Preparing Your Home (And Yourself) For An Armed Invasion

Be prepared or be a victim—it’s that simple. Who hasn’t heard the horror stories or watched it played out on the evening news? It’s always stories of home invasions and whole families being tortured and killed. Although the statistics say you have more of a chance of being hit by a piece of falling debris from an alien spaceship, why take a chance? With the economy failing, jobless numbers to the moon, and drug use abounding, the chance that you and your family may be at risk rises every day.

Those of us that choose to be prepared for an event like this have the satisfaction of knowing we may never and probably will never have to deal with an armed invasion of our home. But we also know that if we hear that window break at four in the morning, we are as prepared as we can be to defend our families and ourselves. We prepare for other emergencies with extra flashlights, batteries, generators, water, food, etc. It’s only logical that we also prepare for a home invasion emergency.

You can choose from the simplest and non-lethal defense methods to defensive weapons of lethal force, with many choices in between the two, depending on your comfort zone and, in some cases, where you live. The laws are different from state to state regulating use of force against an armed invader, and it is your responsibility to know the laws in your area and decide your course of action.  The bottom line is that if you are fearful for your life or that of another, you are within your right to defend yourself. Keep in mind that you will have to defend your actions, to the police and possibly a judge and jury. Therefore, know your state laws, know your rights, and have your attorney’s card in your wallet if possible.

Keep Your Handgun Locked and Loaded, Ready For Instant Use…

Your doors and windows all should have locks on them, so use them. Many homeowners, especially in the country, don’t follow that practice because they feel they don’t have to. However, in most break-ins, the criminal enters the residence through an unlocked window or door. You have a much better chance of hearing someone “breaking in” if they actually have to break a window or door to gain entry. This also gives you the advantage of advance alert, giving your time to arm yourself before facing the intruder (or intruders), a massive advantage.

In addition, having a dog—any dog—is pretty much a great alarm for a family home, as long as you have allowed that dog to bark at suspicious noise or someone outside your home. Certain breeds like Rottweilers and Doberman pinchers are natural protectors and quite the advanced guard. However, not having man’s best friend or a non-barking model leaves the defense up to you. An intruder who is prepared to enter your home (who knows you have or could have dogs) can be prepared for them and can disable them. This is something you need to be aware of and prepared for.

Most people reading this article probably own a firearm or are thinking about purchasing one for defense. The standard is the shotgun, because operation is pretty simple and aim isn’t critical. Matching ammo to where you live is especially important, but your local gun and ammo store can help you with that decision. Ammunition manufacturers today box “personal defense” ammo for shotguns as well as handguns and rifles. The 12-gauge Remington 870 pump shotgun has always been a favorite of the military, law enforcement, and the homeowner for defense, and it probably always will be. Accessories for this defensive weapon are available to make it an excellent home-defense equalizer, as would other brands of shotguns and other gauges. Where you keep your weapon is equally as important as what kind you have. A shotgun leaning against the downstairs door or in the downstairs closet while you sleep upstairs is in the wrong place. Enough said.

However, there is nothing wrong in having an additional well-hidden firearm somewhere else in your home where an invader wouldn’t look or under lock and key. You never know when you may be in a different room than your bedroom when you hear that strange noise and realize you shouldn’t. However, that defensive weapon at your immediate fingertips where you sleep is of utmost importance. The wildcard in this would be young children in the home. This is the responsibility of you, the parent, to keep that weapon unavailable to your children, and there are some great options available to you to secure, yet have fairly accessible, your defensive weapon. Educating your children in gun safety is also of utmost importance.

Every home and family should have a plan and, if possible, a “safe room” and/or place they would all meet in the event of a major disruption. This goes along with your fire evacuation plans from a single or multi-level home. Practicing this is something every family should do at least once a year with all members. Consider having a neighbor’s home to escape to and meet at or to alarm the police or fire department in case lines are out. In most cases today, this isn’t a problem thanks to cell phones and the fact that everyone, even small children, usually have them.

Whether you live in the city or in the country, the response by law enforcement varies and can range from a few minutes to twenty minutes or more. Calling 911 and hearing a voice say, “Please hold. Our lines are all busy. We will answer your call in the order it was received” is something that does happen, and it can be very frightening if you know someone just broke in downstairs. In a matter a seconds, you could find yourself having to make the decision to confront an armed intruder. Being prepared at that moment to thwart that intruder and save the lives of your family members is your responsibility. Choose to be ready and prepared, and don’t be a victim.

©2012 Off the Grid News