Protected by Smith & Wesson Decals

[Carl N. Brown]

A prosecutor would jump on that kind of stuff to sway a jury.

Not all DAs are out gunning for self-defenders (at least around here) nor do all DAs have the same "New York attitude" as the Law and Order TV franchise (on the L&O franchise anyone who is not a compliant victim is a vigilante enemy of "the people" (read "the state") of New York).
More correct:

A prosecutor could jump on that kind of stuff to sway a jury.

I would worry more about the plaintiff's attorney pulling that issue in a wrongful death or injury suit over a bad or mistaken self defense shooting.

On Topic: "Protected by Smith&Wesson" (or "Forget about dog--Beware of Owner" with a picture of a big revolver) does advertise "if the owner is away there is a gun inside". Would you put a decal on the window "owner has diamond jewelry and rare art" ? Guns are perhaps the most easily fenced of stolen goods nationwide.

 

[Probie9]

My insurance agent told us to take our Beware of Dog sign down. He said it "acknowledged our having a dog that bites." Do we live in a weird world or what?

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Oh. the dog does not have to be vicious to be a deterrent -- just LOUD and attracting attention.

I have been told that failure to put up a "beware of dog" sign has been used against dog owners in cases of dog bite. You can get mixed responses depending on who you talk to, where and when.

 

[bergmen]

One of these might be better:

Dan

 

[USAF_Vet]

That second sign should read:
Play it safe, case this house until we all leave, then come steal our guns."

 

[MtnCreek]

I see the ‘protected by S&W’ signs a lot on peoples trucks; I always thought that was just asking to get broken into.

I don’t know it for fact, but I’ve heard from some that should know that a plain (Brand here) security sign in the front yard helps deter home break-in’s. After some advice here, I’ve added a Beware of Dog sign and Guard Dog On Duty sign. Accompanied by this:

[/IMG]

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

"Break into my house when I'm home, you're dead, Break into my home when I'm not home, free guns!"

 

[ACP]

No, no, no decals. Ever.

 

[FLAvalanche]

A "Protected by Smith and Wesson" sticker is about as much advertisement for a vehicle full of guns as a "Baby on Board" sticker is for a car full or rapists...

 

[bikerdoc]

I dont have any.

Best one I have seen says,

Nothing in this house is worth dying over.

 

[JohnnyK]

I have the same sticker by both my front and back door that says "NOTHING INSIDE WORTH DYING FOR" with human silhouette target shot all about the head and chest... as well as beware of dog signs and an alarm sign... I think I'm all good...

 

[JohnnyK]

I delivered to a K-9 cop's house and he has a sign that says his dog can make it to the fence in less than 3 seconds... can you? pretty funny... I wouldn't want to see if the timing is wrong there...

 

[lemaymiami]

I love dogs (and have two labradors that think everyone they meet came to play with them...) but there are some things about having a dog for "protection" that you ought to bear in mind... At one time I was involved in things that required using SWAT to serve warrants, make arrests, mostly going after drug dealers or other guys that protected themselves with dogs of one kind or other. The dogs involved ranged from nuisances to serious threats. IN EVERY CASE we detailed a man to kill the dog(s) if needed and equipped him for that purpose (a very short 12ga popper for the entry man) a suppressed MP5 for anyone on the perimeter... I have to admit that we were certainly hard on dogs... but the alternative meant we'd be facing an alerted and armed individual so we did what was necessary. If the owner or someone present secured the dog it survived just fine - if they didn't we dealt with it on the spot.

The only reason I mention this is that's exactly what any pro (or would-be pro) is going to do to any dog if they're targetting you. You might be lucky and hear something from the dog before bad things happen. If the offender(s) have any skill you won't hear a thing. That's why you shouldn't rely on your dog more than just a bit... and hope you never are faced with the kind of folks who plan on killing your dog to start the party.

 

[MtnCreek]

Mr. Lemay,

You make a good point.

Fence + Gate + Signage + Big Trained Dog + Med Dog (my barker)
All the above could be defeated by a determined person. But each additional layer of deterrence makes me a less favorable target. IMO, placing signs that advertise ‘stuff’ would defeat my purpose. If you knew me, you’d know that I’m not important enough to entice professionals. Instead of a ‘nothing worth dying for’ sign, I would be a good candidate for a ‘nothing worth shooting my dogs for’ sign.

 

[lemaymiami]

Well said. and what I should have included in my post was that a dog inside, but still able to hear and smell what's going on outside.... is a great asset since the dog will give you very good warning. In that circumstance your dog(s) are able to give an alert but are not very accessible to someone with bad intentions. My labs actually alert inside the house (windows closed, A/C going - it's Florida...) when the wife is still a block away in her car. I've seen that first hand on many occasions. Learning to read your dog's responses is the hard part but it is do-able.

Apologies to all if I've managed to de-rail this thread...

 

[JustinJ]

Nope, Here's my sign, its 4X7 laminated, white letters on a red background:

Caution, Snakes kept at this location for venom extraction. Do not enter without puncture proof clothing DSN 5523-7418-1995, or greater. Reptiles kept at this location are handled in accordance with the Southern Conference of Animal Research and are not harmed in the extraction process.

Then I put a small clip board on the door knob with a hand written message that says, " Hon, be careful, I left one of the Mambas out."

That's hilarious. However, could such a sign be problematic if for example the fire deparment or EMS ever responded to an emergency at your home? Also, many municipalities forbid venomous reptiles within the city limits.

The only reason I mention this is that's exactly what any pro (or would-be pro) is going to do to any dog if they're targetting you. You might be lucky and hear something from the dog before bad things happen. If the offender(s) have any skill you won't hear a thing. That's why you shouldn't rely on your dog more than just a bit... and hope you never are faced with the kind of folks who plan on killing your dog to start the party.

I don't think many of us are in any real danger of hollywood assasins.

 

[GEM]

In Austin, cars with NRA stickers were targeted, esp. at locations where you couldn't take your gun in.

Also, crooks not being smart. At a state building were CHL instructors had to meet for something and weren't then allowed to take guns in - many cars were hit.

Another thing that happened in San Antonio, is that gun safe deliverys were followed up by burglaries of said house. Not everything was in the safe. Not all safes were locked. Some combinations were known, etc.

 

[SSN Vet]

to me it reads the same as

"valuable guns inside, should you be looking for something worthwhile to steal."

 

[conw]

That's why you shouldn't rely on your dog more than just a bit... and hope you never are faced with the kind of folks who plan on killing your dog to start the party.

This was a really great post. I for one think too many people buy a pet and expect it to do their job for them. That isn't to say that protection type dogs don't make sense, but one shouldn't become lazy or complacement just because you have a certain breed of dog...and you should also decide whether you're OK with the dog getting blown away trying to protect you, if there is another set-up that would be likely to avoid that eventuality.

JustinJ, it's an overstatement to say that "Hollywood assassins" would be the only types to do this sort of thing.

 

[mr.scott]

Sometimes I wonder why gun owners get a bad rap, then I'm reminded how paranoid and frightened most of them are and how they tend to be more ashamed of owning guns.
If you put a protected by sign in front of your house, a crook is going to see a security system shaped sign first and move on. He isn't going to google it and see if its legit.

 

[230RN]

No real signs, car or anywhere else.

But I do have a whimsical one posted in a remote corner of the house, just for grins:

These Premises
Protected By

Browning Security
Services

Est. 1911​

Terry, 230RN

 

[NWDave]

I've always toyed with idea of posting my man outline target that I shoot for SD training (about every other day) (actually getting pretty good at 25 yards with a 1911 45 ACP) which has some very interesting holes throughout the chest to bellybutton and the occasional lucky headshot on a piece of cardboard, and placing it in the front yard with a note saying: "I practice". Unfortunately, I have too many anti 2 neighbors who would feel out of sorts. Advertising such as is suggested with the OP's question, No, I wouldn't. We have too many flakes, druggies, wannabes and meth heads in our area. Heck, they steal copper from live transformers, a house breakin or a truck/car would be a piece of cake for them.

 

[fixrspazz]

No stickers or signs on the house, and I only have parking decals for the gym and the sportsman's club on the car bumper. I won't even put local sports team stickers on my car. People are just too weird these days...

 

[mljdeckard]

I use subtle ones that pretty much only other gun guys would get. Magpul logos, NRA stickers, Molon Labe, etc.

For hints around the house, clay birds stacked by the back door are usually a subtle signal.

 

[RhinoDefense]

I hope to find a report of those that display such decals and those that done with reference to burglaries committed. Might be interesting. I've sported an NRA sticker, "Criminals prefer unarmed victims" sticker, and "Nothing in this truck is worth your life" sticker on my truck. Haven't every had issues for several years.