In the case of an intruder getting into your home, is it wise to hide the wife and kids in a closet while you go check things out? Is it safe to even leave them alone? Do you corner yourself in a closet while calling the police with wife and you armed and covering each other?
Where do you stash the Wife and Kids in case of intruder
- Thread starter RubenZ
- Start date
- Status
I think that's gonna vary a lot depending on your situation at home, the size of your home, how rural / urban your area is, etc.
Personally the wife and I have no kids, our strategy in case of an event is to remain in / retreat to the reinforced MBR, hit speed-dial, and cover the door.
Personally the wife and I have no kids, our strategy in case of an event is to remain in / retreat to the reinforced MBR, hit speed-dial, and cover the door.
Regolith
Member
My opinion: Barricade yourself along with your wife and kids in a bedroom or a room with a phone. Get them out of the possible firing lane (so don't have them behind you, have them move off into a corner where they will less likely get hit should the perp come through the door and you get into a firefight). If your wife is armed, have her cover the door at a different angle, so you are spread out and harder to hit.
Then dial 911, and wait for the cops to show up.
In my opinion, if your kids and wife are in the house, you don't want lead flying unless its absolutely necessary.
Then dial 911, and wait for the cops to show up.
In my opinion, if your kids and wife are in the house, you don't want lead flying unless its absolutely necessary.
if shots are fired ( god forbid ) put em in the tub and lock the door, position yourself away from this room ( so you don't draw fire towards em ) and take up a position with clear sight and cover, so you can protect em. they must keep quiet and only shoot if you really have too, anyone who's been in a shoot-out with idiots know that one shot leads to several random more in the panic. an old-fashioned steel/iron tub can't be beat.
Jayb
Member
Do not "go check things out" . Police are trained to do that. If you have multiple intruders, you may be unable to cope.
Good advice everyone. I don't have kids yet and I'm getting married this Nov. The house fiance and I are moving into has an ok setup.
Our Master bedroom has of course the Restroom and inside the RR is our Master Closet. What I think I would do is stay in the Bedroom in a way that I can watch my wife and cover the door. Or I can just stay with wife in closet watching the entrance to RR.
Our Master bedroom has of course the Restroom and inside the RR is our Master Closet. What I think I would do is stay in the Bedroom in a way that I can watch my wife and cover the door. Or I can just stay with wife in closet watching the entrance to RR.
shoving your family into a closet isn't a good idea. Drywall does not stop bullets.
Remember your line of fire.... and the intruder's line of fire.
Unless you're into drugs or doing something you shouldn't be, it is VERY UNLIKELY that this situation will ever come up. If a thug sees that you have nice stuff and wants to rob you, they are probably going to know that you have a gun too...and if they can, they are going to break in while you're not home.
Just in case you didn't know. The majority of home invasions are done by acquaintances of the occupant and while they are not home. (they rarely make it to the news, but trust me...your home insurance company knows exactly how many robberies are occuring) SO... keep shady people out of your life (and out of your home) and don't make it obvious when you're out of town.
One out of prevention is worth a kiloton of cure when it comes to tactical strategy.
Remember your line of fire.... and the intruder's line of fire.
Unless you're into drugs or doing something you shouldn't be, it is VERY UNLIKELY that this situation will ever come up. If a thug sees that you have nice stuff and wants to rob you, they are probably going to know that you have a gun too...and if they can, they are going to break in while you're not home.
Just in case you didn't know. The majority of home invasions are done by acquaintances of the occupant and while they are not home. (they rarely make it to the news, but trust me...your home insurance company knows exactly how many robberies are occuring) SO... keep shady people out of your life (and out of your home) and don't make it obvious when you're out of town.
One out of prevention is worth a kiloton of cure when it comes to tactical strategy.
IMO it is incredibly stupid for you to "go check things out". Call the cops and get your family to a safe place, not necessarily in that order. Let the cops earn their keep finding and dealing with the BG.
It is most times a better idea for you to stay together. That way you are all in one place where the cops can find you all when they show up.
I am not overjoyed with the closet idea, but if that is the best choice in your situation, then yes. Personally, I think taking cover behind a large bed makes more sense than hiding in a closet. depends on the layout of your home and a lot of other factors. A typical closet is pretty confining and might make engaging the BG a problem if it becomes necessary.
Carl N. Brown
Member
If you suspect an intruder, it is often prudent to do a preliminary check
before calling the police; if you are certain, call police if possible.
Many intruder/home invasion situations do not allow calling police.
We have had home invasion by gangs identifying themselves as
bounty hunters or police, and the intrusion is fast enough to not
allow a 911 call.
Closet is a bad idea: it limits options of response and practically eliminates
escape as an option. Keep as many options open as possible.
Sometimes standing your ground is prudent. Sometimes retreat or
escape is prudent. No size fits all.
I would put myself between a threat and family.
before calling the police; if you are certain, call police if possible.
Many intruder/home invasion situations do not allow calling police.
We have had home invasion by gangs identifying themselves as
bounty hunters or police, and the intrusion is fast enough to not
allow a 911 call.
Closet is a bad idea: it limits options of response and practically eliminates
escape as an option. Keep as many options open as possible.
Sometimes standing your ground is prudent. Sometimes retreat or
escape is prudent. No size fits all.
I would put myself between a threat and family.
Bula
Member
What's the average response time for police to respond to 911? I'm sure it varies, but in rural area's I bet it could be a good wait before they show up. I'm not sure how I feel about calling 911 and waiting.
1911 guy
Member
General rules.
Details will vary with floorplans, but here are some general ruminations.
Get between the entrance/access and your family. Whatever comes must go through you first.
Use enough gun, but keep overpenetration in mind. If you live in a free-standing house, you've got a bit more lattitude than if you live in an appartment or duplex. Use the maximum safe load/caliber.
Have more than one gun.
Have the brightest light you can carry in one hand. If I could manage a floodlight and handgun at the same time, I would. Learn how to use this light to your best advantage.
Have a cell phone for your wife to call the cops should anything be wrong.
MOST IMPORTANTLY: HAVE A PLAN. Failing to plan is planning to fail.
Details will vary with floorplans, but here are some general ruminations.
Get between the entrance/access and your family. Whatever comes must go through you first.
Use enough gun, but keep overpenetration in mind. If you live in a free-standing house, you've got a bit more lattitude than if you live in an appartment or duplex. Use the maximum safe load/caliber.
Have more than one gun.
Have the brightest light you can carry in one hand. If I could manage a floodlight and handgun at the same time, I would. Learn how to use this light to your best advantage.
Have a cell phone for your wife to call the cops should anything be wrong.
MOST IMPORTANTLY: HAVE A PLAN. Failing to plan is planning to fail.
shadowalker
Member
I found some statistics, 60% of burglaries occur when the home is occupied, 38% of the time the BG is armed with a firearm, and only 60% of the burglaries occur during the day.
I wouldn't count on an intruder not being willing to harm you, they have made the decision to enter your house and have accepted the fact there may be people there, considered that you may be armed and that means they have a plan what to do if discovered, it may be running away but then again it may not be. Also their intent may not be to rob you, and they may be seeking you out.
I wouldn't use a closet because it only has one entrance / exit and probably more than one method of approach for the BG, if you are discovered you are stuck with no retreat. I'm not going looking for an intruder, I'll deal with them I encounter them between our bedroom and upstairs, otherwise I'll let them come to me.
We have kids so staying put isn't an option, we both have bedside handguns in gunvaults, and I have a SG 4 feet away, our primary plan is for me to grab the SG, she grabs her handgun and phone and we go up the stairs.
I keep an eye from the stairs, the angle of the stairs puts any shots I fire that don't hit the BG into the floor or into the ground outside the house, behind the house is a 6 foot high 8 inch thick concrete wall.
There is only one way to get up the stairs from inside the house, there is restricted movement while going up the stairs, so it gives a nice little shooting lane with good backstops, I can safely shoot through the only wall offering them concealment and if necessary we can go out a window.
I wouldn't count on an intruder not being willing to harm you, they have made the decision to enter your house and have accepted the fact there may be people there, considered that you may be armed and that means they have a plan what to do if discovered, it may be running away but then again it may not be. Also their intent may not be to rob you, and they may be seeking you out.
I wouldn't use a closet because it only has one entrance / exit and probably more than one method of approach for the BG, if you are discovered you are stuck with no retreat. I'm not going looking for an intruder, I'll deal with them I encounter them between our bedroom and upstairs, otherwise I'll let them come to me.
We have kids so staying put isn't an option, we both have bedside handguns in gunvaults, and I have a SG 4 feet away, our primary plan is for me to grab the SG, she grabs her handgun and phone and we go up the stairs.
I keep an eye from the stairs, the angle of the stairs puts any shots I fire that don't hit the BG into the floor or into the ground outside the house, behind the house is a 6 foot high 8 inch thick concrete wall.
There is only one way to get up the stairs from inside the house, there is restricted movement while going up the stairs, so it gives a nice little shooting lane with good backstops, I can safely shoot through the only wall offering them concealment and if necessary we can go out a window.
Last edited:
Titan6
member
I have to walk through almost the entire house to get to the kids rooms. The house is 2800sqft so this takes a minute or so. So if needed we go together. By the time we get to the kids rooms the house will be almost cleared. We can then hole up in that end of the house until the police show.
Zundfolge
Member
The wife won't be "stashed" ... she'll be giving supporting and cover fire.
Elmer Fudd
Member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2006
- Messages
- 118
Don't forget smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and an escape ladder for your upstairs bedroom window.
Mannlicher
Member
my wife is just as likely to shoot the intruder as I am.
Kids are grown and gone.
Kids are grown and gone.
This is exactly the reason I have the trauma plates taped to the tactical throw pillows in our MBR. It gives us enough time to get to the backyard and hit the tactical wheelbarrow so we can make our escape. Wife covering me with the Remington 11 humpback, of course. Dog has a small backpack with supplies that we can get onto him in a moments notice...we usually just have him sleep with it on.
If none of that works, we'll just call the police and hang out in the bedroom.
If none of that works, we'll just call the police and hang out in the bedroom.
trueblue1776
Member
She will be stashed in back of an AR-15, I will be trying to pry an 85 pound American Bulldog and an 80 pound Rottweiler off a fresh corpse before they eat it. 
Really? My dogs take down 200 pound pigs, which are way better fighters than your average B&E. When I say "GIT IT!" they get it.
+1 for wedge! That's funny!
Last year I added an armor-tipped tacta-tiller to my inventory! I use it as a mine-clearing device in my garden following engagements with the enemy rabbits. Fortunately, I haven't hit any anti-tacta-tiller mines that the neighbors' dogs have been trained to leave in my garden...well, not yet! Of course my armor-clad John Deer rider is not to be messed with either. If only I could determine how to incorporate them into my safe-room!
Doc2005
Last year I added an armor-tipped tacta-tiller to my inventory! I use it as a mine-clearing device in my garden following engagements with the enemy rabbits. Fortunately, I haven't hit any anti-tacta-tiller mines that the neighbors' dogs have been trained to leave in my garden...well, not yet! Of course my armor-clad John Deer rider is not to be messed with either. If only I could determine how to incorporate them into my safe-room!
Doc2005
JAMES77257
Member
Stashed? she "mans" the SAW.
birddog
Member
My wife will have her Kimber in one hand, dialing 9-1-1 in the other. I'll be watching the show while 3 large bird dogs take the intruders apart. In the unlikely even that one of the bird dogs is getting bested, I'll sissy kick the SOB while keeping my right hand on my Ruger .45.
Not too worried......
Not too worried......
dralarms
Member
Our plan of action is for her to retreat to the Master bath, get her gun and wait, I grab my 45 lda and cover the MBR door while dialing 911.
No kids in the house and no animals either.
I did have my daughter and sil and my 2 grand children stay with me a few weeks ago. my instruction to them was if the alarm went off they were to stay put until given the all clear from me or my wife. My sil is a cop wannabe and I had to make him understand that if the alarm goes off and he goes wandering and decides to "check on us" he would be one dead sob. My house my rules. I figure they are safer in the room where they are than wandering around the house, my alarm is so loud it will wake up the neighbours from a coma. (of course I'm an alarm co owner so I get to play with all the new toys).
Biggest thing is STAY PUT. call 911 and wait for the perp to 1 get caught by the cops (not likely) 2. run like you know what cause the alarm is going off (most likely) or 3 steps into your room that you are protecting your family in (possible) and in that case he just saw a bad day.
No kids in the house and no animals either.
I did have my daughter and sil and my 2 grand children stay with me a few weeks ago. my instruction to them was if the alarm went off they were to stay put until given the all clear from me or my wife. My sil is a cop wannabe and I had to make him understand that if the alarm goes off and he goes wandering and decides to "check on us" he would be one dead sob. My house my rules. I figure they are safer in the room where they are than wandering around the house, my alarm is so loud it will wake up the neighbours from a coma.
(of course I'm an alarm co owner so I get to play with all the new toys). Biggest thing is STAY PUT. call 911 and wait for the perp to 1 get caught by the cops (not likely) 2. run like you know what cause the alarm is going off (most likely) or 3 steps into your room that you are protecting your family in (possible) and in that case he just saw a bad day.
rantingredneck
Member
The way our house is set up I can cover the hallway including both kids rooms from our bedroom door. About half the time both kids end up in our bed before midnight anyway though.
If someone gains entry I'll have to engage them down the hallway. 12ga 00 buck. Put him down hard and fast and stop him from shooting toward the kids bedrooms or me and my wife.
If there was someone pounding on our door trying to gain entry (not an easy thing to do) then I would retrieve the kids and usher them to the MBR while the wife was dialing 911. BTW, we keep a cell phone in the room as well as the regular house phone. Criminals have cut phone lines before you know.
The main gunsafe stands open in our closet at night. Inside that closet my wife has several options in 9mm, .45ACP, and 12 ga. to protect herself and the kids. I have 12 ga and .45 near me at night.
If someone gains entry I'll have to engage them down the hallway. 12ga 00 buck. Put him down hard and fast and stop him from shooting toward the kids bedrooms or me and my wife.
If there was someone pounding on our door trying to gain entry (not an easy thing to do) then I would retrieve the kids and usher them to the MBR while the wife was dialing 911. BTW, we keep a cell phone in the room as well as the regular house phone. Criminals have cut phone lines before you know.
The main gunsafe stands open in our closet at night. Inside that closet my wife has several options in 9mm, .45ACP, and 12 ga. to protect herself and the kids. I have 12 ga and .45 near me at night.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
- Locked
