Deanimator
Member
Add me to the CZ75 camp.
You're not worried about concealment, so the size is mostly immaterial.
You're not worried about concealment, so the size is mostly immaterial.
Time to upgrade my HD gun- epidemic of home invasions in neighborhood
- Thread starter chaim
- Start date
- Status
TomJ
Contributing Member
I'd rule out a revolver, as home invasions are generally done by multiple assailants. I wouldn't want to face 3, 4, 5 or more assailants with 5 or 6 rounds.
I live in the Chicago suburbs, and we've had break ins here recently. Whatever I'm carrying that day stays on until it's time for bed, at which time there's a gun next to me in a bedside holster. I have an alarm, a dog, outdoor lighting, etc. to help minimize the odds of us being targeted.
I'd look into a Simplisafe alarm. It's a wireless system that can easily be removed, so there's no damage to the unit. It has a panic button, which may deter the assailants when they hear the alarm go off.
I live in the Chicago suburbs, and we've had break ins here recently. Whatever I'm carrying that day stays on until it's time for bed, at which time there's a gun next to me in a bedside holster. I have an alarm, a dog, outdoor lighting, etc. to help minimize the odds of us being targeted.
I'd look into a Simplisafe alarm. It's a wireless system that can easily be removed, so there's no damage to the unit. It has a panic button, which may deter the assailants when they hear the alarm go off.
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chaim
Member
Orthodox Jews are far from liberal, but true, most Jews are and those targeting the neighborhood may think they are here. More likely it is opportunity. The neighborhood straddles the city/county line. While people here aren't rich, it is a middle class semi-urban/suburban type neighborhood (some mid-rises, garden apartments, townhomes and duplexes, but mostly single family homes). "The hood" starts about a mile to the east, and, while the hood is an easy walking distance, there are several bus lines to bring the more lazy criminals here as well.
I am a religious (Orthodox) Jew so driving to synagogue is not an option. I have to be walking distance. We don't drive (or switch on or off electrical devices, handle money, write, and do many other weekday activities) on shabbos (the Sabbath) or other holidays. Even if we could drive on shabbos and holidays, since we pray three times a day, everyday, (preferably at synagogue for each and not alone), you don't want to have to travel very far to get to synagogue.
The other places in MD with a full community (all in Montgomery County in the DC suburbs) are way too expensive for me to consider as a single person on a teacher's salary. The DC area is now the most expensive in the country. There are a couple places with one single Orthodox synagogue, but none that really work for me. I will be trying to get a teaching job in a nearby community (maybe Philly), but keep in mind, most Orthodox Jews are in urban areas so I may not see an improvement (and the current crime wave is new here, though being urban there has always been a low level of problems with intermittent larger problems cropping up from time to time), unless I go to NY or NJ where there are many suburban communities (but the gun laws are as bad as here in NJ and worse in the boroughs of NYC). Other communities (Richmond VA) are too small (I am single and middle-aged and in some of the smaller communities you can count the number of single Orthodox women in my age group on one hand), or too far away (parents are getting old, dad's health is declining so I want to be a reasonable drive away).
Also, everyone keep in mind, I am not living in fear. I just am looking at the current situation and re-evaluating my threat assessment. Given the (at least perceived) increased likelihood that I may need my home defense weapon, I have decided that I need to use something more capable than what I have typically been using (I need to at minimum carry at home what I carry when in a carry state). I have always preferred carrying around my home, and when in a state where I can carry on my UT non-resident permit I carry (and wish MD would have shall-issue so I can carry here), but lately I had been getting lax at home and only occasionally holstered up (now, I'm being more careful about it). I have always tried to maintain "condition yellow" and be alert to my surroundings, and I used to always carry a knife and pepper spray (I got out of the habit after working jobs where I can't have anything at work- I'm trying to be more diligent about carrying what I can again when not at work). So, I'm not in fear, just trying to be as prepared as possible.
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chaim
Member
OK, there have been a lot of these suggestions, I've addressed them several times within other posts...I'm not just being stubborn, there are real reasons I can't move right now, and even when I can, my options are very limited. Please stop suggesting I move.
Right now I can't anyway. I am tied into a lease, breaking it would be more money than I can afford (I'm trying to pay off debts and save for a down payment on a house). The second factor keeping any move out of the question for now is I'm a teacher. I'm on a contract for the rest of this school year. I can't move far enough away that I need a new job because, unless my current employer gives me permission to leave mid-contract, the State of Maryland can (and probably will) yank my teaching license for breaking said contract.
I can't move within the state (even without the lease issue). I am an Orthodox Jew. I must be within walking distance to synagogue. We don't drive on shabbos (the Sabbath) and holidays. Even if we did, we pray 3 times a day (everyday) and preferably all 3 will be at synagogue so you don't want to have a long drive to synagogue (though due to practicalities due to when I have to be at work and the times of day for prayer, I only pray in synagogue once a day and alone the other two). The other communities in MD are in the DC suburbs which is well over my budget. The handful of places where there are just one synagogue are not locations that will work for me (too far from work, too expensive an area, or they are dying synagogues as people are abandoning those neighborhoods).
Next school year I will apply for jobs in some nearby communities, but my options are somewhat limited. Most Orthodox communities are centered around specific metropolitan areas (the largest being the NYC area, other large communities being Baltimore, Miami, Chicago, and LA, and midsized communities in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and several other cities, and there are quite a few cities with only 1 or 2 Orthodox synagogues). However, my parents are getting old (my mom is only 3-5 years younger than the age her dad, older brothers, aunts and uncles lived to) and my dad's health is declining. So, I don't want to be far from them, which limits my options to those communities within a few hours of here. Being middle-aged and single I need to avoid the smaller communities (like Richmond VA) if I ever want to meet a single woman around my age. That means Philly (similar area as far as being an urban community with urban problems and suburban areas that are either too expensive for a single teacher or where the community is dying out), NYC (where gun ownership is nearly impossible), and NJ (with similar gun laws to here). I will apply for teaching jobs in the Philly area and throughout NJ for next school year, though for reasons other than the current crime wave.
Also, this is a new and (probably) temporary situation. The area straddles the city/county line, and is near some bad parts of the city. So, there have long been some constant but low level problems (mostly property crime and occasional nighttime muggings), with some intermittent and occasional larger problems cropping up. Right now is one of those larger issues, but it won't last for ever. It's funny, I avoided the other side of the community because it was where most of the crime was centered, while this side was more suburban and quiet with few problems (until now). Anyway, by the time I can consider moving (summer) the current problem will probably be over.
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adcoch1
Member
If you are worried about legality, get a can of bear spray or two and have them around the house. Back that up with a handgun on you at all times, but if a robber still keeps coming after bear spray no jury in the world would convict you for shooting him. I know there is the problem of over spray, closed environment, etc. But it would look better in court even if the stuff was just in the house... my .02
LeonCarr
Member
I understand and fully support you having to do what you have to do for your religious beliefs.
If you are going to stay where you are, harden your domicile as much as your lease permits and buy the Mossberg 590 you mentioned.
As soon as possible, get the heck outta there.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
If you are going to stay where you are, harden your domicile as much as your lease permits and buy the Mossberg 590 you mentioned.
As soon as possible, get the heck outta there.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
chaim
Member
Anyway, I think this thread may have run its course...
I have been given some good suggestions I hadn't thought of to improve the security of my apartment without breaking any rules...Security film on the windows and back door, a security bar to secure the front door from someone trying to kick it in.
(Not suggested much in the thread, but something I decided upon anyway) I haven't been to a training class in a while so I will take a class or two to improve my readiness.
I've made my decision about which gun(s) to use. I don't have to settle on just one, but primarily I will use my SIG P250c. It is small enough to be comfortable for extended carry, big enough to be quite capable (and allow quick follow-up shots) and 10 rounds of .45ACP is a decent payload. I will occasionally use my 625MG instead, but it will probably be more my bedside gun (I love the simplicity of a revolver and think it is good for late at night when one has been awakened from their sleep). I will often back them up with my Pf-9 and more often, my SIG P290 (these can be slipped in a pocket when I want to be more concealed if there is a knock on the door or I have people over). I will probably be retiring my snubs both for any HD use and for CCW when in a state where I can carry (not really decided here, I already had decided that).
I liked the duty belt idea since it would be so easy to take off and put on since I can't carry all the time here in MD. Since I can only carry at home, it would make it easy to tote around a very capable gun. I will start to think about what I want on it and put together my system.
The reminder to also carry a knife was a good one, and I do often carry one.
I will be adding a home defense shotgun (even if that means postponing my Glock 27 purchase), and I'm in the process of deciding which one. I may just replace the Mossberg 500 Persuader (20" barrel, 7 round mag) I used to have and never should have sold, or go with the cheaper Maverick 88 version, though I am considering a few other options as well.
I have been given some good suggestions I hadn't thought of to improve the security of my apartment without breaking any rules...Security film on the windows and back door, a security bar to secure the front door from someone trying to kick it in.
(Not suggested much in the thread, but something I decided upon anyway) I haven't been to a training class in a while so I will take a class or two to improve my readiness.
I've made my decision about which gun(s) to use. I don't have to settle on just one, but primarily I will use my SIG P250c. It is small enough to be comfortable for extended carry, big enough to be quite capable (and allow quick follow-up shots) and 10 rounds of .45ACP is a decent payload. I will occasionally use my 625MG instead, but it will probably be more my bedside gun (I love the simplicity of a revolver and think it is good for late at night when one has been awakened from their sleep). I will often back them up with my Pf-9 and more often, my SIG P290 (these can be slipped in a pocket when I want to be more concealed if there is a knock on the door or I have people over). I will probably be retiring my snubs both for any HD use and for CCW when in a state where I can carry (not really decided here, I already had decided that).
I liked the duty belt idea since it would be so easy to take off and put on since I can't carry all the time here in MD. Since I can only carry at home, it would make it easy to tote around a very capable gun. I will start to think about what I want on it and put together my system.
The reminder to also carry a knife was a good one, and I do often carry one.
I will be adding a home defense shotgun (even if that means postponing my Glock 27 purchase), and I'm in the process of deciding which one. I may just replace the Mossberg 500 Persuader (20" barrel, 7 round mag) I used to have and never should have sold, or go with the cheaper Maverick 88 version, though I am considering a few other options as well.
Corpral_Agarn
Member
Be careful with bear spray for use on humans.
It is not intended for use on humans and could land you in legal trouble... You would have use it as "a weapon of opportunity".
Get human intended pepper spray for that purpose. Check the "Truth about OC" thread on here. VERY informative.
But aside from that, I am a fan of the CZ 75 in a good holster with a good belt, on you body all the time.
chipcom
member
Good on ya...I am proud of you. If one's home isn't important enough to stand and defend, what is? Good luck.
Your two best defensive weapons are your brains and your mindset. I think you've got a very good start there.
Evil-Twin
member
It doesn't really matter where you live... good neighbor hoods, bad neighborhoods.. no one is immune Not even in gaited communities. If someone wants what you have they can attempt to take it... the only thing stopping them is you and your defense. The cops are only ten minutes away.. by that time you are cold for nine minutes. Personal defense is up to the individual.. you can't wait for the cops to save you , or for the bad guys to stick around until they come. WE had a bad guy who came to our quiet community. The bad guy called in a Pizza order to my next door neighbors house, the bad guy hid in the bushes, the pizza guy fought back but was shot and killed, the bad guy got away.. the cops showed up 10 minutes later. to my knowledge the perp was never caught. Pizza shops in the neighborhood have changed their delivery procedures. Many years ago I had a very close friend killed for 5 dollars.. my friend was a big guy , according to the detectives who caught these two punks...they shot him because he was so big and they were afraid of him.. both are serving life sentences now. But I lost my friend over 5 dollars. Lost a neighbor in a car jacking, because he hesitated. No not in the neighbor hood but on his way to work in the city 15 miles from his home. He left a young wife and two young boys, 8 and 10.
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That is kinda generalized. I lived in Los Angeles for 36 years. One of my best friends and many years hunting/fishing/camping buddies was/is Jewish. He and his wife attended synagogue each Friday evening. He was/is very conservative, also had a very large gun collection and was a strong believer in self defense. (Hey, it was L.A.!
)Over the years he and his wife attended a number of synagogues but did not find one in which the members and rabbis were not "very liberal" and very anti-firearms.
One Friday afternoon he and his wife drove to a new synagogue he's heard about. They were early and the parking lot was nearly empty. As they pulled into a parking space in front of the synagogue, beside where they parked was a sign that read, "Reserved For Rabbi."
Parked in that reserved spot was a Ford Bronco. On the rear window of the Bronco were two decals, one on each side of the window. One read "Life Member, National Rifle Association," and on the other side the decal read "Life Member, California Rifle & Pistol Association."
My friend turned to his wife and said, "I think we've found a home."
That was years ago and they are still there although he is getting ready to retire and move to Reno, Nevada.
I was involved in a racket where many of those there were Jews. Some were conservative and owned firearms; some just the opposite. Some non-Jews were the same. So one never knows.
Chaim, hope you find what you're looking for.
L.W.
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Don't know how much training you've had, but you already have plenty of suitable guns to choose from. I'd put the shotgun $ plus the sale of another gun you don't use much towards a course. The most important thing in a gunfight is the "fight" not the gun.
Of the guns you have I like the CZ 75 for the capacity, but the Sig 250 is a solid choice as well.
Of the guns you have I like the CZ 75 for the capacity, but the Sig 250 is a solid choice as well.
If it were me I would bag my security deposit considerations and I'd install stronger steel door hinges and I'd a very deep and very strong dead bolt and possibly even extra door reinforcements. Living by the rules is certainly one way to live but nothing I'd want to do if my families safety were at risk.
Dont read too much into that. He's not getting robbed by Barry Goldwater. Its Baltimore. They are equal opportunity thugs there. They'd knock over a gun shop in broad daylight with 10 fully armed guys behind the counter just as soon as they would knock over a liberal Jews house. Its just a target of opportunity thing.
Murphys Law
Member
It seems you have plenty of good advice on the firearms choices, but I would focus on hardening your entry points to your apartment. Completely stopping the "invaders" or at least slowing them down long enough, until you can properly respond to the attack would eliminate the element of surprise the attackers depend on. I found this link
http://cdn.opentip.com/Tools-Home-I...5993923.html?gclid=CKiX367mjcoCFQErHwodE1QNEw
It appears that it will at least help with the front door. Good Luck!
http://cdn.opentip.com/Tools-Home-I...5993923.html?gclid=CKiX367mjcoCFQErHwodE1QNEw
It appears that it will at least help with the front door. Good Luck!
I never thought of a shotgun or AR type rifle to be suited for home defense in an urban area. I like to have one hand free to do phone or flashlight handling or what have you. As the op stated home invasions are his concern, he probably will not have the chance to grab the shotgun as you can't carry it on you.
I like the revolver in his situation as there is no manual of arms to remember just pull the trigger and it fires. I think this best for a surprise break in.
I would secure the entry points as others had mentioned despite the rules as my safety trumps the rules anyway. Just be discreet about it and I doubt you will have any serious consequences. I had bought some steel flat stock 1 inch wide, spray painted it white and mounted it vertically on the door if my fathers house in Brooklyn NY.
Chaim, If you want some info on NJ orthodox Neighborhoods for future reference you can pm me and I will be glad to point you in the right direction.
I like the revolver in his situation as there is no manual of arms to remember just pull the trigger and it fires. I think this best for a surprise break in.
I would secure the entry points as others had mentioned despite the rules as my safety trumps the rules anyway. Just be discreet about it and I doubt you will have any serious consequences. I had bought some steel flat stock 1 inch wide, spray painted it white and mounted it vertically on the door if my fathers house in Brooklyn NY.
Chaim, If you want some info on NJ orthodox Neighborhoods for future reference you can pm me and I will be glad to point you in the right direction.
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HighRoadRover
Member
Chaim,
Lots of good advice given by others here. I'd like to add a few thoughts.
On strategy - your goal should be layered security, and your plan should be to fall back (retreat) to the safest location in the house/apartment. If your outer security is threatened, it would be ideal if you could deter the assailant(s) at the edge of your security system and just call the cops (I'd never go "outside" with a gun to look for a threat). If the security of your home is breached, you should fall back, all the time facing the threat with your defensive assets -- your gun -- aware that you may have to use if your life is threatened, but not going to that final step unless you have to (someone in your house is not justification, absent a true threat to your life, for using deadly force). Your hope is that the assailants will be deterred if they get inside and are confronted by a resolute defense. I think your mindset should be -- I don't want to kill anyone, but I will shoot to stop them if they are clearly threatening my life, after I have retreated as far as I can go. It is important to this problem you have to think this through in advance!
First -- for a weapon & ammo: I'd put a 442 with 158 grain LSWC-HP Buffalo Bore bullets or 135 grain Short-Barrel Speer Gold Dots in my pocket or on my belt all the time while in the home. All the time. Realistically, it is the gun that is easiest to carry and place into operation quickly, and the least likely to have a malfunction.
With the guns that you own, it might make sense to have a few of the higher capacity semi-autos stashed in key locations in your home -- fall back locations. In each case, 9mm up to.45, I'd go with Speer Gold Dot ammo -- 124 grain for the 9mm, etc. Whatever ammo you prefer, it should be top quality JHP from the short list of quality stuff -- Speer, Hornady, Remington, Buffalo Bore, etc.-- that is less likely to penetrate your walls and hurt someone outside. What type of bullets does the local police department use? That wouldn't be a bad choice -- they have chosen it because it is the best possible choice in an urban environment, and they have defended that in court no doubt. I would NOT chose +P ammo for SD use -- the noise and blast would be prohibitive.
Each fall-back location / weapon location should have a bright LED flashlight. The police standard is SureFire or Streamlight, using two CR123 batteries and LED bulbs. These are expensive. I have found the Romisen RC-E4 (on eBay) to be a cheap substitute -- reliable, bright, and effective. I have several of them, and always keep one in the car and one with my guns. Outside, while walking, a light goes a long way towards giving you a non-lethal tool that lets you check people out in the dark without threatening them and can deter someone with bad intentions; a good light might prevent the need to use a gun, and it can make the actual use of the gun, if necessary, safer and more precise.
Speaking of multiple guns, I apologize if I missed this in the thread, but do you have your guns in locked storage, and have pictures of them/serial numbers listed somewhere? A Stack-On metal lockbox, anchored to a wall, is not the same thing as an 600 lbs Fort Knox gun safe, but it is relatively cheap and can prevent the casual thief from getting your guns and using them on you or someone else.
There is obviously a lot you can do to improve your physical security. A camera mounted outside your door is more effective than a peep hole. Outside lights should be connected to motion detectors, cheap at Lowe's or Home Depot. I just saw very inexpensive little independently operated alarm devices that go on sash windows that let off a noise if the window is opened. Charlie bars on sliding glass doors are great. A large bolt on your doors -- mounted to the frame, not the flimsy wood trim -- can stop or slow a determined housebreaker. Etc.
I also think you need a final "safe room" or safehaven, that is, the place where you sleep peacefully, and the place you can retreat to if you have time. If the door to this room is glass, and opens to the outside, I would consider "armoring" it with a piece of thick plexiglass held in place by through-bolts presenting a carriage bolt head to the outside -- or perhaps installing some sort of grill door on the inside. I don't know -- something inventive! The room where you sleep has got to be secure. In general, that is the room where guns should be stashed, and where your cell phone and its charger spend the night. Outside cameras should be linked back to this room.
Final thought -- if you have to use a gun inside your house, you should be backing up (retreating) and looking for cover... and you will be assaulted by incredible noise and flash if you are using almost any one of the weapons you mention. You might actually put ear protectors (plugs or a headset) in your final defensive position. Have you considered a silencer? They can be purchased and owned Maryland, although the process might be tedious. The IDEAL self-defense gun is one that is silenced. Perhaps your final fall back position (safe room) should have a silenced gun... maybe the .45 you mentioned? I also mentioned a shot gun in the safe room, but -- think of the blast and noise!
Another final final throught: if you really anticipate defending your home with a weapon, you need to do some research on local laws and how to cope with the aftermath of a shooting situation. Mas Ayoob has written extensively on the topic of SD situations and the aftermath, and what to do and say, how to work with the police while avoiding saying or doing anything that will harm your case. Worth considering, if the odds are as bad as you suggest.
Good luck, and stay alert.
Lots of good advice given by others here. I'd like to add a few thoughts.
On strategy - your goal should be layered security, and your plan should be to fall back (retreat) to the safest location in the house/apartment. If your outer security is threatened, it would be ideal if you could deter the assailant(s) at the edge of your security system and just call the cops (I'd never go "outside" with a gun to look for a threat). If the security of your home is breached, you should fall back, all the time facing the threat with your defensive assets -- your gun -- aware that you may have to use if your life is threatened, but not going to that final step unless you have to (someone in your house is not justification, absent a true threat to your life, for using deadly force). Your hope is that the assailants will be deterred if they get inside and are confronted by a resolute defense. I think your mindset should be -- I don't want to kill anyone, but I will shoot to stop them if they are clearly threatening my life, after I have retreated as far as I can go. It is important to this problem you have to think this through in advance!
First -- for a weapon & ammo: I'd put a 442 with 158 grain LSWC-HP Buffalo Bore bullets or 135 grain Short-Barrel Speer Gold Dots in my pocket or on my belt all the time while in the home. All the time. Realistically, it is the gun that is easiest to carry and place into operation quickly, and the least likely to have a malfunction.
With the guns that you own, it might make sense to have a few of the higher capacity semi-autos stashed in key locations in your home -- fall back locations. In each case, 9mm up to.45, I'd go with Speer Gold Dot ammo -- 124 grain for the 9mm, etc. Whatever ammo you prefer, it should be top quality JHP from the short list of quality stuff -- Speer, Hornady, Remington, Buffalo Bore, etc.-- that is less likely to penetrate your walls and hurt someone outside. What type of bullets does the local police department use? That wouldn't be a bad choice -- they have chosen it because it is the best possible choice in an urban environment, and they have defended that in court no doubt. I would NOT chose +P ammo for SD use -- the noise and blast would be prohibitive.
Each fall-back location / weapon location should have a bright LED flashlight. The police standard is SureFire or Streamlight, using two CR123 batteries and LED bulbs. These are expensive. I have found the Romisen RC-E4 (on eBay) to be a cheap substitute -- reliable, bright, and effective. I have several of them, and always keep one in the car and one with my guns. Outside, while walking, a light goes a long way towards giving you a non-lethal tool that lets you check people out in the dark without threatening them and can deter someone with bad intentions; a good light might prevent the need to use a gun, and it can make the actual use of the gun, if necessary, safer and more precise.
Speaking of multiple guns, I apologize if I missed this in the thread, but do you have your guns in locked storage, and have pictures of them/serial numbers listed somewhere? A Stack-On metal lockbox, anchored to a wall, is not the same thing as an 600 lbs Fort Knox gun safe, but it is relatively cheap and can prevent the casual thief from getting your guns and using them on you or someone else.
There is obviously a lot you can do to improve your physical security. A camera mounted outside your door is more effective than a peep hole. Outside lights should be connected to motion detectors, cheap at Lowe's or Home Depot. I just saw very inexpensive little independently operated alarm devices that go on sash windows that let off a noise if the window is opened. Charlie bars on sliding glass doors are great. A large bolt on your doors -- mounted to the frame, not the flimsy wood trim -- can stop or slow a determined housebreaker. Etc.
I also think you need a final "safe room" or safehaven, that is, the place where you sleep peacefully, and the place you can retreat to if you have time. If the door to this room is glass, and opens to the outside, I would consider "armoring" it with a piece of thick plexiglass held in place by through-bolts presenting a carriage bolt head to the outside -- or perhaps installing some sort of grill door on the inside. I don't know -- something inventive! The room where you sleep has got to be secure. In general, that is the room where guns should be stashed, and where your cell phone and its charger spend the night. Outside cameras should be linked back to this room.
Final thought -- if you have to use a gun inside your house, you should be backing up (retreating) and looking for cover... and you will be assaulted by incredible noise and flash if you are using almost any one of the weapons you mention. You might actually put ear protectors (plugs or a headset) in your final defensive position. Have you considered a silencer? They can be purchased and owned Maryland, although the process might be tedious. The IDEAL self-defense gun is one that is silenced. Perhaps your final fall back position (safe room) should have a silenced gun... maybe the .45 you mentioned? I also mentioned a shot gun in the safe room, but -- think of the blast and noise!
Another final final throught: if you really anticipate defending your home with a weapon, you need to do some research on local laws and how to cope with the aftermath of a shooting situation. Mas Ayoob has written extensively on the topic of SD situations and the aftermath, and what to do and say, how to work with the police while avoiding saying or doing anything that will harm your case. Worth considering, if the odds are as bad as you suggest.
Good luck, and stay alert.
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Good advice by many here including HighRoadRover. It's obviously a crying shame where progressivism/liberal policies have lead much of the country, Baltimore being a prime example.
Gun wise, I'm a big CZ fan. I'd go P-09 for this duty, and as HRR mentioned, a can would be a good investment if the local authorities have agreed to let their underlings have such items.
Gun wise, I'm a big CZ fan. I'd go P-09 for this duty, and as HRR mentioned, a can would be a good investment if the local authorities have agreed to let their underlings have such items.
That would be my advice as well. You have lots of options for if the bad guy gets in your apartment. You need to focus on keeping him out
As to the gun - The one you shoot the best.
I am on a second floor and have an alarm system so i will have a few seconds to grab the shotgun next to my bed.The next thing I grab, if there was time, is the set of electronic earmuffs hanging near by. That would allow me to hear someone coming up the steps yet give me some protection when the shotgun is fired inside a hallway or small room.
Get the earmuffs, it they don't get used during a break in so what. However they may save your hearing on the other hand.
JMHO
Get the earmuffs, it they don't get used during a break in so what. However they may save your hearing on the other hand.
JMHO
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MaterDei
Member
My family and I were victims of a home invasion in 1991. I had just returned to the US from a tour of duty in Germany. Because my personal belongings had not cleared customs my weapons were not available to me.
I may shock some with this comment but it needs to be said. I'm glad that I didn't have the weapons in the home at the time. I'm especially glad that I didn't have one on my person. Only one of two things could have happened, they would have either have been stolen or they could have contributed to me or a love one being murdered.
This is what happened, decide for yourself whether you agree.
We were living in a townhome at the time in Houston. It was a big two story apartment with units on either side. It was about 9 pm on a weekend night. My wife, my inlaws, 3 children and I were at home. We had just finished eating and were cleaning up. Without any warning both the front and back doors of the townhome were busted in (they were locked) and 8 individuals (6 men and 2 women) armed with sawed off shotguns and handguns invaded our home. There was zero reaction time and zero warning. Sometimes the BGs just have the drop on people. This was one of those times.
While I was pinned to the floor, literally with a shotgun to my temple (I had a round scab the exact size of a 12 GA barrel on the side of my face for about a month), the BGs, a gang actually, ransacked my home stealing what little valuables I had at the time, sexually assaulted my wife and butt stroked my father-in-law a few times (he was hospitalized for a day due to some internal bleeding). The BGs were in our home for about 20 minutes. A neighbor called 911 when he heard what was happening (a lot of yelling, etc.). The police arrived 5 minutes after the BGs had gone.
Lessons learned.
Does this mean that I don't believe that one should prepare for one or more bad guys busting into one's home? HELL NO. I realize that what happened to us was not typical and that more often then not, with a good home invasion plan in place, proper planning makes perfect sense and could help avert a tradegy. We were very fortunate that nobody was killed.
The reason I'm telling my story is try to suggest that a good home invasion defense plan should include planning for how you would react in the event that you won't be able to execute plan A. How will you react if you don't have time to get to a weapon? How would you react if you awoke with a BG standing at the foot of your bed with a weapon trained on you? How should your family members react and what should they do? etc. Most of the planning is simply mental excercises and conditioning but I think they are important.
Chaim, I respect your reasons for not moving but please give it some serious thought. Find another place that suits your needs if possible. My wife, due to the sexual assault, was unable to return to the apartment (she will never fully get over it, I fear) and I never returned other than to move out. At a minimum, get a dog.
Good luck in your planning. Pray that you never need to execute it.
I may shock some with this comment but it needs to be said. I'm glad that I didn't have the weapons in the home at the time. I'm especially glad that I didn't have one on my person. Only one of two things could have happened, they would have either have been stolen or they could have contributed to me or a love one being murdered.
This is what happened, decide for yourself whether you agree.
We were living in a townhome at the time in Houston. It was a big two story apartment with units on either side. It was about 9 pm on a weekend night. My wife, my inlaws, 3 children and I were at home. We had just finished eating and were cleaning up. Without any warning both the front and back doors of the townhome were busted in (they were locked) and 8 individuals (6 men and 2 women) armed with sawed off shotguns and handguns invaded our home. There was zero reaction time and zero warning. Sometimes the BGs just have the drop on people. This was one of those times.
While I was pinned to the floor, literally with a shotgun to my temple (I had a round scab the exact size of a 12 GA barrel on the side of my face for about a month), the BGs, a gang actually, ransacked my home stealing what little valuables I had at the time, sexually assaulted my wife and butt stroked my father-in-law a few times (he was hospitalized for a day due to some internal bleeding). The BGs were in our home for about 20 minutes. A neighbor called 911 when he heard what was happening (a lot of yelling, etc.). The police arrived 5 minutes after the BGs had gone.
Lessons learned.
Does this mean that I don't believe that one should prepare for one or more bad guys busting into one's home? HELL NO. I realize that what happened to us was not typical and that more often then not, with a good home invasion plan in place, proper planning makes perfect sense and could help avert a tradegy. We were very fortunate that nobody was killed.
The reason I'm telling my story is try to suggest that a good home invasion defense plan should include planning for how you would react in the event that you won't be able to execute plan A. How will you react if you don't have time to get to a weapon? How would you react if you awoke with a BG standing at the foot of your bed with a weapon trained on you? How should your family members react and what should they do? etc. Most of the planning is simply mental excercises and conditioning but I think they are important.
Chaim, I respect your reasons for not moving but please give it some serious thought. Find another place that suits your needs if possible. My wife, due to the sexual assault, was unable to return to the apartment (she will never fully get over it, I fear) and I never returned other than to move out. At a minimum, get a dog.
Good luck in your planning. Pray that you never need to execute it.
jleonard
Member
Have you considered a pepper spray alarm something like this for example?
http://www.burglarbomb.com/
I saw something similar on one of the prepper shows.
Anybody use anything like this?
Might be a decent second line.
http://www.burglarbomb.com/
I saw something similar on one of the prepper shows.
Anybody use anything like this?
Might be a decent second line.
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