"Homeowner is armed" sign

I don't think it deters crime.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but "Here's your sign."

I can't think of a single positive thing you might accomplish with such a sign; the best you could hope for is that no one notices it.

The worst you should expect is that someone comes to rob the knucklehead that put it up, and you either lose the fight because you helped them be prepared, or win and spend time in court explaining how your sign isn't a demonstration of depraved intent to harm.

I have properly worded signs on my property to discourage Intruders.

No. No signs of any kind. Not even joke signs.

All they do is forewarn whoever your intruder is and possibly tells them you have something highly attractive to steal - such as your firearms after they have determined you are not home.

Armed response is at its most effective when it comes as an ugly shock to the criminal.

I don’t have any signs. I also don’t play cards with mine face up while others conceal theirs.

If I were to put up a sign, it would be more along the lines of “Please knock vs ring the door bell...the dogs go crazy.”

I think a faux security company sign would be a better idea....just to name one idea in a long, long line of better ideas.

I have a real security system sign, and the system to go with it. It keeps the honest folks honest. I figure for the others, they don't notify me they're coming, so I don't feel the need to warn them. After all, fair is fair.

No signs at my place. I don't need anyone knowing that there are firearms within.

Neighbor not too far away runs a cattle feed lot and has a giant "make my day" sign with a revolver on it.

He swears that people have stopped stealing things from his barns and shops because of this.

But here's the difference, IMO:
He never leaves his property.

If you leave to go to work, no sign.

If you are there all the time... Maybe it works but it's not for me.

Bad idea IMO.

Conelrad

Arcticfox said:

... I am making some security changes at my house, and I bought some decals that say "Warning! Homeowner is Armed." ...

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No, just No.

Put the “sign” money into cameras...

maybe a “under surveillance “ sign is a good thing...

Portraying an unkempt yard worked for me when I was living in a crime ridden part of town.
I didnt have much trouble concerning theft bc it appeared i had nothing of value. I did that intentionally.

What you are proposing is 180° from that. It's an advertisement.

I realize that these are extremes but in between those 2 things is a large list of options that don't attract attention, escalate a situation, or portray you to be violent in front of a court should something happen.

The fact that your neighbor's house was 'shot up' tells me you either need to move or the neighbor is/was involved in something he shouldn't have been.

I concur that standard security signs ("This property protected by ADT" or "This property is under active video surveillance") are as far as you want to go. Signs like "Owner is armed, willing and able" are just inviting problems and advertise that there are guns to steal.

The sign I wish I could put-up is "Trespassers will be violated"...

Such signs are not on my property or home, and I don't recommend them. Common security company signs seem fine to me where they don't seem out of place.

Nope.

Kleanbore nailed. Target yourself for thieves, prosecution, vandalism and civil suits.

No, not a good idea IMO.

Do as some suggested and use that money for cameras.

Jeff B.

You could also build something like this to make a statement...

View attachment 931166

Terrible idea. You've just advertised you have guns, and are scared. The criminal of today is not the criminal of yesterday, if the criminal of yesterday ever even existed. If anything, they'll be more attracted to you.

.455_Hunter said:

The sign I wish I could put-up is "Trespassers will be violated"...

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LOL. Better be careful with that. There's potential for it to have the same sort of unintended consequence as the subject of this thread. Never know how lonely a neighbor may be.

earlthegoat2 said:

I think a faux security company sign would be a better idea....just to name one idea in a long, long line of better ideas.

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I know a lot of people with security company signs up that don't have security systems. I'm sure burglars are aware of that.

I never understood why you'd advertise a security system anyway. Seems to me it would be more effective if a potential intruder didn't know it was there until it went off.

Advertising the fact that there are guns in the house is not wise, for all of the reasons mentioned above. (Primarily that it makes you a target for burglary.) But in this day of polarized politics, it might also make you a target for vandalism, or for more subtle forms of "doxxing." A perfect analogy is open carrying. You make such a statement, you draw pushback. Not to mention that it also puts you at a tactical disadvantage.

My whole attitude with respect to firearms is that no one should have any idea I have firearms, period. In fact, though I've been an NRA Life Member for many years, I don't even display an NRA sticker on any of my vehicles. The best advice I could give anyone who is interested in firearms or own or carry them is to be as secretive as you can be about it.