Best Weapon for Home Defense against Home Invasion?

[Bald1]

First and foremost, the home itself. I built my house right next to the town that has been proclaimed "The safest town in America" for many years running.

Nevertheless, crime is everywhere. So, Second on the list is an awesome security system. Mine is not only directed at burglars, but smoke, heat, CO and sump pump alarm detectors as well.

Third, a 12 gauge pump and a duty grade 9 mm in close access.

Would that be Amherst? If so we're very close to each other. Even Amherst isn't what it used to be. I grew up there.

 

[ameridaddy]

Home invasion - depends - prevent or defend against one?
Prevent - dog, lighting, alarm system.
Defend against one in process - something semiauto with 8+ rounds very near at hand

 

[GypsmJim]

Would that be Amherst? If so we're very close to each other. Even Amherst isn't what it used to be. I grew up there.

That would be the place.

NOTHING is what it used to be. You just have to use common sense and go by the statistics.

I grew up off Jefferson Ave. in Buffalo, just a few blocks from the infamous Tops Market. Because of vast expansion of the Medical Campus, the values of some older but magnificent homes is ever increasing. But the chance of a home invasion in that neighborhood is very high.

My wife grew up in Niagara Falls. A beautiful neighborhood years ago. Great Grandma had a beautiful home, worth several hundred thousand if in the suburbs. When she went into the Nursing home, her house sold for $4000. (That's not a typo). Banks would not mortgage it and nobody wanted it because of gangs and crack houses.

But I digress.....love a scattergun.

 

[Miracle Man]

There's no way I would limit myself to a pistol/revolver at home. But everybody's situation is different. I live for all intents and purposes "out in the country".

Give me my AR15 and a shotgun.

 

[Bald1]

I hear ya Jim. I was born on the west side of Buffalo. It got bad we moved to Riverside. It got bad and parents headed to the burbs. Occasionally I drive through the city and it's sad to see. Especially the waterfront. It could be magnificent. I agree a scattergun is hard to beat within the confines of a house. And a decent flashlight.

 

[URIT]

I asked for non-lethal options so we could discuss some of the various options available for home defense rather than just a discussion of firearms.

Hardening the target - home - with lighting, security doors, video, alarms, dogs, or laser trained attack cats, landscaping that removes cover near the house, etc. I've done most of those, but home invaders tend to target elderly; often, not only at night but during the day.

Some of us have pepper spray, tasers, batons, bats, blinding flashlights, a sack full of marbles, etc. I like the bear spray to carry with me while walking my Scottish Terrier because we do have black bears in our neighborhood. Scotties are good watch dogs.

I also display an American flag. Rumor is folks with the flag have guns and will use them.

I'm still interested in other peoples options. I never thought of putting gators in the pool.

So far, I'm surprised ARs are being mentioned more often.

 

[GypsmJim]

I asked for non-lethal options so we could discuss some of the various options available for home defense rather than just a discussion of firearms.

Yes, I understand that, and 2 of my 3 options addressed that.

Nevertheless, IMHO other non lethal items that actually address an assailant that is already on the property is pure folly.

Not mentioning any specific cases, but if you analyze some recent ones it should be an eye-opener. If a person is high on drugs, or seriously mentally disturbed, a taser or bear spray won't deter them long enough for you to be safe. Once they have their hands on you all bets are off.

Now, let's discuss some cases where a perp was wounded and sued the homeowner because they were crippled for life.

Again, IMHO, the only safety is not in "lethal", it's in "fatal".

 

[Zackary]

My good friend , a decorated Vietnam vet , always reminded me " The best self defense weapon for home is the same as the best ammo for home defense.... it's the one you can put on the target at 3 AM when they kick in your back door."

 

[CorvZ061]

I never actually answered the question earlier. I have my 2 Goldens that will alert me of something, but they'll just lick the intruder to death. Beyond that I keep a Mossberg 500 nearby with 00 buck. My daily carry 686+ isn't far away either.

 

[StrawHat]

If yours are anything like ours, the only thing an intruder would have to fear is being licked to death.

Two of the three are barkers. The third has only been with us 6 days as of 12 February. The will tell us when someone is in their space, therefore our space.

Kevin

 

[Muss Muggins]

. . . Now, let's discuss some cases where a perp was wounded and sued the homeowner because they were crippled for life. . .

I'd like to discuss one. Cite it . . .

 

[X62503]

...three attack cats with murder mitts loaded with meat hooks ... and always hungry.

Attack cats! If only!

 

[X62503]

My nightstand gun is a USP in .45 ACP, and next to the bed is a Benelli M1 Super 90 loaded with 00. Mrs. X62503 keeps a Glock 19 on her side. Then there's the dog, but she is a pretty sound sleeper.

 

[Modified]

Nothing shy of a Davy Crockett is good enough for home defense. Anyone telling you different is selling something.

 

[Miracle Man]

I asked for non-lethal options so we could discuss some of the various options available for home defense rather than just a discussion of firearms.

Hardening the target - home - with lighting, security doors, video, alarms, dogs, or laser trained attack cats, landscaping that removes cover near the house, etc. I've done most of those, but home invaders tend to target elderly; often, not only at night but during the day.

Some of us have pepper spray, tasers, batons, bats, blinding flashlights, a sack full of marbles, etc. I like the bear spray to carry with me while walking my Scottish Terrier because we do have black bears in our neighborhood. Scotties are good watch dogs.

I also display an American flag. Rumor is folks with the flag have guns and will use them.

I'm still interested in other peoples options. I never thought of putting gators in the pool.

So far, I'm surprised ARs are being mentioned more often.

Well the main thing with me is you're talking home invasion. So now it's past the pepper spray, stun gun, ball bat zone. If someone is brazened enough to "home invade you" it's most likely they plan on doing harm and don't care who they hurt.

They've crossed the line and they're bought and paid for. It's 00 buckshot time.

 

[10Mad]

Claymores on trip wires would be my first choice. Backed up by a few of those handy robot motion sensing auto deals from Aliens.
You asked what I would want, not what I got.

 

[Dougaz]

A good alarm system.

I want your pup

 

[Dougaz]

I want your pup

 

[Heinz]

If yours are anything like ours, the only thing an intruder would have to fear is being licked to death.

My Weim is friendly unless he thinks you are up to no good. Somehow they can smell it.
I have two Smiths in the bedroom, a 645 with 2 extra mags, A 66 with two speed loaders. On my person is usually a P22; the 3913NL when there is full moon or domestic unrest going on. Plus a Boker Automat Kalasnikov at hand

 

[smoothshooter]

Does not matter much as long as you use something that is not too loud, too powerful, and does not penetrate a lot of walls.
So, no deer rifles, no 9mm FMJ, no 12 gauge 3" magnum loads.
Even a .410 shotgun will be okay. 20 gauge is better.