Fight or Flight - Do you have a plan for defending your home?

So, in a SHTF situation would it really be a good idea to remain at home?

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Depends on your house and where you live. According to The Art of War, "He who defends everything, defends nothing." So if you cannot readily protect your entire house, protect a portion of your house where you can keep yourself and family safe until help arrives.

Create a "safe room" to evacuate your family to which contains your weapon, ammunition, cell phone, flashlights and anything else you consider necessary for your survival until the police can arrive. Some authors also recommend keeping a ballistic vest readily available.

In an LA Riot type scenerio, there are even more things to consider whether it is wise to stay or vacate the area.

Where I am right now, I have ten foot walls around my house, bougainvillaes, and nato wire, steel bars in front of the windows and doors, anchored in concrete.

While I cannot hold out forever, I would not know where else to go.
Back home in the USA you just have to figure your average response time for your police department, maybe YOU are not all alone in an unfriendly world.
If you expect riots, get to know your neighbors. In a crisis, people pull together. In Indiana we had a tornado hitting our neighborhood and it made it a better neighborhood!

You need to think outside the box. Your attackers will. If you are solo, all they need to do is fix your position in one area. Then, they can flank you and invade your dwelling. Or, they can just burn you out.

In a full fledged societal breakdown, a team of defenders is essential. Forget shotguns. You need rifles to keep them at a distance. Fire is your worst enemy. You will need to arm your neighbors and set up a perimeter. Good reason to own that 10th rifle we all don't need in my opinion.

Forget bugging out. That is a fairy tale. At least you know your weakness at home. You will be weak in every way on the road. Roadblocks, food, shelter, and lack of gas will just be the beginning of your problems.

Got friends?

My "Castle Defense Plan" was considered when we bought our home.

That was part of the appeal in our spread which consists of a two-story home on 2.7 acres of rural land. .7acres that comprises of the west border of our property is filled with thick forest and that special Alabama variety of Kudzu.

The other 2 acres is completely bare except for our home, a small storage building, and three juvenile trees. To top this all off, we are at the top of a hill with a 200 yard field in front of our house(south) a three hundred yard pasture (north), and on our east border there are three homes that completely block our house from the road. Twisty gravel driveway to alert the two large (and very loud) inside dogs gives us a built in early warning system.

The house is a 2 story and due to the way it is arranged I can cover the front and back doors from the living room. Enough windows to let light in and provide adequate ventilation, but not so many to invite easy entry; and with the exception of one solitary rosebush, no landscaping to provide cover for bad guys. Motion detecting lights at all four corners and some kind of relatively hardened area inside the house are on the to-do list.

...On a side-note, when my wife and I were looking this house over, my wife looked at me and said " Being on a hill will make it easier to defend when the time comes, right?". This was said right in front of the real estate agent and the look on her face was priceless!!


Mino

Sure do.

When the balloon goes up, the only proper response is to begin shooting. Shoot the blue helmets. Shoot the black helicopters. Shoot the commie infiltrators. Shoot any unfamiliar people. Shoot your neighbors (never fully trusted them anyway). Shoot any family members who don't follow orders in a prompt and dilligent fashion.

With that now firmly in the forefront of your mind, you should understand why I consider this to be the minimum necessary armament for TSHTF: Each person in your compound (you do have a compound, don't you?) will require
1 .30 NATO semiautomatic rifle w/ minimum 20 round capacity
1 5.56 NATO semiautomatic rifle w/ minimum 20 round capacity
1 12 gauge shotgun w/ mimimum 8 round capacity, autoloader preferred
1 .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol
1 .357 magnum revolver
1 .32 ACP pocket gun
1 taktikewl-type combat folding knife
1 big honking bowie knife (kukri is acceptable substitute but must meet big honking requirement)
1 Spetznaz shovel
1 Piano wire garrotte

Figure an absolute minimum of 10,000 rounds of ammo per man per weapon per day for the long guns and 5,000 rounds per man per weapon per day on the handguns. If these levels aren't at least being met, then you aren't shooting enough people. All personnel are to have all weapons on their persons at all times.

But seriously, you would defend your house much the same way you defend any fixed point. Clear, intersecting fields of fire. As closely monitored a perimeter as possible. People staying awake in shifts so that the whole garrison isn't caught napping all at once. Some of this is difficult ori mpossible, depending on the type of dwelling in which you live. There is also the issue of fortifying the house. Easier with a brick dwelling than a stick-built house, for example. Even then, bricks get chewed up mighty quickly by most centerfire rifles. Short of turning your house into some kind of fortress compound, you have to realistically assess your threats and your resources.

Forget bugging out. That is a fairy tale.

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Only if you don't see it coming. If you see trouble on the way and leave while the S is on it's to TF, it is not only possible but logical. And if you live in a major urban area, you are in serious trouble if the infrastructure ever goes down for extended periods.

I have on my wall four monitors for the video cameras outside. The panel also has a set of switches. One switch turns on the floodlights that are on each side of the house. Another switch supplies power to the mines I've strategically planted in several sections of the yard. A third switch activates the charges that blow all the upstairs windows outwards, allowing for quick firing of the AR's and the M-60.

Well...that's the setup I'd like to have.

Dave's right. Friends. It may be safer to stay put and extra weapons & friends. Safe room, wire mesh over windows so grenades cannot be thrown in, slits in screens so grenades can be dropped out. Loopholes, etc., all constructed and put in place while peace time is still with us.

Analyze your property for seige conditions from within and outside. You can almost spot where they'd be hiding, where snipers would be, all that stuff. Then take steps to counter. Sorry, I've said too much already.

Make 3 or 4 plans. Plan for the worst, The nice folks in Waco took fire from above...dogs are a must for early warning. SG's have no place in such a scenario, JMO.

Zowee! I accidently wandered into tinfoil hat land!

Zowee! I accidently wandered into tinfoil hat land!

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Yeah, there could never be massive riots that you might need to defend your home from (except the Rodney King riots in LA, and the draft riots in NY during the Civil War and...)

There could never be a massive failure of the power grid (unless you live in the Northwest or London)

There could never be a massive disruption of the fuel supply (unless you live in Arizona)

There could never be blah blah blah.

You want to bury your head in the sand and say "nothing bad could ever happen to me" fine. That's your right. But don't call us paranoid fools for being prepared.

Question: do you have a CCW? Why? Are you paranoid for thinking you might need to defend yourself?

Yep.

I unleash hell.

And then I get REAL nasty...

Speaking realistically, the typical American home is not defensable against a determined assault. There are some exceptions, but this is generally true due to the common methods of construction. Most homes have too many large windows and are lightly constructed - i.e. the walls don't stop bullets. In most cases, you might as well be in a grass hut. Also, they are generally too close together to give much of a field of fire.

Secondly, if there are multiple attackers, you'll be quickly flanked unless you have a team of defenders to cover the various avenues of approach. You can't do it all yourself.

In a short term disaster, like the aftermath of a hurricane or tornado, or even a local riot, I think a lone defender can successfully drive off marauders. In that situation, people aren't looking for a fight, just an easy grab. A simple show of force may be enough to get them to move on to an easier target. I remember seeing photos after hurricane Andrew. Several of the homes still standing were prominently marked "We're home and we're armed!" to discourage looters. Just keep in mind that you won't get any sleep for a while.

In a general SHTF social collapse scenario there a good possibility of encountering roving bands of thugs looking to rape, rob, pillage, and kill. These folks are likely to be heavily armed themselves, and less likely to be detered. Your best move there is to get your friends and neighbors together to establish a defensive perimeter around the neighborhood. You have to stop them at the fenceline.

If the neighbor defense doesn't come together or falls apart, you have to be prepared to go mobile. There are risks involved in being on the road, but it beats having your house burn down around you. A good defense plan allows for a strategic retreat.

--Lay down suppresive fire with the AK and shotguns.

--Get out and pull back into the kennel

--Release the hounds in sequence (all 15 of them)

--If the goblin hordes get through and manage to enter the heart of the compound, detonate the propane holding tank from a safe distance.

Well, my philosophy is to make friends with my neighbors. Even in the city.

I've only got a 3/4 ton van - it won't hold all the ammo and stuff without the springs giving up on me.

Buy .22LR rifles, and lots of ammo. All you've got to do is keep the bad guys' heads down long enough for 'em to decide that they should really go bother something a little less defended. Like in the 'burbs.

I want to be able to keep my home and its inhabitants secure for 90 days. That means enough food, water, medical supplies and ammunition. Just enough to get by say , fallout, bioweapon, power outages, civil unrest, riots. Anything longer than that means the country/government/world is totally out of control. If thats the case we'll all be up **** creek. I really don't want to plan for a Mad Max world. After 90 days I'd be praying alot.

Right now I have all the guns and ammunition to do that. I only have a months worth of food and water. Gotta get on stocking more food and water. For me I think that 3 months could get you by anything but total nuclear war or an asteriod strike. Gotta get more tinfoil, too.

"Kill Zones"

While one cannot cover all the windows and doors, it may be possible to direct those who are illegally entering your home into "kill zones" by limiting their choices of movement, directing them, in other words, to "stack up" in certain confined spaces or at a certain point - kind of a Thermopylae type defense, if you will. This reduces the effectiveness of the invaders' greater numbers, and puts them in a "kill zone." A hallway, or even the way the furniture is laid out, all these can become restrictive of movement and create a kill zone.

If you then pre-arrange for armored cover from which you can attack that kill zone, then it becomes very difficult for the attackers to get past that point, no matter how many there are (unless, of course, they use explosives, etc.) Drywall and wood paneling DO NOT stop bullets!

At the point where the kill zone is created, it is also good to create obstacles and distractions that will cause the attackers to stumble and fumble and to have to delay their advance, thus making them better targets and allowing you to get off more shots before they can react. Mirrors, manequins, something throw down on the floor that they won't see in the dark and thus stumble over, etc., all these are devices that can be employed. Be creative. How far you go depends on just how serious the situation is in your neighborhood, and the likelihood of an attack. Home invasions are becomming more common, so it is something to think about. Anything you do is likely better than doing nothing. Better to give it some thought and develop a plan.

The main idea is that at the point where you make your stand, you don't want to be caught in a crossfire, so you try and set things up to direct and control the movement options available to your adversary. There is almost always some point at which movement is restricted, such as hallways and stairs. A safe room employs the same idea, since you can effectively cover the door into that room as a choke point.

Another crucial aspect is having the TIME to react. You need perimeter alarms and entry alarms. Early detection of the threat will give you time to put your plan into action and for everyone to get to battle stations. Everyone should have a specific job and place to be. Family members wandering around in a panic during a home invasion crisis are not what you want to have! If you have that early detection, then eveyone can get to where they are supposed to be - hopefully.

He DID say "shtf", dudes. Help is NOT coming.

In fact, the towns and cities will burn when there's no water,a nd you will have no choice but to leave, within a few days, due to the lack of water, dog packs all over the place, etc.

Never, EVER allow the enemy to pin you down, unable to move. Mobility is life. If you've ever done time in a combat zone, you know exactly what I mean! Also, as G-Raptor very sensibly pointed out, the average American home is not readily defensible - almost anything (even .22LR) can penetrate the average interior walls. I'd plan on an initial hostile response, then movement, including leaving the house and putting myself into a more favorable position. Of course, if you have a wife and youngsters to defend, you'll have to create a "safe area" (including decent protection against incoming fire) for them, and this will pin you down - but then, that's the choice you make.

your security begins OUTSIDE the home, in both a SHTF or protection of the home....if you think you can "defend" a position...your wrong.... I do not care how much ammo of food you have....if it comes down to hard core rock and roll... best be ready to take the fight to them, and not defend any position....unless your willing to pay the ultimate price. best bet, is the fight and move to position B, C,D,E,F,G..... the question is protection of your family, not the protection of walls...one is replaceable, one is NOT.

OK, my SHTF plan is to turn off all of the lights and sit in the dark stroking my 12 guage. Hmmm, come to think of it, I'm doing that right now...

Seriously, I live in a two story multifamily dwelling with detached garages. Basically, for anything greater than a break in by a crack head, I cannot stay here. My plan is to pack up a couple of thousand rounds and head over to the folks house. Their place is close, and much more defensible. Probably, the whole family would rally there and create our own fire team.
Mauserguy

PS: I will keep an extra tin foil hat in my truck.

Once again I must pause to thank God that I live way outside of town in "Fly Over Country"

Smoke

The truth of the matter is fhat when the SHTF for any reason other than a localized riot in an urban setting, where the looting, burning,and stealing of TV sets, spills over into the area where your interests lie, there is very little reason tois more hang around and exchange fire fights with what are sure to be vastly superior forces, ( Blue Helmets, Black Helos, or other corrupt military forces) and face certain death.

Do the best you can with the time you are given, pack as much survival gear as will fit in your vehicle(s),load the family, and haul A ** for the Boonies, where hopefully you have a place either your's or a communal one built by like minded neighbors that can be more easily defended,

The exception to bugging out (local riot) involves making a decision to protect your property, be it a Business or your home,which usually constitutes the bulk of an individual's worth. (Not always reimbursible by Ins.companies- most exclude riots and insurections.

The major difference is the knowledge that the looters hae a finite period of time to commit their crimes, before the "Good Guys" arrive to save the day. All that is needed is the will to stand your ground, pick a physical point inside which is a free fire zone. Lay down a suppressive rate of fire in the Miscreants direction and by the time2 or 3 have hit the ground and are peacefully taking dirt naps, and the rest will turn tail and look for greener pastures with fewer occupational hazards.

Think it doesn't work? Ask the Korean shop owners in LA, wprked pretty well for them to save their buinesses, though I seem to recall the city failed to appreciate their actions. You make the decision, I already have, I'll not surrender that for which I worked a lifetime, and have neither the tme or inclination to replace, without one hell of a fight. Fortunately I live in a State with a more victim friendly outlook than some of the Peoples Repubics.

JPM

Where I am right now, I have ten foot walls around my house, bougainvillaes, and nato wire, steel bars in front of the windows and doors, anchored in concrete.

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Must live in Hialeah...

Greg

Think it doesn't work? Ask the Korean shop owners in LA, wprked pretty well for them to save their buinesses, though I seem to recall the city failed to appreciate their actions.

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I spent 36 hours on a store roof with some friends. Our greatest worry was snipers on adjacent roofs. None of the vandals thought of that, so we ended up alright.

Pops