Considerations for Home Defense.

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I've read a lot of HD, even CCW related threads, on here, and abroad the interwebs. I have had many of conversations over many years with both civilian, .MIL , LEO, and .GOV counterparts.
Typically, the conversation topics are weapons related. Usually, it's "is this better than that" or "would you do this or that." I'm not necessarily putting down these topics, as they can both be fun and informative. However with the degree of seriousness that a lot of people seem to hold HD, or even CCW, I think a particular topic is often overlooked, especially for the newbies, but not excluding even the most experienced.

Training. I intend to leave this open. I'm not here to tell anyone how or what training to do. However, I highly encourage and strongly suggest that people with HD and/or CWW ,concerns or interest, to find a good training facility, and to supplement, the money put into firearms for training. The more then better. The more training sources, the more disciplines the better. Various sources the better. However, when available, consider the highest degree of training that can be afforded. Do your research, look at reviews, even better talk to people that may have testimonies, and make a informed decision.

Remember that we are adaptive creatures, we can learn from the good and that bad. No amount of training is definitive, and you can always change things to something that works better for you, or per said situation, or get the experience for something that you have verified to not work that well. Don't mindlessly do things just because someone else said so. You can shoot your whole life, but there is always something to be learned.

So in close, consider the tools for the job. Consider the technical skill, as well as the psychological. For many, the most training they get is going out to range and shooting paper. That is not a bad thing. However there can be many more things to consider. For those ex military. Don't forget you don't have a team conducting dynamics with or the same resources. Rushing through a house is a sure way to get yourself killed, even if your have you emotions in check and your dangerous, being smart is always the road to take. Sometimes getting back into training is a precursor that we need to keep that warrior mentality sharp, and focused. Those skills diminish, so does the right mindset if not tuned consistently. Complacency kills.
 
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Great post!

For many, the most training they get is going out to range and shooting paper.

I'd like to point out that the quoted section isn't actually "training" though, it is at best "practice." I guess it is practice either way, even if just plinking with poor form.

However, "training" requires a trainer. The trainer helps you develop new skills and helps correct flaws in your current skill set. Something you cannot do on your own. You leave training and go practice what you have trained until the next training session.

Training can be informal, especially as you are more experienced. You can have a training session with a partner who serves as your trainer and you swap.

I also personally believe (having done lots of it with firearms and H2H), that you can "train" with video products. The expert on the video is the trainer providing new skills. You have to use a combo of self-correction, perhaps with video, and Q&A with the instructors online (this is many times an option), but in my experience it can be very effective. I am very attentive when I train from a video and later when I go to an in-person training, find I'm doing it about 90% right and the instructors are fine-tuning the 10%. This compared to the rest of the students who maybe just watched a video product, but never practiced it, they are starting from almost zero and working on the basics.
 
Many years ago I was told a very simple truth. First keep them outside.

I was working nights and the wife and two small boys were home alone. Although had anyone tried to mess with the boys they'd have learned the truth of the saying "never mess with the mommy".

The basic idea is a layered exterior defense. Starting at the property line with good fencing. Open and well lit areas between fence and house.

Prickly plants below windows. Good windows. And I installed electric rolling shutters on all windows and the sliding glass door. Done professionally they are very low profile and getting through them unnoticed is impossible.

The doors were replaced with steel doors in steel frames, properly installed. Good steel doors look just like wood and usually open easier and last longer. On the front door I installed (along with the steel door) a steel security screen door.

These safeguards alone would likely cause anyone looking to break in somewhere to move on.
 
Excellent thread-starter.

Yet another potentially life-saving tactic that is often overlooked is self-extraction. This may be more appropriate for when out and about, but a lot of discussions on defensive strategies cover post after post without ever bringing it up.
 
Great post!
[...]
However, "training" requires a trainer. [...].

Really?
I cannot subscribe to that.
Training is the willful change of behaviour directed towards a specific goal or set of goals.

Nowhere does this force a person to have a trainer.

Yes, it helps to have a trainer and yes, my opinion is that good training is the BEST investment anyone can make in almost every topic.
But this is up to everyone themselves an by no means a sine qua non to "train".

Carsten
 
The vast majority of HD guns are never put to the test. That is, most people who have them, never have to use them. The question then becomes, at what point does training cease to be cost-effective (either in terms of time or money)? In general, training and practice is a good idea. (That's especially true for people who use their guns every day, such as policemen, etc.) But when this interferes with other priorities, such as education, family time, etc., overdoing the training might not be such a good idea. Speaking of eroding your family time, for example, a divorce is likely to cost you far more than a home robbery. So take the time to keep your spouse happy. That takes priority over gun training. You have to keep in mind the "big picture" of your life.

It may make sense to sink the money you would spend on ammo and range time, into an IRA or 401(k) instead. Try to imagine what your balance sheet at age 70 would be. Even if you had to endure a mugging or two in between, you might still be ahead.

And another thought: ammo and range time are pure expenses -- when the money is spent, it is gone. Collecting guns, on the other hand, is capital investment. You have appreciating assets. This is the difference between a shooter and a collector. At age 70, the collector will be way ahead of the shooter.
 
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Simplisafe alarm system and outside motion sensor lights make me feel safer. My AR 15 and various 1911’s at my bedside also help me feel warm and fuzzy.
 
Great post, Klint! Training can start with just thinking (what if....?) and developing responses. If X, then Y.... If A, then B, not Y, etc. Then dry run through them. This works particularly well for HD. Classes are great, you learn what you can base your own further training on. When I move (hopefully not for a long time this time!) I work up responses based off the new house's topography, and run through them to the point of muscle memory, so I can perform them from being woken up from sleep. I develop best and worst case scenarios.
The "What if" game is good training out and about, too, as long as you can maintain actual situational awareness while you are doing it. "What if robbers attacked now while I'm at the Pharmacy? Well, there's cover over there..." Keeps the mind active in one's self-preservation. Most of the population goes about with their nose in their iPhone....
 
Discussing the cost effectiveness or training seems a bit unimportant to me. It comes down to how much is the life and wellbeing of your family and yourself worth.

Besides, training is fun and entertaining. So, it's a twofer.
 
The vast majority of HD guns are never put to the test. That is, most people who have them, never have to use them. The question then becomes, at what point does training cease to be cost-effective (either in terms of time or money)?

When you spend money and time training for something you are never likely to use. Carbine training is very popular in our community. I've taught a modified version of my LE class to private citizens. For the vast majority of people this training is something they are never going to use. You need to view that and the collection of tactical equipment you would use in those classes as a hobby like model railroading, sports cars, motorcycles and budget accordingly. While there is a general training benefit for a private citizen in a carbine class, few are ever likely to need the manipulation skills with their AR or AK in a fight. Now if you view it as training for another firearms sport like 3 gun, then it may have more value.

That said, if you plan on using a firearm to defend yourself, your loved ones and your home, I think you are obligated to learn how to use it, the same way you learn how to use any other tool you might have or learned to drive your automobile. For example, Saturday evening I attended one of my grandsons 11th birthday party. There I talked to my son's boss who had just gotten his concealed carry permit. He asks me; "Why can't I hit with my Glock?" Well you can't diagnose a problem like that in the backyard at a child's birthday party, but in the course of the conversation I found out he passed his Illinois Concealed Carry class shooting a .22. He's never once fired his Glock .380 (that he says he can't hit with) from the draw and never even gave it any thought. This man is an intelligent and very successful local business man, yet he is carrying a gun that he says he can't hit with and that he is assuming if he needs it, it will be a situation like he faces on the range, plenty of time to draw, take a careful sight picture and calmly put a nice controlled pair (if he knew what a controlled pair was) COM of his attacker.

Would he benefit from training? Most definitely! Will the time and money he puts into training be a poor investment? I don't think so. If he's going to carry a gun, he needs to know how to employ it.

The same thing goes for someone who keeps a gun in their house for protection. Training and practice is not a poor investment if you need it just once. Alexander, do you have insurance on your home and automobile? Talk about a poor investment....How many tens of thousands of dollars do you think your gun collector in his 70s is out betting against the insurance company that he's going to have a catastrophic loss?

If you look at training and practice the same way you look at purchasing insurance and it's not such a bad deal.
 
The vast majority of HD guns are never put to the test. That is, most people who have them, never have to use them. The question then becomes, at what point does training cease to be cost-effective (either in terms of time or money)? In general, training and practice is a good idea. (That's especially true for people who use their guns every day, such as policemen, etc.) But when this interferes with other priorities, such as education, family time, etc., overdoing the training might not be such a good idea. Speaking of eroding your family time, for example, a divorce is likely to cost you far more than a home robbery. So take the time to keep your spouse happy. That takes priority over gun training. You have to keep in mind the "big picture" of your life.

It may make sense to sink the money you would spend on ammo and range time, into an IRA or 401(k) instead. Try to imagine what your balance sheet at age 70 would be. Even if you had to endure a mugging or two in between, you might still be ahead.

And another thought: ammo and range time are pure expenses -- when the money is spent, it is gone. Collecting guns, on the other hand, is capital investment. You have appreciating assets. This is the difference between a shooter and a collector. At age 70, the collector will be way ahead of the shooter.


Thought purely from an actuary view, true. However, we as people are the anecdotes in between the actuary tables. The old starfish on the beach saying applies.
I know losing some weight and eating lots of kale might help me live a longer life, too. but I don't do it. There is something to be said for quality of life. moderation is the key in all things. I don't think anyone here is suggesting taking out a third mortgage to take Chris Costa's newest class while the kids are starving. Training can be as simple as practicing drawing with a (triple-checked) empty gun, or the mental exercises I mentioned.
 
The vast majority of HD guns are never put to the test. That is, most people who have them, never have to use them. The question then becomes, at what point does training cease to be cost-effective (either in terms of time or money)? In general, training and practice is a good idea. (That's especially true for people who use their guns every day, such as policemen, etc.) But when this interferes with other priorities, such as education, family time, etc., overdoing the training might not be such a good idea. Speaking of eroding your family time, for example, a divorce is likely to cost you far more than a home robbery. So take the time to keep your spouse happy. That takes priority over gun training. You have to keep in mind the "big picture" of your life.

It may make sense to sink the money you would spend on ammo and range time, into an IRA or 401(k) instead. Try to imagine what your balance sheet at age 70 would be. Even if you had to endure a mugging or two in between, you might still be ahead.

And another thought: ammo and range time are pure expenses -- when the money is spent, it is gone. Collecting guns, on the other hand, is capital investment. You have appreciating assets. This is the difference between a shooter and a collector. At age 70, the collector will be way ahead of the shooter.

The problem is that most firearm owners have a number of guns...and zero training! Not talking about the extreme of taking a bunch of courses or spending $ they don't have. We are talking nothing beyond whatever (if anything) was mandatory like Hunter safety or a CCW class.

We can keep going with your analogy, why buy a gun at all for defense? Odds are it won't be used, just like the training so invest that money as well.
 
Really?
I cannot subscribe to that.
Training is the willful change of behaviour directed towards a specific goal or set of goals.

Nowhere does this force a person to have a trainer.

Yes, it helps to have a trainer and yes, my opinion is that good training is the BEST investment anyone can make in almost every topic.
But this is up to everyone themselves an by no means a sine qua non to "train".

Carsten
"Willful change of behavior towards a goal". I haven't come across that definition. Webster says:

Definition of training
1a :the act, process, or method of one that trains
:the skill, knowledge, or experience acquired by one that trains
2:the state of being trained

Even so, how does one make progress towards one's goals? First, how do you determine what the goals of training or performance in combat/self-defense are, how do you determine the desired outcomes? Guess?

If you are able to define training goals and outcomes, how do you "train" to change behavior to achieve them? Trial and error? Re-invent the wheel? Look at how long handguns have been around, it took hundreds of years to get from dueling stance to bullseye stance to FBI crouch to only in the 70s-80's something resembling a good 2 handed combat stance.

Seems like a horrific and counter-productive waste of time. Me, I'd just seek out info from whomever does what I want to be able to do at a very high skill level. This person is the "trainer" and need not be formal or at an in-person class. However, without pointlessly wasting absurd amounts of time, the "training" needs to come from someone else via some medium. The trainer can be your dad or friend so long as they know what they are doing. They can be an author or on a video, but you need a decent way of ensuring you are doing it right.

Show me the self-"trained" shooter without any instruction in some medium from someone better than themselves (and dedicated practice after)...I've met them at the range (all the time), they suck.

I guess I'd say it's a sine qua non to avoiding an unreasonable amount of time re-inventing the wheel to get any decent level of performance. Most people don't bother, then rely on luck if the balloon goes up. Most of them survive, once in awhile we see video of them not.
 
It comes down to how much is the life and wellbeing of your family and yourself worth.
Don't get me wrong. I agree that training and practice with your HD gun is a good idea. Those that have guns, but don't know how to use them, should learn to do so immediately.

However, protecting the safety and well-being of your family involves a whole host of considerations. We in the gun community tend to focus on this one aspect. Other things, such as locating in an area that is not subject to floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, or hurricanes, and is not prone to forest fires or mudslides, can be more important. And educated people tend to get better jobs, have more income, and are better able to get good medical care and thus live longer. All these sorts of factors have more impact on longevity and well-being than do guns.

(I say this as a person whose ownership of guns has vastly exceeded any "reasonable" requirement. Maybe I should take my own advice and add to my stock portfolio rather than investing in more guns.)
 
I've learned a good bit from formal training and a bit, too, from my own range experiments. I've even picked up a pointer or two from Youtube--though some guidance from that last source is simply ridiculous, the blind leading the blind. :D Keep learning, that's pretty good advice whatever the subject area.

There are also some books that can be of value, shooting classics by the likes of Jordan, Cooper, Fairbairn and Sykes, and a few others.

My own bias is to keep things simple. Know a couple types of guns to the point they are second nature, and have a plan.

The plan may be the most important part. We know that fighting from an ensconced defender position gives an advantage of 3:1, which can rise as high as 9:1 under ideal conditions.

Some guns give you a better chance than others of promptly 1) hitting and 2) stopping your adversary. Just which ones those are may vary somewhat depending on which guns you're most familiar with, but there are some that stand out in this regard and some others that are clearly not so good. What to use is, of course, part of your over-all plan.

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jeepnik writes:

It comes down to how much is the life and wellbeing of your family and yourself worth.

Jeez, I don't think he was saying to quit it altogether. Just a reminder, and a very courteous one at that, to spend wisely and remember other "importances" in life. This was his key point:

But when this interferes with other priorities, such as education, family time, etc., overdoing the training might not be such a good idea.

Besides, the tired, old cliche of "what's your life worth?" is beat already. I mean, what's the algorithm behind it? Seriously, most of us consider our lives (and those of our loved ones) to be more valuable than the US DoD's annual budget, which often puts the fed in debt it cannot repay. Are you gonna spend anywhere near that? I'm not, and I'm not gonna go into debt over it, either, at least, not that I cannot repay.

Yes, training is fun and entertaining (as well as being potentially life-saving!) but not when it's cost becomes an added source of stress (a killer of far more Americans each year than not being "cop-trained" in firearms is.)

It is up to each of us (by "us", I'm referring to anyone interested in implementing a home/self protection strategy) to determine when "overdoing the training" would kick in for ourselves, based on our own individual circumstances.
 
The comments posted here have many valid points, esp. if you have spouses and/or kids.
I don't.
One marriage and one LTR but no kids. As a result, all of my guns are loaded, with several handguns secreted around the house. In my bedroom, there is a 3-hook gunrack next to the bed which has my "first line of defense". Those are a 12 ga. SxS with 3 inch shells of #4 and 00 Buck and, being a double trigger, both barrels can be fired at the same time. Above that is an AK with a 40 rd. banana with mixed ammo (FMJ, HP, & PSP) with a small, single LED flashlight (~150 lumens) clamped under the barrel. My .357 revolver is also hanging from one of those hooks in its holster with 2 additional Speedloaders on the belt.
Then there is the wood & glass gun cabinet across from the foot of the bed with several more rifles, a 12 ga. pump, and 2 more revolvers.
Think that's enough? :evil:
 
One of the issues I've found for training related to HD is there just aren't many course specifically designed for it.

I average 1-2 classes a year normally, this year was 3 due to a local 2 day carbine I took. None of them had specifics related to HD, nor could I find any within a normal travelling distances. I'd think that a course designed for HD would encompass the firearms normally used, extensive use of cover/concealment, and some extensive low-light; either HH or weapon mounted light use (Both!) besides the normal layered defense stuff.

Chuck
 
I average 1-2 classes a year normally, this year was 3 due to a local 2 day carbine I took. None of them had specifics related to HD, nor could I find any within a normal travelling distances. I'd think that a course designed for HD would encompass the firearms normally used, extensive use of cover/concealment, and some extensive low-light; either HH or weapon mounted light use (Both!) besides the normal layered defense stuff.

Chuck,
That's a great idea, one that I've given some consideration to. But unfortunately, I don't think it's economically viable. How many people are going to lay out money for tuition, travel, ammunition and the time, to take a class like that when they can spend the same about of money learning "HSLD" stuff about running their AR?

I wrote an outline for a class that covers physical security, cover v concealment, basic low light shooting and a FOF exercise. But I don't think that many people would be interested.
 
Really great post, great topic.

I would be, and am very interested in more training. One thing tho, training is expensive! The better the quality, the higher the cost. So , how can a person who can barely afford the means of protection then afford the training?

I have a couple ideas that I want people's input on.

1) airsoft/ paint ball.

Hear me out.
Besides the fact that you can find very realistic looking and functioning airsoft weapons, they are not only inexpensive to buy (for the most part) they are inexpensive to use and allow users to mount real accessories.

To make it work, and as realistically as possibly you would have to have:

Like minded people with the same training goals...not call of duty reinactors.

A training rifle or pistol that as closely as possible mimics the firearm you intend to use/carry.

A type of scoring and reality based system like IDPA would make a good starting basis for what I'm going to call..."practical airsoft"

Down loading magazines to realistic capacities.

And lots of people with input who can "crowd source" and share information and training techniques that they may have learned in the real world.

That, to me would make excellent training, for extremely low cost.
 
Chuck,
That's a great idea, one that I've given some consideration to. But unfortunately, I don't think it's economically viable. How many people are going to lay out money for tuition, travel, ammunition and the time, to take a class like that when they can spend the same about of money learning "HSLD" stuff about running their AR?

I wrote an outline for a class that covers physical security, cover v concealment, basic low light shooting and a FOF exercise. But I don't think that many people would be interested.

Jeff,

Agree 100%, it's a supply and demand thing. It just kind of sucks that it's not really offered,but apparently not many would sign up if it was.

Chuck
 
I have a similar idea for a HD course, mine would be a 3-4 hr evening one to keep it accessible and low cost. For a local audience obviously. A lecture on HD considerations and a break out session on weapons and tactics while they rotate through a couple FoF scenarios.

I don't think HD specific training is that important though, if you've been to defensive shooting courses that covered the use of cover and movement in a structure and low light, those are the components. Use of cover and low light for the barricade tactic, low light and movement in a structure if you have to be mobile for some reason (grab a kid etc.)
 
One of my jobs after my uniform days was creating hardened safe areas in parts of the world that feared NBC attacks, my clients had money, lots of money. My equipment came from different countries but the specialty items came from Switzerland. For those that don't know, and how could you, at that time, no one could build a residential structure in Switzerland without building an NBC bomb shelter which included all the fliters and other equipment. My main source for this equipment was a company called Mengue (not sure if I spelled it right, it's been a long time).
In keeping with what has already been said here, I will just say, if you have to go investigate a bump in the night, you didn't do your job of protecting your family correctly. As Benjamin Franklin said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
Dogs, alarms, bars, security doors, safe rooms, a plan, cameras (even fake cameras) will deter most problems. It will buy you time to arm yourself, herd the family to the safe room, dial 911 and wait. It also will make you seem less bloodthirsty to a jury if it comes to that. For those that don't have a lot of money there are practical solutions like putting a wedge under your front door at night and one next to your safe room door. It buys time.
Most of the time I live alone, I have 4 dogs (Husky, Pitbull, Pitbull Mix and Chihuahua) but I still arm the alarm because if someone breaks in I'm hoping the alarm company will call 911 for me as I deal with staying alive. I have security bars and doors, my doors are anchored 6 inches into the frame, my obnoxiously loud Chihuahua sleeps in my bed and the others around it, I'm not going to be surprised and neither should you. If someone does get in, it's after a lot of effort and noise (and not just a silly bump in the night) and I'm not going hunting, I'm going stealth (aka staying put in my room).
There's a difference between bump-in-the-night and breaking glass or security doors being kicked at. If you've hardened your house, you should be totally comfortable checking out odd noises.
My $0.02
Keeping them out is easier than dealing with them inside, and a lot cheaper in the long run.
 
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I have taken several "Gun Fighting Classes", yes the 2 day 500+ round type that requires an overnight stay nearby as well as several Alumni courses. With that foundation I do the following to stay sharp. My new home has three very large studded up rooms in the terrace level that have minimum lighting and windows with shutters. I have 5 12x12 inch cardboard boxes that are targets. Taped over the opening is an 8.5x11 sheet of paper with a 2 inch black dot and one ring out about 3 inches around the dot. The bottom of the box is re-inforced with a second 12x12 piece of cardboard. These boxes are placed at different points inside the 3 rooms by my brother who also drills with me.
Using an Air Soft pistol that is a very good replica of my carry gun and fits my carry holster I take on the boxes. Other items are stored in these rooms so it behoves me to accurately place shots into the boxes and not into stored items including glass windows.
The room can be lit or set for low level lighting. I stay in my reloading room which is across a small hall from two doors that go into the 3 rooms. I get the cue to clear the house and away I go. Staying out of the field of fire while identifying all the boxes (sometimes only 1 or 2) is critical. Applying what I have been taught helps push me to the different solutions. This is cheap and can be re-worked anyway you want to. Your garage could also be used if the house is not available to use.
 
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