Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
Stay on topic (and in the current manifestation of reality) please, folks...
Best bet is to put whatever weapon you use for home defense out of arms length but within walking distance. That way you will have a bit of time to clear your head before you shoot someone.
Here is my reality. I was born and grew up on a rural farm. Like my Father, I've always been able to "snap" awake and alert at any time when something wasn't "right". In fact getting back to sleep was usually the trouble. I've had to handle more 2AM crisis than I can remember from "fox in the henhouse" chaos to drunk driver putting car into culvert near the house. It was just rural life where I grew up and the ability to do this was pretty critical for a farm.Reality? Okay, fine. Here's my reality;
Home security comes in layers
Layer one - Slightly nosy neighbors, including an older retired lady who doesn't sleep much. Well maintained lawn and shrubs. Outdoor floodlighting on motion detectors. 4.5 ft chain link fence around property perimeter.
Layer two - reasonably hardened entry points, intrusion alarms, and a large, alert, dog.