House clearing

[The Unknown User]

Hi all,

I will probably get a lot of flak for saying this, but I think I ultimately have a good point to talk about. I bought the September 2006 issue of Guns & Ammo (you can start throwing rocks now) where the cover story was on home defense shotguns.

The article starts on page 43, and continues on for a few pages, pointing out things I already knew about shotguns without ever having really read much on them. It's just the typical "00 buckshot in a 12 gauge has incredible stopping power" stuff.

But, the author, Dave Spaulding, makes a good point that if you hear something in the middle of the night, and think you have an intruder, you need to clear your house room by room to be sure you're safe.

But how do you do that? I'm not a SWAT officer. I know very little about that tactic.

I'm assuming that the length of your weapon (in this case, a shotgun) comes into play as it will turn a corner before you do, but other than that, I wouldn't know how to approach my own home from a tactical standpoint.

Of course, I know the sightlines and where you can be completely hidden from what area of the house, but that doesn't mean I could clear my home effectively.

Any tips? Does anyone know what I mean? Has anyone read the article I'm referencing?

 

[telomerase]

if you hear something in the middle of the night, and think you have an intruder, you need to clear your house room by room to be sure you're safe.

No, you need to activate your camera-and-OC equipped Roomba. Or your dogs.

Or practically anything besides stumbling around half asleep letting someone(s) ambush you. IMHO.

 

[The Unknown User]

I guess that's a good point. I think that cutting off a central point and calling the police is your best bet.

 

[BADUNAME13]

Look up 'Cutting the pie' as relating to room clearing.

That is a good place to start.

I know you can find good articles on the net about it.
If you can't... ask me...

THE other important tip: Weapon's mounted light.

Edited to add: Sometimes you just hear something... you can't call the cops at every 'bump in the night'

 

[thexrayboy]

While it is possible to clear a house at night by yourself it is not exactly easy.
You will have the advantage of knowing the territory. That helps. You will not know for sure how many people you are actually looking for. This complicates things enormously. If you are alone it simplifies the task. If not you have to account for the friendlies inside, no body wants to pop their Uncle Bob who was visiting and just having trouble finding the head.

Anyone who flatly states you should never consider it, stay put and call 911 is to be ignored. Anyone who states you should clear your house at night alone no matter what should be ignored. The truth is you will have to make the decision based upon your own circumstances at the time of the event.
Planning ahead makes it easier to decide what to do. Practice never hurt anyone either.

 

[hso]

Knowing how to do a thing and knowing whether it is smart to do it or not are two entirely different things.

Even well informed and well trained folks do not try to clear their house in the middle of the night. They secure a position protecting the only thing of real value in the house, their families, and wait. They wait to determine if they were correct or not or for the BG to come to their prepared position or wait for the LE to come to the house and check things out.

Try clearing the house with airsoft and find out for yourself how many times you get "killed" trying to fumble around half asleep in the dark.

 

[Edmond]

I thought it was "slicing the pie?"

House clearings are some of the most nerve wrecking things that I have ever done. The most nerve wrecking was clearing a 11 story, 20 units on each floor, hotel building that had been abandoned for 8 years on the west side of Chicago

That said, perfect practice makes perfect.

 

[ezypikns]

Neither am I.

I'm not a SWAT officer.

The first thing I'm going to do (after I grab my shotgun) is to call or have my wife call 911. Then we're sitting tight. And covering the bedroom door.

 

[BADUNAME13]

I thought it was "slicing the pie?"

Heard it called both!
Look up both of them.

 

[The Unknown User]

I'm really glad I made this thread. I can definitely see why gun magazines are often attacked.

The author made it sound like clearing your house in the middle of the night was actually really important, although I can see how that's not safe at all.

And yes, I can differentiate between a bump in the night, and an unusual sound I've never heard before.

I actually want to share a personal story. You're all going to laugh, but frankly for me it was a good learning experience.

About a week ago I was in my downstairs bathroom doing my stuff, when I heard this horrible sound that I perceived to be coming from my deck. There's a sliding glass door leading to the deck, which is about 15 ft. across my kitchen to the hallway where the bathroom is. So basically if someone was coming through there, I'm completely screwed. When I leave the bathroom I can turn right and go 5ft. to the base of my stairs (which requires a full left turn to go up), or I can go 5 ft. into my kitchen, which is another 15ft. to the deck/sliding glass door.

My mom and brother are upstairs, and had their TV's on, so I doubt they hear it. I figured if I came out of the bathroom and started yelling, the intruder(s) would either charge me, or book it out of there. I decided that risk wasn't worth it.

So anyways, I hear this noise, and my heart starts pounding. Then I thought to myself, "panicking won't do any good if I can't think logically if I have to confront an intruder," and somehow I calmed myself down with a few good deep breaths. I realized I would need a good sized, but dense object to strike with, as I'm not physically-fit for any boxing or wrestling in my kitchen (I'm 5'9", 240 lbs, you do the math).

All I had a shaving cream can, which obviously isn't big enough or dense enough to gain enough momentum to really do any damage. I realized if I couldn't go with a blunt object, I'd need something to puncture with. I have a small pair of scissors in the medicine cabinet which I took out, and then I found the best grip to use with it to avoid breaking a finger or something if I had to stab someone. I then turned off the light as best as I could, as I needed my eyes to adjust to the lack of light, and then I pressed the doorknob up (puts all the loose stuff together to minimize noise), and then I slowly opened it, looking for any odd shapes I wasn't expecting.

Then I rushed my kitchen. I learned one thing about visual perception: when you enter a dark room, stare straight ahead. If anyone moves, your peripheral vision will see it quicker, as your peripheral vision is actually better than what you're focusing on. So, as I came out of the bathroom I stared straight ahead in an effort to check both my left and right sides, and when I saw my right was clear I went straight into the kitchen, immediately looking for broken glass or movement.

Nobody. It turns out that sound was my mom closing an upstairs window.

Even though nobody was there, I'm glad. The last thing I need is a bleeding person in my kitchen who doesn't belong there. I'm just glad I was logical enough to think of all the little things I've picked up over the course of time and combine them. I knew I didn't know how to clear a room so I figured running straight into it with a pair of scissors would do the trick, especially since I was so quiet he/she/they probably wouldn't be expecting it.

That was the other motivation for making this thread. After the adrenaline was gone (man oh man did that stuff start pumping once I opened the door) I realized knowing how to clear a room might be important for me in the future.

 

[1911 guy]

The only reason I'd clear my house is...

To get to my wife and/or son. If someone is inside my house, my default position is at the top of the stairs and behind the wall. This puts me between a threat and my family. The only reason to clear a house is if you are seperated from your family and have to gain ground to protect them.

Structure search and clearing is stressful even in training and things can go horribly wrong if you are not pretty competent in a practical and effective technique. Doing it solo is even harder if there are multiple entry points or ways (hallways and stairwells) for someone to double around behind you.

 

[IlikeSA]

Like the others said...sit tight and wait. It is extremely stressful, whether in training or real life (I've done both). You have the advantages if you sit tight, not them. If you go out there, you are on an even playing field.

 

[johndoe1027]

I have thought about this as well. My house DOES NOT lend itself to clearing. My mom's old house could be cleared in about 15 steps because of the floor plan. Apparently old farm houses are layed out much differently. There is a hall in my house (downstairs and upstairs) but all of the rooms have doors to all of the other rooms too (not sure if this makes sense without a drawing). I can get from my front door to the back door 3 different ways. The living room has 4 doorways, the bed room 3, the kitchen 2, etc. I can't even find my g/f walking around yelling for each other sometimes. This made me decide that when I hear "something" (which happens all the time in a 96 year old house) the lady and I stay put in the bedroom with the 12 ga for a second to listen.
I told her a few times that if she feels me jump up and grab the shotty, just to lay down in "her spot" on the bed with plugged ears. She said, screw my ears, you want me to flash them? This got me thinking (about the intruder scenario BTW ) that might just work (especially with her) but I told her to stick with plan A. That brings in too many variables just having her standing in the same room. It did catch me off guard when she asked that though. Even that she had been thinking about it. She's not "that type of girl".

I would say that clearing the house is good in some situations and not in others (I'm a relative noob). If you really really think (read know) there is someone in the house, not a good idea. Stay put with the family and the 12 ga (or whatever you have, even if it's a pair of trimming scissors).
If you just can't get back to sleep after you thought there was an intruder (and there wasn't), good idea to ease your mind. I say don't go looking for the bad guy. You have a better chance if he's looking for you (and doesn't know you are awake and armed). It depends on the home too. I'd clear a small apartment (studio) every time I thought it was needed but my house has about 14 rooms and 20 doorways (quick count). It would take me 10 minutes and a BG could easily circle around behind me. I'll stay with the lady of the house instead.

My version of clearing the house is getting close to the bedroom/hallway door and chambering a round into the pump shotgun quite forcefully (luckily I haven't even had to do that yet). Like I said, the house is old and echoes very well. I figure if anyone's in the house I'll at least hear a wet fart sound, then I'll know what needs to happen next (911).

Good question and replies.

 

[Colt]

I'm in the wait-at-the-top-of-the-stairs camp.

That said, 3 rooms are on the MB side of the stairs, and the 4th bedroom is on the far side of the stairs.

Is it adviseable to arm myself before retrieving the child in the 4th room, or is it better to wait until after all the kids are in the MB with my wife?

My concern is that if an armed intruder sees me crossing the top of the stairs with my daughter, gun in hand, he might shoot first. Whereas if I retrieve her unarmed, he may not shoot right off, since I would not be an immediate, armed threat to him.

I don't want to draw fire with a kid in tow.

 

[obxned]

Dogs!!!!!!!

 

[shooter1]

Colt,
By all means arm yourself at first alarm. If an inturder is going to shoot, he'll care less about your child.
As for the thread:
Having done a LOT of house clearing, I can tell you it's impossible to do by yourself. A minimum of three is required to clear an average residence with relative safety. A good alarm with a battery backup that covers all points of entry is a good start. These have few to no false alarms, unless you forget they are armed and set them off yourself. If it goes off, quickly execute your praticed plan to gather your family together in your designated safe room, where your wepon, light, and cell phone are located. Stay put and let the police do their job while you stay in contact with the cell phone. From there you just have to play it by ear. Just identify yourself to the officers, and follow any instructions quickly and to the letter. Best outcomes to all.
str1

 

[1911 guy]

Definately arm up.

If you think there may be a threat to your family, definately get something other than a nasty scowl to use on the potential BG.

If your home lends itself to the sit-and-wait plan, I'd let that become your default mode. If, however, the layout of your home demands that you move toward your children in the event of a possible intruder, I suggest that you seek out high quality training and do it often, as it is a perishable skill.

 

[security6]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned cameras. You can get wireless cameras that will hook right into your wireless network (example). Just keep your computer/laptop in your bedroom, and when you hear a bump in the night you can use the camera to see if anyone is out there. As long as you have a nightlight in each room, there will be enough light to see if someone is moving around. If you do see someone, you can hunker down, call the police, and let the police know exactly where person is.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

i vote

200 plus pounds of dogs clear a place well assuming you can get in yard by them. although my mutts are different at nite more protective

 

[LanEvo`]

I know house-clearing is generally a very, very bad idea. But I can envision a situation in which you might need some of those skills. If you and your s.o. are in bed, it's fine to hole up and call the police. But what if you have kids, an elderly parent, or another dependent in another part of the house? I can see a limited role for room clearing skills in case you need to round everyone up and escort them into the safe room.

Thoughts?

 

[Aaryq]

I've been trained by the USMC to clear houses. Granted we only spent a few days covering it, but I don't feel safe doing it now and when I finished my final practical exam in training. That said, I would not even clear my own house. If you can clear enough to ensure your family is safe, find an ECP (entry control point), and defend that while talking to the 911 operator, you're golden, cheif.

 

[littledoc]

It's my house, I'll probably clear it after an initial assesment. If it were to pass, I would be willing to bet that its one or two thugs lightly armed, not a SEAL boat crew.

 

[thexrayboy]

Yea, clearing a house is a dangerous and difficult task. Not to be undertake lightly. However under some circumstances one simply cannot wait for LEO etc. I live far enough out in the country that I have no cell service at my house. If I believe that threat is in the immediate vicinity I can dial 911. The proviso is the BG can cut the lines. It's not rocket science. Also I have two daughters who sleep on the opposite side of the house, a 3000 odd sq ft house. I am not going to hole up in the master bedroom and leave them for whatever may happen. Is it a risk for me to check my house and property for a BG at night? of course it is. Its also a risk to sit tight and pray for the sheriff. The last time we had to call because a drunk adam henry was trying to hook up our travel trailer to his truck and drive away it took them over 20 minutes to get their. If they are busy, say like two nights ago when there was a shooting at 2 AM it can easily take much longer.

 

[Evil Monkey]

Uhh...Those network cameras can be hacked by google searches.

There's videos out there to show you how to use google to hack into network cameras and play around with them. I don't think I should post them though.

An intelligent thief can use google on there own laptop and shut down your cameras and break into your house.

 

[The Canuck]

I have cleared houses.

I was trained to do so in the Army.

If I have no other choice, I will clear my house.

Otherwise I will stay put in the bedroom with guns trained on the door and wait for the cops to do it for me.

A solo house clearing is dangerous at best.