Attempted House Break In!

[mamba max1]

Wow, that must of been the scariest part of my life. I was home alone and 4 people were trying to break in my house (trying to break the doors). They were all my age or older (I'm 19). Two were lookouts, the the others were trying to break in. While on the phone with 911, I was able to give near perfect and very detailed descriptions of each person, only a picture would of been better. The cops caught one of them, and they are pretty positive that she (one female) will squeal.

It was for sure a nerve wracking experience. I was able to keep my cool fairly well, but I will admit, when I heard them trying to enter I was shaking so bad I couldn't talk and almost dropped the phone while talking with 911. I made sure to thank the officers a lot because they (3-4 cars) arrived in under 5 minutes. Without their quick arrival, the group would of for sure entered the house.

 

[Marlin523]

That is scary! Nice job in saving your home!

 

[GregGleason]

Wow! I am sure that was a "10" on the scary factor.

I am glad you were not hurt. "Thumbs up" for your local police who responded when you really needed them.

Greg

 

[mperdue]

That sort of thing tends to increase the pucker factor. Good job keeping things under control and handling the situation.

 

[mamba max1]

It sure was a frightening experience, one I wish to never go through again. 3 of the people were about my size, but one was for sure much larger (taller/muscular) than me. Not sure what would of happened if they actually came inside the house.

I am extremely grateful the to near immediate response of the police. I guess that's one of the benefits of living so close to a station.

 

[dave carver]

A friend in my Mechwarrior unit came home from a day of hunting to meet two guys coming down the driveway carrying his TV set. He just happened to be holding his loaded 10 guage shotgun(yes, 10 guage) He held the two men at gunpoint until the police arrived.

 

[Fred22]

Well done to you and the police. Thank God you were not hurt. It took courage not to panic. Lots talk you did.
Cheers
Fred

 

[RandyM]

A friend in my Mechwarrior unit came home from a day of hunting to meet two guys coming down the driveway carrying his TV set. He just happened to be holding his loaded 10 guage shotgun(yes, 10 guage) He held the two men at gunpoint until the police arrived.

Talk about great or bad timing depending on which side of the gun your on!

reminds me of a song. https://popup.lala.com/popup/432627090808961168

 

[jderimig]

I recommend you consider picking up one of these..

Often the sound of the round loading into the chamber when you pump it is often enough to send any intruders scattering.

 

[mamba max1]

Thanks guys. You can bet I am sure glad its over. This wont scar me mentally, but I will be for sure much more aware of my surroundings from now on.

 

[rfjustin]

I recommend you consider picking up one of these..

Could not agree more. :clap:

A 12 gauge is an IDEAL weapon for home defense (for many reasons). The psychological effect of an intruder hearing that shell chambered is key.

A Mossberg Tactical Cruiser might also be a good choice.

Mamba, great job with the police and how you handled the situation!



Justin

 

[shrox]

Get a good dog, learn to throw a knife. I am glad you are OK.

 

[Fred22]

I recommend you consider picking up one of these..

Often the sound of the round loading into the chamber when you pump it is often enough to send any intruders scattering.

Synthetic stocks are overrated They dont absorb recoil as well as old fashioned lumber and collapsible dont make nearly as good a club Its also interesting to note racking up is a universally scary sound but the other fellow can make the same one though Also on a more serious note if you are not prepared to follow through dont get one or it may be used on you. Not wanting to or being able are choices I can respect as well as the other.
Cheers
fred

 

[Peartree]

Get a good dog, learn to throw a knife. I am glad you are OK.

While dogs are higher maintenance, they are a deterrent. Thieves will generally know that you have a dog in the house (even smallish ones) and prefer to "shop" where the risk is lower. While guns are great AFTER the bad guys get in your house, the simple presence of a dog makes robbing your house a pain in the butt BEFORE the bad guys get in the house. Both have their place.

For me, I will not have guns and kids in the same house. So, at least until my kids are grown, I always have dogs (plural) and I prefer big ones (but the little one is fun too).

 

[spacecadet]

I echo that. For an Englishman the gun talk is only a bit less scary than the attempted burglary.
Homeowners here aren't usually armed. Generally, neither are the burglars. There may be a connection.

 

[Evo666]

Glad you're alright. Same thing happen to one of my friend. He was sleeping in his room and he heard noises so he thought it was his little brother so he called out. Nobody answered so he called the cops and hid in his closet. The cops showed up and caught the guy. During this whole time his sister was sleeping downstairs as well and didn't wake up to the incident till the cops was hollering in the house.

 

[dave carver]

IF you get a shot gun the short barrel is better for "social" engagements but I'd look for one you could actually hunt with, if you live in a state that still has hunts. The pictured one would do that job, providing it has some choke but in most states you'd have to put a plug in to reduce the capacity or risk a ticket if your hunting in water fowl areas.


Yeah, load of number 2 steel shot I could see dropping a low flying duck with it

 

[RangerStl]

Or a nice Winchester Model 12 or Remington 870 with an extra 28" barrel machined for interchangeable choke tubes.

 

[shrox]

Learn to throw a knife, you can pick it up in a day. It's impressive too. It has limited range, it isn't going to go through the wall and into the room of the little girl next door. It's quiet. Axes are easy to throw too. Just don't practice on a tree, you'll kill it. I felt bad...

 

[sandman]

If someone breaks into my house my labrador will just make a lot of noise then run and hide.

My Jack Russel Terrier will probably take the guys face off!

It's not the size of the dog that matters.

 

[shrox]

...It's not the size of the dog that matters.

Yes, it's how sharp the teeth sound.

 

[pmlkid]

I recommend you consider picking up one of these..

Often the sound of the round loading into the chamber when you pump it is often enough to send any intruders scattering.

Wow thats a sweet shotgun just make sure you use 00 buck or a slug

 

[spacecadet]

Surely even Florida doesn't have the death penalty for trespass. It isn't even an offence here per se.

 

[shrox]

Surely even Florida doesn't have the death penalty for trespass. It isn't even an offence here per se.

Much crime here in the USA tends to be more violent, and so you want to defend yourself against it. In England they have the same type shows as "Cops", and I was amazed at how polite and respectful both the police and the suspects were towards one another. If both shows show a similar slice of a policeman's life, guess who is looks much better even in the worst face a society can show.

 

[Queeg500]

Learn to throw a knife, you can pick it up in a day. It's impressive too. It has limited range, it isn't going to go through the wall and into the room of the little girl next door. It's quiet. Axes are easy to throw too. Just don't practice on a tree, you'll kill it. I felt bad...

:roll: leave the knife throwing to the experts - circus performers.

 

[shrox]

:roll: leave the knife throwing to the experts - circus performers.

I am so there.

 

[jderimig]

Surely even Florida doesn't have the death penalty for trespass. It isn't even an offence here per se.

Each state here has different laws in this regard.

In NY state deadly force cannot be used for a simple trespass. You can only use deadly force if you feel life is threatened and there is no reasonable opportunity to avoid the threat (like running away).

You shoot someone outside and you will be likely be prosecuted. Inside less so.

 

[powderburner]

A Mossberg Tactical Cruiser might also be a good choice.

It's been a few years since I bought one, but Mossberg used to offer a combo-package with an extra barrel. That way, you could have a shortie (for greeting people) and still have a long barrel to use for hunting with the same receiver.

I think that for most people (that is, those who are basically going to keep a gun in the closet and not go out much to shoot or hunt), 12 gauge is too much. I think the numbers show that 20 gauge works just fine (delivered KE levels waaaay beyond most handgun ammo), has a lot less recoil, and is still just as intimidating when you do the clackety-clack thing. You still have tons of choices of loadings available pretty much everywhere, and if there is a potential female user in your home they will be much more likely to pick up and use the smaller shotshell.

The shot clouds from both 12 and 20 gauge will pretty much get broken up and significantly slowed by the first sheetrock wall they hit, but will still be effective on an exposed target. Very few people will be able to look at the muzzle diam from 10 feet away and be able to tell what gauge you're holding.

All the extra crap, the external cartridge holders, slings, laser sights (for a SHOTGUN?!), and all the rest are just junk. Leave that stuff for hollywood and the movies. If you ever need a weapon, you will need it on the spot, that instant, and you probably won't have time to show off to anyone how many attachments you have.

Having said all that, if you are going to have one of these things, you had better make up your mind ahead of time how you might use it. For me, if anyone is crazy/stupid/drugged-up/violent enough to attempt to break into my home, they have automatically demonstrated the same willingness to do harm to my family. I would have no hesitation...I wouldn't like it, but my family comes first.

Proper storage, etc, is important. Improper display is an absolute no-no; one of your friends will (however innocently) always manage to blurt to someone else that you have a weapon, and be overheard by someone else, and the only thing you accomplish by showing off your toy is to make yourself a burglary target for someone who wants to make a quick $5 at the pawnshop.

Trigger locks are another absolute no-no. If you have a firearm for protection, you don't have the luxury of "please Mr Intruder, let me look for my keys." For the same reason, a defense weapon is always stored loaded. You must teach your household members safe gun-handling (which includes even a totally-unloaded weapon) and that the thing is NOT a toy, under any circumstances. If you or your family can't handle the responsibility, then do not have a weapon in your home and wait on the police.

 

[Fred22]

I think the hardest thing in the equation is the ability to follow through. It does not matter if it's a whiffle bat or a bazooka. You have got to be able to use it in your head ie look down the barrel and blow somones stuff away. Contrary to hollywood as others have stated it is not an easy thing to do but an easy thing to say. Physically adrenalin is making you shake and jumpy. Its dark and you're scared to death. Is that dark shape a murderous felon or my idiot relative who is trying to sneak in and get to bed? I have seconds to make that decision. If i hesitate that person may take my weapon and kill me with it. Thats irony of an order no one wants to experiance. Assuming its a stranger did i just blow away my neighbours kid who liked the xbox hooked up to my TV? Killing or wounding someone is not easy and one gets to live with it afterwards and recycle the experiance in your head for the rest of your life. Unless your name is Ted Bundy you will have regrets or doubts. I think what this fella did here was brilliant and the polices reaction was good. Nobody died and no harm was committed. Im not saying lethal force cannot or should not be used but there aint no free lunch and even if done within the law there is a personal cost to be paid. I dont advocate one way or another because every person lives in their own head but make an informed decision about these things.
Cheers
fred

 

[sandman]

Nothing I own is worth killing anybody over.