Someone attempted to break into my house!

[MachIVshooter]

but as a deterrent to home invasion a gun is essentially useless. In fact, the more people who know you have a gun (or many guns) the more that particular layer is actually an attraction.

That depends. Where I live, a would-be criminal can bet on over 90% of homes being armed. And out here, kids learn to shoot young, so an 11 year old girl may well be just as lethal as her daddy. My buddy's daughter just turned 12, and her present was a S&W M&P 9mm (her request). Shes been shooting since age 3. My daughters are 18 months, so about halfway to their first range session.

There are also a lot of self-employed people, stay-at-home parents and home-schooled kids out this way, so unlike suburbia, you can't bet on a home being unoccupied in the middle of the day in the middle of the week. There are also a great many homes out here with 3 and even 4 generations inhabiting. I actually expect someone to be home in virtually any residence around here at any given moment. Additionally, it's pretty normal for each property to have at least 4 or 5 vehicles on it, so you really can't go off the presence or absence of cars in the driveway.

Case in point, if someone were to bust through my window right now, guess where I am? I run my business on the property. Someone could watch for me to leave, but that's no guarantee that my wife did. There's also no way for them to know if I'll be gone 5 minutes or half the day. And unfamiliar vehicles exhibiting suspicious behavior do not go unnoticed; On more than one occasion, I've left, noticed such a vehicle, and circled around to come back a few minutes later. Other times, I wasn't going anywhere, but noticed an unfamiliar car parked down the street, so grabbed the spotting scope and got vehicle description and license plates, just in case.

So while the odds of finding a gun to steal in any given home are very high here, so are the odds of being shot by one of the occupants if you break in. The chances of being noticed while engaging in nefarious activity are also very high. That, IMO, does make the gun ownership rates and general demographic a serious deterrent.

 

[7thCavScout]

+1 for motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home.

 

[2WheelsGood]

That, IMO, does make the gun ownership rates and general demographic a serious deterrent.

Not knowing where you live, it's hard to combat your argument with facts. However, logic would dictate that in most parts of this country you do NOT want to advertise that you have guns in your house. I don't know where you're living where there are four or five cars in every driveway to confuse would-be thieves, but that's extremely rare in most places.

What I can tell you is that in my area, and statistically in most areas, is that thieves come out during the 9 to 5 hours when most people are at work. Or they come out when they know someone is out of town. Both times when they can be fairly sure they're not going to get shot. Also, I live in a fairly well off community, but I don't know one single person with four or five cars in the driveway.

I also know that one of the most commonly stolen items in home invasions is firearms. Again, I think it's simply logical that you'd want as few people as possible to know that you have any firearms in your home.

 

[pantannojack]

I got hit TWICE in SIX WEEKS few years ago. They took two Remington .22's even though I had the bolts removed and locked away. Burglary will never be stopped until we stop burglars. Justice refuses to.

 

[MuleRyder]

One of the things that always amazes me is the people that post on Facebook. They will tell everyone that they're leaving for a weeks vacation. Nothing like advertising an unoccupied home!

 

[Ignition Override]

If the same lights left on when you were gone (were they?) were the lights illuminated last night, then they probably assumed that you would be gone even longer.

There are devices which can alternate which lamps are on.
Notice how many houses are totally dark inside at 8:00 PM during winter holidays or regular weekends. It's obvious that they are out of town, or in town and save a few pennies while they are out shopping or at a party.

If any newspapers collected on a driveway or porch, that's a neon sign to criminals, and also proves that no neighbors or friends/relatives were helping to hide the newspapers or mail.

We were gone for One hour in December ('99) at the previous house, about 7:00 PM. When we returned, our house was the only house with no inside lights on (they had been on). Luckily the best video of my young son was in the safe deposit box...they steal camcorder bags with "film" in the pockets.
These "professional" burglars had yanked the main power cable (about 2" thick!) from the house.

Many cars were parked in front during a neighbor's party at night-don't assume that parked cars on the curb are a deterrent. Our home backed up to a dark area by a church soccer field, and that house had the easiest getaway through the old wooden gate in the patio wall.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Im still laughing at the "Dogs can be silenced". You haven't met my 2 "little friends". Rotties! I don't care if they have known you since they were pups, if I am not there, you don't belong in their house and will be escorted promptly to the floor. If I am there, they will roll and play and wrestle with you all day long. When I am NOT there, it's time for them to work and they take their jobs VERY seriously. 130 and 140 pounds of teeth, muscle, and fur are not looked upon pleasantly by would be intruders. Not to mention the loud mouthed beagle hounds out back that let out a bark if a fly farts in their general area.

 

[788Ham]

My wife and I live in a quiet neighborhood, families with small children, middle aged folks like ourselves, someone always on the streets, driving or walking. In the 17 years we've lived here, only 3 burglaries have happened, one, the garage door was left open, new BMW gone. The others were break/enter, not much missing. I'm retired, take care of things around the house while my wife works, but always have a revolver in a pancake holster on me, dwnstrs, in the garage, where ever. I don't live in fear, but I am aware of my surroundings, living room drapes open, I'm looking, upstairs on the computer, window sash open to the street. We don't have dairy products delivered, just mail and paper.

My point here is, the alarm system works, 2 dogs that bark at anything, nosy neighbors, plus my awareness, I can be caught off guard like anyone else, but you'd best ring the door bell instead of using a locked window.

 

[heeler]

Around here practically EVERYONE has steel burglar bars on the doors and all windows.
Works great but some area home owner associations wont allow you to use them but then again they are not the least bit concerned when your home gets ransacked as they only care about a certain "look" to the neighborhood.
The difference between being inside a home and outside is about a 1/16th of an inch glass pane.
Think about it.

 

[Spartan Gladiator]

Alarms can be bypassed, dogs can be silenced, so make sure you have multiple layers of defense in your home, with the last one being you hunkered down in a safe room with your HD weapon of choice aimed at the door and 911 on the phone.

I liked what you had to say but that last bit did make me chuckle (keeping 911 on your phone) by the time they answer I would be 6' under.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Around here practically EVERYONE has steel burglar bars on the doors and all windows.
Works great but some area home owner associations wont allow you to use them but then again they are not the least bit concerned when your home gets ransacked as they only care about a certain "look" to the neighborhood.
The difference between being inside a home and outside is about a 1/16th of an inch glass pane.
Think about it.

What could those associations do if you did put bars in the windows when they didn't want them?

 

[heeler]

Five,they would sue you and get a court order to have them removed.
You see Houston Texas has absolutely no zoning and as a result a fast food burger joint or strip center could be erected right next to your home or behind it depending on how your home you bought was positioned in the neighborhood,hence never ever buy a home in Houston on the perimeter of the neighborhood unless there is already an existing built home,school,park,etc.
So some neighborhoods have strict deed requirements that state you cant have burglar bars or you cant change your oil in your driveway and so forth.
My neighborhood is obviously not one of those.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

You have to sign an agreement to live there? That's just stupid.

 

[Spartan Gladiator]

Not to mention the loud mouthed beagle hounds out back that let out a bark if a fly farts in their general area.

Hey Freedom Fighter it sounds like the beagles are too sensitive, lmao. Your little pups sound like the way to go

 

[heeler]

Five,in deed restricted neighborhoods you are well aware before you purchase the home what the restriction are.
In fact I had a friend who foolishly married some horrid woman that insisted they move into this heavily deed restricted neighborhood and one of the deed restriction was no motorcycles.
Forget they are a street legal vehicle but it was simply a no go deal.
I never visited him as I am a life long motorcyclist and get this..He had to store his bike at his old room mates garage.
Screw that nonsense!!

 

[Zoogster]

What stopped them?

Did they even know you were home at the time, or learn that you were while trying to break in and left?

A decent percent of such burglaries can be by people you know, or friends/children of a friend.
The fact that they knew to target your home while you were away, and may have merely came too late after you had returned by accident lends some greater possibility to this.


So it may very well have been a neighbor or someone that knew about your trip.
If so they probably would not be back, knowing you are now at home, if that is what caused them to leave in the first place. Of course they could return the next time they think you are away.
Also be sure that it happened last night, not during your trip, seeing damaged screens the night prior looking out is a lot less likely than seeing damaged screens once the sun is up and there is light behind them illuminating or silhouetting them.




A lot of these responses seem a bit emotionally based.
You may want to consider your most likely threats in life before making a decision. People that put bars or impossible to damage screens on their windows may burn alive in a fire, to prevent entry by a criminal. Is such entry that could not otherwise likely be thwarted, or a fire that requires an exit besides your door more likely in your future? Bars with keyed locks and similar stuff may be easy to use normally, but try finding and using the key while your choking on smoke and trying to get out.
It is kinda like bullet resistant vehicle glass, it is great if you are going to be shot at, but if you are more likely to get in an accident or run off the road than be shot at then surrounding yourself with things as hard as bricks to smash into in an accident or be unable to break if you flip over in a ditch or some water may do more harm than good. Drowning in 2 feet of water because your doors won't open (they normally won't after a roll over or while in a ditch) and you cannot break windows you installed just in case you were shot at would make you feel really stupid, at least until you drowned.

Dogs can deter but they also require walks, attention, love and affection on a regular basis, or you end up with an animal with mental issues that can be more of a liability when it gets out and bites your neighbor and you are sued.
If you don't actually want them as a companion don't just get one for security.



Be prepared to defend yourself if necessary, but also keep in mind your stuff is so you can live a better quality of life, not be a paranoid person that lives a worse quality of life waiting for the moment to defend it. Balance.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Dogs can deter but they also require walks, attention, love and affection on a regular basis, or you end up with an animal with mental issues that can be more of a liability when it gets out and bites your neighbor and you are sued.
If you don't actually want them as a companion don't just get one for security.

Have to wholeheartedly 100% agree with that right there. My "boys" are kings of their castle and would lay down their lives for me in a flat second without a second thought. But that is because they were raised very lovingly and trained very well.

Hey Freedom Fighter it sounds like the beagles are too sensitive, lmao. Your little pups sound like the way to go

naaaa, they are just always ready to go huntin!

 

[JustinJ]

Quote:
Dogs can deter but they also require walks, attention, love and affection on a regular basis, or you end up with an animal with mental issues that can be more of a liability when it gets out and bites your neighbor and you are sued.
If you don't actually want them as a companion don't just get one for security.

Great point. I love dogs and don't see why others wouldn't some don't.

I would say that one does not need a giant rot or pit for adequate home defense though. While there are certainly breeds not suited to the task most medium to large males, and many females, will know by instinct to defend their home and family.

I grew up with an Airedale terrier (90 lbs) that was a great home defender although they are not the tradditional guard dog. He was large for the breed and his level of alertness and suspision of strangers would go up when my father was away. I currently have a 65 lbs heeler built like a pit that is more than up to the task and also is more protective of the home when i'm away and just the gf is home. Both dogs were found as strays.

Be prepared to defend yourself if necessary, but also keep in mind your stuff is so you can live a better quality of life, not be a paranoid person that lives a worse quality of life waiting for the moment to defend it. Balance.

Right on and excellent points. Its kind of silly to prepare for ninja assasins and then smoke a pack a day. Heart disease and cancer are significantly higher threats than home invasion but many prepare only for the latter.

I would also encourage each to look up the crime statistics for his or area and divide the occurence of each type (murder, robbery, rape, aggravated assault) by the total population of that area. Then consider that many, probably most, violent crimes are against people who took some action to increase the likelihood of being the victim such as gang or other criminal activity, bar fights, etc. Many assaults are also the result of domestic violence. The point being the threat of being the victim of a random crime is actually lower than even the statsitics say.

 

[heeler]

And I agree with Justin that a lot of medium sized dogs are a really good burglar deterent.
I currently own a 53 pound female Blue Heeler that stays every single day inside my home and is a highly protective and very alert home guardian.
Their very nature is independent,suspicious of strangers,and they are bred to bite.
I bought her at eight weeks of age right off a working cattle ranch that raised Heelers for ranch work.
Great dogs that I call a close equivalent to a pocket German Sheperd in size and performance.

 

[Skribs]

Eh, my parents have a big-ish dog (90 lb., and not a fat 90 lb. but a normal-looking dog) that was absolutely no deterrent when our home was broken into a few years back. They just pepper sprayed her and locked her in another room. This was during working hours, though. At night it would have been a different story. Of course, we didn't own guns then...

 

[2WheelsGood]

And I agree with Justin that a lot of medium sized dogs are a really good burglar deterent.

My 60 pound deterrent (one of two, actually). You'd have to be nuts to break into my house with them on the other side of the door. And most thieves aren't nuts. They're opportunists.

 

[Bovice]

Someone attempted to break into your home? Well I hope you attempted to shoot them!

 

[Viper]

Three somebodies attempted to break into my house Monday. A neighbor behind me saw them and called the President of the HOA, [not the police] who lives across the street. He called the police, grabbed his P220, went to the back of my house, and held all three at gunpoint until the police arrived. All they did was break a window, before they were stopped. He called me [I was at physical therapy for a torn rotator cuff], and by the time I got home it was all over and the police had everything under control.

If they had entered through the window a motion sensor would have picked them up and alerted the alarm company. All my guns and other valuables are in a 1000 pound gun safe, so about all they could have stolen are a couple of TV's and my desktop.

It sorta makes me glad that I helped my neighbor pick out the SIG last year when he came to me for advice on what gun to buy. Now all I have to do is replace a $600 window.

 

[ErikO]

In my neighborhood, you either have an alarm a dog or a gun. I'm fortunate to have a work-at-home wife who's a very, very good shot.

Her targets are like works of art, we hang them in the living room.

 

[Ignition Override]

Burglars always want the residents to be gone.

This is why a huge number of them take place after people go to work, school etc at about 10:00 AM.
In our old neighborhood, many old houses have no garage, and when all residents work at the same time, it's very obvious which houses are the best targets.

One young couple drove their truck down the driveway, but when a neighbor lady looked out with a puzzled expression on her face, they backed out.

Another guy (early 90's) in Collierville TN was standing in his front yard in the dark.
A truck with no lights pulled up and stopped. The driver then saw Jerry standing there. Jerry's car had been parked outside.
The truck drove about a hundred yards before switching the lights on, making it impossible to read the tag.