From what I've noticed, threads about SWAT teams raiding the wrong house. One problem with such threads is that it results in keyboard commandos fantasizing about shooting back. However, nobody in their right mind would want to get in a shootout with a tactical team. After all, they are heavily trained, and anyone who tries to engage such a team would be unlikely to even survive, let along "win" the gunfight. But this does pose a question: what if a heavily trained and well-equipped team of CRIMINALS does decide to invade your home?
Of course, it would be EXTREMELY unlikely that a real group of criminals would have the same training, equipment and manpower as a SWAT team. But hey, we have tons of threads on zombie invasions, so why not?
I don't want to encourage any cop-bashing or "us versus them" posts, so this scenario will NOT cover a confrontation with the actual police. In this case, how would you prepare for the "ultimate home invasion team"?
The scenario is as follows:
1. This team is exactly the same as a SWAT team (weapons, training, etc.), except they are BGs and will try to kill you regardless of whether you comply with them.
(A real SWAT team generally won't shoot you as long as you don't resist.)
2. Money is not an issue; however, you are limited to what a civilian can legally own.
3. It has to be realistic. So no futuristic weapons or modifying your DNA to give yourself superhuman powers, etc.
4.The invasion occurs at 3:00 a.m., when you are most likely asleep.
5. There are 20 gang heavily equipped gang members trying to raid your home; however, they will retreat if 5 or more of them are incapacitated.
6. Assume that the average police response time to your home is three minutes.
Points to remember:
1. A group of heavily armed criminals has the element of surprise. You do have an advantage, though: it is your turf, and you know your place better than anyone else.
2. A team of criminals, no matter how well-equipped (or SWAT team for that matter), are not gods. However, the odds are greatly stacked in their favor.
Anyways, here's how I'd prepare:
My first line of defense would be an early warning system - something like a high-quality motion-activated alarm. I'd also hook a camera to my bedroom so I can identify the threat and decide what to do. If the "home invaders" turn out to be police, then I'll simply let them in.
I'd also try to make a deal with my neighbor across the street (if s/he is trustworthy enough) that we'll look out for each other.
My second line of defense would be a set of reinforced double doors. The one on the outside would swing outwards - this would ensure that a battering ram would take more than a few seconds to bust through. The only other option would be to pull the door off, so I would use a relatively brittle handle. Too much force, and the handle breaks off (instead of the entire door). My second door would be one that opens inward as usual. I'd fortify my windows as well, perhaps with one-way bullet-resistant glass.
All of this would give me plenty of time to identify the invaders. Again, if they turn out to be LE, then I would gladly let them in.
My third defense would be an escape plan. After all, my goal is to survive, not get in a shootout with some crazy mafia. I would make a deal with my back neighbor to turn part of my fence into a gate. That way, I can escape to the neighboring street and call 911.
Finally, I would want a contigency plan in case I get trapped. I know that shotguns are good for home defense, but they're relatively useless against body armor (the same goes for handguns, especially because AP ammo for handguns is illegal). Thus, I would want a rifle with AP rounds. I'd also invest in a very powerful flashlight to temporarily surprise/disorient the attackers. Assuming I'm not along, I'd also train my family members to not get into my way (i.e., dial 911 or blind the attackers while I engage the BGs). No guarantee that I'll survive, but I guess it's better than helplessly watching your family get brutalized.
So, what would YOUR setup be?
(Again, this is NOT a LEO-bashing thread!)
Of course, it would be EXTREMELY unlikely that a real group of criminals would have the same training, equipment and manpower as a SWAT team. But hey, we have tons of threads on zombie invasions, so why not?
I don't want to encourage any cop-bashing or "us versus them" posts, so this scenario will NOT cover a confrontation with the actual police. In this case, how would you prepare for the "ultimate home invasion team"?
The scenario is as follows:
1. This team is exactly the same as a SWAT team (weapons, training, etc.), except they are BGs and will try to kill you regardless of whether you comply with them.
(A real SWAT team generally won't shoot you as long as you don't resist.)
2. Money is not an issue; however, you are limited to what a civilian can legally own.
3. It has to be realistic. So no futuristic weapons or modifying your DNA to give yourself superhuman powers, etc.
4.The invasion occurs at 3:00 a.m., when you are most likely asleep.
5. There are 20 gang heavily equipped gang members trying to raid your home; however, they will retreat if 5 or more of them are incapacitated.
6. Assume that the average police response time to your home is three minutes.
Points to remember:
1. A group of heavily armed criminals has the element of surprise. You do have an advantage, though: it is your turf, and you know your place better than anyone else.
2. A team of criminals, no matter how well-equipped (or SWAT team for that matter), are not gods. However, the odds are greatly stacked in their favor.
Anyways, here's how I'd prepare:
My first line of defense would be an early warning system - something like a high-quality motion-activated alarm. I'd also hook a camera to my bedroom so I can identify the threat and decide what to do. If the "home invaders" turn out to be police, then I'll simply let them in.
I'd also try to make a deal with my neighbor across the street (if s/he is trustworthy enough) that we'll look out for each other.
My second line of defense would be a set of reinforced double doors. The one on the outside would swing outwards - this would ensure that a battering ram would take more than a few seconds to bust through. The only other option would be to pull the door off, so I would use a relatively brittle handle. Too much force, and the handle breaks off (instead of the entire door). My second door would be one that opens inward as usual. I'd fortify my windows as well, perhaps with one-way bullet-resistant glass.
All of this would give me plenty of time to identify the invaders. Again, if they turn out to be LE, then I would gladly let them in.
My third defense would be an escape plan. After all, my goal is to survive, not get in a shootout with some crazy mafia. I would make a deal with my back neighbor to turn part of my fence into a gate. That way, I can escape to the neighboring street and call 911.
Finally, I would want a contigency plan in case I get trapped. I know that shotguns are good for home defense, but they're relatively useless against body armor (the same goes for handguns, especially because AP ammo for handguns is illegal). Thus, I would want a rifle with AP rounds. I'd also invest in a very powerful flashlight to temporarily surprise/disorient the attackers. Assuming I'm not along, I'd also train my family members to not get into my way (i.e., dial 911 or blind the attackers while I engage the BGs). No guarantee that I'll survive, but I guess it's better than helplessly watching your family get brutalized.
So, what would YOUR setup be?
(Again, this is NOT a LEO-bashing thread!)
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