Azrael00023 opened this issue on Feb 04, 2005 ยท 80 posts
XENOPHONZ posted Sat, 05 February 2005 at 1:33 PM
I would never consider "defending" myself.
However, I would gladly DEFEND both me and mine.
Obviously a weapon would be of no use other than to give the violator(s) something else to take.
If one is away, true.
Unfortunately, home invasion robberies are a reality of our times.
I am glad that your wife's experience turned out to be a false alarm.
What if it hadn't been?
Those dogs would help. A Magnum would help, too -- especially if she knew how to use it.
The problem with weapons like knives, katanas, baseball bats, etc. is that they are of little use against someone armed with a gun -- and that they require one to get in close to use them.
It's actually fairly easy for a large man to take a baseball bat or a knife away from a small woman. He'll then proceed to use it on her.
A small woman with a great big gun is a different story. As long as she's smart, and knows how to properly use the weapon.
Rifles and shotguns are awkward things to use indoors. They are long, stick out, and are therefore clumsy to point around corners, etc.. Not to mention that a long gun is easier for the intruder to grab away from you. A pistol or a carbine is much easier to handle.
Also, it's a bad idea, if you hear noises -- such as the sound of breaking glass -- to leave your bedroom and start walking down the hall or down the stairs to see what's going on. The hallway or the stairs can be a deathtrap. It's best to grab your weapon, and then take cover behind the bed or another large piece of furniture in your bedroom. This forces the intruder to come to you. Let him take all of the risks. Also, you should have a phone handy -- preferably a cell phone that can't have its wires cut outside of your house.
BTW - locking one's doors is always a good idea. Even if you live in a "safe" place. Locking the doors prevents "accidental" intruders -- such as the man you described -- from getting inside to begin with.
It avoids any unnecessary problems and/or misunderstandings.
Message edited on: 02/05/2005 13:42
Message edited on: 02/05/2005 13:44
Message edited on: 02/05/2005 13:48