Firearms home defense consultation/service?

[losangeles]

Anybody know of a firearms home defense consultation service? Where consultant goes to your home for a couple hours, evaluates the layout, gives home defense consultation, does role-playing with homeowner(s).

How much is a fair price for that?

I don't see it advertised much. Do you think there's little demand for it? Or just too much legalities?

 

[220_Swift]

I think I would stay away from that. If you go to the homeowners and give them advice, and they react the wrong way and it turns into a bad shooting, they will tell the police "Mr. X said that it was OK". I think that would be too much of a risk and liabilty to you.


But maybe the law would be on your side. Might want to investigate it further in your state. I would imagine some people would pay for that kind of service. Good luck

 

[jrfoxx]

I have to say, I thought that was a pretty cool idea at first, but jrdean has a VERY good point about liability, either from a bad shoot, or the homeowner is injured and holds you liable since "I did what mr. x told me to do, and was injured".Too bad the people in this country are so litigeous and will sue at the drop of a hat over anything (especially if they can use it to blame thier mistakes and stupidity on someone else that way).

 

[hso]

I don't think you would get anyone responsible or competent to provide such a service in just a couple of hours. The problem extends well beyond simple layout and fields of fire and includes weapons use, selection of ammunition, and most importantly, basic weapons skills of the home owner. The last alone fills days of training at facilities constructed to conduct such training and involves Sims and live weapons fire.

All this ignoring the aforementioned legal problems.

 

[Kowboy]

Losangeles:

I must respectfully disagree.

If you are thinking about starting such a service, go for it. People can and will sue willy-nilly no matter what. There would be no business at all if people worried about getting sued.

If you're starting any business, the worst thing you can do is ask employed people if it's a good idea. Virtually everyone will give you bad advice. "Too risky, keep your steady job." "Too much liability." "That will never work."
Ignore these people like the plague.

I'm certain the right insurance agent is out there willing to trade you peace of mind for cash. Take him up on that.

Excellent idea, go for it now,

Kowboy

P.S.
I've been self-emloyed for over twenty years, started and sold a business for profit. There is nothing sweeter.

 

[BluesBear]

There are consultants who inspect the homes of expectant parents and advise them how to childproof their houses.

There are others who look for obstacles for disabled persons and offer solutions.

Just like them you'd simply be selling your educated opinions. And since there is no way that anyone could forsee every possible problem there's no way you could cover everything that could happen.

So I wouldn't worry about legal liability.
All you'd need is a waiver written into your contract.

I think it could be the beginning of a very lucrative service that actually could save somebody's life.

Unlike those feng shui ripoff artists who charge huge amounts of money to rearrange your furniture and try to sell you leftover Big Lots knick-knacks in order to realign your Karma.

 

[Trebor]

I see very little demand for a service that is ONLY "firearms home defense consulting." Firearms are only part of a home security plan and any consultation service needs to take other aspects of security into account as well.

Now, if you wanted to market a "Home security consultation service," that would work. I'd want to know your credentials and experience on other aspects of home security outside of firearms. What do you know about locks and alarm systems? Where are the best places to put motion detecter lights? How effective are camera systems in reducing problems?

A service like that, that ALSO included how to integrate firearms into your security plan, does have some potential. There are "home security" consultants now, but they generally leave firearms out of the equation and stick strictly to alarm systems, window bars and locks, etc.

Being able to help your clients develop a plan that includes hardening their home AND what to do if someone still breaks in has value. I'd still want to know what experience, background, and credentials you bring to the table though.

 

[losangeles]

Great points, Blues Bear & Trebor!

I admit I'm not an expert, or even much knowledgeable, in some of those areas. However, perhaps doing a business as a group of people with different disciplines, we might be able to each bring different expertise to the table.

Also, some arrangements can be made with other specialty companies. A business relationship can be made with an alarm company, and sometimes, it's as easy as giving a referral to a an alarm company and letting them do that aspect of it --- and collecting a referral fee, of course. And maybe have another relationship with a contractor that you are confident can make a "safe room" if that's part of the homeowner's requirements.

BTW, Blues Bear, I like the point you made about in-home consultants, like the home childproofing consultant. When my kids were small, we hired someone to come over just for that purpose. And you're right -- they can't foresee every possible scenario, and yet we, and many other parents used their services willingly and gladly.

 

[losangeles]

I see very little demand for a service that is ONLY "firearms home defense consulting." Firearms are only part of a home security plan and any consultation service needs to take other aspects of security into account as well.

Alternatively, you can approach the firearms home defense consulting as a niche and specialize only in that. And work out a referral network with all other different specialty companies. Just a thought.

 

[AJAX22]

its an interesting idea if you have access to a good attorney.

but alot of people are going to get tired of hearing mossberg 590 and remmington 870 stainless.

although if you were an FFL and could put a package togeather with a good rifle, a couple of good shotguns, and a good, simple handgun, maby become an armor wholesaler along with it. you could put something togeather that would probably sell.

I live in LA, and while everyone likes to bash on gun owners, there are alot of very wealthy people who live in rural locations who are scared of minorities who have less than they do coming and taking it away. many of these people don't believe in guns, unless they own them for themselves.

partner with a range and offer a combination training/weapons/armor/security system/safe company package, charge 20 or 30k as a base price, and you could really come up with something.

if you want a hand putting it togeather it might be a fun weekend kindof thing.

 

[Camp David]

Anybody know of a firearms home defense consultation service? Do you think there's little demand for it?

Excellent idea...

District of Columbia=> "Yes Ma'am... having assessed the threat from the street level I feel you need some strong home defense... may I recommend an Abrams XM-1 tank parked out front, some claymore mines in those there flower basins, a set of Browning Quad .50s on the windows, and just to be safe... a mounted Napolean cannon firing double cannister just inside your door... that would give you a static defense shield in addition to some pretty hefty body armor that you should acquire post haste... that'll be $800.00 for the assessment!"

 

[Kowboy]

Losangeles:

"I think it could be the beginning of a very lucrative service that actually could save somebody's life."

Blues Bear makes an excellent point.

How many single moms are huddled in their house every night, terrified at every noise? They don't know who to call for help.

You could be giving peoples lives back to them and that's not an exaggeration.

Get busy,

Kowboy

 

[Ferrari308]

I've given this some thought too. But it would get too expensive quickly. Do you want bullet proof windows? Or would you want to landscape around the outside of the house so there is 3 feet of dirt around the house exterior walls? Maybe add some bricks to come up 3 feet with a flower bed. Would you need a generator for power in case there is no electricity? Gas is too expensive, maybe a solar power back-up option?

These are the kinds of thoughts I have when I wonder "What would happen if North Korea (or any nation) decided to have nuclear war and hit a couple cities"? There would be anarchy for a while. How would I protect myself? Even something like the bird flu could cause panic. What will I do if people try and storm my home because I stocked up on water? What should I do? I'd want to help women and young children, but what to do about a group of guys who would try to break in?

I know that 99.99999% of this will never happen. Maybe it is like when all the people in the 1960's built bomb shelters in their backyards. But if it gives a little bit of comfort to know that there is enough water, dried food, and some system of defense then I don't think it is a bad thing.

 

[OldSchooler]

Trebor +1

Consultants are expected to be experts in their chosen field and normally have bona-fide credentials to indicate such - not just say-so and being a gun fancier. Find out what organizations pander to the trade you are interested in and get certified, if nothing else.

Additionally, you will really need to be up on new market development/creation for what essentially has NO established niche market of its own. I suspect you'd be better of to make it an adjunct of "residential security consulatations" and develop a waiver to release liablilty.

Ive done consult work and have some good contracts with amenable waivers. For a fee, I can consult with you, if you wish.