are going to purchase a firearm you have to know where the bullet is going to strike and be able to see the thug. You are only going to use this deadly force if you fear for your life, and the lives of your children/spouse.

You have to have, attached to your weapon, a high intensity tactical strobe light that flashes; as well as having a steady beam. This flashing strobe light interrupts the brain synapse causing confusion and allows you to gain control. You also need a green laser on the weapon, for if it is aligned it will pinpoint where the bullet, if fired, will strike.

I would suggest that a shotgun be considered, opposed to a revolver or pistol. A long bore barrel points better, and if seen in your hands is a visual deterrent. You do not need an oversize police assault shotgun. A Mossberg 500 12 gauge tactical with the 18 ½ “ barrel, pistol grip is excellent. Because of the recoil in untrained hands the modification of the Mossberg 500 with a Tac Star for- grip is the first step in gun controllability. However, that 12 gauge shotgun “kicks”, and may be uncontrollable for a small frame person. You can go to a 20 gauge, or now available a .410 caliber (sold as a gauge).

I advocate the addition of the on/off/flashing tactical strobe light, and a green laser all held in a clamp on the gun barrel.

http://www.gandermountain.com/ has at this time of writing firearms on sale. The Mossberg Tactical is sold at $350.00 with a manufacturers rebate of $50.00.

http://www.cabelas.com/ carries the Tac Star for- grip, heat shield and ammunition side mount with varied prices although I have issue with the tactical light offered. See item# XN-21-2399 and XN-21-0792

www.Sportsmanguide.com, sells the NC Star Universal Tri-Rail mount for $27.00.Item #L2K-0228855; the green laser for $54.00, item# C2K-0218585; and the 600 lumen tactical light with strobe flashing for $54.00, item# H2A1-213494. There are other more powerful tactical lights.

Handguns with a modern rail can be mounted with a tactical light and/or laser. Before purchasing a handgun, discuss this with the retailer. Many people over the course of time engage me in a conversation about “which gun is best…” The most popular handgun is the model 1911 .45 semi automatic with over 100 years proven performance. If I had the money I would purchase a Dan Wesson “Specialist” or better yet a Nighthawk Custom. These are high cost firearms and not in my budget…maybe yours? The model 1911 has saved me three times in my life. The smaller the pistol, the lighter the weight, but there is more felt recoil. This may throw you off target center of mass. Consider the array of handguns with ported barrels.

The issue of ammunition is a drastic consideration I have been lecturing on for years. With a shotgun, or a handgun, the problem of wall penetration is real and you may hit someone in another room adjacent to your home. This happens. Consider using beanbags, or rubber “buckshot” loads. They are knock down and rarely lethal. For handguns you are using loads that are half the strength of a rifle but touted with all sorts of expanding designs that create terrible wounds, usually terminal. There are shot loads for handguns such as the “Judge” .410 that may be acceptable-this is to be discussed with your range master when you are in drill at the target range.

http://www.natchezss.com/ offers the:

“Guard Dog” handgun cartridges made by Federal Premium that reduces through the wall penetration; touted to be the new home defense ammunition.

Federal also offers for the “Judge” handgun in .410 gauge, the “Personal Defense” handgun shot shell.

Hornaday offers Critical Defense loads for handguns, and 12 gauge shotguns that are highly reviewed as personal defense loads.

You need a gun locker – a safe place that keeps the children out. Also this keeps the teenage “curious friends” of your teenager out. You just cannot leave guns adrift hither and yon for if the thugs break in, now they will be armed and waiting, if not for you, then a neighbor in their escalated manic thinking. ‘’

Great big gun safes are best for storing valuables. All are good, but better ones more costly and difficult to move into the house without everyone watching and talking about your millions in the new safe.

A smaller gun locker that can be installed in a wall, or sideways on a bookshelf is a Barska “Biometric Rifle Safe” with fingerprint recognition. This sells for $260.00 and occupies a space of 9”x10” x 52” high. This is one of the newer gun lockers that merit your consideration since it is quick to open, and keeps the children and thugs out. You can just bolt it in a corner, or to a wall stud. www.sportsmanguide.com; item # H2A-217562.

Rule # 6. Be prepared, especially if this article reaches those in Sacramento, Detroit, St. Louis, and such charming places now under reduced police protection, and all of the desperate situations citizens are in fear of.

Any Dear reader in these trying times, is subject to a home invasion. There are still people who discount this fact, and being oppositional will not lock their doors quoting Granddad: “that there is nothing worth stealing here”. Violent sociopath goals are not so much the items, but the violence and terror. Pay heed; lock your doors.

Lastly the police may show up. You will be ordered to drop your weapon. Do so. Raise your hands. As soon as you can, call your lawyer, and make no statements till you talk to your lawyer. Do not talk to news reporters.

God Bless,

Old Timer,

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