June 25, 2012

Home Defense starts with good use of barriers and deterrents such as solid doors and windows, locks, adequate lighting, landscaping and even keeping an alert and protective dog. Some go so far as to install alarm systems and cameras.

Please plan to attend the NRA personal protection series of classes if you have not done so. Remember that you will not have time to plan once the attack begins. You will not be able to think clearly and your sense of time and distance will deteriorate in proportion to the level of threat. Your plans must be part of your "muscle memory" so you can carry them out with maximum effectiveness.

Know your home floor plan and the layout of your furniture and appliances as well in the dark as you do in the light. Keep the floors clear and pathways unobstructed.

Safe Room

A "safe room" is one to which you may retreat in the event of a home invasion, carefully prepared to contain everything you might need to defend yourself and family. There are many different ways this can be done and different considerations for the kind of home or apartment you have, so please consult training material or professionals for guidance when planning for a specific situation. The following is only a general guideline.

Choose one or more safe rooms where you can retreat in the event of an attack.

• If you do not carry your firearm, this is the place to store it and your ammunition.
• At least one heavy object should be available for cover/concealment. (See section on cover and concealment)
• A door that can be locked from the inside. Ideally, this door would be reinforced to prevent forced entry.
• Room should contain a telephone. A cell phone is ideal since an attacker may cut outside phone lines. You will need to call for help immediately. Remember not to hang up!
• Additional supplies that might be valuable: additional ammunition, eye and ear protection, flashlights and spare batteries, first aid kit.

Home Defense Planning

Plan what you will do in an attack, home invasion. (This is well covered in the NRA course called Personal Protection in the Home.)

Review and write down those things that would alert you to a potential attack. How would you know the difference between an attacker and someone coming home late? Appropriate challenge and response phrase may be necessary if several people come and go on different schedules.

Write down and practice as many different potential situations as you can imagine, as well as how you might best respond. Visualize both the scene and your response.

Teach children that they MUST NOT open the door to strangers. Make sure family members know what they are expected to do, especially children. Have them practice hiding in the safe room at a given command, and staying there until a given command to come out.

Decide NOW  which actions by an attacker would cause you to sound the alarm, put your plan in action, and what would cause you to shoot. This needs to become another muscle memory because you will not be able to think clearly in an emergency.  You must make these decisions ahead of time because you may have only a few seconds to act.

A complete review of course material regarding the moral and legal use of deadly force is essential in making these decisions.

Remember that you may only use lethal force if you (or others) are in IMMEDIATE danger of death or serious bodily harm. The better you plan and the better you can identify that danger, the better the outcome will be.

Decide NOW that you are not ever going to give up or stop fighting until the threat is gone! Keep fighting as long as you are able to think and move. This may be the deciding factor of survival for you or those you love!

Plan what you will do AFTER an attack. Much of this will be specific to the laws and customs of law enforcement in your particular state and area. Find out as much as you can about the laws regarding self defense where you live.

Have a list (In your wallet or purse) of people to call after a defensive situation, especially if you must shoot.

• An attorney who is familiar with the laws of your location, preferably one who truly supports the right to self defense. (The attorney might need to call the others listed here.)
  
• A friend or relative who can take care of your home and children in the event that you are arrested or taken to be questioned (very likely)
• Your pastor or other close advisor to assist you with the emotional aftermath of an attack, especially a defensive shooting.
• Others who many support you and your family in this difficult situation. (Make those friends NOW)
  

Remember that your defensive gun may well be confiscated, at least temporarily. It is wise to have a backup or two. Depending on where you live and the attitude of the police, it may be wise to have a backup in someone else's home because ALL of your guns and ammunition could be confiscated after a defensive shooting. It is important to be aware of this possibility since nothing makes you immune from another attack, however unlikely it may seem.

• Write out your plans in fair detail.
• Practice what you plan.
• Review and make changes to your plan as necessary, then practice that.
• Share your plans only with those who need to know. Practice with them regularly.
• Have at least one backup plan. More is better. Plan for each kind of situation you believe might be possible. Keep them separate, and practice all of them.

Diligent practice of situational awareness and basic security measures such as locks, peepholes in the doors, along with caution concerning who is allowed to enter by invitation, will help reduce the chances that your home will be invaded and you or your family harmed. It's more complex than just buying fire insurance, but failure to accept the possibility of harm might cost you very dearly.

Even if you only do some of these things, you will never know how many criminals walked away and decided not to bother with you at all. That sounds very good to me.

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This article is adapted from my book, "I Am Not A Victim." It will be available some time in June, 2012 at Amazon.com as an e-book.

*NRA Certified instructor and other certification for handguns, self defense. Thirty years teaching and shooting experience.