This is my suggestion:

He might not have missed with the shotgun. Better "odds" - IMHO.

 

I agree that everyone should own atleast one shotgun. I own this:

 

Get ready, your house is prob next, or on the list.
take care

 

I suspect that too.

 

A little late to start, but they make a hell of a roving alarm and response system.

We've got 250 pounds or so with, and NOTHING gets near the house, let alone in it without us knowing. And they are family-oriented and VERY protective of the pack.

Oh, and he's just a pup in that pic. He beefed up nicely. He also put a nice crack in that bowl playing with it, and once got a hold of a mag pouch with two empty M1 Carbine mags in it and crunched them both flat.

 

Good Boy !!
we sure miss our 130 lb. Bear, yes awesome dogs/pets
but our ins. co, canceled us, and didn't tell us, no ins for almost a yr.

 

I was going to suggest a dog as well. Go to the local shelter for a loyal companion with a good bark until you can find a puppy and go through the fun training processes. Besides range practice, have you thought about taking any classes, particularly ones that may have some stress induced range sessions?

 

I owned an American Staffordshire Terrier and then a Rottweiler. Lost both of them and then couldn't gather the courage to get a third one.

Your advise on stress induced training is very valid. However, we have ver limited options of the type of classes we can take. I could always create my own drills and practice in outdoor ranges.....

 

A home alarm system (there are many DIY options) might be worth considering.

 

In the market now for feasible options.

 

Glad you’re ok 🙏🏼

Agreed on a dog if it’s feasible, they are an amazing alarm and deterrent. Their 6th sense is unparalleled and even the littlest dogs can provide early detection.

I travel frequently for work and even though my wife is more than competent with her pistol and situational awareness, having this guy in the house gives us all great comfort.

God bless you and your family.

 

Glad you’re ok 🙏🏼

Agreed on a dog if it’s feasible, they are an amazing alarm and deterrent. Their 6th sense is unparalleled and even the littlest dogs can provide early detection.

I travel frequently for work and even though my wife is more than competent with her pistol and situational awareness, having this guy in the house gives us all great comfort.

God bless you and your family.
Who is your ins. co, ? another great one
View attachment 1326768

ins. co ?

 

He exposed himself to the intruders three ways,,, firing his weapon,,using a WML,,, And NOT HAVING PROPER COVER.

 

He exposed himself to the intruders three ways,,, firing his weapon,,using a WML,,, And NOT HAVING PROPER COVER

What would you had done differently?

 

First of all, he made it to the retreat of his bedroom where his wife and gun were. Why would you try to clear your house knowing there’s two suspects in there when you’re by yourself? Unless you’ve got to get to you kids room, close the door, call 911, arm yourself and wait.

 

(I‘m glad your friend is recovering)

At this stage, unless there was a compelling reason…I’m not giving up the advantage of being at the top of the stairs.



”Alexa. Intruder Alert!”

 

He's a decent shot and owns a G45-5, 9mm with a Holosun red dot and a streamlight TLR7.

A Trijicon or Aimpoint and a Surefire would have prevented this.

 

Under stress, you can miss with that stuff as well.

That's the point, all the gizmos and what are just "feel better" gadgets when faced with a high-stress situation.

I don't think you can really practice for this, no matter how many Front Site classes you go to.

Buck fever is a real thing in HD/SD situations.

Not saying I have all the answers, but I do know that hanging stuff off your gun is not a cure for this.

 

Yes, home alarm system with motion detectors in key areas and panic button to set off outdoor alarm. Also motion detector floodlights around outside of house. Cosider a quality flashlight with strobe capability. (The kind that are suitable for Law Enforcement use.) There are motion detectors for outside which communicate with a receiver in your home, like a doorbell sound, if an individual drives down your driveway or approaches a door to your home.
Spend time at the range, to include night shooting. Learn to acquire target and get off 2 well placed shots quickly. Focus on accuracy and speed. If you do the preceding, you should at least feel more secure in your home.
Your neighbor and his wife will likely suffer emotional stress long after his physical wounds have healed.

 

There are motion detectors for outside which communicate with a receiver in your home, like a doorbell sound, if an individual drives down your driveway or approaches a door to your home.

Have some guys coming in from the company to discuss various

Learn to acquire target and get off 2 well placed shots quickly. Focus on accuracy and speed. If you do the preceding, you should at least feel more secure in your home.

That's helpful advise. I intend to do it during day time and then at night with my laser.

 

op, I would set up a silent alarm/light in BR
prob set em up, but YMMV
prob time to move

 

In the market now to weigh in suitable options.

 

Just my perspective but.... Yelling at them to get out and then turning on a BEACON (WML) for them to aim at (besides announcing your location verbally) doesn't sound like a good strategy to me.

And standing at the top of the stairs potentially creates a "fatal funnel" for yourself!

I don't believe a verbal warning is warranted nor tactically wise. If using a WML... as soon as it's on and target is identified, it's "go time." No warning. No pause. Otherwise, you're becoming the reactor instead of them. And, he was predictably shot. I hope he recovers physically and mentally. Ugh.

 

If using a WML... as soon as it's on and target is identified, it's "go time." No warning. No pause. Otherwise, you're becoming the reactor instead of them. And, he was predictably shot. I hope he recovers physically and mentally. Ugh.

If faced with a similar situation, what would your advise to me be ?

 

Get a self install home alarm system you monitor. Also there are cameras you can easily setup outside (like blink).

Forget the shotgun. Guy near me had 3 guys break in - he shot one with his shotgun and the other 2 thugs shot and killed him.

You really want to defend yourself get an AR-15. Especially if just you and wife in house. Freaking buzz saw those mo-fos down if they break into your house. (Depends on your state laws of course - castle doctrine etc).

 

Was it a pump shotgun? I’m not a fan…at all. Too slow unless you are very well trained. A semi-auto though is a different story

 

If your front and back door are not hardened. Buy this today -

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Door-Armor-Max-Combo-Set-White/3744197?irgwc=1&cm_mmc=aff-_-c-_-prd-_-mdv-_-gdy-_-all-_-A560-_-390418-_-0

or a similar security hardening kit for each door.

 

I have metal doors installed both front and rear.

 

You have the 19X toolset, only you can answer this, do you have the mindset and skillset to engage if needed? Best to hunker down, stay on the phone with 911, follow their instructions and wait for LEOs.

A pair of coach shotguns, don't need to reload and they are cost-effective, can be very useful for a last ditch defense.

Modern Double Barrels for Home Defense

The selection of double barrel shotguns for tactical use is somewhat limited. However, the simple and reliable break-action of a side-by-side shotgun is still a top contender for home defense.

gundigest.com

 

Best to hunker down, stay on the phone with 911, follow their instructions and wait for LEOs.

His wife told my wife that he assumed that there were more than 2 intruders in the house and they could harm his family. By firing his weapon he intended to scare them off, underestimating the fact that they were armed as well..

 

Stood near the edge of the staircase on the upper level and shouted at them to get the hell out of my house.

Don't make yourself a target.

 

Brother, how would you had managed this incident ?

 

Two thoughts...in high stress situations, accuracy is about 30% of what it normally is and in those types of situations you don't rise to the occasion, you sink to your level of training.

 

Good Boy !!
we sure miss our 130 lb. Bear, yes awesome dogs/pets
but our ins. co, canceled us, and didn't tell us, no ins for almost a yr.

Losing them is rough and like losing a child. Ive always found it harder to lose a dog than I have people. Unfortunately, the larger breeds are usually the shorter lived breeds, and Rotties usually only make it to around 10 years or so. While losing them is tough, new pups make going forward a lot easier. Never forget the old guys though.

ins. co ?

Insurance companies rule the world and tell you what you can and cant do.

They have a list of 10-15 " bad" (for their pocketbooks)) dogs that they wont give you homeowners insurance if you have one. Rotties are one of those dog breeds that they would rather not, and often wont insure.

There are some ways around things, and depending on who you have and where you are, you may be able to get by.

When we moved to the house we are in now, we ran into it, and almost didn't get a mortgage because of it. No homeowners, no mortgage. Where we moved to is very rural farm country, and the local State Farm agent didn't bat an eye. Just asked it the dogs we had at the time were attack-trained or had a bite history, and that was that.

From what I was told by my BIL, who was an agent for Nationwide, once you have the policy for 60 days, they cant drop you for it. Not sure if that covers all of them or not, but at least that's what he told me.

 

How did they get in ? Door or window ?

 

Back door....

 

It used to be that most burglars were only armed with a prybar or a screwdriver . Now day's every kid up to no good is packing a gun .

 

Couldn't agree more. What's scary is that even if they were there for the electronics, they were still armed. I would've assumed that burglars would be armed with knives at most...

 

Your neighbor has my sympathy and prayers.
I would start with the notion that there a number of things that I have done (and therein means I would suggest), but I would respect all other inputs.

1. tied for first place - a home alarm system that calls out changes to any one area of the home even if it is not armed. For example my system sends me text messages and chimes if a door is opened (or left open), glass breaks, fire alarm goes off, power goes down, etc. - even if I have not armed the system. It includes NVR recording cameras as well. So I can see what is making noise outside before it gets inside. Just as important, dogs...almost any dog will alert you. You can decide the demeanor of the dog you want, but a dog barking in a dark house is usually a good deterrent. I have had large dogs for the last 30+ years, just because I like them - not because they are protectors. Just a choice.
2. Harden the exterior of your house - big windows get large rose bushes/trees in front of them, doors are solid with metal door jambs, all have deadbolts. Keys/codes/etc. are carefully secured.
3. Control access to the house and what repair/service persons see while on the property. Many times the intruders have been tipped off by someone who has been to the home.
4. I believe crime increases in areas where it has not been solved or stopped. There is a community of criminals, and they share information. My cars are locked at night, even though the average intruder has to make a commitment to accessing my property (I live pretty rural).
5. Have a plan - my wife and my cell phones stay on our bedside tables every night, or with us as we move around. She has the Sheriff's number on speed dial (911 may put you on hold!). We know it will take approximately 25minutes for them to respond to any level of emergency at our place. I need to keep the intruders entertained for that amount of time if I am going to rely on the LEOs. My wife will stay hunkered down in the bedroom walk-in closet. The the closet has a gun safe with a few options that she can open in the dark if needed, but there is a flashlight there as well. The closet door and jambs are steel - not impenetrable but not a hollow core door either. Dogs sleep with us at night. Wife calls the Sherriff asap - once she is secured. Calls Neighbors immediately after (even though they are a quarter mile away).
6. Gun options: this is a subject of much debate, in my mind it breaks down to whether or not there are children in the house and what do you feel is the worst case scenario. My worst case is a child being used as a shield/abducted. This negates a shotgun as my primary/only response weapon (imo). My choice is either my Glock 45.5 (RMR, TLR-8A), or my AR15 SBR (with EOTech and TLR-2HL). I do not feel my shotgun is as good with a sub moa shot which I may need for the human shield/abduction scenario. My wife however, hunkered down in a safe place with a shotgun with buckshot is safe until I tell her it is all clear.
7. My priority is to make sure family is safe. Secondly it is to "invite" the intruder(s) to leave from a safe place. Third priority is to stop them from any further potential harm. My first priority is not to clear the house - it is to secure my family. I have a light switch in the bedroom that shuts off all lights in the house and another that lights up the exterior like daylight. It cost a bit to have an electrician wire it but it gives me an advantage if I have to deal with intruder(s).
8. If I advance to level 3 (clear the house), I need to do so as securely as possible, I must become the predator - I am not trying to scare them. My objective is to deny them another victim. If you are not certain beyond all doubts you can do this, live with it, and your family can as well, do not attempt to clear the house. Stay in a safe place, beyond a choke point that you can control if needed until help arrives. Too many people (like your neighbor) think intruders will be scared away - that is not a bet with good odds these days (imo). This does not mean I am a brave man, it means I am committed to the safety of my family.

I am sure I have overlooked something, or that my plan could be better. And I have to acknowledge that I trade off the fact that there are fewer criminals per home out in the sticks, with a slower LEO response time. I may be more self sustaining than if I lived in a discrete neighborhood. But experience has shown neighbors to be largely worthless during the event.

 

Greez. This level of planning..... Sounds like a Liam Neeson movie

I might touch basis with you when the next major renovation of the house is planned - What system would you recommend, if you don't mind me asking ?

I am sure I have overlooked something, or that my plan could be better.

Yeah right. I'd like to see someone prove that. LOL

 

I have always said that lights are your cheapest deterrent to start with, then cameras, dogs , better locks, better doors, and on. I have motion lights and cameras here and have replaced all my screws in door hinges, and striker plates with 3'' screws. Guns are next to my head and a sub 2000 5' away. Doors are cked before going to bed and cameras activated.

 

3'' screws

Great idea. Going to get this done over the weekend

 

Your house may be next however they might wait a couple weeks until all the commotion dies down. IMO if you are faced with this situation then you did something wrong. Sorry but this is a free message board so take this opinion for what it’s worth Haha. I live in a big metroplex. Security Alarms and an inside dog that barks are the absolute bare minimum. Do you have perimeter lighting all around the house when it goes dark? My back yard is lit up with lights that stay on from dusk to dawn. Stay vigilant. It sounds like your comfy piece of Americana has had its bubble burst

 

Do you have perimeter lighting all around the house when it goes dark?

Yes sir. Motion sensored driveway and backyard lighting. Door grills with 2 door latches each on all external entry/exit points. Keypad deadbolt locks on the master suite and the doors behind the door grills. Door locks in all bedrooms. Anti Shatter Window Films on all window panes on the lower storey. However, my security system is still very basic, works but I feel is outdated.

 

Glad your friend survived, but he and wife will be thinking about this for a while. My home was broken into years ago - we were not home at the time and they helped themselves to a lot of our stuff. Afterwards, my wife didn't feel safe in her own home for quite some time.

The sweetheart in my avatar is the best first line of defense. Nothing gets within 50' of the house that we don't hear about it. I don't think she would hurt anyone, but they don't know that and she has a bark that's pretty intimidating. It's good to have a dog. I can't imagine someone getting past the dog, the motion activated outdoor floodlights, the outdoor cameras (that notify my phone if their motion sensor is tripped), and the alarm system without us knowing about it.

 

Glad your friend survived, but he and wife will be thinking about this for a while. My home was broken into years ago - we were not home at the time and they helped themselves to a lot of our stuff. Afterwards, my wife didn't feel safe in her own home for quite some time.

Thank you. Recovering from a mental trauma is far worse than a physical injury. However, we have a pretty supportive neighborhood and we'll try our best to assist the family recover mentally.

You have a point about a dog. I had an Amstaff and a Rott earlier but lost both of them to illness. Current lifestyle will not do justice to a pet. Will have to wait it out for a few more years before getting another one.

 

(I‘m glad your friend is recovering)

At this stage, unless there was a compelling reason…I’m not giving up the advantage of being at the top of the stairs.



”Alexa. Intruder Alert!”

Yes, always maintain the high ground.

The first thing I think about if going down stairs toward a threat is that I would first reveal my feet, then my lower legs, then knees, thighs, pelvis, etc, all before my eye drop below first floor ceiling level to allow me to spot the intruders. Not good. I am hunkering down with my 870 behind a closed door waiting for LEO's to arrive and ferret the bad guys out.