Best Weapon for Home Defense against Home Invasion?

[JMichaelTX]

I'm seeing a lot of comments referencing statistics on this thread without any links to the source. If someone is making statements regarding various stats, show where you acquired the information.

http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/ascii/vdhb.txt

I agree completely -- if you're going to cite statistics, then you should cite the source.

Here is a link to the main page for the above link, that provides a summary and other options for download:
Victimization During Household Burglary (2003-2007)

 

[Smoke]

Criminals are less likely to commit home invasion or robbery in better neighborhoods.

Can you cite your source please?

 

[Gamecock]

A few years ago, we had a rash of burglaries of occupied homes. One down the street from me, and in subdivisions on either side of me. All upscale developments. Two different MOs. All perps were eventually caught and prosecuted.

What type of neighborhood has the most is of no interest to me. Of interest to me is that it can happen in my neighborhood, and it did happen. So I'm prepared. An MP5 would be a great bedside gun, but I'll make do with what I have. I pity the fool that breaks my door down.

 

[Paul Bernard]

night time defense

I wear a full length brace on one leg, and use a cane to get around. I recently purchased a Biometric single gun safe. I researched it for a long time. So far its flawless. It is mounted on the top of my night stand,and the night stand is cabled to the floor.(over kill? may-be) but it works). Its very heavy, the safe does not move a fraction of an inch. I don't have the luxary of getting out of bed and moving fast for it takes me a few MINUTES !! to stand up with all the leather straps and velcro to secure the brace on my leg. One thing that I can do very quickly is extend my arm to the safe while in bed, and flick my index finger on the unit and within 2-3 seconds I have my favorite revolver in my hand that for some reason I have become extreemly accurate with filling the bulls eye at 12 yards away. A Smith a Wesson 686P - 7 round, 4" barrel, 357 magnum. God I love that gun. LOL! Loaded with Hornady critical defense JHP. OH! I also have in the safe a tactical 1100 lumen flash light that lights up houses many properties away like the sun is shining on them. Now I have practiced this exercise at least 50 different times over a two month period. I hope to God I never have to pull the trigger and hope the blinding light will disable the intruder ( if I have time) but if it's not well.......I hope my wife will not be hurt. At least I have a plan and rehearse it every once in a while. I also have other guns in a floor safe in my house, but for me that's not much help lying in bed without my brace on. Nothing's perfect, but it is a plan.

 

[ClayCow]

Can you cite your source please?

Smokes. Not to be rude. But is there more or less crime in more affluent neighborhoods?

 

[Smoke]

Smokes. Not to be rude. But is there more or less crime in more affluent neighborhoods?

So, no.

Thanks

 

[Gulfecho]

So, no.

Thanks

The answer is presented in JMichaelTX's Department of Justice Survey he attached. It states: "Higher income households experienced lower rates of burglary.
Rates of household burglary were generally
lower for higher income households than lower
income households (table 3)."

 

[ClayCow]

So, no.

Thanks

No I didnt research it with statistics. I seriously just used common sense and what i've read and heard throughout the years. There is a reason why people move out of less income neighborhoods. Are you seriously still denying it? You yourself wrote a post about how dangerous your place is and how you can't move to a better neighborhood. Why would you want to move to a better neighborhood if it would have just as much crime?

 

[BE Mike]

Your best weapon is your brain. Being prepared is 90% of the battle. Having a long gun unsecured around the house isn't an option for many folks. Creating time for you is important. I suggest this: Door Armor Ultimate Door Security - Door Jamb Reinforcement - jamb repair - Armor Concepts

 

[deadear dan]

Home invasion as in kicked in door while you have your feet up watching the game? Think about it. You want your back to them while you reach under the couch for your long gun and tell them "wait a minute?" In this situation you will most probably not have cover so you need to stop the threat as quickly as possible. I've read a thread from someone who had his face smashed with a baseball bat before he could get up off his chair. Sorry, 38 spl doesn't work for me here. Easily controlled 40 cal Glock 27.

 

[Xfuzz]

Dang...we have a lot of new members.

 

[686-380]

Your body

If you're not fit enough to react to a home invasion, you're doomed anyway.

Cardiovascular fitness is your best weapon against home invasion.

That and just about any firearm gives you the greatest chance of success.

 

[RSanch111]

As far as statistics, you can google "FBI Uniform Crime Report". Any department that is accepting federal grant funds (just about all of them) are required to code and submit their crime reports to be included. I believe MR. X may have already posted the link.

As far as "Home Invasion", it's important to separate them from "Burglaries", or "degrees" of home invastion. The way crimes are coded now, generally, "burglaries" are when someone breaks in when you're not home, "home invasions" are when they break in when someone is in the dwelling. Not sure, but they may have begun coding Home Invasions by "degree" to include when people aren't home....I'll check...

Here is Michigan's "Home Invasion" statute. Looks like they've done away with "burglary" and now call it "Home Invasion, First Degree" when someone is home. That's how old I am...I still think "Burglary" vs. "Home Invasion".

THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 328 of 1931


750.110a Definitions; home invasion; first degree; second degree; third degree; penalties.

Sec. 110a.

(1) As used in this section:

(a) "Dwelling" means a structure or shelter that is used permanently or temporarily as a place of abode, including an appurtenant structure attached to that structure or shelter.

(b) "Dangerous weapon" means 1 or more of the following:

(i) A loaded or unloaded firearm, whether operable or inoperable.

(ii) A knife, stabbing instrument, brass knuckles, blackjack, club, or other object specifically designed or customarily carried or possessed for use as a weapon.

(iii) An object that is likely to cause death or bodily injury when used as a weapon and that is used as a weapon or carried or possessed for use as a weapon.

(iv) An object or device that is used or fashioned in a manner to lead a person to believe the object or device is an object or device described in subparagraphs (i) to (iii).

(c) "Without permission" means without having obtained permission to enter from the owner or lessee of the dwelling or from any other person lawfully in possession or control of the dwelling.

(2) A person who breaks and enters a dwelling with intent to commit a felony, larceny, or assault in the dwelling, a person who enters a dwelling without permission with intent to commit a felony, larceny, or assault in the dwelling, or a person who breaks and enters a dwelling or enters a dwelling without permission and, at any time while he or she is entering, present in, or exiting the dwelling, commits a felony, larceny, or assault is guilty of home invasion in the first degree if at any time while the person is entering, present in, or exiting the dwelling either of the following circumstances exists:

(a) The person is armed with a dangerous weapon.

(b) Another person is lawfully present in the dwelling.

(3) A person who breaks and enters a dwelling with intent to commit a felony, larceny, or assault in the dwelling, a person who enters a dwelling without permission with intent to commit a felony, larceny, or assault in the dwelling, or a person who breaks and enters a dwelling or enters a dwelling without permission and, at any time while he or she is entering, present in, or exiting the dwelling, commits a felony, larceny, or assault is guilty of home invasion in the second degree.

(4) A person is guilty of home invasion in the third degree if the person does either of the following:

(a) Breaks and enters a dwelling with intent to commit a misdemeanor in the dwelling, enters a dwelling without permission with intent to commit a misdemeanor in the dwelling, or breaks and enters a dwelling or enters a dwelling without permission and, at any time while he or she is entering, present in, or exiting the dwelling, commits a misdemeanor.

(b) Breaks and enters a dwelling or enters a dwelling without permission and, at any time while the person is entering, present in, or exiting the dwelling, violates any of the following ordered to protect a named person or persons:

(i) A probation term or condition.

(ii) A parole term or condition.

(iii) A personal protection order term or condition.

(iv) A bond or bail condition or any condition of pretrial release.

(5) Home invasion in the first degree is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 20 years or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.

(6) Home invasion in the second degree is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years or a fine of not more than $3,000.00, or both.

(7) Home invasion in the third degree is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both.

(8) The court may order a term of imprisonment imposed for home invasion in the first degree to be served consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed for any other criminal offense arising from the same transaction.

(9) Imposition of a penalty under this section does not bar imposition of a penalty under any other applicable law.


History: Add. 1994, Act 270, Eff. Oct. 1, 1994 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 44, Eff. Oct. 1, 1999

As far as crime by house price, you can't always go by that. For example, in Detroit there are a few neighborhood of million dollar homes surrounded by ghetto. Literally blocks away. They generally have private "security" cruising around. So saying that it's a "nice area" can be misleading. They recently had a federal judge shot as he took his garbage out. Couple gentlemen approached him and ordered him into his house at gunpoint, where his family was. When he refused, they shot him in the leg with, I believe, a .45 round. Also in the same general area there was a home invasion at a Dr.'s house where he was targeted specifically. Years ago, when Detroit still had "nice" neighborhoods, a cop friend of mine lived in a high-priced house with his family. Someone broke into a house a few doors down and killed both occupants. So when I say move into a better "area", I don't mean move into a better "house". God bless this guy for being a "Detroit Booster" but I think he's nuts for living in the city with his family. He can absolutely afford to live in a better area, but he's a Detroiter through and through, I guess....he lives in a beautiful "neighborhood" with 1920's houses built for Detroit's middle elite, but....It's not a nice "area". It's still a neighborhood where you'd better carry your gun taking the garbage out cutting the grass or walking the dog. No thanks, not for me anymore since I don't have to live there anymore.

My second house is in an area in the country, on a dead-end street. The ONLY property-related crime there in 20 years was someone recently rifling through an unlocked car and taking pocket change. The local hospital hasn't had a shooting in over 25 years. I feel fortunate to have a place in a neighborhood like that. The most important thing you can do for personal safety there is to wear orange when you're walking the dog in the woods behind my house.

 

[ClayCow]

If you're not fit enough to react to a home invasion, you're doomed anyway.

Cardiovascular fitness is your best weapon against home invasion.

That and just about any firearm gives you the greatest chance of success.

Sounds like quite a broad and generalized statement. Tell me where cardiovascular fitness comes into play? You basically stated people in wheelchairs are 100% screwed in a home invasion. They're the ones with guns on this forum.

All you need is one fat old guy at the end of the hallway to shoot the person coming in. So as long as you don't have arthritis, you should be set. But yes, being in shape and fit wouldn't hurt.

 

[RSanch111]

Sounds like quite a broad and generalized statement. Tell me where cardiovascular fitness comes into play? You basically stated people in wheelchairs are 100% screwed in a home invasion. They're the ones with guns on this forum.

All you need is one fat old guy at the end of the hallway to shoot the person coming in. So as long as you don't have arthritis, you should be set. But yes, being in shape and fit wouldn't hurt.

One little tangent on 686' post: It's amazing to me how many guys nitpick every angle of home defense and personal safety when it comes to guns...."what kind of gun, what kind of round, what kind of trigger pull, what kind of headlight for the gun, what kind of laser beam...." who also eat like a garbage disposal (me included, I'm not casting any stones here....) If we're that worried about losing our lives in a one-in-a-million way, wouldn't you think we'd be eating more salad and exercising better when heart disease is more likely going to get us years earlier than it needs to?

"Honey, we need an AR-15 in the house in addition to the 12 gauge in case we get home invaded....Let's go shopping. And where's my Glock that I hid under the Victrola! Did you take it??? And the zip lock bag with my Sig in the shower is leaking again! Get new one. I told you, new bar of soap, new ziplock for the shower gun! This is NOT rocket science here!"

"Dinner's ready, honey! Acorn squash and tofu!"

"What!!! I'm not eating THAT! Bring me mac and cheese and a slab of ribs with mashed potatoes! And don't be stingy with the Sweet Baby Ray's!"

 

[Gulfecho]

Burglary vs Home Invasion

As far as statistics, you can google "FBI Uniform Crime Report". Any department that is accepting federal grant funds (just about all of them) are required to code and submit their crime reports to be included. I believe MR. X may have already posted the link.

As far as "Home Invasion", it's important to separate them from "Burglaries", or "degrees" of home invastion. The way crimes are coded now, generally, "burglaries" are when someone breaks in when you're not home, "home invasions" are when they break in when someone is in the dwelling. Not sure, but they may have begun coding Home Invasions by "degree" to include when people aren't home....I'll check...

Here is Michigan's "Home Invasion" statute. Looks like they've done away with "burglary" and now call it "Home Invasion, First Degree" when someone is home. That's how old I am...I still think "Burglary" vs. "Home Invasion".



As far as crime by house price, you can't always go by that. For example, in Detroit there are a few neighborhood of million dollar homes surrounded by ghetto. Literally blocks away. They generally have private "security" cruising around. So saying that it's a "nice area" can be misleading. They recently had a federal judge shot as he took his garbage out. Couple gentlemen approached him and ordered him into his house at gunpoint, where his family was. When he refused, they shot him in the leg with, I believe, a .45 round. Also in the same general area there was a home invasion at a Dr.'s house where he was targeted specifically. Years ago, when Detroit still had "nice" neighborhoods, a cop friend of mine lived in a high-priced house with his family. Someone broke into a house a few doors down and killed both occupants. So when I say move into a better "area", I don't mean move into a better "house".

My second house is in an area in the country, on a dead-end street. The ONLY property-related crime there in 20 years was someone recently rifling through an unlocked car and taking pocket change. The local hospital hasn't had a shooting in over 25 years. I feel fortunate to have a place in a neighborhood like that. The most important thing you can do for personal safety there is to wear orange when you're walking the dog in the woods behind my house.

Wouldn't you agree that areas more prone to burglaries would be more susceptible to home invasion?

 

[RSanch111]

I agree with your delineation between burglary and home invasions. Wouldn't you agree however, that areas with more prone to burglaries would be more susceptible to home invasion?

Absolutely....Just making sure we're all taking about the same crime. A "burglar" is generally only a First Degree Home invader by mistake. Real home invaders generally target dope houses or high-dollar victims like the jeweler i talked about. And the news rarely talks about the drug angle when they report: "Two killed in home invasion".

 

[ClayCow]

One little tangent on 686' post: It's amazing to me how many guys nitpick every angle of home defense and person safety when it comes to guns...."what kind of gun, what kind of round, what kind of trigger pull, what kind of headlight for the gun, what kind of laser beam...." who also eat like a garbage disposal (me included, I'm not casting any stones here....) If we're that worried about losing our lives in a one-in-a-million way, wouldn't you think we'd be eating more salad and exercising better when heart disease is more likely going to get us years earlier than it needs to?

Yea, i'm right there with you. Heart disease, diabetes, cancer will probably kill the majority of people before a SD. But to some, the gun is the way they'll stay alive, it's also the only thing they think they need. Forget the hand to hand you may need or the ability to fight off an attacker before grabbing for your gun. I'm about to go off on a rant so i'll stop!

 

[RSanch111]

Yea, i'm right there with you. Heart disease, diabetes, cancer will probably kill the majority of people before a SD. But to some, the gun is the way they'll stay alive, it's also the only thing they think they need. Forget the hand to hand you may need or the ability to fight off an attacker before grabbing for your gun. I'm about to go off on a rant so i'll stop!

I just have a bunch of guns because I like guns. Also, I've accumulated a lot of them after 30 years on the PD because I can't pass up a good deal! I'm under no illusions about how they're gonna "save" me if I sprinkle them around the house instead of keeping them in the safe, haa haa.....Thankfully, my wife gets it and I don't have to rationalize buying more rounds or grabbing a deal on an old gun..... Plus, I cook for her quite a bit....Last night was an Emiril recipe for Chicken Marsala......

 

[ClayCow]

I just have a bunch of guns because I like guns. Also, I've accumulated a lot of them after 30 years on the PD because I can't pass up a good deal! I'm under no illusions about how they're gonna "save" me if I sprinkle them around the house instead of keeping them in the safe, haa haa.....Thankfully, my wife gets it and I don't have to rationalize buying more rounds or grabbing a deal on an old gun..... Plus, I cook for her quite a bit....Last night was an Emiril recipe for Chicken Marsala......

Same here. My friends keep asking me why I buy more. I tell them this is a better hobby than outfitting trucks with off road gear or stereo systems since I should make money or atleast come out a little less than even if I ever quit this hobby. Better than spending my money on hookers.

I keep most of my guns locked up. I have one by my bedstand and have been meaning to put one in downstairs basement. I dont need one in every room though. I feel comfortable withthat. If I wasnt renting this house, Id buy that door jam that someone posted up. To me, its better to have that than to have guns all around the house.