Home Defense (Living Alone)

[tpaw]

If I didn't know where the intruder was, I would stay put. If I did, and could gain a tactical advantage by moving, I would attack. I know the layout of the house better than he does.

My suggestion would be to stay put, have your weapon at the ready, and call 911 with your cell phone or land line.
Everyone makes the assumption that only one person broke into your home. Today's break-ins are being done by more than one person, sometimes as many as 3 or 4.
Have a plan, especially if you have children. Stay as far back from your bedroom door as possible, and if time permits, pull your mattress off the bed and use it for cover. It won't stop a bullet, but it's better than nothing. If the intruder enters your room, exercise your right to do whatever is necessary to stay alive. A gun in your hand is better than a cop on the phone. It is also better to be tried by 12 then carried by 6.
JMO

 

[mortablunt]

Take up a defensive position, call the police, and sit tight. Nuff' said.

 

[Twiki357]

Fortunately (?) I'm alone so I don't have worry about other family. But, my house layout is such that there is no escape route other than breaking out a window and landing in rose bushes (Not a pleasant thought.) As far as an intruder is concerned, I have a lamp in the living room on a remote control from my bedroom. Any intruder will be in a well lit area or be a perfect silhouette.

As for "ANY" dog, I have to disagree. Unless an intruder smells like steak or pizza, my Rottie will just ignore them.

 

[PBR Streetgang]

I live in a average rancher in a wooded area, have two decent sized dogs that are protective of approaching strangers. I also have an alarm system. In a intruder situation,I would most likely confront the intruder/ intruders ,take control of the situation and then call 911.
I was lucky enough to be "educated " by Uncle Sam and my employer, and did jobs like this on a regular basis. I'm no macho guy but my training still kicks in when needed. I also taught tactics for my employer later in my career. Interior/exterior IR lighting and quality night vision gear give me a bit of a night advantage also.

The police response in my area is lacking (putting it mildly) and they are a bit trigger happy. In my opinion I fear a late police response and being mistakenly shot by the responding officers more than being injured by any intruders.
I'll offer my opinion to others, IF you don't have the training confine yourself to a defendable area, arm yourself and call 911

 

[DagoRed]

Everything you say on an internet board can and will be used against you in a court of law.

 

[GBExpat]

If your single, living alone or married with no children and an intruder breaks into your home would you arm yourself and search your house for the intruder or arm yourself, take up a defensive position and let the intruder come to you?

In a (Sub)Urban Hypothetical where there are cops nearby: Ideally, arm myself, call the cops, wait.

In my actual world:

I live alone in a large, multi-story house on the west side of my ancestral farm with an intruder alarm that I initially installed ~15 years ago. An intruder will trigger Blinking Lights and Sirens both inside & out.

Once I arm myself with cell phone, flashlight and firearm I shut down the alarm from the bedroom, check the annunciator panel for the zone, listen & look.

Evidence of an actual intruder will result in my calling the cops and setting up defensively where I am until they arrive.

If there is no indication of someone in or around the house at that point, I silently check the building.

I have experienced 2 false activations with this alarm system, both in the wee hours of the morning. The first time provided me with the basis of all future responses ... I was not prepared that first time, but now I feel that I am.

 

[fase3]

Now alone since wife passed away and live on a working farm in a very rural area. Have the following - high dollar security system-2 large dogs that sleep in the bedroom-CETME 308-2 colt 45ACP-ruger 45LC-Ruger 44mag all of which are by my side with one under a pillow. Will stay in BR and wait for company. Come on in for a "Warm Welcome" Will worry about house damage later.

 

[Driftertank]

Some of you small-apartment guys should count yourselves lucky. My tiny apartment is a basement place. Only window i have is by the front door. Alternate escape isn't inconvenient, or even dangerous, it's non-existent. My ONLY way out would be through an intruder, like it or not. Too bad for them... lol

And dogs are good, but unless they've been specifically trained to attack an intruder, they should really be considered a passive defense, an early warning system and possibly deterrent. Kinda like an alarm. But an alarm that is therapeutic, follows you wherever you go, and will love you forever if you scratch behind it's ears...

Sigh. I miss my dog now...

 

[M2 Carbine]

If your single, living alone or married with no children and an intruder breaks into your home would you arm yourself and search your house for the intruder or arm yourself, take up a defensive position and let the intruder come to you?

Too many variables at my place, such as where I was at the time of the break in, to say I'd definately do this or that..

One thing I'd like to do is get out of the house, AR15 in hand. I'd a whole lot rather get in a gunfight outside than inside.
Then I'd just wait for them to come out so I can get clear shots at them.

Besides it would keep from having to clean up the mess in the house.

 

[Moose1995]

Call the police. Don't talk to them unless you know the bad guy can't hear you. Don't go looking for him. In my state, if you go looking for him, find him, and shoot him, even in self defense, you are going to get into trouble. Check the legalities in your state. Now if you weren't alone, you have the right to defend other people in your home, and go looking. But by yourself, the cops, lawyers, and judge are going to ask "why didn't you just stay put and wait for the cavalry? How do you know the bad guy wouldn't have left before finding you?" I read stories every day about people defending themselves and then getting in trouble for it. Just read the latest american rifleman, page 17 "castle doctrine" legislation. "protecting the right to protect yourself."

 

[GBExpat]

A somewhat humorous "break-in" experience of mine just came to mind ... always makes me smile.

The scene: 1 bedroom apartment in VA Beach in the latter half of the '70s.

I was working a graveyard shift and had warned the apartment complex management to NOT allow anyone to masterkey into my place during the day because that is when I am sleeping.

Apparently, their Telephone Guy didn't get the word ...

In those days I would put my old K98 BringBack, inverted, under the doorknob when I went to bed.

This fellow was persistent and must have pushed & pushed & pushed before that rifle slid sideways to the floor.

He was just stepping over it and looking up from it with a puzzled look on his face when he saw, down the short hallway, a naked man roll into sight with a Colt Combat Commander pointed at his face ...

... he dropped his tools/parts case and I think that he may have been down the stairs and into the parking lot before it hit the floor. Hahahahaha

I grabbed some clothes and ran after him. Got him settled down, explained the situation, apologized and he came back to add the power module to the phoneline.

The look on that poor guy's face ... priceless. I am pretty sure that the K98 hitting the floor popped me out of a deep sleep and I remember throwing off the cover with my left hand as I reached up with my right, retrieving the pistol on the headboard over my head and rolling to my right out of bed ... which left me positioned with doorframe coverage for me and a clear shot at the front door area.

My apologies to the OP for wandering a bit in sharing that.

 

[Redlg155]

Everything you say on an internet board can and will be used against you in a court of law.

Good. I will use a lawful amount of force required to stop the immediate action if you unlawfully enter my home or vehicle with the intent of harming members of my family, those under my protection or myself.

 

[3KillerBs]

IMO, a person should never get a dog just because he/she wants a security guard. A person should only get a dog because he/she likes dogs and wants to share his/her life with a dog.

Personally I detest dogs, but I still think they deserve better from their owners than to be intended as a tool rather than a companion.

 

[Whacked]

you must hate blind people with seeing eye dogs
or handicapped people with assistant dogs

those dogs are tools.
granted most become companions but first and foremost, they are tools.

 

[Deanimator]

My home is so small, any intruder's going to get to me practically by accident, and VERY quickly. Unless he just stands in the living room with his thumb up his butt, we're going to meet, and very soon.

The odds are that there won't even be time for a 911 call before I shoot him, and have no doubts, anybody forcibly entering my home is going to get shot.

 

[mdauben]

I'd fort up in a defensive position and wait for the cavalry (police) to arrive. If there are no other innocents who need to be protected (children, non-combatant adults) there is no reason to confront an intruder.

Given the hassle involved in defending even the most justified shooting, I would just as soon let them leave than win a free ride to in the back of a police car.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I'd lock myself in the bedroom, have my pistol at the ready and call 911. If he breaks through the door, then its going to be a magazine dump, lol. If all he wants is some of my stuff, well that's what insurance is for. I certainly would not go looking for him, besides, a bed is pretty good cover.

 

[oldbear]

Have a plan in place, let the bad guy's come most of the way to you. Then do whatever is necessary to protect yourself and your family.

 

[jeepnik]

I'd lock myself in the bedroom, have my pistol at the ready and call 911. If he breaks through the door, then its going to be a magazine dump, lol. If all he wants is some of my stuff, well that's what insurance is for. I certainly would not go looking for him, besides, a bed is pretty good cover.

Slight adjustment. A bed is good "concealment" but lousy "cover". In fact, there are realively few things in most homes that are good cover, but anything they can't see thru is good concealment.

Oh, and when thinking of concealment, watch those mirrors. Especially ceiling mounted ones in the bedroom.

 

[mnrivrat]

After a journey of a thousand miles you face your enemy. What is the first thing you make sure of ?

The journey was his .

 

[CZguy]

Originally posted by jeepnic,

Oh, and when thinking of concealment, watch those mirrors. Especially ceiling mounted ones in the bedroom.

What.............then I read your location.

 

[JTHunter]

Master bedroom door is in a metal frame and deadgolt isn't feasible. It is also at the end of the hallway and opens in such a way as to expose themselves to the full effect of a double-barrelled 12 ga. SxS (double trigger). This would be from the opposite corner of the room, behind the bed with an AK to back-up the shotty. Also a hard-wired phone instead of an electrically-dependent cordless, unless they cut the wires.

 

[maskedman504]

My first repoinse was going to be "get a big dog"; you still have to do your part though...I mean teach the dog...

I have a Boxer that will not bite anyone; get on the driveway or head up the front step, and she goes bezerk barking- but she won't bite. Lower liability that way- kinda of like a mobile fire alarm..

May not be the biggest dog, but 60 lbs of bark makes most people think twice...

 

[Skribs]

I'm in almost the same situation as Joeq. 3rd floor condo, and only one exit - out the front door. I have guns stashed in both directions away from the door, so I'm ready if someone comes in. On one side I have a pretty nice computer desk that can offer some protection; on the other I have my mattress.

 

[allaroundhunter]

If alone, bed down and set up an advantageous position. Call 911. <- In that order


Where I live, a high priority call like a home invasion will have a police response time of <5 minutes