[SpookyPistolero]

WLEX news story (http://www.wlextv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2800463)

This is on my side of town, at that. Many parts of town have their rough spots, but this is hardly the bad side. These invasions don't alter my routine of being armed at all times while at home, but it does make me very fearful for friends and family not so defense-oriented.

On this latest event, the college kids just opened the door after the intruders simply knocked. I cant believe someone would open their door to a group of people they didnt know. And the two shotguns the BG's had arent exactly concealable weapons.

Stay armed, stay safe.

-Spooky

[yesterdaysyouth]

this has happened what, the past three weekends in a row in lexington....

the one this past weekend, the homeowner grabbed his gun and shot at the robbers car as they drove away... he managed to hit his neighbors house... :uhoh:

AAArrgghh.... :banghead:

[spartacus2002]

Criminals are learning that the folks in the nice neighborhoods (a) have ZERO situational awareness and (b) have more to steal than the poor folks.

Only surprise is that it took them this long....

[SpookyPistolero]

So far this seems to be a pretty good mix of locations. Nothing very nice, but they also werent in just one area. The last one being a group of college kids is what concerns me.

College kids usually have computers and electronics galore, and virtually no comprehension of situational awareness (can anyone say condition white?). Another good reason to target them is that they are much more likely to be freaked, like deer in the headlights effect, and just lay down and comply. Also, they are not likely to be armed. First of all, its just a trend of the younger generation, and secondly they cant do much with a firearm on campus so they probably wouldnt bother to have one at all.

I say all this as a college student myself, so these are just observations of my peers.

I'm just saying my prayers that these guys get shot in the act very soon.

-Spooky

[Bob F.]

Sorry, but Lexington WHERE? Couldn't tell by the news article either!

[Standing Wolf]

Many parts of town have their rough spots, but this is hardly the bad side.

As long as criminals can borrow, buy, or steal cars, there are no safe neighborhoods: only neighborhoods whose residents are prepared to stop the parasites.

[P95Carry]

I live in an ostensibly ''safe'' neighborhood but - darned if I am gonna ''assume'' my home is ''safe'' at any time.

Bring it on BG's ... a welcome awaits! :uhoh:

[cstreu1026]

I have spent a lot of time in Lexington (Kentucky for those that might have wondered) and the one thing I have noticed is that you can be traveling through what appears to be a decent neighborhood and all of a sudden you are in a run down area that might give a lot of people the creeps. I spent a lot of time there while my wife was attending UK and I generally felt safe but there were definitely some shady parts of town.

[R.H. Lee]

I don't even live in a 'neighborhood'. I'm isolated on a hilltop, surrounded by thick sagebrush, poison oak, pines and oak trees. The cemetery is over the next hill, and the state prison for the criminally insane is a coupla miles away, up the Salinas river. All this is in a small rural town (pop 25k) in a county with less than 300k. Chances of a home invasion are slim to none, but it could happen, I suppose.

[sm]

KY ?

Here in central AR we are having a rash of HI , carjackings and Hit & Runs...

I turned onto a road today and 4 guys stood in the middle of the road, 2 with arms folded and two with hands I couldn't see, like in back pockets. Exit stage left to a parking lot headed back the way I came. I took the backway to where I needed to go...

[R.H. Lee]

Here in central AR we are having a rash of HI , carjackings and Hit & Runs... I would be interested to know how many of those crimes were committed by illegal aliens.

[fistful]

I cant believe someone would open their door to a group of people they didnt know. Do you actually think that most people look before they open their doors? I don't.

[SpookyPistolero]

Didn't mean to imply that I thought I was in any less danger than another person across town. Just wanted to make note that they are neither targeting only wealthy neighborhoods, nor just rough parts. I'm definitely assuming that where I live is as likely a place as any to be 'invaded'. (This really isnt the ritz or anything.)

Sorry that I didn't include the state earlier, it's in central Kentucky.

I'm currently trying to convince my roommate, probably unsuccessfully to get a weapon and to learn to use it. Once people have it in their minds that they 'could never handle a gun', its hard to get it back out. But I'm preachin' like a Kintuky baptist minister anyways..

-Spooky

[SapperLeader]

Mental note, install a peephole on my door asap. Opening the door with a gun in hand doesnt help much when your outnumbered by guys with longguns. :uhoh:

[foghornl]

I ALWAYS look before opening the door. :scrutiny:

And I have that comforting weight of the 1911-A1 in hand behind my strong-side thigh.***

"Home Invasion" does seem to be a rapidly growing [ahem] 'cottage industry'. And the Bad Guys have figured out there is no profit margin in robbing the poor, thus, the sprawl to 'The 'Burbs'.

***Kinda freaked out the gas company guy that was re-lighting furnaces/water tanks/fireplaces a few weeks back, though. When I scrunched down to take that glass off the fireplace, the 1911 grip was very obvious sticking out of my hip pocket. :evil:

[cstreu1026]

I guess this a little more motivation to get off my butt and put a peep hole in the door. Maybe I should make a run to Home Depot today.

[Wedge]

Always check before you open the door. Always.

[Hawkmoon]

Do you actually think that most people look before they open their doors? I don't.
You DON'T?

I do, and I live in a fairly safe 'burb with a low crime rate. But in summer my house isn't visible to the neighbors on either side because of trees. The only people who come to my house legitimately are people who tell me they are coming beforehand, so if there's an unexpected knock on the door, I darned sure look before opening. In some cases while the person or people is/are at the front door, I may walk out the back door and approach them from behind. It's tough to stick a foot in a door that isn't open.

[Delmar]

I have two different rooms in which I can observe my front porch-if the BG's are carrying a couple of shotguns, I would be hesitant to look thru a peephole, especially at night, where your head is going to block the light. Would seem to me that they would know someone is standing there, and whether or not they shot thru the door would be open to question.

[cstreu1026]

Makes me think I should have sprung for the puncture resistant glass for the storm door on the front. That has to be worth something.

[MICHAEL T]

The crime in Lexington Ky is the reason I moved 50 miles a way 6 years ago. I was broken into 2 times in 3 years. Most people in Lexington belive that all crime is in projects and can never happen were I live. Well now its happening and welcome to real world. Maybe if the city keepers were to quit fighting over the water company and have taken that 1.4 million they wasted so far and use it to hire more police and to raise their pay ,some of this could have been advoided. Ky also has a very easy to get carry permit but the libs in Lexington would never consider that. Welcome to big city real world. Arm yourself and live with the crime or move. I chose the 2nd for my family and the first for me. We now live in a peaceful place but I carry everywere I go ,and 2 guns if Iam going to Lex. or Lou'ville.

[ARperson]

ARpersons not-so better half here,

"Mental note, install a peephole on my door asap. Opening the door with a gun in hand doesnt help much when your outnumbered by guys with longguns."


First off, I always look before I open the door, and usually answer with a 1911. While in your situation, 1. I hope I would not answer the door. 2. If surprised, I realize that I will not make it through the encounter, but I sure hope I may get one, make them runoff, and/or give my wife a chance to get to cover and lay down some serious return fire with her dissy.

[Tom Servo]

Hopefully, these guys will try the "wrong" house sooner or later. We had a string of home-invasions in my area a few weeks back. Each successful one was reported in hysterical tones on the news, then I heard nothing else. A few days later, I found out that they had tried it on an armed homeowner, and well...

Thing is, the failed invasion and cessation of life-functions of the perps was NOT reported on the news; I heard it from a local LEO.

[Andrew Rothman]

I cant believe someone would open their door to a group of people they didnt know.
Do you actually think that most people look before they open their doors? I don't.

Not to pile on, but HAYULL YES!

Anything that easy that buys me that much safety is a no-brainer.

[LynnMassGuy]

Can't wait until the home invasion trend makes it's way up North. :uhoh:

[carebear]

Lynn,

You're in Massachusetts. Just call the police. It's their job to protect you. :banghead:

I am soooo glad my Dad and Mom moved to Alaska from Boston before I was born.

Like the city, hate the laws.

[LynnMassGuy]

ou're in Massachusetts. Just call the police. It's their job to protect you.

Ug.

I am soooo glad my Dad and Mom moved to Alaska from Boston before I was born.

Lucky guy. I was one argument away from being born in PA. :banghead:

[jojosdad]

You're in Massachusetts. Just call the police. It's their job to protect you.
roflmao

RileyMc: I would be interested to know how many of those crimes were committed by illegal aliens - Why?

[dfaugh]

After you deal with the 5 trained German Shepherds, then we'll have a little talk... :evil:

[R.H. Lee]

jojosdad said Why?
Why would I like to know how many violent crimes were committed by illegal aliens? Because I suspect that the majority of them were, and I'm looking for verification of that suspicion.

Does that answer your question?

[Larry Ashcraft]

There's been a rash of home invasions here in the last few months also.

I suspect they may cease when someone invokes the Colorado "Make My Day" law.

[mountainclmbr]

When I was in college at the University of Florida I lived off campus and my home defense guns were a Remington model 700 .270 Win and a Sears model pump action 12ga. I was never a condition white blissininny college student. As soon as I graduated and got a paying job I got a Dan Wesson 44 mag and a Colt Gold Cup 45 ACP as well.

[Ky Larry]

If I were going to pick a house to rob here in Lexington, I'd probably pick mine. I live on a quiet cul-de-sac. The lots are large, 1/2 to 1 acre. The houses on my side of the street are backed by woods. My deck and the rear of my house aren't visible from my neighbors houses. Think I'll clean and reload my Winchester 1300 and my wife's Colt Det. Sp. Then I'll check my deadbolts and motion detector lights. New batteries in my MagLite's. Feed our 3 1/2 pound attack Yorkie. Run another home defence drill with the wife. Time to get busy.

[XLMiguel]

As Sapper pointed out, God invented peepholes for a reason.

Sheesh!?! :uhoh:

[fistful]

Spookypistolero: I cant believe someone would open their door to a group of people they didnt know.

Yours truly: Do you actually think that most people look before they open their doors? I don't.

My point here was that spooky was assuming that the victims looked to see who was at the door before opening it. In fact, They just knocked on the door like a normal person would, like a friend. And that's what (her roommates) thought it was when they opened the door."

I doubt that most Americans look outside before they open the door, but maybe I'm just assuming from my own quiet upbringing. I don't look, but I admit it is a habit I wish I had. Lack of situational awareness? Yeah, those are the exact words of one of my first infantry fire team leaders. That's also a big reason why I'm no longer in that line of work.

Anyhoo, this thread reminds us of Jeff Cooper's Notes on Tactical Residential Architecture.


The gunmen, described as two black males and two white males, Aahhh, diversity!

[whm1974]

First of all, its just a trend of the younger generation, and secondly they cant do much with a firearm on campus so they probably wouldnt bother to have one at all.

I don't know about KY but in most states it's illegal for students to have firearms on campus, even in dorms without permission from the school.

-Bill

[cstreu1026]

It is illegal to carry a firearm on any school property. It is my understand that if you carry on the way to school you may lock it in a vehicle when you get there and retrieve it ont he way home. Though I bet you might get a visit from the Campus police if you are not careful. I imagine you would panic a few students if they see you removinga weapon and putting in your trunk.

[Langenator]

The legality of carrying on school property is a matter of state law, not federal. SCOTUS struck down the federal law prohibiting guns on or within 1000 feet or whatever of schools, deciding that it was beyond the scope of regulating interstate commerce.

In Washington state, at least, carry on state university grounds is perfectly legal.

[SpookyPistolero]

I was trying to imply that you couldn't have a weapon on campus in the first place. But the places they attack have been/will be off campus. My Glock goes straight to my glovebox when on campus. Kentucky law allows storage in a vehicle, though I'm not too sure about other states.

-Spooky

[SpookyPistolero]

I just found out today that in the second home invasion, the home owner went after the invaders while armed. He fired at them but missed and hit a neighbors house. It turns out that the people who owned that house had the police arrest the guy for wanton endangerment. What a world we live in... Another piece of proof that every shot fired has a lawyer behind it. Keep your eye on that front sight.

-Spooky

ps. Turns out I became a senior member and didnt even know it. Wahoo!

[P95Carry]

He fired at them but missed and hit a neighbors house. It turns out that the people who owned that house had the police arrest the guy for wanton endangerment. In the heat of the moment rule #4 sure went out the window. I wonder if we should cease referring to bullets - and just call em (potential) lawsuits!! :uhoh:

I use a 158 grain cast swc lawsuit, over 14 grains N-110! :D

[cstreu1026]

Even if the home owner had managed to hit the bad guys there probably would been a lawsuit over that too.

[fistful]

Turns out I became a senior member and didnt even know it Yup, nothing's ever the same once you have that big "senior" below your name.

[Ben Shepherd]

This is exactly why I carry 24/7, and always looks out the window that I can see the porch from before going anywhere near the door.

I have one very simple rule:
If I don't know you, I just don't answer the door. Simpler and safer all the way around.

[scromp]

I'm also in Lexington, and this has been freaking me out a little bit. You can compare Lex/Lou unfavorably to the rest of the state, but the truth is this kind of thing was pretty rare here too. I've been reevaluating my home (again) for weaknesses after reading these stories, and thinking through some different scenarios that seemed far-fetched a year ago.

Somebody needs to show these guys some good Kentucky hospitality, and the sooner the better.

[bogie]

I grew up in Harrodsburg, and while I graduated from Eastern, I went to UK for a year... Lived at Maxwell and Lexington, just up from the home of the best professional basketball team in the NCAA.

While I was there, there was a fellow who folks were calling the Louisville Slugger. He (we're assuming a "he") would wait in parking lots until someone walked past, step out, and whack 'em in the head with a bat.

Does John B. Lynaugh still have his joint open?

If you know him, tell him Bogardus sez hello...

[HungSquirrel]

College kids usually have computers and electronics galore, and virtually no comprehension of situational awareness (can anyone say condition white?). Another good reason to target them is that they are much more likely to be freaked, like deer in the headlights effect, and just lay down and comply. Also, they are not likely to be armed.
I can testify to that. My roommate was an HIR victim last winter here on campus. Some guy knocked on the door and his former roommate opened the door (without even looking through the bloody peephole :banghead: ) and three large black guys wearing balaclavas rushed in, kept him and my roommate where they could keep an eye on them, and proceeded to steal most of the valuable electronics they had (a laptop, DVD player, surround receiver, Playstation 2, and a Gamecube). Because they don't allow weapons on campus, my roommate and his old roommate were completely unarmed (well, he had a katana in his room, but it didn't have much of an edge because it is mainly for show, and even that isn't permitted on campus). I asked the uni cops and they admitted such theft is pretty common on campus, yet they refuse to modify the policy against students being armed, and urge all students to buy a $40 'personal alarm' that wouldn't have helped in this situation anyway.

I now live in the same room where the HIR occurred and I sure wish I could be armed. Everyone here knows college students are easy pickins, especially the ones who occupy this room. (I carry a concealed knife, but that's as far as I'm willing to bend the rules.)

AFAIK there is no Alabama statute banning weapons on a college campus. Anyone want to confirm/deny?

[scromp]

Does John B. Lynaugh still have his joint open?

Don't know him, but both Lynagh's pubs are still open. The club closed down a year or two back, right about when the smoking ban went into effect.

[Azrael256]

After you deal with the 5 trained German Shepherds, then we'll have a little talk... Never, EVER rely on an animal to protect you. I have binocular color vision, opposable thumbs, and enough brains to invent tools to kill five trained GSDs. Train a dog to raise holy hell when a threat approaches, and to aid your defense. You can defend yourself and all your dogs better than all five of them can defend you.