I'm aware of several Pelicans that have put their CCH to use that haven't chimed in here, one of which shot a gunman and likely saved his life. So let's not take this thread as the gospel.

With that said, there's a lot of wisdom to a layered defense. When former thieves are surveyed, dogs are the #1 deterrent. Lighting is near the top as well. With a lab and lots of lights front and back, I figure the first later is good. After that point I have it covered.

That's fantastic.

The best IMO... Pump action shotgun!

They look menacing at that may be enough. Let's hope you never have to actually use it.

Actually, the #1 Deterrent is a Dead criminal, they don't become repeat offenders like those who people let go..http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1444698559.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1444698592.jpg

Education or self defense class. Choose one. His choice is readily apparent.

After seeing what has gone on,and being a infantryman in VietNam...and yes I have used deadly force. It is your life.....your choice. I won't tell you what you can have....don't tell me.

Thank You for your Service!!http://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/wat6.gif

I am fortunate in that I have not had to use a firearm in a self defense or home defense scenario Having said that, here is what I have learned during my training, which is a repeat of what has already been discussed here:

1. Layered defense. Lighting, strong doors, a barking dog are all theft deterrents. I would add to that the following detailed layers: Take a defensive stance - hopefully with your loved ones by you. If you hear an intruder, then: if you have time to dial 911, do so - and state your address. Twice. Even before saying anything else. Then tell them there is someone in your house and you fear for your life. Next, leave the line open on the phone. Then, clearly, loudly state the following: "Who are you? GET OUT. The police are coming. I HAVE A GUN." At this point, the perp has two choices - take what he can and get out, or follow your voice. When you see or hear movement on the door - you can only assume that the perp is there to cause bolidy harm - he has the rest of the house to pillage - no need to enter your room. IF the door opens, you need to defend myself and your loved ones. Incidentally, the phone and the verbal warning serve to protect you in the court of law - and staying in place shows that you did not attempt to be on the offensive and hunt the perp down, but rather defended yourself. Use of deadly force in this scenario is the LAST RESORT - not the first. (Lot of this is from Masad Ayob's defensive techniques)

2. Training. Learn to shoot your firearm in all different situations. Being able to pick up a firearm from a stand infront of you at a shooting range is vastly different than securing a firearm from wherever it is stored in your home, in the dark, half-asleep, and being able to hold it correctly. Lather - rise - repeat -until you can do it forwards, backwards, upside down. I would also add that if possible, when target shooting, shoot one round without wearing ear protection, so you have an understanding of the loudness of a gun shot in a controled environment.

3. Physiclal/Emotional/Mental readiness: ok - so there is an intruder in your home, and you have your trustly Glock in your (trembling) hand, and adrenaline is coursing through your body. Do you have: 1. the physical ability to effectively take aim and pull the trigger? 2. Do you have the emotional and mental capability to actually shoot and likely kill another human being? This is a decision that you need to make long before you aquire your target in the middle of a home invasion. If you cannot come to terms with this, then using a gun in such a scenario is of little value. Difficult moral decisions...

-Z-man.

I think this report on home defense is quite interesting: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/ascii/vdhb.txt
Here is the intro:
"An estimated 3.7 million household burglaries occurred each
year on average from 2003 to 2007. In about 28% of these
burglaries, a household member was present during the burglary.
In 7% of all household burglaries, a household member
experienced some form of violent victimization (figure 1).

These estimates of burglary are based on a revised definition
of burglary from the standard classification in the National
Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). Historically, burglary is
classified as a property crime except when someone is home
during the burglary and a household member is attacked or
threatened. When someone is home during a burglary and
experiences violence, NCVS classification rules categorize the
victimization as a personal (rape/sexual assault, robbery, and
aggravated and simple assault) rather than a property crime
(household burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft). In this
report, the definition of household burglary includes
burglaries in which a household member was a victim of a
violent crime (see Methodology).

Highlights

*An estimated 3.7 million burglaries occurred each year on
average from 2003 to 2007.

*A household member was present in roughly 1 million burglaries
and became victims of violent crimes in 266,560 burglaries.

*Simple assault (15%) was the most common form of violence when
a resident was home and violence occurred. Robbery (7%) and
rape (3%) were less likely to occur when a household member was
present and violence occurred.

*Offenders were known to their victims in 65% of violent
burglaries; offenders were strangers in 28%.

*Overall, 61% of offenders were unarmed when violence occurred
during a burglary while a resident was present. About 12% of
all households violently burglarized while someone was home
faced an offender armed with a firearm.

*Households residing in single family units and higher density
structures of 10 or more units were least likely to be
burglarized (8 per 1,000 households) while a household member
was present.

*Serious injury accounted for 9% and minor injury accounted for
36% of injuries sustained by household members who were home
and experienced violence during a completed burglary..."

If only 12% of the time, the burglar had a gun...almost any gun would really tilt the odds dramatically in your favor most of the time.

Umm, does sound like fun.

Been lucky to have never needed to pull one out for self defense. Hope I never have to.

Which is why...
1. You don't clear your home - let the police do that
2. You need to describe yourself and what you are wearing when you call 911, and give your location in the house as well. "I am wearing polka-dot hello kitty Pj's and I'm in the southwest corner of the upstairs of my house.
3. You do not go to the front door to let the officer in. Have dispatch tell you the officers' names and let them identify themselves from outside. Throw your keys to them or they can break down your door. Otherwise you don't know if the person outside is police or an accomplice.
4. If police arrive on the scene, and the perp is secured, put down your gun and comply to their commands.
5. Btw - if you shoot a peep in your home you will likely be arrested. But you need not go into great detail about the events. You can be cooperative but you also have a right to remain silent. Saying too much can be used by the perp's lawyer to get them off on a technicality, or land you in trouble. Suffice it to say "he broke in, I feared for my life, and I defended myself." Another reason to take a defensive stance and not clear the house - that can be interpreted by a shady lawyer as you hunting down the perp in cold blood.

z

All reasons we'll be depending on our dogs, cell phones and perhaps bear spray.

That and a working "brain" should suffice...but each must make their own call. Twice I've been threatened (gun pointed at head, then by knife) and both occasions I'm damn glad I wasn't carrying, but that's just me. Never felt the need or desire too...but I do keep a loaded burglar alarm handy....YMMV. I also keep a can of hornet/wasp spray in my vehicle....sprays 20' and won't ever get a second glance otherwise....it'll drop 'em just as fast as bear spray/bullets will too ;)

But this is about home defense. I don't believe that there are no guns in your house...nor do I believe you would not use one to defend your home.

Hypothetically... Someone breaks into your house and you're home.

Would you want to have a gun on hand or not?

And you'd be correct Fint....hence the "loaded burglar alarm". But I've always been around guns and comfortable with them....and since I don't live in CA or NJ, I'll certainly not be hiding behind a bedroom door calling 911 either ;)

If you desire a non-lethal deterrent than I suggest switching over to conventional mace/pepper spray/bear spray. Wasp spray has toxins that can be fatal or can cause blindness in humans. Plus the legalities of using a toxic substance on someone when mace is so readily available.

-Z

Z, you offer sound advice if one is overly concerned with the legalities of protecting one's self....here in NC, I'm pretty comfortable with my choice though. Heck, I could just open carry with a .45 on my hip too. It must suck to live in a state like NJ where you "MUST" be concerned though. So I'm glad I live in a state where juries are "real people" and most DAs wouldn't even press charges for defending one's home or self....YMMV.

KC - thanks for rubbing it in! :eek:

Someday I will experience what it is to live in a free state..: someday...