When dealing with a home invasion defense program, it is best to break it into multiple bite size parts. In the initial program, we break the plan into the 6 D's.
1. Detect the threat in advance.
2. Deter: make them go seek out an easier target.
3. Deny access. Either stop them from breaking in or slow them down enough to give you more time to react.
4. Defend your safe spot or your "Alamo".
5. Deploy your weapons, whatever they may be; however, if by deploying your weapons you can get the attackers to break off their attack and leave without using force, that is ALWAYS a win!
6. Defeat If all else fails, deploy your weapons platform, using potentially *lethal force.
*NOTE: our intent in any situation is ALWAYS to stop the attack, not to kill.
To do anything else, is to leave the safety and wellbeing of yourself and your loved ones in the hands of violent criminals.
How do we accomplish the 6 D's?
Step 1: Detect:
Home invaders, even more so than burglars, are frequently careful about the homes they target. They will frequently "case" a property for a significant period of time before they make the decision to pull the trigger on your home. They will look at the layout of your home. They will look for certain elements like visibility from the street, signs of enhanced security in place, point of access to determine the method of breaching the property, resident's comings and goings, escape routes in case things go sideways, large dogs, etc.
Residents need to be cognizant of strange vehicles and people in the neighborhood. Be alert and discerning about the people you see. Clearly, strange cars or strange faces in your neighborhood could have a legitimate reason for being there, but they may be casing your home or others in the neighborhood. Pay attention, look for inconstancies. Talk to your neighbors. If something doesn't feel right, contact your police department and report what you think is a suspicious activity.
Step 2: Deter the Attack:
The only way to be sure of winning a fight is to not have it. So, it stands to reason if you can make your house an unappealing target, which makes potential home invaders move on in search of an easier target, then you can win by default. Some of the things that may make a home invader look for an easier target are an alarm system; an alarm yard sign; shrubs and bushes trimmed; a large dog in the residence; windows closed and locked; mail, newspapers and packages picked up from the mailbox and in front of the house; exterior lighting from dusk until dawn; timers on lights inside the house; etc., etc.
Step 3: Deny Access:
There are many different methods that home invaders use to penetrate your home. No one wants to live their lives in a bank vault or a fortress for absolute security, but by having some basic knowledge of how home invaders gain access to target houses and making an honest evaluation of your own home security, you can go a long way towards making your home perimeter secure. Some things to do are lock your doors and windows all the time; harden your doors and windows; properly secure your garage door; do not leave ladders or tools unlocked, and thereby accessible; talk with your neighbors about joint security so they watch your property, and you watch theirs; etc., etc.
Step 4: Defend Your Safe Spot:
In case your tactics do not deter or deny access to the attackers, you need to find a safe spot in your home that you can defend in place. In addition, you need to have a contingency plan for wherever you are in the home if you detect an attack and are unable to get yourself and/or your family to your safe spot or your "Alamo". As far as your main self-defense spot, you need to stock it with the resources and supplies you may need if attacked. Some of the things that are important are: communication like a cell phone or home phone; alarm panel; weapons and accessories for them; flashlight: etc., etc. You also need to think through how you will get to your weapons and communication resources if the attack comes when you are in your home, but not near your safe spot.
Steps 5 & 6 Deploy & Defeat:
Once your home has been invaded, you have two choices. One, tamely submit and throw yourself and your loved ones on the mercy of your violent attackers. Two, deploy your defense plan and defeat your attackers. I cannot overestimate the danger of a home invasion attack. If you tamely submit, there is no guarantee that you will in any way make yourself or your loved ones safer. If you choose to fight back, remember, there is no such thing as a fair fight. But if you fight back with a well-planned defense strategy, the attackers may very well decide that facing your defense is not worth the risk and break off the attack. That absolutely will not happen if you submit. Deploy and defeat is an area where there are many decisions to be made. For instance, what firearms platform or platforms will you deploy in defense? What ammunition type is going to give you the stopping power performance that you want while still minimizing the chance of over penetration. Always keep in mind, you do have the legal, moral and ethical right to deploy potentially lethal force, but you do NOT have the right to injure, or God forbid to kill and innocent bystander. What are the safe lanes of fire that can be used in your home that will limit the chance of an overpenetration accident? What is the inside layout of your house? How will you strategically lay out resources in different areas of your home in case the attack occurs when you are not in your safe area. Where do your loved ones go to retreat to safety once the attack has started? There are many more such questions to ask yourself.
We have provided you with a solid framework of a self-defense plan for your home. You, as a defender of your home, need to flesh out that plan and practice in the same manner you would practice a home fire drill. There may be areas of this plan that are beyond your personal experience, particularly the deploy and defend portions of the plan. If you are not a firearms, ballistics and self-defense expert, then you need to get training and some expert advice.
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