Garage

[sm]

My concerns have always been exiting and entering a structure, and answering the door.
Structures, if you will allow me, refers to not only houses, also vehicles.

One has to get to and from a house, and to and from a vehicle. In between, one is more vulnerable.

Mentors & Elders raised and shaped me: If you have a garage, ,use it. If you have a option of renting a place with a garage over one that does not, rent the one with a garage.

It ain't about being easier, instead about being safer. Bob Lee Swagger

Note: This is a garage, designed to park a vehicle, not a catch-all, and some place to clutter up.
If you think you need more room, then you need to get rid of the useless crap you have. Simple.

Safety is not a age, gender, physical "thing". Safety is everyone's deal. Got it!

-The two biggest "weapons" one may have is a home,and vehicle. So use them effectively.

-Don't Look Like Prey.

-Risk for falls, effects everyone, no matter of age, gender, or physical condition.

-Perceptions.
A garage, will among other things, show one is smart, paying attention, and has taken personal responsibility for staying safe. A garage will make it more difficult for someone to know if one is home, or not.

Note: Close the damn garage door!
Especially if one is in a semi-urban, or urban setting. Neighborhoods, often wonder why there is a rash of theft. Often times, this can be attributed to open garage doors where anyone can view what is inside, along with if someone is home or not.

Do Not Advertise!
Besides criminals being able to see lawn mowers, string trimmers, bicycles, golf clubs, tools, saws, reloading equipment, etc., they can also see YOU walk out with logo gun case and other firearm related items, and KNOW you have guns and such. Now, it is only a matter of time, before they (a) break in when you are gone, or (b) attempt to get you, or family member coming or going from house, or (c) catch you out , including being at, or coming and going from gun club/ range.

This applies to other "valuables" , even if, the criminal has it "wrong". For example, being a "drug rep". One might just be the "rep" for diabetic test kits, or breast pumps, still a criminal "sees" or may even hear "drug rep" and that makes one more vulnerable. The criminal brain may interpret "drug rep" as being, well "drugs". My experiences shares some serious situations in regard to female "drug reps". These experiences include, rape, sexual assault and serious physical injuries.

"Keys to the store".
Some models of criminals may target those that have keys to businesses. Meaning, it does not matter how good an alarm one has at home, or business, a gun to the head of YOU or family member, changes things.

WE are taught and trained, to train for the worst, and hope for the best. Meaning, we HOPE we never have to use Skill sets learned and continue to train in.
WE DON'T want to get into a situation in the first place, that is our goal.

A garage is one non-firearm weapon that may indeed keep us safe, and negate the need for further means to defend against evil.


Steve

 

[bannockburn]

Steve

Very true, especially the part about not advertising. No NRA decals on the windows, no "Protected by S&W" bumper stickers, and no empty long gun boxes or ammo cans lying around in plain sight in my garage. An attached garage is a real asset when it comes to moving guns and equipment in and out of the house without anyone seeing anything from the street.

Also with an attached garage, your vehicle makes for a great house alarm system all on its own. Just keep your car alarm remote nearby in your bedroom. Hear any suspicious sounds at night, set off your car alarm. That should discourage most anyone from going any further. If they do, then go to your pre-planned response to a break-in. Definitely learning to live an ultra low profile when it comes to keeping my guns private and my family safe, is an ongoing experience.

 

[Coyote3855]

Note: Close the damn garage door!

After you arrive and before you unlock the car door. Assuming you have a garage door opener. Watch in the rear view mirror to be sure no one enters the garage after you do. If you don't have a garage door opener, be vigilant and aware when you get out to open the door and until the door is closed behind you.

 

[rhubarb]

What about when I'm mowing the yard? Can I come out of the house and garage?

It's certainly worth considering the value and liability of a garage when entering and leaving a vehicle. However, I only consider a garage a secure storage area for a car. It's not a fortress and not without serious drawbacks when it comes to security while entering and leaving. I work in the yard with my constant companion on my hip; my kids ride their bikes in the street. We go about our lives around the house.

 

[Armored farmer]

Speaking of signs.....
we have a sign supporting local high school football, and a son who plays on the team. That pretty much says, "these folks aren't home when there is a home game in town".

The sign stays.

 

[Kleanbore]

Excellent points, all.

 

[Dirty Bob]

All good points.

When working in the yard, I do two things:
I open it only partially. Yes, I have to duck to go in/out, but you can see a lot less from the outside that way.

I also turn off the light instead of letting it go off on its own, at least when it makes a difference, such as early or late in the day.

Anyone looking into the dark garage while I'm in the yard sees a lot less, this way.

When going away for any length of time, lock the door going into the house. Ours is solid, with a deadbolt. It's also a good idea to lock the doors inside with padlocks. BGs may break in through a back window, but they want to take the stuff out some other way. The garage door is generally easy to open once you're in a house, and it's a great way for BGs to load your stuff into their vehicle. Make this harder for them with a padlock.

Regards,
Dirty Bob

 

[beeenbag]

One has to get to and from a house, and to and from a vehicle. In between, one is more vulnerable.

Well im screwed. Im not in my house OR my car about 80% of my waking hours. I am always outside fiddle farting with something or the other.

 

[Manco]

What about when I'm mowing the yard? Can I come out of the house and garage?

It's certainly worth considering the value and liability of a garage when entering and leaving a vehicle. However, I only consider a garage a secure storage area for a car. It's not a fortress and not without serious drawbacks when it comes to security while entering and leaving. I work in the yard with my constant companion on my hip; my kids ride their bikes in the street. We go about our lives around the house.

I don't think that anybody is suggesting that you never leave the house except when already inside a vehicle. It's really a matter of situational awareness. When you're already outside, you should be aware of your surroundings and any potential threats. If a threat emerges, then get back inside and lock the doors if possible, or else deal with it in any manner you have to as long as you're not surprised and unprepared. Sure, leaving the house initially has some risk, but it's random (unlikely to be dangerous) and all you need to do is keep alert and plan how to react ahead of time. Answering your door, however, is more dangerous because somebody you may not know is already present, and there may be others you can't see who are waiting for you to open your door. Additional caution is needed in these situations, but even so it's just a matter of being alert and ready to react.

For some, such precautions are tantamount to living in fear, which they feel profoundly when they even think about the issue, but for others it's actually a comfort to know that they're prepared to defend themselves and their families in case somebody else is trying to do them harm. The same principle applies to carrying or even merely owning a gun for defensive purposes--it's just more broadly applied here.

 

[ms6852]

You must always be aware of your surroundings. By doing this you can eliminate potential threats. Nowadays with the technology available people have forgotten to talk and must constantly be texting. Everyone seems to be looking down at their phone and not their surroundings. My wife always is surprised when we walk into a restaurant and now has gotten into the habit of testing me. She will ask how many people are inside and I reply with the correct number.

 

[22-rimfire]

I can attest to the fact that one needs to pay attention when it comes to your garage. It is often the gateway into an unlocked house. I had a set of car keys taken (I believe) from my garage and eventually these people entered my house one night. I thought I lost the keys, but it was clear, they had a key to get into the house.

 

[leadcounsel]

Ah, but there is a real concern with garages. I've often thought of how easy it would be to 'case' someone for a few days and watch their schedule. Early to work, out through the garage, etc. Sitting ducks in their car when the garage advertises they are coming or going for that matter... and most folks have some sort of dark alley on the side of their house with the garage. An armed person would have no trouble coming up on the blind side of the car with a shotty or handgun and overtaking said homeowner....

Watch your six!

 

[lebowski]

Ah, but there is a real concern with garages. I've often thought of how easy it would be to 'case' someone for a few days and watch their schedule. Early to work, out through the garage, etc. Sitting ducks in their car when the garage advertises they are coming or going for that matter... and most folks have some sort of dark alley on the side of their house with the garage. An armed person would have no trouble coming up on the blind side of the car with a shotty or handgun and overtaking said homeowner....

Watch your six!

I don't see how any of this would change without a garage.

The car pulling in or out of the driveway "advertises" your comings and goings just as much as the garage does.

 

[omegaflame]

When I am not home there's a security system and all the guns stay in the safe.

 

[Averageman]

Go to Goodwill and buy some old white flat sheets.
If you have any goodies, roll away tool boxes, motorcycles etc. cover them with the sheets. They will fade in to the white dry wall at a quick rolling glance from a moving car at street distances.
Just a thought.
But do keep the door closed. They take inventory on the weekends and hit your house on a work day while you are gone.

 

[rhubarb]

I responded that way because Steve threw a lot of stuff out there and his point kind of seemed like "Your garage is a castle." From reading his posts he seems like the kind of guy to enjoy life despite its risks, so I really take from the original post that we should mitigate dangers.

I said that enclosed garages have both value and liability. I can see the value of a garage door being like a drawbridge over a moat that keeps the angry hordes at bay. However, I can also see a scenario where someone ducks behind your car and stays hidden below the bumper until the door closes. Now you're hidden from the world in your locked garage with a bad guy. If it's me, he's gonna be sorry, but my wife is unarmed.

Bottom line, there are bad guys out there. Think smart like Steve about everything around you and what could happen. Then go on with your life and don't stay hidden in a bunker.

 

[Rexster]

Like so many things, a garage is a mixed blessing.

Unless one has access to a sci-fi-ish force field, that closes immediately after one passes the plane of the doorway, a garage acts as a potential fatal funnel, for a brief moment in time, as one enters and leaves. Shrubs and other concealing obstructions complicate the equation. I have taken enough reports of follow-home and wait-outside-the-home robberies, and spoken with colleagues about it, to know about this; I wear a badge. Of course, bad things can happen when one arrives at home, and has no garage. Be aware, regardless.

One thing that seems logical, and seems to have been a factor in burglaries, is that an empty garage is an indication of an unoccupied house, so keep any garage windows covered from prying eyes.

To be clear, I think garages are a good idea. I wish our current house had a garage, and when we move up to something better, I want to have a garage. Preferably, this will be a detached garage, with no nearby shrubbery or other visual obstructions. I like the idea of an remote-controlled gate, that can close behind me, before I open the garage. If we live on several acres in the future, with puppybeasts, as I want, this will be feasible. (We already have the puppybeasts.)

 

[kgpcr]

My neighbors all know i have guns. They know i am a Marine. I have helped many of them out of a snowbank in teh winter and plowed them out. They know I am not a soft target. Whats wrong with people knowing you have guns. Any one with a brain would not want to try and break into a place where they are armed? Anyway you are a million times more likely to get hurt in your garage tripping over crap that being shot. I just dont worry about it at all. If something comes up i will deal with it but i dont worry or plan for it.

 

[Manco]

My neighbors all know i have guns. They know i am a Marine. I have helped many of them out of a snowbank in teh winter and plowed them out. They know I am not a soft target.

That's fine as long as your neighbors aren't the kind who would burglarize your home. But don't most burglars come from elsewhere? I know that my neighborhood has been "cased" many times by people who obviously aren't from my neighborhood. They couldn't be more obvious in how they go about it, too, but most of my neighbors are completely oblivious to it nonetheless.

Whats wrong with people knowing you have guns. Any one with a brain would not want to try and break into a place where they are armed?

There is nothing wrong as long as you're always home to use them, which most people aren't. When you're not home, then burglars will break in and your guns will be their guns. If you have a near-impenetrable safe to protect your guns and other valuables, that's great, but you still lured criminals into your home with one of the best lures around.

Anyway you are a million times more likely to get hurt in your garage tripping over crap that being shot. I just dont worry about it at all. If something comes up i will deal with it but i dont worry or plan for it.

We all have to make choices over which compromises to make in how we live our lives, so that's fine. However, even if you're good at improvising right in the moment, if something comes up and you're taken by surprise, then you might not be able to deal with it without a plan, that's all.

 

[Fred Fuller]

But don't most burglars come from elsewhere?

Stories get around, even among criminals. And sometimes, all the details don't get transmitted correctly. Anyone here who hasn't read In Cold Blood (or at least a synopsis) still has some homework to do...

lpl

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Cold_Blood

 

[Rail Driver]

They're not always there to steal from you either (though that *is* usually the reason, and was the original reason in this case.)

There were no signs of a struggle, and nothing had been stolen. The telephone lines had been cut.

 

[heeler]

Actually I have read in the Houston Chronicle numerous times of people being robbed after they pull into their garage or after they are pulling out of it.
Generally in the cases where people were robbed pulling into their garages they were followed at random by the creeps and when they turned into their subdivision it would be just a matter of minutes at best before they pulled into their driveways.
The thugs would drive a house or so down and run right up to the person who was slowly pulling in to the garage.
Maybe it was the vehicle they were driving or the price of the house they were living in or perhaps at a traffic light the elderly lady was wearing valuable jewelery or maybe,just maybe it was just their turn in the daily lottery of "Your the chosen victim".
Since I have a single car garage and it houses my motorcycle the work car and truck sit out under the carport.
And yes I watch everytime I approach the vehicles from the house.

 

[My(2)Cents]

I agree with most of what is being said however I have a couple of thoughts to throw in there.

1 Most people do not have the money needed to make a secure home (I know I don't). I would love to have a nice alarm system and fenced in property, and dogs, and maybe a .50 cal on top of the house p) maybe not the last one!

2 Also a gun safe is not really that safe! unless I have a place where you can permanently bolt and cement it in the ground they will just take it with them. (again with the money thing how much is it to own a home and a "safe" gun safe?)

3 No matter your security; home, state, or government, if a human made it a human can figure out a way to defeat it.

As a person who had his car stolen only min's after leaving the house I have adopted the following: I will do everything in my power to make sure things are out of sight, locked, and I keep my 12 Ga and .45 safe but handy... BUT all I can really do is have a plan but it's up to the Man upstairs to keep me and my family safe.