Yea, sorry about that. I was writing that as quickly as I could because I didn't have any time, then I realized that I didn't give much of other ideas, lol. So, I'll give some more now.

So we'll assume I guess that you're awoken in the middle of the night by someone breaking in? Now exact methods from some people may vary, but what I've been trained in is something as follows: If you know that someone has broken in, don't go investigating, walking up and down your halls. At this point, 911 should be dialed so that proper law enforcement can arrive-they are the professionals after all. If you can, stay on the line with the operator and describe to him/her everything that is happening (this could come in very handy if you find yourself in court later). Tell the operator that you are armed. Announce yourself to the intruder, telling them that you are aware that they are there, you are armed and will use deadly force if necessary (this is important because the 911 operator will be recording the conversation, and in court this will be evidence that you gave every option to the intruder to leave or surrender). If you believe that the intruder is armed, you can use your bed mattress as cover (this is surprisingly effective against most ammunition-do a degree of course).

From here, you give yourself a mental (then verbal warning) "line" that if the intruder crosses, you will shoot them. This could be your bedroom door, the top of the stairs, the next door down etc-wherever you feel is a reasonable place that shows clarity that the intruder means to harm you or someone else, and at that point you have no further options.

If the intruder crosses this line (and after you've told them, "cross this line, or come thru that door and I will shoot", all while letting the 911 operator hear this) you do indeed shoot...and you hit the intruder, immediately tell the operator that you need immediate medical assistance due to a gun shot (for the intrudor not yourself haha), this will work in your favor in court.

Once the police arrive, immediately surrender your weapon and put up no fights whatsoever. Your mind will be reeling because you've possibly just killed another human being, so that is why you want to try and let yourself calm down before you start rambling about the scattered details that you can gather after such an event. Be completely compliant to the cops. You probably will not receive your gun back-just the way it is.

After that, maybe go see a psychologist?

I know I probably missed certain important details, but that's the best I can do at the moment.

So, you're running for president, huh?

 

As a survivor of numerous armed confrontations, the above sounds reasonable. Don't ask.....

 

Oh my gosh, really?! You're gonna drop that and tell us not to ask? lol, no worries man. Glad you're still breathing!

 

If you ever roll out to the monthly Van Nuys BLVD cruise, we have 3-5 GN's that go regularly.

 

When is the van nuys meet? Thursdays?

 

2nd Wednesday of every month from 7-10pm

Van Nuys Cruise

 

Nice, hopefully it's the same Wednesday's I'm off....may have to check it out. Cruising was still illegal on van nuys when I last lived in the SFV

 

Just legalized it within the last year.

 

Oops, I forgot the 911 call, I can leave that to my wife to handle while I rack.

I hope you don't mean turn over or lay upright your mattress since mine weighs a few hundred pounds, must be the dust mites. I'd die from exhaustion with my shotgun on the dresser.

I have kids, I can't wait in my room, I have to investigate. If anything happened to them due to my inaction, I'd eat a bullet.

Although I appreciate the support from all members, my campaign contributions from fellow tech members are stock LCA's, a window motor, a lid, and a darkened tail light. Unfortunately, most are from F-body's, not vettes, otherwise I'd have close to $100.

 

That's from the movie liar liar LOL.

 

Sorry to necro this one but I thought this was relevant:

http://www.derbyguns.com/media/ccw_legal_07292010.pdf

You may use physical force against another when and to
the extent a reasonable person would believe it necessary to
prevent what a reasonable person would believe to be an
attempt to commit or commission by another of theft or
criminal damage involving tangible movable property
under one’s possession or control (A.R.S. § 13-408), and
one may use deadly physical force in self-defense,
defense of another or to prevent certain special crimes
(see below).

EXAMPLE: Like the law that permits threatening deadly
force to evict a trespasser, the law permitting use of physical
force to stop theft of one’s property should be tempered by
judgment and tactical considerations. Let's play "what if."

Joe Sixpack is sitting at home in his living room in
front of a large window, watching TV during the evening.
Joe suddenly sees the motion activated flood light above his
front door illuminate a figure that is using a wire coat hanger
to open Joe’s locked Porsche automobile, which is parked
on the street in front of Joe’s house. May Joe legally go
outside and physically stop the theft of his prized car from in
front of his house? Sure he may, but should he? Joe
should think about tactics and judgment, not merely what
“rights” he may legally exercise. Let's continue the "what if"
game.

Joe tucks his Beretta model 92F (a 9mm semiautomatic
pistol) into his waistband, puts on a jacket to
conceal the Beretta, and goes out to confront the jerk who is
stooped over his beautiful Porsche. Joe knows that he may
threaten or use physical force to stop the thief, so Joe
approaches and shouts "Hey, what the hell are you doing?"
Joe plans to deck this jerk when he turns around, unless the
thief flees (Joe assumes the thief will flee). Then . . . the
thief turns and stands erect as Joe approaches closer. Joe
thinks to himself, “My God! He is at least six foot seven and
his shoulders completely block my view of the Porsche!”
At this point, Joe thinks to himself, "I can threaten or
use only physical force to stop this theft, but I don't think my
threat or use of physical force will do anything to this
monster. I cannot threaten deadly force because he is not a
trespasser on my property (and that would be stupid anyway
- recalling the party crasher at the New Year's party). I
cannot use deadly force because my life is not in apparent,
imminent danger. I'm screwed!"

Under this scenario, Joe is really going to feel stupid
just standing there as this guy drives away in Joe’s Porsche,
but Joe did not take time to call the police. Does Joe recall
the amount of the deductible on his auto insurance? Wait,
let's continue "what if."

Undeterred by the obvious superior physical abilities
of the guy who will soon be driving Joe’s Porsche, Joe
stupidly says "Leave my car alone, or I'll kick your a--." (Ah!
It is so satisfying to use one’s right to threaten physical force
to stop the theft of one’s Porsche.) Then, the monster does
something stupid. He pulls a BIG knife from behind his
back, and says "I'm gonna cut your f---ing head off" and
steps toward Joe. (Now, isn’t Joe glad that he tucked his
Beretta into his waistband?)

At this point, Joe will be justified to threaten or use
deadly force in self-defense, and he does so. Unfortunately,
this guy is so BIG and mean that he doesn't drop his knife
and cease being a threat to Joe until Joe has fired 14 of the
15 rounds in his Beretta, and guess what? Joe’s Porsche
acted as the bullet stop for at least 10 of those rounds. Joe
is now seriously depressed and regrets his decision to stop
the thief himself, rather than call the police. Now, how much
deductible did Joe have on his Porsche insurance?

Obviously, Joe should have called the police before
going outside to save his precious Porsche. Joe would have
been wise to wait to let the police handle the situation.
Under this scenario, Joe proceeded at his own risk when he
exercised his “right” to use physical force to stop a theft.
Was it worth the risk?

 

Not worth the revival, not relevant to the OP.

 

WOW this got outta hand...
But glad you have a caring neighbor. You never know who you can trust...
I'm stationed in Cali, but from FL and my so called friend moved into my empty house and in exchange for rent he was suppose to rebuild my stroker motor in my 85 Z28 and put a cam kit into my 88 4x4 Sierra which i game him alone for the truck $1500 parts/labor, but that wasn'ts enough, he had to sell my $5K top end CNC T1 brodix heads ect. on craigslist. Luckily the person he sold it to didnt need them anymore and put them on ebay and had the picture with my last name stamped on the heads listed in the pix. Glad i stamped them 7 years ago lol ...... BUT.... he's in jail now where he belongs... First to steal from someone who's giving you free place to stay, known for 4.5 years... oh yeah and is in the Marines, and he was prior serviceman too... ITS A ******* SHAME WHAT DRUGS DO TO PEOPLE... but whatever, if I was back in FL, I'd have killed him for sure, but my garage queen is out here thank god or it might have been stripped which I'd go insane. But if I ever saw anymore pay too much attention to my car in a parking lot, or if I did leave my car in the driveway, it'd be a bad day for him, cause that's a car owned by a Marine who's shooting badge is Expert... and I don't think before I do...

 

this is to v6sweep it wouldnt let me quote you...

when you use firearm you shoot to kill you dont shoot to wound... police always tell me if you shoot to wound and it stops the situation you could have done something else thats why victims lose civil cases.

You also say that shotguns arent the best home defense weapon however you fail to realize how many people have 1. lack of shooting experience 2. lack of shooting experience while under pressure and adrenline 3. lack of visual perception as often its dark when burglerys occur.

there was a training video a few years back where it shows officers were given fake weapons during a seminar and were told that at some time 2 people would enter and start spraying and when the 2 people entered most officers couldnt even get there weapon out of there holster and many of them were actually "shot" if professionals have a hard time what makes you think you are better

 

+1.....

 

Oh hey, I didn't see this until now. So...

I never said shoot to injure, matter of fact I said that shooting to injure is a bad idea-I did however say shoot to neutralize the threat, which is different. So your thought on this is already the same as mine.

Yes, I was trained and do believe that shotguns are not the ideal weapon for home defense due to their long barrels-in tight quarters, this is not ideal. You make the case that people do not have shooting experience, especially under high stress situations. So a shotgun is better?? Your point can be taken either way. Of course, each situation will call for a different tool. If you find yourself in a situation where a shotgun works best, than I hope that you have one if you need it. If not, then I hope you have whatever tool it is you need. Also, this is why I always encourage people to take shooting lessons and become familiar with different types of firearms-knowledge is power.

About the training video...when did I say that I was any better than an officer? I believe that at this point I am not, though I do have strong shooting skills. I've seen this done before with students who after the Virginia Tech shooting were rallying for students to conceal carry on campus. Did the participants use paintball guns in the video you're talking about?

I don't understand your response to me. All I am trying to do is educate people who may come across this thread with information from trained professionals that I have trained under and became certified under. Do you have an issue with my trying to help?

Again, I never said I was a better shooter or have better reaction times in a spontaneous shooting event, but situational awareness is something that I live by.

I wonder if I'll get any +1s on this one, I haven't yet (except from the guy who said he's been involved in multiple home invasions or something and agreed with what I said-but never mind that lol).

Edit: 2c5s is the supporter and +1er. Interesting.

 

My reference to the use of a shotgun is because of the spread pattern and a better chance to hit the target under the pressure.

My reference to the law enforcement test was to illustrate how trained professionals have trouble using weapons in the moment. Most people are not as trained as they are.

 

While im not disagreeing with what most of what you said the shotgun is very hard to beat for close quarters combat as you almost always revert back to instinct and just point and pull the trigger. Obviously not a 28" barrel with a full choke but something along the lines of one with an 18" barrel with an improved cylinder and #4 buck.

I have been charged by both a bear and boar while hunting and to be honest if the boar was not hurt so bad it would have got me even though i had my pistol out. The bear i was archery hunting and for whatever reason it was just a mock charge and it ran right past me i did not have a gun but i would have had hardly any time to aim. I would have felt much better having a shotgun with buchshot then trying to hit them with a pistol round.

In my experience ill take the shotgun for home defense, when im panicked all i have to do is point in their general direction and ill probably hurt them.

 

If you read my comment about the spread pattern of shotguns, you would have seen that shotgun spread (depending on the load and barrel length) is actually very compact and doesn't offer huge advantages to a bullet-but granted, it is still a larger spread.

I understand your reference to the law enforcement thing, but I don't understand your assumption that I thought or even gave the impression that I was more prepared than a cop-if I did somehow than I apologize, that was not my intent at all and not my belief. I do however think that I am more prepared than the average American. That is why I commented on this thread in the first place. Do I know that I'm prepared to handle a home invasion? Well, you never know if you're prepared until it happens. But I do know that I've done a lot to better my chances.

Again, I'm just trying to help here, guys.

 

Holy smokes, I would have shat my pants if I was charged by a bear, mock or not!!! Glad you made it out alive lol.

I've been told that the skull of a bear is so thick that a slug from a shotgun or a .44 magnum or .357 magnum round is better to penetrate it? I don't really know if that's true or not.

But yea, if you're more comfortable with using a shotgun, it'll probably be better for you to use that than feel uncomfortable and not confident with any pistol.