40 homemade weapons you already own
We’ve all seen those lists of people’s greatest fears, right? In addition to dying, public speaking is right up there, as is being trapped in a small place. For those of us who have been victims of it, home invasion sure seems a lot more frightening than speaking to a group of people or suffering from claustrophobia. There’s almost nothing scarier than suddenly realizing an intruder is in your house or apartment. You don’t know what this person’s intentions are – theft, rape, kidnapping, murder? – but you know they’re not good.
If someone breaks into your home while you are there, your window of opportunity for reacting effectively to protect yourself and your family will probably be very small. You have to make every second count in this situation, and you will only be able to accomplish this if you are fully prepared.
If you have a gun and can access it quickly, that’s obviously the best answer to a home intruder. But if you don’t own a gun or are unable to get to it swiftly enough, you may find yourself in the position of needing an improvised weapon. This type of object is any device that was not designed to be used as a weapon but can be put to that exact usage in an emergency. Right now you may be thinking of four or five items you have sitting around the house that could double as a weapon if necessary. By the time you finish reading this, your list will have grown to about 40!
Get Out If You Can
It’s possible that your best self-defense weapons against a home invader will be your legs and hands. If there is an escape route, take it. Use your legs to get out as quickly as possible and use your hands to knock things over behind you to slow down or perhaps trip the attacker, especially if it’s dark. Run to a neighbor’s house and call 911. Maybe you’ll have your cell phone in your pocket and be able to place the call even faster. Of course, if you have other people in your home who you need to protect, you’re not going to run away. But if you’re alone, escaping might be the most prudent thing to do. That’s not being a coward. It’s being smart.
Stay Alive in Your Living Room
If you’re sitting in a living room or dining area when an intruder enters, you need to think fast. There should be a number of items you can grab to use as a club, including tall vases, candleholders, statuettes, large bowls or large ashtrays. Tall lamps can also be used as clubs, but they’re more effective as spears, as are fireplace pokers. With a dining room chair in your hands, you can go on the offensive by charging your attacker. Make sure to hold the chair so that the legs are facing him in a diamond shape rather than a square. If you can get it around his neck, a laptop cord could prove very effective in subduing him.
If He Can’t Take the Heat, Stay in the Kitchen
Nobody wants to face a home invader, but if it had to happen, the kitchen would probably be your best bet. Talk about an arsenal. Your first choice would be to grab two sharp knives and start swinging them in the direction of your assailant. Other options are frying pans or rolling pins for bashing, scissors or broken glassware for gouging, and canned goods, plates or a nice, thick tumbler for throwing. A mop or broom handle could also do the job, especially a broken one with a jagged edge. If you keep a can of high-powered wasp killer in your kitchen pantry, you might be able to spray it in his eyes and really ruin his day.
Bathroom Brawling
The bathroom would seem like a bad place to be confronted by an intruder, especially if he’s bigger than you are. But you might be able to use a shower curtain rod or a towel rack as a spear, or hairspray to slow him down while you try to escape. A ceramic toilet tank lid could also do some serious damage if you have room to maneuver.
Other Weapons
There are probably plenty of other items in various rooms of your house that could be used as weapons, including…
- Fire extinguisher. Spray him with the white stuff and clunk him with the red thing.
- Golf club. Pretend like you’re trying to drive the green on a par 4.
- Baseball bat. We’re looking for the long ball here, not a bunt.
- Long knitting needles. Doctors will need to do considerable stitching to the assailant’s body if you’re able to use these effectively.
- Tools. The sharp edge of a hammer, the point of a screwdriver or a heavy wrench might be enough to make this tool think twice.
Targets
In the frenzy of an attack, you’ll want to strike at any exposed area. But if you find that you have some options, go for the eyes, throat and groin. That’s where you are most likely to stop or slow down an attacker rather than just making him angrier. If those areas are too well protected, aim for just below the ribcage with a stabbing weapon pointed upwards, which may enable you to reach the spleen, pancreas, liver or kidneys.
I’ve heard it said that encouraging people to inflict serious injury on an attacker is wrong. Really? Did I ask to be attacked by some scumbag so that I could take pleasure in maiming him? No, but if someone attacks me, I will do whatever is necessary to subdue him. I’m not going to punch this loser and then politely ask if he’s OK. I’m going to try to incapacitate him however I can and as quickly as possible. If I have to choose between the lives of my wife and children, and the physical wellbeing of a home invader, I’m going with the former over the latter
Shields
In a confrontation with a home invader, you will probably not be the only one using a weapon. You may have to go on the defensive first. Among the items you could use to fend off attacks until you’re able to take an offensive position are a metal cookie sheet, chopping board, backpack, trashcan lid, briefcase, book, duffel bag and stool. Use whatever you can get your hands on quickly.
What If I’m Outside?
Sometimes an attacker will make his move as you are approaching the front door of your residence. When that happens, you won’t have those household items at your disposal, but you can use whatever you have on your person. A single key, held between your thumb and index finger, can be used to stab and slash. Or hold a ballpoint pen in your fist and strike with a hammer blow. Carrying pepper spray or a pocket knife while walking from your car to your front door is not a bad idea. If you happen to be holding an unbreakable umbrella, it will come in handy. There may be bricks or rocks that you can grab and throw. Finally, loose change flung into the face of an intruder could slow him down enough to enable you to escape.
Practice
Being attacked is not something any of us want to think about. But it might happen someday and the better prepared you are, the better the outcome might be. So, think about the items you have around your home that could be used as weapons and work on grabbing them and being ready to use them in an instant. Practice maneuvers such as dropping and rolling under a table and then bolting for the door. Know your best escape path in each room of your home.
Remember that attacks can occur anywhere you are…restaurants, health clubs, banks, even churches. Always be aware of your surroundings, including the people in your vicinity. Wherever you are, look around for improvised weapons before an incident occurs, not afterward. The better prepared you are, the higher your chances for survival.
Buncha dumb-ass American Idiots. Most of you
fantasizing that this will happen so you can act out your “Soldier of Fortune” mercenary aggresions.
Someone who lives 35 mins from Orlando see things different. You ass.
Come over here and say that to our face, yellow belly
A hammer sounds good but might not work out the way you want it to. Years ago when I was about 25 I woke up with a man sitting on my chest chocking me. I managed to get away and grabbed a hammer I had left on the night stand earlier after hanging some pictures. When I swung at him with it he just grabbed it by the head and pulled it out of my hand. Then he beat knocked me to the floor and beat me on the head and knees with it. He left me barely conscious and unable to move for hours. To this day I have no idea who he was or why he did that. You might be thinking I was weak and that wouldn’t happen to you. At the time I was thin and only weighed about 120 lbs. but it was muscle. I was a farm girl and worked hard my entire life and for my size I was strong. I could hang from a door frame and do pull ups with my finger tips so my hands were strong. So if you decide to use a hammer you might be better off hitting with the handle end and holding the head. Remember your intruder might over power you and use your weapon on you instead. I also think one of my mistakes was hesitation. I let him see I had the hammer in hopes that he would back down. All that did was give him time to plan his counter move. So what ever you do, never hesitate just go for it as fast as you can, no warnings, just attack. I hope no one ever has to use this advice but if you do I hope it helps.
You are right about “just attack”, no warning, no show of weapon. With a blunt force weapon try to hide it as you swing hard for the side of the knee or above the knee on the inside or outside of the leg where the nerves run vertically.
a rolled magazine and used in a stab motion not a cut motion. very hard and sturdy and usually available in a waiting room or other public spaces.
I’ve seen several comments about calling 911. I’ve made 3 calls to 911 due to break-in/burglary since 1992. The fastest response time was 2 1/2 hours. The slowest was over 5 years (and counting). I rely on my 1911 and my 12ga.
It is discouraging to hear 911 will not always be able to respond immediately. You have to rely on your own abilities.
I really like the idea of throwing the cat on a home invader. My problem with that is my cat takes off into another room when the doors are opened, & she does not like to be picked up much. I am all about using natural cleaning products in my home, especially having a cat. I have used a mix of 1/2 Vinegar & 1/2 water in a squirt gun to deter aggressive dogs when out walking. That worked really well to keep those dogs away! I think I shall invest in some good squirt bottles (that shoot a stream) to put straight cleaning vinegar in & place in each room. The Heinz Cleaning Vinegar is much stronger than regular white vinegar. My late husband told me that if grabbed by someone facing me then the middle finger up the nose would make them release me, and I think a slightly pointed finger nail would do some damage provided the person was not real high on drugs.
I am a combat veteran and know how to use many things in the house for defence or offence. In my home use whatever is at hand. Injure if you can, kill if you must. It is always better to be tried by twelve than carried by six.
You have that right, I am an old WAC and I know what I can use in every room in the house. Even my purse can be used as a weapon, but my best one is my cane, a hardwood carved cane with a club style handle. Granny canes are of little use they are to light unless you have some training. But a cop told me years ago when walking in a parking lot or from your car to the house a Bic lighter and a small can of hairspray becomes and instant blow torch. Aim for the face and then the clothes most are not fire retardent.
Amen
A sign in the flower bed on the front porch that says (Watch out for snakes) seems to draw attention!
Put a sign on your front lawn: “If you are found here at night, you’ll be found here in the morning”
If you have a fire arm in hand then shoot anyone you put down an extra time to insure they don’t attack you from the rear after you go by. If you put them down some other way then stomp on their head or neck hard a couple of times for the same reason. The cops won’t like it, but the truth is that you would not have had this problem if they had done their jobs to begin with. Out here where we live we never see them even though I have asked them to come around from time to time. They just politely refuse, and i less than politely tell them to never screw with me if I have to take care of a problem without them since their failure to be here in the area is a failure to do what they are intended to do and a theft of my taxes.
Hey Doc. Just a side note. The Police can’t be every where at once. They respond to crimes to take the report and hope they can solve it. They never have enough staff or support. It is your responsibility to protect you and yours. Don’t criticize until you walk in there shoes. We could say all Doc’s are quacks too. But we know that isn’t so.
You are so right Tony. I live at the far edge of a city, but not a really large city. It has two colleges, and a university. The university and one college have their own police, but that only helps on the campuses. There are not enough officers in this city to really cover the city residents, businesses, and traffic conditions very well 24/7/365. As an ex-Security Officer I have had a taste of what the police officers deal with. That is why I kept my pistol, I was licensed to carry, for home defense. It has, in my opinion, deterred someone from thinking of invading my home in a rough neighborhood since I widely let it be known I have it, and do not miss what I shoot at!
I have used carb&choke cleaner many times in night time camping situations when critters like skunks come around. They take off running. It takes breath away and burns the eyes instantly.
Are you KIDDING ??
Carb & choke cleaner MAY PERMANENTLY DAMAGE THEIR EYES !! ..For WHAT ? They won’t kill or hurt you ! The WORST they can do is STINK on you….a “defense” that God Himself gave them (!!!)
Don’t be a freakin cold hearted jerk & do them LIFE ALTERING DAMAGE, you idiot ! GET SOME BEAR SPRAY or something, you unfeeling moron !
Don’t be mean, Kim. Everyone has different perspectives of things. If you think it’s wrong or bad, tell that person it’s bad in the right way. Also, don’t call others foul names.
Get a grip, snowflake.
A year or more ago I mentioned to Frank that wasp spray is good for defense, particularly for women, teens or others who don’t have or want guns. It blinds the intruder, but not permanently. The beauty of it is that you don’t have to get too close; they can hit a wasp at 20 ft.
A good squirt bottle of straight white vinegar set to shoot a stream at a critter would be just as effective without maybe causing permanent eye damage, and would costs less, and not be a polluting chemical. Here other ideas to keep critters away from a camp: Make sure there are no food smells to attract them; get some keep away spray or granules made to use around a garden; get large bottle of Lemon Juice Concentrate and put in a sprayer to spray around the area (keeps away Mosquitoes too); make some Garlic juice to spray around (also keeps Mosquitoes away).
Fantastic reads!! I thought I was prepared, but from what I’ve read,I can now be more prepared.
I am a senior citizen, and my step-daughter and her hubby live with me. They work nights, so I am alone most of the time. Before step daughter’s dad died, we had several guns. She and her hubby asked me to get rid of them because they were afraid of them. They both are nambie-pambies. I have since bought 3 other guns, 2 with lasers, and keep them hidden, without telling them. I absolutely LOVED the paint ball gun idea. The “kids” would absolutely panic, and go into a freeze mode if confronted. Maybe with the paintball guns, they would feel more secure. LOL
ALL-my friends, neighbors, and family call before coming to visit. It’s my rule. Anyone coming to my door without calling, my dogs will not let anyone in. If–they should come in anyway, and dispose of my dogs, my guns will take care of them. One of my husbands was a cop. He taught me a lot about self-defense. He was KIA, but what I remember, I will carry with me until I die, In my lifetime, I have had an attempted rape, a burglary, and attempted theft on my property. I was able to thwart them all. I have also had a gun pointed at me. One thing husband taught me- if the gun is withing your arms reach, you have the ability to knock it away, and try to defend yourself. I was able to.
“Up close and personal” is the best scenario.
Thank you so much for all the advice and ideas. Great stuff!
When they were teens, my father-in-law’s best bud carried a screwdriver in his car in case anyone dared stick his hand/head in the window threateningly. It actually happened that, one night, a man reached in to grab the friend and the friend stuck the screwdriver clear through the man’s hand. The man screamed, grabbed his hand and took off. I carry an upholstery tool that could be used as an ice pick right beside me in one of my vehicles, a tire iron in another, and my husband carries a small hatchet in his car. We hope, of course, we never have to use any of them, but you never know.
Title is misleading but article is interesting
The human foot has 26 bones. My dad told me if an attacker gets a hold of you to stomp on it as hard as you can, then run like hell. They will go down like a stone and not be able to follow you. Also, if you can kick them on the outside of the knee, same thing. Really painful, too.
I prefer wasp spray. It travels well, no one really questions it’s presence, and can shoot up to 25 feet.
r The fire extinguisher is #1. I carry one in my car you can stop a gang in one spray. It blinds them and takes all the oxygen out of the air. Then make your escape.
You forgot the best nonfirearm weapon. Easy-Off spray oven cleaner. It is better than Capstun. It travels in well your vehicle, when you are in socialist states,and in Mexico.
Only problem with it is a breathing problem for you if not in well ventilated area.
I was expecting a list of 40 and well this list is could be called weapons you can find at home. Misleading title but still useful.
There are a lot of great ideas given by many good folks. I’m like some, I own a hand gun that is close to me at night, have a can of raid wasp spray and my ADT alarm system and my car alarm button I can press. I also have 2 dogs that bark at any sound or sight of a person on my property. It’s good to know that people talk common sense about defense. It’s only natural to defend yours and your family members life. Unfortunately the law has changed when it comes to criminal rights. The criminal becomes the victim in many cases. So what’s that about? Real victims don’t count? So I say protect the best way you can, it’s your life. GOD knows hearts and reasons. It’s the bad guys deeds that He will not approve and consequences come with all deeds, good or bad. Better to be the good!!
If I’m hiding waiting to cripple somebody the last thing I need is a dog to give away my location. Another trick of the night is if somebody’s close, if there’s a rock or you can find something to throw, throw it away in an opposite direction. Fall under brush if you can. I just wouldn’t want a dog when I’m hiding or hunting a prowler. I’ve been in the woods and had people pass right by me in broad daylight and never saw me.
The older bootleggers usually had a hole in a floor that if they needed to leave in a hurry then dropped out under the house and got gone. I’ve seen an old log house with a false wall. There was enough space to go all the way around the room. It was just the wood molding around and sheet rock. storage place. During slave times there were houses built with invisible rooms. Another trick to hide their valuables, they had like a box under the floor and covered it with a rug. To see it under the house you would think it was just a pillar of rock. they put rock work around the box to hide it. modern day hiding,,, look up a spider hole.
I’m thinking that the deep woods would be a great hiding place and get rid of computers and phones learn what plants to eat raw without a fire, get solar lights and hide until you think it’s safe to come out. go to caves where they won’t pick up body heat
My main home defense weapon is a 12 GA. pump shot gun with an 18 in. barrel and an attached 200 lumen flashlight. I’ve been interested in “less than lethal” measures but when I mentioned to a sheriff’s deputy friend that the first 2 rounds loaded in it are rubber buckshot, he asked why? Said a guy hopped up on something like PCP wouldn’t be fazed by that. Anyway, I’m a big believer in light. I have several high output flashlights staged around the house: 200, 600 and 900 lumens. Bright light can definitely slow an intruder down. Although all my handguns all have lasers, I keep the flashlights separate. I don’t like the idea of using a gun to search with — could end up pointing it at a family member. Can also shine the light indirectly, bouncing off ceiling, etc. Doesn’t give away your position as well. Also have to consider over-penetration. I use hollow points in my handguns. FMJ will penetrate interior GWB walls and probably exterior walls too, as will buckshot and obviously slugs. Hence the rubber buckshot. Lots to think about in preparing for home defense.
A dog outside at night and one inside in case they kill the one outside. Train them to only bark when there is a reason to bark. A firearm in the bedroom and in the bathroom. Knives and other such weapons may be useless if the bad guy has a firearm. Shoot to kill.
“Shoot to kill.” No, never, ever tell the police or anyone else that you will do this. Shoot to STOP the threat. If you say “shoot to kill,” you most likely will be going to prison for a very long time after a self-defense incident.
Seems like a lot of you are looking to go to prison! Think before you post your comments they will used against you in court
When I was learning how to shoot my 9 mm, my instructor (retired inner-city PD) told me “1 Story”.
The 1 Story will be mine ! I am sorry you have to die, but that was Your Choice!!
Anyone breaking in is a dead SOB,
worry about consequence’s later. Guns
are ready.
I want to thank you for all the E-Mails
on all subjects. Been very helpful. Of course I bought into a lot of them.
as said many times. Better to have and
not need than to need and not have.
Thanks Again.
I’m with you. A cop told me one time many years ago if he’s in your house, he’s yours. just make sure he’s inside. if you injure him, he could take you up and sue for damages, if you take him out you’ve saved your own life and maybe your family’s lives.
Even if the law is for the criminal forces, dead men don’t talk and I’m sure I could think of something to tell the popo ,
If you find yourself being abducted in a crowded area at gunpoint pull the old fainting deal. It draws attention and gives you time to hit him in the jugular vein or groin.
Some good suggestions here. For some more passive ideas, try to discourage intruders from even getting into your home. We have 2 German Shepherds, so we leave a couple of play balls in the yard as a visual . Also I have a sign with the silhouette of a German Shepherd saying “I can make it to the gate in 3 seconds, can you?” Display a ‘security sign’ indicating the house is protected even though it may not be, many thieves will look for an easier target. Have outside lights on. LED bulbs are a bit pricey at first but extremely inexpensive to operate. We leave ours on 24/7 at each of the 3 entrances to the home. An NRA sticker on the vehicle also might make someone casing the home think twice about what’s inside. Just a few ideas to deter; however if someone is foolish enough to still want to break into my home it will be the last mistake of their life. Thank God Pennsylvania, at least for now, honors the “Castle Doctrine”. Good luck to all, it’s an insane world we live in.
Good ways of discouraging. Thanks.
If you find yourself stuck in a bathroom, have some nail polish remover, hair spray, matches or a lighter. Outside of your windows, you can place an inexpensive welcome mat & place nails in them sharp side up. We do this and just put leaves over them. Fortunately, our home looks like a one story home. Window wells are in the back. We brought up the dirt in our garden to the same level of the top of the window well; cut out a piece of ply wood, brushed glue on it and put dirt, gravel, and leaves on the top. It can be used as an exit in an emergency.
I am all for home protection, nails upside on a welcome mat, you are asking for a court case and you will be found guilty. Maybe you don’t care, but there are better ways to do it.
I have roses planted under my windows.. I keep a dresser in front of bedroom windows that are low to the ground.. I have sharp, pointed knives in each room..
Well, if you have somebody messing around, best thing is 120 volts near the window. Hook up a cord and when he gets enough voltage, when you hear the” pop” from the outlet unplug before the house goes up in smoke. Lol if they think you’re crazy they won’t mess with you no way. A woman alone needs a wicked reputation
Anyway, the excuse you could give the judge is” I had to shoot him to identify him”
Never hunt a prowler with a gun, I had that experience, one was sneaking up behind me and another one was hid in front, while waiting for the one sneaking up behind to get close enough to” commit suicide” when the clown in the brush did his part to distract, I lost my temper and shot at him, and turned to get the one behind me and saw him topping the hill. I shot at him just for sport and had a cussin fit cause I didn’t hit him. Never use up all your shells in your gun, some people count the shots. After that when I went out in the night hunting I carried a quart of gas and a butane lighter. It’s nice to have near the bed too.
Getting police help is like teaching a hog to sing, it’s a waste of your time and it annoys the hog.
Can’t afford or don’t want a gun? Keep wasp & hornet spray by your bedside. shots accurately for over 20 feet, so it’s not like pepper spray where you have to be real close to the attacker. Also, it’s a poison and not just something that irritates the eyes. They will need a trip to the doc to get fixed up.
if I’m home or on my property, I’m armed to the teeth. I also keep discretely hidden weapons around my house and garage, and a few large knives in the bathroom. IMO the bathroom is where you are most vulnerable.
You have some options open to you in the Bathroom. You can use a razor blade or two on your attacker, or find a few scissors, or metal nail files there, too. How about a cup of hot water in the face, or better yet, how about running the bath tub faucet with hot water, then turning the shower head on, and taking the shower head, with its hose, and spraying it into the attacker’s face? You can always yell out the Bathroom window, until one of your Neighbors hears you. Most people also have rubbing alcohol in their medicine cabinets. Open the cap, and give it a toss into your intruder’s face. Hairspray, or any aerosol can, and a lighter on the high flame setting, makes one hell of an improvised flame thrower. How about hitting him with a hot curling iron? Suddenly, you don’t seem so vulnerable in the Bathroom.
Add oven cleaner to the list. Excellent at close range…
Mgr. of a gun store sold a shotgun to a little blonde rape victim. California has a delay for pickup. in the meanwhile she had placed oven cleaner in the kitchen and bedroom. When she arrived home the rapist was waiting for her. This time she was prepared. Got to her over cleaner and shot him between the eyes. The rapist ran around the apartment looking for her. She being on the 2nd floor ran to the balcony and opened the slider. She then shouted at the rapist and dared him to get her. Following her voice, blinded by the oven cleaner, ran towards her. She side stepped and he went off to 2nd floor balcony,
end of case…. This event occurred in the 1970, No Hollywood, Ca.
The minute the door gives solidly kick him in the groin or stomach, keep the lights off. Kill him or half kill him, you can use the door, just don’t get behind it if it’s being kicked in, that’s when he’s vulnerable. otherwise you’re screwed unless you can pull the cord out of something and give him a shock.
40 homemade weapons you already own
`Other Weapons
◾Tools. The sharp edge of a hammer, the point of a screwdriver or a heavy wrench might be enough to make this tool think twice.
Third word from the end should be FOOL.
Great Suggestions
“Tool” is now a common pejorative. The writer used it correctly.
Great post! I totally agree they are many home items that can be used as a weapon in the case of a home intrusion. Thanks for posting and excellent info here.
Cool thing i just stumbled across,on youtube,is the sling bow. It is cheap to buy,fun to personalize,check it out,it could save your life. (sling shot/full sized arrow)
A cordless drill if he doesn’t get his hands on it before you perform brain surgery.
I am a senior citizen and live in a remote area. Although I had a fenced yard (6′ chain link) I had several instances of vandalism and break-ins when I was not home, and a few attempts when I was home. I now have 9 unfriendly dogs and all is peaceful at night, and in the daytime, too! I keep one dog in the house at night as my alarm; she’s big and she bites. Many times when I go to town I also take one or two of the dogs with me. They are a great deterrent.
One of the things I was taught in self defense in the military is that I should try to escape if possible. But if cornered, my goal should be to make sure the aggressor can’t get back up to harm me.
That means to either disable or kill the aggressor. Harsh? Not when it’s his life against mine or my family’s. As they say, it’s better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6.
I live in a semi rural area of western PA.
In the 70’s we had a serial killer on the loose who was attacking couples in their homes at night.
One of the 1st attacks was on a young couple in a trailer.
The husband had a shotgun by his bed but the intruder shot and killed him with it before he could defend himself.
The intruder took the wife and her body was found several yrs. later in a wooded area.
Having a shotgun didn’t help this poor couple in the middle of the night.
What could they have done differently to prevent this tragedy?
The intruder left their 2 small children to find their father dead in the morning.
This intruder continued to kill for several months before the cops finally killed him.
Until then our area was very peaceful and there wasn’t much crime, especially a serial killer. Everyone, and I mean everyone were terrified!
Men bought guns, learned how to use them but the last attack this man committed left the wife alive to give a description and that’s how the cops got him.
If someone wants to kill, they will find a way.
Just sayin”
If they had owned a dog, any dog, it would have barked and alerted them. It doesn’t have to be a big, ferocious animal, just one that will bark if it hears anything. It probably would have saved lives because the husband could have used his shotgun on the intruder.
Well, I have dogs and they live in the house. A dog outside can bark, sure, but to have big dogs in your house, let’s just say ADT took me off their call list. I don’t have a gun here but I sure as heck would not recommend an intruder come in my house. It’s really not the dogs that would get him but me, I would probably eat him up myself. Just saying!
To add one more thing. I am retired US Army. You figure it out.
The most dangerous thing you can have in your possession is a gun if you can’t pull that trigger when you encounter danger and that’s when you see the intruder.
In the case of the serial killer, get everybody in the same room and barricade your bedroom door and when you hear the noise of things falling get ready to shoot.
I use to have a sawed off up to the stock that I kept at my knee pointed at the beds edge.
Most people know you got that sawed off they are reluctant to mess around.
My motto was ” if I can’t hit cha with the. 357 I can’t miss ya with the 12ga. sawed off.
You’re a realist.
Being attacked is not living in a dream world, and I can tell you about that. Thing to remember about guns, if you can’t deal with the second you have to use it, don’t carry it. when you have to pull a gun, pull it smoking. Most people will think about shooting an intruder, that gives him a few seconds to get you, I’m one that he ain’t got that second.
I don’t deal well with da her
wasp and hornet is not legal in many states. o c spray is.o c spray is made to be used and tested to be used on humans. bad guy will survive wasp and hornet spray and sue your jock off if you injure him with it.
You can’t be serious? Who is going to worry about the legality of wasp spray if your family or your life is in danger? use whatever you have… worry about the consequences later.
Better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6. But if you’re really concerned about be sued by an aggressor, make sure you kill him.
yep, if he’s invading, you should kill. It’s called self defense. He’s committing a felony, you are NOT!
In my lifetime during a fight the other person took advantage of my disadvantage and gave no time to call home to mummy or write dear Abby. you might say we were traveling fast. most of them don’t travel alone, especially the robbers. The main thing when fighting a bigger person is to move in and pull out don’t let him get his hands on you and that’s exactly what you would be doing. his getting thru that door is the only chance you have to get away, cripple or kill him on his way in. first thing a bigger person will do is grab and hold. don’t be scared, the first lick you get hit you don’t feel the next just look for another way you can hurt that person. consider it just like a job you have to get done. don’t fight with any type of honor and don’t feel sorry for the person you’re attempting to kill, self preservation is your main objective
Sandra
I am a retired law enforcement officer from a major city, I have seen many victims laying on the morgue table. Maybe if they had your mind set I wouldn’t of seen so many. I am proud of you.
Dan
the squishy thing between your ears is the most important and effective weapon known to man … if you respond to an attack by saying ‘please don’t hurt me,’ your friends and neighbors will read about you: it’s called an obituary… if instead you scream, “I HAVE COME FOR YOUR SOUL!” and go at your assailant with whatever comes to hand , your friends and neighbors will read about you – it’s called the crimestoppers … on a practical note, wasp spray is great … you stand a good chance of permanently blinding an attacker is you hit him (or her) in the eyes … the advice about the fire extinguisher is also good: get as much of the white stuff in your attacker’s eyes as you can, then “subdue” (i.e. pulverize) your assailant using the expended fire extinguisher as a club – keep whacking at it until the threat goes down (you may want to consider stopping at this point – hopefully you will have broken the clavicle, since it is almost impossible with someone who has suffered a shattered collarbone to stand up if they’re already on the deck) … avoid stabbing with kitchen knives: you have a better than fair chance of having your hand slide up the handle and then you cut yourself on the razor sharp blade (your kitchen knives ARE sharp- aren’t they – if not shame on you and get to work) … remember that these blades were not designed as fighters- they’re for cutting only, so use the tool the way it was designed and you’ll be fine … if possible, open up your assailant’s scalp above the eyes – the resultant blood will blind and terrify your attacker … if you feel like adding adding a few strokes, by all means go for it, since you’re in a ‘deadly force’ legal argument anyway … where I live, the cops are between forty five minutes to three hours away, so I’d have no problem about calling dispatch back and telling the nice lady to send the coroner, too … but then again, I already have the nightmares, so there’s no harm done on that score …
remember that attitude will keep you alive, or get you killed, according to the choices you make … there might be a boatload of them, and you might end up on the short side of the ledger but as for me, I’d much rather go out with a bang than a whimper.
LOL! Nice! I sense a Navy man, Seal, or Marine! Hoah! Either way. Glad to see like minded people here. Be the Nightmare don’t live in one.
I keep two knives in each room, one pointed for stabbing and another for slashing.. both very sharp.. I am a small, elderly widow who lives alone.. I figure if I can only reach an assailant’s hands I can cause a bit of damage and slow him down.. I also have some of those other things handy and a phone in every room..
….. A lot of people keep a loaded shotgun, including me.. They really are not good inside a small home, no room to maneuver and they can blow a hole in a trailer’s wall.. Make a new window..
….. When I answer the door I have a knife or pistol in reach or in my hand..
Common sense goes a long way. If the doorbell rings, make sure you know who it is before you unlock the door. If the door is broken down, anything goes and it is time for Crazy Eddie. Have at least an idea where your weapons are located. If you cannot get out, immediately head toward your weapons. Know how to use a weapon in advance, during the chaos of an attack is no time to learn. I have a double action handgun in the night stand with a round in the chamber but the hammer is decocked. All I have to do is pull the trigger and keep pulling it until the threat is gone and the gun is in a generally safe configuration. Also, if you live in a bad metro area, guess what, your odds of a confrontation are higher so you had better be more vigilent. In the country it takes longer for help so you better be prepared to fight until the bitter end. However, we still need to greet people with a smile and a friendly handshake whenever possible. Be aware of circumstances that are an opportunity for something bad to happen. Be aware of your surroundings and what is going on, especially after dark and in remote places. By the way, inside of your house is a remote place. Sensor lights are good, attackers do not like light. I have a CCTV system but the cameras do not show any detail when it is dark. That is when the sensor lights are good, they light up and allow the cameras to get a good image. I believe that if more people maintain a strong protective force in their home, crooks will realize it is a risky choice. Most engage in crimes of opportunity, don’t provide the opportunity.
Raid Wasp spray is better than mace or pepper spray. It sprays farther, and one good shot in the face and the assailant instantly needs a hospital.
the best weapon is an ABC fire extinguisher, spray at the persons face an they will be in trouble plus you have a lot of spray and when the person is down hit them over the head.
Two labs willkeep them at bay until I grab one of several guns in the house or on my person will work well – – – bad guy down!
I’ve got a twenty pound cat that will attack to protect me.. Cats are not usually scary but they can do more damage quicker than a dog..
Cats…there’s something about all those little “needles” at the tips of their paws that can slash extremely fast, and then the tiny “spears” in their mouths that penetrate and leave lots of nasty bacteria behind! Many people have died from infected cat bites. And cats can go from cuddly to ferocious knives and daggers in a split second, too!
I keep a machete handy to rescue my dogs from racoons (one husky one pitbull). One strike kill. A shorter wider one works better in close quarters.
America should be defended now and always!!! Together the Americans citizens can crush any enemy any time, any where!!! Work together and we can do anything!!!
Don’t give up your guns to Obummer, never, instead buy more and hide them all over the house, not all in one place. And always take your enemies’ guns when they are subdued!!! Together we can do anything!!!
I love America and I will do anything to save it!!! Anything!!!
AMEN!!
AMEN, Brother!!!
ditto
The absolute best defense in any hostile situation is your head. Think first, remain calm, and speak calmly. Many hostage situations have been resolved without violence. If that does not work use whatever is available to strike first with intent to kill. Learn hand-to-hand close combat skills, not civilized karate forms. Respect life and take it when necessary to defend it
Be sure you have no trespassing signs and clear with the police. if you have problems go down to the police station and file a complaint or file a complaint any time you’re bothered. If it ever comes to harassment, usually they’ll get brave enough to try breaking in, if they’re afraid of you they will watch for you to leave.. the serial killer type just may follow you home with no warning. be aware of what goes on around you or in the neighborhood. A woman living alone may have things told to the effect that these people invading her home are going courtin. Remember you’re not their only target, they target the elderly and women with children. working people.
The main thing, don’t get scared. get mean but not mad.there is no way to resolve issues with a person who invades your home with you there. Remember, he knew the risk and there is no friendly way to resolve it. After all, he didn’t come to have a drink or read the paper or he would have went to the local bar. He came into your home with the intent to harm you or he wouldn’t be there.
I am continuously hyper vigilant. I always have on my person a blade, zapper, spray. I have no pity for the fool who thinks he can take from myself or my family. I’m with some of the others…bring it; I’m trained.
When driving always keep your doors locked and windows up as far as possible.. When you get back into your car, do so quickly and lock doo immediately.. If someone approaches your car keep the motor running and in gear.. If someone wants to talk open window just a crack..
I’m armed and dangerous, postmenapausal, and have poor night vision. Bring it on.
You & me both sister, on all counts. People that come to my place say who they are real loud from a long way off. Don’t sneak up on me, it’s a good way to get hurt.
Both of us, Jane
It’s an effective approach for the weaker sex. I’m a craven little coward” murder” is not beneath me.
I bought a keychain at the fair; it’s shaped like a large pen but made of metal and has two crossbars that go on either side of the middle finger. “Pen” point used for hammering downward, crossbars for slashing.
A nail file comes in handy.. A policeman friend told me to wear a stick pin or put a hat pin in my clothing..
Speak of this possibility to happen in church and many will not even consider to listen about imagined violence. Something must be done to get people to prepare for the worst scenario.
I am a viet nam combat veteran and retired police officer,I am very impressed with most of the commits above.I just want to stress one thing to the younger folks out there,if you do own a fire arm that is a good thing,BUT be sure you fully understand the safe operation of that weapon,practice with it often,remember when you pull that weapon on a perp you have changed the whole situation around to your favor you have the advantage of surprise use that atvantage fast,in most cases it only lsat a few seconds at most.
Figure O f SPECCH aM fROM, Missouri tHE sHOW ME state think Your Hustler Frank
You’re weird!!
All good information, Thanks! A veteran police officer once told me how disheartening it was to investigate a murder where the means of escape and or defense was right next to the victim’s corps. The problem, the average person quits THINKING when faced with danger. If as you say, practice , practice then practice some more you will be better able to THINK what to do and survive.
I carry a 40 cal 14 rounds with me at all times
I learned this weekend and it was confirmed by a friend who hunts for food that, even if you have guns, it’s getting very difficult to buy bullets. The government is buying up the bullets. Conserve what ammunition you have and stock up what you can.
Not only are bullets hard to come by now but in December the LAST smelting factory in the U.S. is closing it’s doors so ammo may stop altogether considering Obama has control over stopping the import of firearms and ammo. If ammo does still come in it will probably cost 3 times more than normal. BUY BUY BUY…SAVE SAVE SAVE.
the usa gov plan is to mobilized all its citizens with no weapons to have easier marshall law friction and put in concentration camps and suck the life out of them. If you can get the book the best kept secret by author david ike , I guarantee you never sleep again as long as you live .
If you are from NY like I am, ammo is near impossible to get ahold of. We are making our own!!!
Try ordering Ammunition by Mail. A good place to start is Gunbot.net. It will list the best prices on ammunition, and a lot of places will have discount coupons for reduced shipping. I buy ALL my ammunition off that website.
I buy from LuckyGunner. No sales tax and good prices. I keep 10.000 rounds at my home in Texas and the same at my house in Colorado…..
Where do I get Pepper Spay?
Wasp or Hornet spray will work just as good
You can buy pepper spray at Wal Mart.
I know this is not no the comment on WEAPONS. BUT I need some ( HELP ) THKS MP
Wondering if anyone has any plans or directions on how to build a man-powered generator out of a stationary or excercise bike. Interested in doing this project.
Mike, check youtube.com There are many videos there for generators, man powered, water powered, etc.
Once you build your generator, you will find how hard it is to pedal, just to light up a 100W bulb. It’s not an easy task, and burns up a lot of precious calories you need during times of emergency.
Give thought to bow and arrows.
There’s more going on than what we’re told. If the prophecies are for real and as we’ve watched them for years happening, things are going to get worse. The fall of the dollar. the Amish people are going to be the survivors. Just figure when Mt. Saint Helens went off, big businesses began wanting free trade. Where could corporations get in control of the people. I remember hearing about China’s poverty in the 50s. When you look at Yellowstone., the fault lines shifting and the volcanic and earthquake activity, all the nuclear power plants, gas and oil storage facilities, the fault line from Memphis to up in Virginia. When it shifted in the 1800s, the Mississippi river ran backwards for four hours and the church bells rang in Philadelphia. It was just a few years ago they realized there was a fault line thru the Ohio valley. A few months ago, they found that Yellowstone has a much larger magna content than what they believed. When that goes, it’s going to affect the world food supplies and our electricity. in the 60s scientists predicted that when it went it would freeze the earths crust for 18 months because it would trigger the ring of fire and darken the earth with ash.An earth quake in the fault line from Memphis, considering the one in the Ohio valley could split America into and send the great lakes flowing thru Mississippi . I think they’re looking for a national disaster. With the volcanoes and earthquakes, the climate changing, new diseases that will kill off the food crops and animals. they’re finding new species and older ones are becoming extinct. There’s Ebola, back when the first few cases come out, it was termed the” crash and bleed out” disease. It was dangerous in the lab and was airborne.
In 1968. during the time of the Kent State uprising, the Bristol Herald courier paper in Virginia carried front page aids, the reason they would not allow germ warfare in Nam. The next day the follow up on it was on the second part of the news. It told different diseases that had been developed in a lab. Aids was one genetically developed. There was no cure for it and it had the ability to change and adapt. then it could go airborne and wipe out a civilization in a matter of months. What have they developed. What are they into?
“weapons in a vehicle” I use “The Club” locking device on my steering wheel. It would live up to its name as a weapon as it is weighty. Hand tools in the glove box can be thrown or used as a knife to stab the attacker. I have a spray bottle of cinnamon air freshener that just might blind a person, temporarily. Lug wrenches or car jack handles can be used to keep an attacker at bay. I carry an umbrella in the door pocket which could also keep an attacker at bay.
I use a 20 inch breaker bar with rubber handle. It fits nicely along the left side of the fron seat in most vehicles, and is heavy enough to do severe damage. You can get them cheaply at Harbor Freight.
I suggest keeping a tire iron under the front passenger’s seat, at all times, and exiting the car with it in hand, because you never know who might be waiting for you when you do exit the car. Having it under the passenger’s seat insures that it does not slide forward when you apply the breaks, and slide under your car’s gas or break pedals. Never open your car windows more than a crack, if someone needs directions; or simply motion that the window does not roll down. Leave ample space between your car’s front end, and the car in front of you, so you can make a quick U-turn, or jump the sidewalk, and keep driving away from trouble, maybe a mob, and keep going to safety. A Marine Air Horn or an ABC fire extinguisher would make a great deterant if someone, or even a group, approached your car. A car’s cigarette lighter would be useful, as you could push it in, starting it to heat up, and when it clicks, you can pull it out of the ashtray, and put the hot end on an attacker’s hand, or into his face, giving you time to escape.
I had a car stolen with The Club device on the steering wheel. They don’t work like you think they do or like they say.
Oh i just love the way you think!
I have another item that most everyone has. It’s the car alarm on your key chain. Those make a lot of noise till you shut it off. I have whistles hanging in various locations for easy grabbing on the run.
I have a mini flash light beside all the light switches. Even without electricity it’s a natural reflex to try to turn on the light. When the light doesn’t work, the flashlight is right there. You can make some kind of cozy to cover the spray can horn for any and all rooms.
I’m very interested in survival. If you have an intruder and a cat throw the cat at him! Don’t be shy. The cat will be fine and he won’t (hopefully you haven’t chopped the poor cats claws off (they cut the end of the cats finger/toe at the first joint normally…Nasty business). If you are in the kitchen you have weapons of all sorts handy. Plates, silverware,cans anything and everything from under the sink. How many spray cleansers do you have that could really sting their eyes? I have little dogs, pugs. Intruders don’t care for little dogs because they are hard to hit and generally the dogs can jump into the crotch area. Smaller dogs are more apt to bite than big dogs (unless they have been trained). A BIG WORD OF CAUTION: Do not rely totally on a home alarm system (ex.ADT) It will work sometimes. Better yet keep your cell phone handy…911 will get to you quicker than some fella ten states away who doesn’t care much. In your car get ONSTAR!!! It works if you crash your car (automatically GPS satellites etc.), if you see an accident- you push the button and talk to the person who speaks to you through your radio. If you lock your keys in the car and if someone steals your car onstar can turn your car OFF and tell the police where it is. Even if your car didn’t come with onstar wrapped around it you can have onstar installed. There is also a car phone at the push of a button and you tell the phone who to call. The minutes are a bit more expensive than a regular cell but if your cell provider has no strong towers and you can’t call for help with your cell you’ll be so glad there is someone to call. I live in Florida for the time being. I hate Florida, but the stand your ground laws finally make a lot of sense. Guns are great guns are good but if you don’t go practice with them you are being unwise.
@Pamela…you must not know that the government can watch every move you make with OnStar, and your installed phone has GPS, and your smart cell phone has GPS, to watch your every move! Are you not afraid of your government? Police, Feds? If you want to stay safe from everyone..get off the grid in more than one way.
I have six and they usually act as a stranger alert cat and run away. Know your options when strangers arrive, pre pare
OnStar can also lead bad people to you.. In a SHTF situation, disable OnStar.. I have a phone in each room of my house..
….. Your advice about the cat is sound.. They attack with teeth and twenty razor sharp claws.. My cat weighs twenty pounds, I can hardly pick him up let alone throw him.. Luckily he will attack to protect me.. Then my less aggressive eighteen pounder would probably join him.. Some cats will attach on a leg and good luck trying to get it off.. Just thrown in an attacker’s face they can be devastating.. As you know they land with claws extended and can rip a face to shreds.. Lots of blood and possible blindness..
I don’t understand when I was a kid we visited my grandparents often, they had 22 grandchildren of all age groups. Grandpa always kept his rifle in the corner & it was loaded. None of us kids ever bothered it, We new better! There was no problem with disciple, my grandparents followed the bible “spare the rod spoil the child” & so did our parents. I miss my grandparents, they new how to work, raise a family, and take care of themselves. No hand outs. Our nation is in a depression or on the brink of it and most of the people today can’t do a thing for themselves.
Thank God between my Grandparents & my Mother & Father in-law they have taught me a lot. I think I will be able to teach my kids how to plant & work a garden and preserve I think I can smoke our meat but if anyone can send me some tips on building a smoke-house would appreciate it. My grandfather had a molassey mill I know how to make the stuff I just don’t know how to build the mill. If someone has plans for one and would’t care to share would be glad to accept.
We are planning to safe proof our bug- out area by setting up some trip wires & sharpen bamboo spikes. It worked for the VC.
My son is a cop everyone in is department have been sent to special riot training they have all new gear he says it like what the swat teams uses. I hope people will open up there eyes, Our days on numbered before xxxx hits the fan. My prayers are with you all.
What would Jesus do? Easy… He died for you and me. But your death is not worth your attempt to defend yourself. First, always maintain an exit from your house. Gather your children and run to the neighbors. Yes, absolutely do what is necessary to allow your children to get to safety. I am not Ramo; are you. Yeah maybe!…. It is good to remember that if we are not truly willing to kill, we hesitate. When we hesitate, the bad guys can take away our weapon and use it on us.
A deadly intrusion invasion occured to my neighbor; it was her son on drugs. He ended up severing her head. Don’t forget the potential of being attacked by ones you know and even love. Seriously, are you really willing to inflict injury and even kill your own loved one?
I am a retired Vet in ill health. The first step for me is to open the bathroom and let the dogs out; 210 lbs of meat eaters defending their home. Well, at least they are big and have a huge bark. If you are not a killer or if you cannot own a firearm, your next step could be to retrieve a paintball gun. A paintball gun is fantastic to splatter paint at the head. Balls aimed at the temples, eyes, nose and mouth will slow any attacker; possibly even stoppint them cold. Use an electronic air powered automatic mode (3 to 5 balls per second) to shoot at the attackers face (eyes, nose, and mouth) and weapon. Shooting paint at the hand holding a weapon can make control of the weapon difficult. Then, shoot paint to the diaphram and groin. At twenty feet it takes out vision and breathing. Then, inflicts pain. Repeat as needed. Lots of paint balls against multiple attackers. You cannot be accused of intent to kill. A paint ball gun is not considered lethal.
Decide quickly to retrieve the paintball gun. Fire without hesitation for true shock and awe. It would seem to me that a invasion intruder is not well trained or under the influence of drugs and desparate or they would act differently.
A paintball gun is inexpensive and very effective. Use expensive balls. A hopper can hold one hundred balls. easy to retrieve from under the bed or in cabinets, or closets. That is a lot of defensive power when needed. If you become proficient, you can reload the hopper from canisters in a few seconds. Use a larger tank of air to last longer.
Airsoft replicas with high rates of fire and nationally – recognized. field – grade FPS (around 345 – 370 FPS) can be, for those skilled in CQB tactics, a nasty surprise to any intruder in low – light situations. First, without noting a GBB or AEG ‘s blaze orange ‘safety tip’ on the barrel, the intimidation factor is HUGE. Add a three round burst of plastic pellets to the face (at well below safe ANYTHING range, TBH, annnd….
Plus, the airsofter’s weapon, in an apartment? Somebody’s gonna ‘hear a gat’, and…
911 IS coming, no matter what. At this point, I know it may well be over $800 invested in your ‘sporting equipment’, but…
If your gun jams/empties, don’t reload. Use that thing (especially the all-metals) as a freaking club… And beat your attacker senseless. Or until your gun shatters.
If that occurs, stab the assailant with the biggest chunk you hold (sharp & jagged is good) and get away.
Or get a knife. Or a weapon of the assaulter’s, something.
If you can’t get away, finish the job. With extreme prejudice.
The Bible does not condemn killing.. It condemns murder.. I will kill or maim ANYONE to protect me and my loved ones.. Love your paintball idea..
Generally, people are more afraid of a knife than a gun.. I think it’s the blood that unnerves them..
Haven’t you ever watched the scene in Raiders Of The Lost Ark of the confrontation between the whip wielding man and the Harrison Ford with the gun? Ya….. I’ll take the gun any day.
I know all about home defense. I’m a black belt person.
Even though an 18-20″ 10-gauge or 12-guage shotgun is a good choice of home defense weapon (or a handgun), a 20-gauge shotgun is best home defense weapon for both men and women. It has little kick. Kept under the bed or sitting against dresser, this shotgun’s best range is 7-15 yards (21-45 feet), which is enough distance to fire down a hallway, in a bedroom, or in a large living room. And, do they make a hell of a mess at close range.
.410 is easy to handle and don’t saw it off for the home, heehee I haven’t. The OL for the pump modified grip Mossberg swings well at legal length so learn it if you’re serious takes no time atoll know where they’re placed. Front n back? Within good reach away from the cats etc. I’m a one armed CVA it kin be done.
i am 72 years old i carry a cane in the truck don`t really need it tho carry it anyway, in house have double bbl 410 loaded withgolden bear #4bk pellets, also have good pistol at bed side,and my loyal pit dog,shes a good alarm system
75% of burglers, or home invasions have guns. unless your Jet Li, you can’t move fast enough to dodge a bullet. take a safety course and a hand gun training course and get your self a firearm. A shotgun is just fine . pistol grip, and a barrel no longer than 18″‘s. #2,or#4 shot shells, or double odd buck shot.wtshtf, keep it by your side at all times.
Years ago an intruder hid while my friend’s wife arrived home. She entered the house and was encountered by the intruder while she was tending to the dining room. He threatened her as she stood to the opposite side of the table. The intruder lunged. Having nowhere to go got under the table. She was racked with fear, rage and adrenaline. She said the table all at once was gone. She panged with fear with what was to happen next. It seemed the table was crashing. There was a boom and the house shook so loud I heard it from across the street. She thought the intruder had snatched it away. At that moment there was no shadow over her so she looked up to see the table slamming on and crushing the man against a marble top china display, bursting the heavy glass doors, and buckling the wall. When I arrived she was standing in shock looking into the dining room at a man that seemed dead. Check and I found him to be barely breathing. He was cut badly from the glass across his back. His foot and should were hideously distorted. I called 911. It was only six or seven minutes but it seemed like an hour when the emergency truck, ambulance and police cars arrived. The crew handled him with utmost care. He seemed at the brink of death. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance under arrest by the police. He didn’t wake for days. He was held under police arrest at the hospital, hand-cuffed to the gurney. His injuries were so bad he couldn’t raise himself from the bed. The thrust and mass of table, the glass and marble broke the intruders ribs, some vertebrae, shoulder blade, collar bone, arm, the arch of his foot and caused severe concussion. He was charged and convicted of this robbery and attempted assault and other robberies and assaults. Before getting the casts off he was consigned to 20 years of prison. He died after 4 years. My friend’s wife stood shocked. I thought she had been injured by the intruder. I asked her hoping she could speak and she described how she watched this shocking, bazar and violent calamity. To this day she has no idea of how the table leapt upon and crushed the man. She was small and petite. She said as the table crashed a sense of profound safety and peace came to her, even as she was aghast at the sight of it all. The table of oak was broken in several pieces. Five studs within the wall were split from the impact and the wall and exterior siding was pushed outward. This actually happened. I was first to arrive, saw the results and made the call to 911. I’ve always been an honest man, but if I had not been, that would have been the day I got out of crime. This day opened my mind to a whole new to world of reality and of possibilities. There is much more to life than what can be easily explained.
I have
I am a senior citizen, and I will not go down without a fight. I have a large house with at least 1 firearm in each room. None of the guns are smaller than a 9mm. If deadly force is required, the perpetrators will never face a judge.
In Texas chl parlance we have to STOP THE THREAT!
DITTO! NO ONE has a right to break into anyone ELSE’S home, no matter what the motive may be!
Okay, the first one, get out if you can and run to a neighbor’s house for protection. Well let’s see, that neighbor is smart, armed and shoots you as a home invader! Opps! Never leave your home unsecured, keep weaponry nearby and know how to use them, if you have little kids, use the small hand keyed/palm scanned opening gun safes where you can access a loaded firearm in a second but kids can’t. But most important, live in a state that allows self defense, stand your ground laws so you can protect yourself and loved ones. Stay armed and ready, even when you leave the house. And don’t feel safe if you live in a “Gated” and “Secured” community or an upper middle class neighborhood. Remember criminals/thugs/could have been Obama’s sons, do not look for victims in their slummy neighborhoods, but drive to where there will be a profit involved and you have a false sense of security because of the type of neighborhood you live in. Defending yourself and your loved ones is entirely up to YOU. Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, relax at home, but be prepared. Make the criminal the dead guy instead of you!
Gated communities are not safe. The gate is only for vehicles. The rest of the properties are usually not surrounded by a high wall, or brick wall. Bad guys can just hop over the fence, and walk to the houses they want to enter.
this is so true there is not such thing as a safe gated community unless your mr. trump or bill gates . get for real all those small brick fences next to the high ways and gates for cars with open small gates for walkers. please get for real smart .my fiancée lives in such a neighbor hood and its so stupid only called so to get high home owners assoc. stiker prize bills . stupid.. don’t leave your defense on someone alses hands.wake up americans or you may just not wake up at all.
When and where I grew up, everyone had guns and kept them loaded.. One of the first things a toddler was don’t touch a gun.. And none of us ever did.. Around age 8 or 10, we were taught how to shoot and care for guns and often given one of our own.. These folks hunted for food and kept loaded guns for protection.. Kids never touched a gun until properly taught it’s use..
I like Brad Pitts, “Pray for Peace, but prepare for war.” I am a person that had a serious nervous breakdown when young. I cannot use the weapon of choice, (a gun).
But I have everything else at my disposal. I keep my cell phone charged and ready in my shirt pocket along with my car remote to sound the alarm. I also have a speaker horn with an ear piercing alarm at my side every night. If I can launch myself out from my chair before the intruder gets to me, I have a real sword on display. I do not ask any questions first before acting. To do so would be more to his advantage than mine. Your either in my home or your hanging around outside my door trying to get in at three in the morning. If it’s the latter, I would sound the car alarm first. There is another good saying said by a famous person in history, “Walk softly and carry a big stick.”
RR said enough times that I remember,”trust, but verify.” I hope for the best, but am pr pared for otherwise beginning in my mind.
Hahaha! Sorry, I know this is a serious subject but, I LOVE your idea. (I love cats and have had several over the years.) I just got a mental image of a bad guy wearing a p offed cat on his head and the look on his face…
I have large bells on my doors, so if someone opens my doors I will hear the bells hopefully, but if not they will never make it out alive.
I believe that women have a variety of weapon with them most of the time,such as hair spray fingernail files and of course the weight of their purse to name a few. I also ran across 2 signs that you might like the first is my favorite, this property is protected by my GOD and my gun come in unwelcomed and you might get to meet them both and the second is this property is protected by shotgun six nights a week take your pick.
Many spray chemicals, like insect killer or hairspray, can be used effectively against an attacker, of course, but if you also happen to have a lighter handy, you can often turn the spray into a blowtorch, too.
it’s better to douse them with as much of the spray as possible before lighting it off, though — maximizes the burn, and sends a much stronger message in the long run.
Just pondering out loud about the shield idea. I like the concept and thought of taking in a step or two further. For example the toliet tank lid. Using some marine epoxy, you could attach two straps that will not absorb moisture in a loop underneath where they cannot be seen. Then you could slip your arm through them just like romans. It is brittle, but could stop or slow an attack long enough to go on the offense. Same with a spare cutting board you don’t use. Or if you are so inclined, make a shield out of some 1/4 inch steel and hang it on the wall a decoration.
Pre-planning: Sharpen a thick stick or old broom handle and place it in a potted plant to look like it is holding the plant up with a slip knot. Pointy end down. place close to a door. You can sharpen some flat iron with a bench grinder add a handle. ta-da.
Get a sack of marbles and/or jumping jacks, throw them at the attackers feet. Either run or attack. If an emergency you can grab your ice maker bin and throw ice cubes in his path on the floor. Add some cooking oil and you have a comedy movie.
How many people use those little things that melt wax or whatever it is to release aroma? When you turn it off the wax re-hardens. Hot wax treatment coming up!
If someone breaks into my home or is a life threat to me then he is toast. I will not stop until the individual is down and out. If I have to shoot my weapon the intended shot will be a kill shot. I’ll deal with the fallout later and after the perpetrators funeral. Enough said…. Once I am attacked the individual surrendered his rights…..
As he said: Don’t forget that ANY spray can product will temporarily blind someone!
Every member of my household has a center fire, magazine fed, auto-loading carbine at their disposal that they have been trained to use. We have each others backs and the carbines are strategically place in the household. There are a few sidearms again strategetically placed and all are trained in their use. Short story, the bad guys would be hard pressed to find these firearms as they ar well hidden but easially accessible to us. We are trained in their use and we all have cell phones on our persons also. In the words of Mr. T, “I pity da fool that come messin’ round here.”
A twelve gauge “defense” shotgun with eight shells is the best weapon along with a flash light. Just the sound of loading a shell into the chamber is effective.
It is an ill-advised idea to give a home invader advanced warning, such as racking a shotgun. A home invader, inside your “castle” has forfeited his life when he crossed the threshold. The only warning he should get is the first round impacting him center mass, with repeat “warnings” until the threat is neutralized!
I will not strike first unless attacked. I will not strike someone for the words he has said to me. Lay hands on me or mine and I will respond with a level of violence so profound as to be unimaginable, with any object that comes readily to hand, hammers, butcher knifes or broken bottles.
I agree with the last part of your statement, However, if someone breaks into my home I will be the first to strike and not wait until he has his hands around my neck… or my son’s! I he breaks into my house I have to assume the worst in him and the best for me and my family.
He gets what he gets if they come in this house uninvited. He will not leave but in a bag. The one good thing is there is only one side of the story
anyone breakings into anyone’s home should be killed. the world would be much safer
I am the weapon.Everything I can use to assist me in defending my family,home or myself is just a extension of me.Being mentally prepared for an attack is your best weapon.
common sense, which 90% of americans don’t have. a gun would be best, but if you live in a police state like nj, it may be hard to come by, legallly.
can of wasp spray makes a decent alternative for a ranged weapon. just make sure to keep a FRESH can for maximum range. hit em in the face, blind them, then subdue them with something heavy, like a frying pan or baseball bat.
Thank you for this information. I will employ this in my thinking, and always be aware of my surroundings..no matter where I am or what I am doing. Thank you again for this information, I found it eye opening, and sincere.
Unless you are a fairly strong individual and have had some tactical training in fighting this would be a last resort. If and Only If, you have no where to run and nothing to fight back with then rush the intruder head on. He/She will not be expecting this, with your strongest hand grab their throat and wrap your strongest hand around their esophagus and clamp down with all you have trying to tear their throat out. With your other arm wrap it around the intruders neck and pull yourself in as close as you can while still clinging tighter on their throat. Bury your face in the bend of your arm to protect your face. This not only hurts like Hell but it sends fear through the intruder because they can no longer breathe. If you can hold this for a couple of minutes the intruder will pass out from lack of oxygen, do not let go of them as they will regain their composure and you will be in danger again. After about four minutes the intruder will not awaken, if you do not want to kill them and this gives you a chance to run by all means take it. Even if you do not hold him longer than two minutes when you turn loose he will probably be in such pain that he will run away!
Remember you are the only one responsibly to protect yourself not the government or police. You can save you know one else is responsible for your life except for you!!!!!!
Get a damn gun now. If you think some one else can better save your life then wait for them to stop an attacker. Any person without a gun is a fool.
My late husband told me a flare gun, the kind you use on a boat, would be lethal. I’m not sure, but I think you could carry it in your car legally, I would just say I forgot to take it out. He had a 12 foot boat he used for duck hunting.
I am of the opinion that if anyone is found within my space ( Home) without invitation, he is about to be rendered useless. A real weapon, gun, is what I am referring to, will be used.
I am pretty much a pacifist, except when my life is threatened. All your improvised weapons would be useless in most instances!!!
I believe the idea is that most people don’t go around their house armed all the time. Perhaps you do and that is your choice. If the attack is sudden, you may not have time to run to your gun. Especially, if you keep it locked and unloaded like the gov. idiots advise to do. In that situation, an improvised weapon is better than bare hands.
The second idea is: In a panic and when adrenaline is flowing, you lose fine motor muscle control and get tunnel vision. You have to think about scenarios BEFORE hand, practice in your mind and physically drill them. Do “what-if” drills in different rooms. THEN if something does happen, you are more likely to follow your training instead of peeing in your pants.
The Author could have made that more clear, but it was implied.
The intruder came threw the roof now what
I have found bee and wasp spray to be very comforting to have around. I have several placed discretely in my home. I have some on each side of the bed and some in other places including the bathroom…some invaders come in after casing the house and know how long a person will be in the shower and at a hearing disadvantage.
Wasp spray can bring an attacker down and the spray can shoot a long distance. Go for the face.
Anything sharp willdo Hit to kill .
great information
Hair spray (or other aerosol spray) and a lighter = flame thrower.
I’m with you. If he attacks me or mine, he gives up ALL of his rights. I wouldn’t know why a person would break in or attack me. If to steal or kill. I would use deadly force if I had the wherewithal. What makes people think they can just waltz up and take things that people have labored for, all their life. Tell them to get a JOB. Any JOB. In the old days, it was an embarrassment to receive any kind of help. A man was a real man, wanting to earn everything he had. Doors weren’t locked because there was NO reason for it. People took care of their own, and of their neighbors (only until they were able to get back on their feet). It was a “difficult pill to swallow”,but sometimes they had to accept help. Live, and let live is a great old motto. More people should live by it. God had a place in the family in those days. Many have replaced God for love of self. We should remedy that before we destroy ourselves. God help us all.
an unloaded pistol can be used to hit the intruder. Grab it like a tonfa.v
still,u need to call 911
I was brought up in a military family, and learned self defense and weapons improvization at a very early ae. One easy to make, inexpensive weapon to make I came up with is what I call tghe spike bat. All you need is a basebll bt that has a weight you’re comfotable with ( a regular wooden one does just fine), thumbtacks, and electrical tape. What you do is start by taking 2or 3 strips of tape, and push the thumbtacks into their sticky sides, with the tacks about 1/4 inch apart. Make an X or a * over the top, with the sharp ends sticking up. Then take the rest of the tacks and tape, and start sticking a few tacks points up with enough room to stick as you go. What you’re doing is making a tape that has tacks pointing out of it and winding the tape down the bat as close together or apart as you want until you reach the place you want to hold it. I suggest you leave an untaped area wide enough to comfortably hold with both your hads. Then, do the same on the bottom end as you did at the top- this will prevent any idea the idiot may have of grabbing it from you. What you end up with will be what looks like a cactus without the flowers, which will hurt like h&^l anywhere it touches skin,and may also cause some scary looking bleeding, but will not go deep enough to do any serious harm unless you wield it with enough force. It only takes about a half hour to make, as i made one for a friend of mine while drinking coffee and talking to her on the phone. It looks mean and nasty, and I suggest anyone living alone to have it as a backup in their car and home. Because of what it’s made of, it’s legal, and I know if I saw one of them in the hands of someone ready to defend themselves with it, I would give them as much room as possible. So make one and try it! I think you’ll really like it.
You can accomplish the same armored baseball bat goal with a length of barbed wire, stapled into the heavy end, then closely wound around and around until you’re about 1/3 the way down to the grip, then staple the handle end. Some non-slip tape on the handle, maybe drill a hole for a thong loop through the bottom of the handle end to help keep the baddies from getting it away from you, and you’re ready to rock & roll! I personally would not care to be on the receiving end of such a weapon.
This is stupid advise. Anyone breaking into a home are prepared to do you harm if they are discovered in the home. Rarely do people have an opportunity to fiscally defend therselves. I think you watch too many movies. According to law enforcement the most dangerious criminal is one who breaks into a house or apartment; especially when they think someone is home. In absents of a gun, a person should call 911, leave the phone off the hook and hide. If they can get something in a can like hear spray or something they can spray in the face of the intruder, grab it and hide. YOU CANNOT WIN A FIGHT AGAINST A PROFESSIONAL CRIMINAL. Your best defense is keeping you windows and doors locked at all times. In advance you can place objects in different locations, only to be used if you get traped or discovered.
The best I can say is you seem confused. First, I am not sure how your fiscal condition helps you physically. Second, you then go to make the author’s argument for him. “In advance you can place objects in different locations, only to be used if you get traped (sic) or discovered.” The author is saying; there are many things in your house ALREADY that you can use and you don’t have to pre-arrange these. Walk around each room. Carefully examine items and ask yourself: 1. can this be used as a club? 2, a spear? 3. be thrown? 4. a shield? 5. obstacle or distraction to make escape or gain advantage? 6. shot or sprayed?
If you think you cannot win a fight. You have already lost. burglars usually don’t have special fight training either. they will be street fighters. You give your opponent an unfair advantage if you think he is going to win. But they are not defending their lives either. But you are!!! you have to go “ball to the walls” Nothing held back, no holds barred, NO RULES, no civility at all. This is not a competition where the loser just does not get a trophy. scratch, bite, kick, slap, whatever it takes. If you don’t think you can fight well, then get some training. Not the martial arts stuff where they train you for tournaments, but real fighting classes like they teach women to defend against rapists.
You are correct in saying that the best offense is a good defense and ‘getting away’ is your best option (as Frank pointed out) However You absolutely CAN win a fight against a criminal, professional or otherwise. One just has to be able to decorum and fight on his level.
C.Fitz, if you think for one minute that having manners and decorum are critical to saving you and your family from a scumbag (yes I said it!) then you have already lost the battle. If the term scumbag is offensive to you then your best bet is to find some utopia to move to where someone will protect you because you are far to proper to be concerned with saving the lives of those you care about from harm. To call the scumbags is the polite way to reference them and I guess you don’t want to know what I call them!
Touche’!
Great ideas:
Keep something you can use in every room. Kids room, baseball bat, ice skates, big toys.
Also the basics, clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, baby powder, (ever get those in your eyes), lysol spray….
Age appropriate stuff based on the room…
Also remember those things you hang on the wall, the big big spoon and fork, wooden signs, (home sweet home board) that leaves a good mark, rot iron candle holders, etc…
Also turning sideway to your attakcer, makes you a smaller, harder target, keep you distance, and keep moving.
If you can call 911 and set the phone down, if you are cornered, they will hear everthing, call out address, description of the person, etc…they will call the police, and record all of it.
As stated, they best defense is to get out, and let the police deal with it, but when not possible be prepaired to fight…
Anyone who breaks into your home will do so again. If you care at all about the people you live with you will protect them from vengeance seekers by either immediate compliance or killing the intruder(s). The problem with immediate compliance is, what happens to your loved ones after you surrender?
Driving people off or wounding them isn’t an option – they know where your family lives. It’s not your responsibility to protect strangers from making fatal mistakes.
I only mention this because it is an article I would like to forward to my young daughters, sister in laws etc. Love your site.
If you are forwarding it and not handing it to them in person, then they are not that “young”. Nor are they that naive. I am sure they have called people they know that term – scumbag.
Do a word study. What is “scum” anyway. look it up in the dictionary. You would be surprised. the forth definition in my American Heritage Dictionary states: “An element of society regarded as being vile or worthless.” Seems to me that a large segment of our society fits that definition perfectly.
This is something that you should sit down with them and discuss, don’t just forward for them to read or ignore. Discuss it in length, How will they react, examine items together, how can they be used defensively or offensively. Your family needs a plan to survive. Failure to plan is planning to fail.
Great article. But do you really need to call the intruder scumbag? Wouldn’t dirtbag or some other adjective work as well? That’s not a word I would choose when speaking with my children. We need to survive and anticipate how to survive many different situations. My hope is if the unthinkable happens at least we will still have manners & decorum including using more “polite” words? I know this sounds nitpicky but there was a time when kids didn’t walk around saying everything sucks.
I wouldn’t be crazy about my son saying ‘sucks’ but that’s not the same level as scumbag. What’s the difference in scum and dirt? Not trying to be argumentative but if the unthinkable happens, I don’t think Miss Emily Post herself would keep to politeness.
You must be a democrat. You are most likely naive too. I’m sure your children have heard more than what you think. Get real.
Good thoughts. Also if you have a lighter and can of hair spray, togeather makes instant flame thower. BE CAREFUL HERE!! You don’t need a fire in the house. Another thing to have around is a kids high powered water gun loaded with straight bleach or rubbing alcohol, that’ll ruin their day fast and nobody will think twice if they see it. STORE SAFLEY!! Out of kids reach!!
Unfortunately, Virginia is a State that DOES NOT have a “Castle Law”. However I am a firm believer in the adage “I WOULD RATHER BE JUDGED BY 12 THAN CARRIED BY 6” especially when my family is threatened.
Non-lethal rounds may make you sleep better after an attack.But the law suit from the intruder may not.Too many times innocent people have been taken to court by the criminal,and lose.I vote for option A, Shoot to kill and ask questions later.Fortunately I also have dogs who let me know if someone comes around.I pray that I never have to use lethal force to defend myself.But as they say,
“Pray for peace,but prepare for war”.
Practical information, especially for women and children. As a single female, home-owner, self defense is a concern and guns are not my fancy. Thanks for the suggestions and ideas!
Frank, why your hangup with conflict and weapons? Your earlier assumptions are more likely to be correct . . . . a confused person, a young person out to prove something, ill or sick person . . . or someone with anger not necessarily at YOU.
So why not instead of getting reaady for a big fight, end the tension or conflict by giving the person what he or she wants or needs. Money. Or food. a ride. shelter. or a little help. or a kind word. something saying ‘you’re all right’. it could work wonders.
Are you kidding Steve? A home invader is more than likely under the influence of drugs, (about 98%) have no conscience, are desperate and are the most dangerous type of criminal I am told by a police friend, because they are prepared to assault under unkown circumstances. Some people live in high crime areas and must be prepared to defend themselves and their loved ones. Good luck on giving them what they need, they will probably kill you to keep you from IDing them!
Little salt on the face of attacker is perfect and save for everybody, keep salt-cellar with you all time and it is useful in lunch time !!!
thumbs up!
I am 74 yrs old. If I can’t get out of the house, he dead.
I live in the bush. in house its only one step from this weapon to that weapon. booby traps and trip wires mess them up quick. (try sneaking up the behind my chicken coop and trip and fall on a bunch of sharpened sticks dipped in poop for that extra dose of septasemia). upper or lower level windows can all be used to access high ground (roof) or the ground. I keep capsules with enough escape gear to head deeper into the bush and survive even harsh conditions with the backup of more gear further out. too much is just enough and I can’t stop stocking up on self preservation gear. as far as here and now encounters go do not ever stop fighting for your life. it is yours and no-one has a right to it. learn first aid. know first aid then you know last aid and they are now the vulnerable ones. learn where to make the biggest impact with the least effort how to turn their energy against them and I know-when you turn the tide its amazing how they cringe, cry and beg. I really don’t want to say all I am (can’t drop all my secrets) but yes I implore you to prepare for any eventuality. luck definitely favors the prepared. I do live many miles out of any town and off any grid. my driveway is eight tenths of a mile long and I can hear a vehicle idle down to come in. that’s all the heads up I require. and dog knows diligence is well rewarded. sorry ’bout being log winded but I cannot stress about being prepared for any eventuality enough. I could describe so many incapacitation techniques for pages but you have to get a grip on your abilities and your resolve. are you able to take someone down. even if it costs them their life. (the last two went down hard and to save them I actually drove them to a hospital (collapsed larynx, broken ribs with impaired breathing)) I end this now. it is an important subject to me and as my life is my most valuable asset I will stop at nothing to keep it
Thank you for your super article on defending your self. I agree with you on all of it 100% All your advise is note worthy, please don’t ever stop, I feel I am learning something necessary each day. You never know what is around the corner and must be prepared at all times, especially these days.
In a way we have stepped back in time. The whole world is now violent and we should be allowed to protect our selves. Those trying to take the guns away are only working for theirselves, they don’t care about the rest of us. They have security with guns if we get killed Its “oh well we have to many people now “Loved some of the suggestions.
Just because an intruder enters your home does NOT mean you have the right to shoot him or use deadly force against him. There are many causes which can validly preclude you from using deadly force . Control your panic long enough to put your brain in gear. Ask yourself, is he armed with a deadly weapon? Is he pointing it at you? Has he made a threatening statement to you? If he has , does he have the means to carry out that threat. Are you reasonably likely to be in fear for your life or the life of another family member. Is he moving toward you with intent to take your gun away from you. Consider waiting long enough for him to get close enough to where your fears are reasonable and/or justified. You don’t have to wait until he is on top of you but it will help your case if he has a few powder burns if your defense is that he was going to take my gun away . He’s not going to take your gun away if he has turned around and is heading out the door when you put the first round in the back of his head. Put your brain in gear but don’t wait long enough to place youself in greater jeopardy. What you have to do is ACT REASONABLY
Cliff: I take it you are a man and you don’t live alone. When an intruder ____enters My house, watch out! all bets are off!
If someone takes the trouble and daring and gall to break in with evil intent and malice aforethough to commit felonies they will not blink an eye at commiting another felony or two including assault, battery, murder, rape, kidnapping, torture. The fact that he breaks in while you are at home and not at work, where he would have 8 hours to ransack the house means that he wants to have a confrontation with you and your loved ones.
The answers always are: Yes. Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Hell no. waiting = death. a person can cover 21 feet in 1.5 seconds. The only sane and safe way to deal with an intruder is to assume that he will not leave any living eyewitnesses and it is either you or him. In the dark or low light you cant wait to see if there is ANOTHER weapon beyond what he used to break in. You don’t know if there are two or three or a whole gang. By time you find out, you are dead. You may not only save your life, but the lives of all his future victims.
In an emergeny when adrenaline is pumping you are going to have blinders on and will not be thinking completely clearly. You will fall back on training and instinct. If you train to hesitate and wait, you will freeze and not act. YOU WILL BE DEAD.
I assume that ANYONE breaking into my home is not there to have tea but is an immediate danger to my family. I believe that is a Reasonable assumption.
Thanks–good info.
I keep a pipe wrench handy. I can either swing it or throw it. I also keep in great physical shape. Killing is not a good option. Most people have family, relatives and friends. If you kill, you may become a victim of revenge.
Thanks for info keep coming
I purchased a large can of bear deterrent which shoots 20 feet, and lasts long enough to saturate the invader. Of course, you want to be sure it is not the police who have busted into your home in the middle of the night and then get charged with attacking a police officer. Have read about many cases of police breaking into the wrong address, and the property owner being shot and killed or severely injured, after the dogs shot for barking.
Until you have personally been robbed and beaten, you will always ponder the consequences of defending yourself to the death of the intruder or not. Speaking as one who has indeed been beaten, robbed, pistol-whipped and then shot in the past, I can tell you the next time this happens to me, or is about to happen to me or to someone I am trying to protect, I will indeed shoot to kill that intruder and do so without any warning…deadly force shot first to the crotch, second to the head and third to the heart in two seconds, with the extra two hollow point 40-caliber rounds in my first weapon for his buddy behind him.
Most such “gun fights” occur within 21 feet between victim and perpetrator…any closer and any hesitation on your part probably means you are going to get hurt and likely also to die from the assault. If I am to die this time I plan on taking the bad guy with me!
I might add that if you have to face down someone at three in the morning it is an excellent idea that you have in your possession additional backup weapons and that you have first called 911 if the available time and opportunity was there to do so.
I would also remind you of this fact: If you just wound the perpetrator, prepare to spend $20K or more on attorney fees when the punk sues you for shooting him (and even his buddies with him).
Could not have said it better myself!
As I started to read this, ya, what if? I think that would bother, a lot of us, If that was even
an old friend, Trying to pull a so called surprise on you. You just never know, and you don’t
start out trying to have a conversation. Just as mentioned be prepared.
WHAT IF. Just really makes you think. So keep that in mind as you are preparing
Your self…….
Well, after reading all of the articles, I really have to laugh at the language. One lady was right on the button with her comment about people needing courses in grammer and spelling. What a shame half of you gun toting liberals out there that need 2000 rounds of amunition to hit a target can’t spell or speak plainly. How many of you need an assult rifle and a thirty round clip to go hunting? Hell, if I couldn’t drop my target in one shot, I didn’t shoot. I still use a bolt action or a pump shot gun, that’s all of the fire power that’s needed to bring down anything in the US.
As far as the article is concerned, good going Frank, keep the info comming. I like the hornet spray idea, especially if the target requires medical attention after being sprayed. It’s a lot better than pepper spray where the bad guy can eventually just walk away.
All computers have a feature on them called Spell Check. Those who would criticize others should utilize it.The words are grammar, assault, and coming. And if you could actually shoot a gun as well as you can shoot off your mouth you wouldn’t need it anyway, you could just brag an intruder to death.
And to Cliff Umscheid… if someone comes into my home with his HANDS and FEET still attached he HAS WEAPONS. I’m not going to stand there LONG ENOUGH to ANALYZE his motives for being in MY house. If his name is not on the mail box he HAS NO RIGHT TO BE THERE. If he had to BREAK into MY house he HAS NO RIGHT TO BE THERE. I DON’T CARE what he has in his hands when he comes in. The writer of this article told us to use appliance cords if we have to, an intruder could do the same (it’s not as if it hasn’t happened before). ANY hesitation on a home owner’s part could cost him his life. You ask “Are you reasonably likely to be in fear for your life?” If someone breaks into your home and you are NOT in fear there is something WRONG with you. He would be in fear for his life, but not for long, if he comes around me and I see him first.
I live alone. I own a gun & it is loaded, hidden well but easy for me to access. I never think about that gun, because I’m protected by Rottweiller, the ultimate personal defense, at home & on the street. Even the smallest dog (I have 2 terriers as well) will contribute to personal safety by sounding the alarm.
How funny, I have a german shepherd and two terriers. The terriers usually hear sounds first and the shepherd goes into action.
What would Jesus Do?
“Love protects.” I Corin 13
Jesus had the supernatural ability to slip through a crowd of ppl trying to arrest him without being detected,,,
John 10:39 (NIV)
39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.
Jesus allowed Himself to be crucified for our sins but He didn’t always act the role of a pacifist.
Matthew 21:12 (NIV)
12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.
There is a time and season for everything. A time to turn the other cheek and a time to knock the soup out of evil people!
Call 911 and go through the complex form the dispatcher fills out? Be sure to tell the assailant you are too busy with an important cell phone call like attractve women do at Starbucks! Established law is that heroic first responders are not required to help.
I would like a special gun to leave out for burglars: when fired, it blows up and takes the shooter’s hand off.
Thank you for the tips on self defense. If you are up close to the person grab him by his balls and twist and yank them. Also one may poke his finger into the eyeballs of an attacker.
While kicking in the balls is a good move, if possible, grabbing is taking a bit of a chance. Depending on the clothing, you may not have good luck in finding them and inflicting enough pain before the guy smashes your face in. Stabbing the groin area, though, even with a pen, pencil or paring knife, is a better bet.
Ditto for poking the eyes. A pencil, pen or steaknife will cause more pain & damage, and repeated strikes can even go for the throat area. Whatever sharp object you use, just keep doing it as hard as you can, as often as you can.
Lots of potential weapons around a house — tableknives, forks (especially a barbecue fork), fireplace tools, baseball bat & other sports gear.
Live amo! My first responsibilty is to protect my family. If someone is in my house at 3 Am, if I’m able, they will be dead.
Our home is very secluded and if someone breaks in, assuming they get past the 2 German Shepherds, they are not there to pass out invitations to Sunday School, or sell candy for the local cheerleader team.
A couple of other items, Hornet spray in the eyes will stop anybody and they have to go to the hospitle to get it removed, it will shot out at least 20 feet.
a tree trim saw , two edges great weapon even on a pole reachs out and down
You can add one more thing. A can of wasp spray, it can reach 20 feet and aim for the eyes of the intruder. Keep a can by every entry way in your house.
Great information. And don’t forget a shoe is also a good weapon. Stay safe
I advise Women and Disabled to carry a small pump bottle of ammonia as it is not harmfull but will put down even the largest attacker if sparyed in their face.
I wonder what the writers of the previous 135 comments would do if forceful, unfriendly men holding guns and wearing helmets, face shields, and bullet-proof vests entered their homes and began searching. That is among the things that the militarized police of Boston did this month (April 2013 as they went door to door throughout that city. As former U.S. Representative Ron Paul said today in his newsletter, Boston had its first taste of martial law, which overrides individual liberty and rights.
I learned years ago not to give a bad much of a chance. If he gives up I am fine with that as I keep him Them?) company as we wait for the police. I carry a .45 auto and a backup to convince the bad guy to wait or to defend myself if they pull a weapon.
A very prominent criminal lawyer has made the comment that it is better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6
I would not think twice about shooting a home invader. He who snoozes in a cituation like that is dead or captured. I had an old boy friend and his friend grab my arms and pin me, I managed to get my butterfly knife out of my purse and stuck it in the person who had me pinned leg!! That took their mind off of rape!!! I keep aloaded gun where it is handy in my office and under my pillow when my husband is gone.. I travel alot by myself and have had a man try and kick my door in at the motel I was staying at. This happened at around one in the morning. If the dead bolt was not in he would have gotten through. I grabbed my 38 and told him if you kick that door one more time I am going to blow a hole in your belly. He stopped and I called security but they could not find him. Their are too many bad guys out their to take a chance in this day and age.
In the living room, I’d go for the fireplace poker.
In the kitchen, grab the steak knives and throw them as daggers, then the chef knives. If something is cooking on the stove, throw it in his face. Aiming for the face forces him to put his hands up to protect eyes. A skillet makes a better shield than a cookie sheet.
Good article, great information.
Working the night shift years ago in Houston as a Electronics Technician, having to be on the streets, my son who is a policeman, taught me a lot of these same tactics to defend myself. We weren’t allowed to carry a weapon of any kind, so had to use what was available. The new car keys that are cut on both sides are a very lethal weapon, when held between the thumb and forefinger. Also a Magnum flashlight can stun or disable an attacker.The secret is to be aware of everything and everybody around you and don’t wait until you get to your car or house to get out your keys, have them in your hand and prepared to use them instantly. Attackers look for those people that are daydreaming and wait until they get to the car or door of their house to dig around for their keys. Hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst.
In other words, get your face out of the electronic screen, and you may see your attacker and get some advance warning.
Your biggest fight will be against the law and the courts for having the Nerve and the courage to defend yourself. No matter if your right or wrong it will cost you every cent you have to clear your Self And your Name in Court. That is the Justice system we have today , so you are going to lose either way. This Government cant stand the thought that a person would actually stand up for him or her self..
Excellant tips…in my truck I have secured a nail gun…very useful tool…by my bed is Dr.Smith and Mr. Wesson…in my garage there is a variety of weapons to choose from…
Sorry but being ex-military I did my pre-intruder thing and most of the suggestions I have read were fine like the sprays and a a cigarette light if you do not care about burning your house down. All who take your advise need to realize most ideas require very close proximity to the suspect and 3 am, laying in bed for starters where things I wanted no part in, so my solution was a 357 mag for the living room and one for the bedroom. The first and second cylinders to fire are loaded with a shells filled with buckshot, which is available for sale. The next two have jacketed bullets and the remainder have hollow point projectiles. The first 2 shots will be aimed at the waist down area. If these do not stop my intruder the next two and the last will be moved to the chest area. Also, there is a convenient flashlight bedside and we have a plan, provided the intruder has not entered the room where we are located to seek shelter else wherein the home, or outside. I hope I will never need either gun.
a well-thought-out plan, and a good choice in caliber. The .357 is probably the ideal home protection gun.
Though I like the idea of having the 1st shot as ratshot (buckshot is much bigger), I would NOT aim for the crotch, though it is an entertaining thought. I plan on using the ratshot right in the face, to give me a second or so to take a good, slow aim for a kill shot. Though that’s not the story I’ll tell to the cops.
One old defense for inside the home, if your car is equipped is your key bob. Keep at your bed side. If intruder is noticed set off your car alarm this will distract him and give you time to arm yourself and hopefully scare them off. This can also get the neighbors attention. If yours doesn’t have that function, keep hitting lock button to blow the horn. This can also be used when entering your door if attacted.
When I worked with the LAPD, one of my jobs was to teach self defense for women of all ages. One of the MOST IMPORTANT things that I stressed was while walking to and from your vehicle, make it a HABIT to place your keys between your index and middle finger. These two keys, strategically placed (ONLY TWO KEYS TOTAL) can be lethal! Aim for the attackers eyes/face immediately! The keys you were already holding correctly usually are not even seen by an attacker so YOU already have an advantage. If an attacker grabs you from behind, use your heels ladies. A well placed heel upon their toes should make them loosen their grip long enough to let go so you can RUN!
A piece of paper can be used to confuse an intruder or distract the intruder. Throw it at them.
Virtually anything can be used to distract and attack an intruder.
A distraction can give you time to go on the offensive.
In all seriousness, a live cat can be thrown at the intruder’s head. I love my cat and believe she would survive the throw and altercation just fine. The 5-10 second crazed hissy fit/confusion could be enough time for a retreat.
Taking an ear off or a finger with your teeth is probably the most primal and effective defense along with the trusty old thumb in the eyeball. Ask anyone that’s been in the military and they’ll have plenty to talk about when it comes down to the “It’s you or me.’ scenario.
I taught my daughter at a young age, if she was ever approached in a public setting, to start screaming using sware words, including the Fbomb. and to bo limp, hit the floor and then kick at the would-be *******while swaring.
Another thing is to make sure you keep a distance from the bad guy, by useing anything that is able to be picked up and threw like a baseball, as many objects as fast and hard as possible.
Practice throwing knives like your in a fair spinning wheel dare-devil show.
The Gov. may take our guns, but they cant take our primale instincts of weapons like rocks, sticks and all natural products including handfulls of sand.
I simply keep a gun hidden in every room of my house or within a few steps reach of one*
Just sayin….
ha this was very informative. GOT ME THINKING about what if this happened. Yes it is good to run through your mind what would aid you in these situations. Yes thinking it through does help you to prepare for such a terrible thing as this.
Thanks Frank for all of the examples. I really enjoy reading your suggestions.
Thank you !!
Good Job
Good info for the People who don’t want/own guns. They have to keep in mind that using 90% of it means: I survive – PERIOD! So, yes, one must be brutal, and put intruder unconscious, maimed. or dead. You or your Family’s lives may very well be at stake,, so stay focused, and negate threat.
as far as Schools: Why not let God back in? It worked ,,,uhh like till they threw God out, RIGHT?
My Mom was a Teacher, till she retired. The lil Ghetto rats had guns in 1965,,, IN THIRD GRADE !!~!!
I loved your videos on solar and wind.My question is where can i buy solar panels.
Good tips
Maybe some of these people should take a course in grammar and spelling so the rest of us could understand them.Too many individuals in the United States have messed themselves up with drugs.Focus on getting rid of the drugs.There are a lot of prescribed drugs that should not be there as well.
Everybody should have the right to self defense.When an attacker tries to harm someone he has relinquished any rights that he has.Remember you are the one who is being attacked and you should assume that the attacker is probably going to try to kill you.Do everything you can to eliminate the threat because the attacker will do harm to others if they get away with this kind of behavior.Mad dogs need to be put down.Statistics show that these cowards reoffend and the law is too lenient in many cases.I don’t think you want your children,or other family members or friends to be next. Cops are good at investigating crime,not so good at preventing anything.Remember the attacker was trying to kill you.RIGHT.
If the worst happens and your attacker has expired,as long as no witnesses,get rid of the trash.I doubt the attacker left his intentions wrote down anywhere.Pigs are always looking to lay charges and even self defence can land you in crap.
Thank you.
A can of hornet spray that shoots out a stream. WD-40 and a cigarette lighter makes an excellent flame thrower! Hair spray is also highly flammable!
I also thought about keeping a battery operated nail gun plugged-in beside my bed in the event of total gun control.
Thanks!
One thing I am glad my father caught me before he died was arm to arm combat for women. Men were caught to protect their groins so my father caught me to go for their eyes for they are not protecting them. That was the only thing that helped me from getting rapped.
One of my favorites is wasp spray. Shoots 20 ft and the attacker wkll be wishing you had used mace!
Great ideas! The idea of thinking ahead of time, is a great idea, also.
Give every teacher in America a gun course and then arm them. For you faint of heart that are
worried about the children: when an armed person enters a school and starts shooting, yes, he
or she may wound or kill 1 or more of the kids, God forbid. But the shooter will be dead within 10
to 20 seconds if 1, 3, or 6 or more teachers start shooting at the invader. This would totally end the school problem and uninvited shooters.
AMEN! It’s senseless to have un-armed teachers in their classrooms. It’s not like teachers are going to ABUSE such protection if they had it; but would only USE a gun to defend the kids and themselves against criminal attackers. They should have a RIGHT to do so! Besides, as it is now, criminals KNOW teachers and students are prime targets! There usually is only one classroom door for entry AND exit; so the teacher and kids are trapped in there. Many school buildings built in recent years are windowless. I taught in one of those even during the ’60’s and ’70’s! I never felt safe in those classrooms – for myself and for my students. It’s just not right to DENY teachers and students protection from armed criminals!
Gosh folks I hate to tell you this but when a very bad guy had a gun shoved in my stomach the last thing on my mind was who is it? The Democrats or the Republicans that are for gun control? My thought was just surviving by what ever means it took. I don’t want to ever be that scared again. By the way my Father was a Policeman shot and killed in the line of duty when I was just barely 17yrs. old, that was many years ago. I believe everyone should be a responsible gun owner. And H… yes I believe in keeping the 2nd amendment in place forever. Every person has the right to protect themselves by what ever means it takes. Thank you Frank for giving us choices we might not have thought of. Keep up the good work.
One more weapon is a aerosol can of wasp killer. Most of them have a range of 10-20 feet. Spray the intruder in the face. It will not ware off like pepper spray. The ingrediant is a nerve agent and the victim must be hospitalized. Zen Loi.
Since schools and churches weren’t mentioned a whole lot. Here are some thoughts to train on:
Our first instinct would be to run in different directions or cower under a desk. Don’t — it is easier to pick people off if they are strictly reacting in a defensive posture. Instead:
1. Scream, yell, clap hands which may distract the shooter.
2. Every school room and church auditorium should have books. Throw them at the intruders.
3. Rush the intruder.
4. Use chairs as weapons.
5. The steel barreled Cross ball point pen can be a very deadly weapon.
6. Several schools have a basket of baseballs that yes, the students throw at the intruder(s).
7. Place a ring of keys (with the ring in the palm of your hand and a key between each finger while making a fist) can be a very effective weapon agains the intruder’s face and neck.
8. When the intruder(s) is knocked down heel stomp. Fight as ruthless and merciless as possible.
Another item to add to the bathroom list of weapons would be a toilet plunger. Makes a nice Billy club!
Thank you for a good article–it’s very useful to remind people that they are not helpless simply because there is no firearm at hand. Some of the people writeing comments should be committed until their mental problems are treated. Since when did all Democrats want gun control or were secret commies plotting the destruction of the country? Our country is in serious trouble and this type of thinking is the reason. News flash–members of other party are not evil destroyers of America–they just don’t agree with you. Until your party leaders start walking on water–I’m not likely to fall in lockstep with you. Surprise, surprise–I don’t always agree with the Democrat Party but until the Republicans improve who they run for office, I will continue to vote Democrat. Obama was not my choice to lead our land but he was a better choice than what the other party was running. Come on, how many of you would like to be in the woods with MR? PS–final comment here in answer to the individual who had to have 2000 rounds for each weapon–in my part of the country they would call you a bad shot. Most of the local people would not like being in the woods with you either. Practice, practice–soon you won’t need 2000 rounds to take down a target.
Carol, how much of a criminal does Queen Hillary need to be before you would vote for someone out of the establishment? She is such a crook, Dispicable is my word for her. Comparively, Trump is a great candidate, Dispicable’s whole life has been criminal. Do your research. She will have everyones machine gun on down.
GOD BLESS you for providing such a needed article. Every elderly person MALE or FEMALE needs a copy of this. But I feel EVERYONE no matter what age could benefit from reading this! I have a can of wasp and hornet spray in every room of my house and in my automobile at all times. Once I spray their face…their beating will begin or I will make my exit as quickly as possible. I am going to make me a holster so I can wear a can of it on my waist during my yard sales and while I am outside doing yard work. Two of my friends have been robbed during yard sales and one was attacked while working in her yard. It is a crazy world out there, with desperate people willing to do anything for their next FIX!
Some of your suggestions are good but we are all under 30.Wasp spray is good as well as pepper spray just remember which way the fan is blowing.A slide action shotgun or rifle will do the job when thet hear it being racked.Rember most breakins our by more than person.Also with a firearm be aware what is under the other side of the wall or door.Don’t be like our stupid vice president have a double barrel shotgun go out and fire 2 shots in the air you will have to unswer to the law,as well shooting through the front door it might be your son or daughter trying to get in afer a all night party.Take up an NRA fire arms course they have several defensive courses.Remember keep your doors and windows locked take your keys from your car even if you liv in rural americia we have one state police man working at night if I call 911 I might see him in 30 minutes.Good Luck
One of the most effective self defense devices is a can of hornet or bee spray… simply aimed at the forehead and face area of an aggressor it will blind an aggressor until he receives medical care. Most sprays reach out to 20 Ft, A wonderful weapon! Keep one in the kitchen, the bathroom and your bedroom.
also hornet spray it sprays 20 feet.
You said earlier about not being near yours or not having one. Get one. Or get several to have around. Get some training. Practice regularly. Know about the use of force continuum and where to enter it. Then pull your gun and drop his ass.
Parents teach your children to SCREAM THIS IS NOT MY DAD OR MOM !!!!!! because kids scream all the time but they start screamming that that person is not one of their parents someone will take notice and the grabber will let go fast !!!!
These r great ideas. I have not had the time to read all of ur e-mails.
For me personally. I prefer quick points. To the point. Enjoyed this one.
Sonya
Even if there are many laws protecting the intruder, it;s better to be in court than 6 feet under. Always assume that the intruder is going to kill you – and hit him first, before he has a chance to attack you. The element of surprise favors the offense. If you hear something out of ordinary at night, grab hold of your wasp spray and cane/bat before going to investigate. As you investigate, try to keep low and hidden, to keep the element of surprise.
The comments below are all interesting. Some are insanely funny but some provide some useful tips. I’m going to get a wasp spray soon. It seems to be more handy that pepper spray since it can blind at 20 feet. After you blind him, don’t stop there. He can recover and go after you. Keep hitting him until he is down. Then stomp hard on his kneecap. Then you can keep kicking is head until he is unconscious or you can run away as he might have a gun.. Call 911.
If you can get hold of a bat, or anything long enough, hit his knee, side, back, anywhere. Or spear hard his belly. Then keep hitting above his shoulders, anywhere: neck, collarbone, side of head; just don’t aim at his center of mass, the area below his shoulders, not effective except the belly and groin area. Once he is down, stomp hard on his knee cap. If you break it he will not be able to go after you. Whenever you have the chance, phone 911 and ask the police to hurry.
LOL. I like that, keep hitting so the medical examiner can’t determine cause of death.
Some good advice……but, you brain is your best weapon. Be always aware of what is
going on around you. I feel sorry for the unarmed responses in the blog. I hope the USA can
preserve the 2nd amendment from the leftist.
I don’t own a gun but Louie sleeps next to me. As in Louisville Slugger!!!!
I’m gald you said I dont have to have mercy on any intruders if I’m being attack. But a lot of our laws seem to give intgruders better protection. We need to get to the point of clarify those laws and protect the victims more since many people freeze up when attack knowing that the intruders seems to get away with breaking laws and the victims have no choose but to give in. If the public can become aware of their rights to protect themselves under any circumstance then I believe there will be a reduce in this kind of crime.
trebel Fish fish hooks on a line on the window sill at night is a good way to stop someone from getting in the window it will also hold them in place for some time.
booby traps are illegal since they do not discriminate friend from foe and are proof of pre-meditated intent to harm or kill. DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS ADVICE.
I have three licks that will take a much larger man down than I am. I first kick him in the crotch then take my finger nails and catch him in the eye corners and dig in hard as I claw to the outer towards the temple then hit him in the throat this stops the breathing quite well. Any of these licks work well in any order once he is on the ground I kick in the ribs. I find if he can’t stand straight up from the pain and he can’t see or breath well he can’t fight well either. when you kick him in the ribs several times there is no more fight as ribs crack easy with a hard kick.
If outside one can get under a car and hang on to any number of things. mean while scream.
I think all these things are a good idea. And I went through a self-defense class way back when I was in high school. So I think it would be a good idea to practice with your children or grandchildren. Or get people together that would like to practice with you. Thanks so much for this information…Bonnie
I bought a large can of Bear Mace. Not the skimpy little hand dispenser, which likely has only three or four puffs to it. No one can stay standing if you hit them behind the knees as their legs collapse. You can always throw your leg up toward the back of their knees and pull.
Consider poking your fingers in their eyeballs, with an effort to pop the eye ball out. It can always be replaced but you cannot.
I have an assortment of the wasp sprays, metal meat tenderizer and hammer in a box next to my bed.
My home has been invaded numerous times by a neighbor, I am sure of it now. He is related to the police chief. When I saw them leaving my property over the chain link fence and the police did not include this in my theft report, I should have realized what I am facing. Always be ready to move in a moment if necessary.
I just happened to think- I have someone sharpening a sink lever for me – This is the piece that is behind the faucet in a sink that allows the water in the bowl to drain out or stop up the water in the bowl- I took an old sink out and bought a new one and had this rod with a jeweled end left over with the old faucet parts. I kept it to have sharpened for protection. It is much sturdier than a knitting needle and could do a lot of damage. It looks so pretty in my vase on my desk with feathers and other objects that it would not stand out as a weapon.
I LOVE the way you think! I quilt and sew a lot- so have access to sharp pointed scissors, small and large – The small ones can fit in a pocket- have sharp large needles, needle-nozed pliers and even dressmakers pins that have a long shank and beaded head- My grandmother always said use a hatpin! The thing about these things is they might not cause huge pain and suffering to an attacker, but they can take someone off guard long enough to allow you to flee in the opposite direction- Crazy glue could cause some consternation, as well!
Loved the comments from the baseball bat guy! I agree- taking guns away from the innocent people is folly, it just make us sitting ducks for the attackers who will always be able to get a gun!
This information has really given me a lot to think about. We live in the country and help is not close. I now look around the house in a different manner. No longer do I have decor and kitchen tools but various weapons and options for survival. We keep several guns/shotguns in the house loaded but I am not comfortable using them as I might forget where the safety is etc. (I am nearly 70 now) Many, many years ago I was attacked outside my doctors office, six months pregnant. At first I panicked then realized I needed to be calm. My attacker came from behind and had his arms around my chest. I clawed at his face, though I couldn’t see it, and bit him on the hand. When he released me I ran inside the office. Calming myself got me through this. Had I stayed in the panic mode the outcome might have been very different. Getting yourself calm helps you think more clearly, go on the defensive & find a weapon. I might mention that I was screeming at the top of my lungs the whole time and not one person came to my rescue.
Thank you for the article and info. It has made a huge difference knowing I do have weapons around the house, even if they are unconventional. I will be sending this to my daughters.
Thank you again for good information.
Good point that vigorous, violent defense is NOT wrong. The time to negotiate, reason or teach manners was missed years ago if an attacker has broken into your home by plan, stealth, and violence. We likely need to respond with even more antisocial ferocity to recover from the advantage of surpise that he has while we were expecting to be safe at home. Thanks for the good ideas. A friend suggests bug spray!
First off your adrenaline is going to start pumping and you must remain calm under any of the above circumstances.
Thanks for the info, I am going to pass it on to all in my family!
cool. This is all very useful information. Thanks for sending it my way. I plan to let my daughters read this and possibly do some practicing to help it become more natural.
Some people can crush a skull with a fist , however it is more enjoyable to take out the knees with a base ball bat . After in an attempt the locals confiscated my bat , said I didn’t need it .. I have more , no permit required >>> YET . Obama may introduce a bat grab policy next !!!!!
Information that everyone should know. Back in the late 70’s I took a class with my sister-in-law and Mom which at the time I was10 years old. The class was held at our local hospital where they both worked. The class was a rape class or more like how to defend your self against a home invasion. What I learned in that class has stayed with me all these years and to know what I learned so long ago is still being taught. When I tell young women some of the helpful hints that you have mentioned and to know they put them into practice gives me great satisfaction. Not only for women, but for children and the whole family. God Bless and keep up the good work.
Great article. As far as other targets go; the side of the neck is usually very easy to strike and quite effective, and the temple. When you strike, use a hammer blow, or open hand to the throat, or palm to the nose. Punching a hard area with a fist if you’re not trained is not a good idea. If you break or hurt your hand, you have a harder time fighting. Try not to panic and use common sense.
grate advice, I am always thinking of these situations and ask what would i do? If you look around your home you will see a lot more.
Excellent suggestions. Kind of reminds me of the old TV show MacGyver. That guy could find defensive weapons everywhere in a matter of seconds. I watch those shows even today and still learn things from it. It’s amazing how many simple items and chemicals we have all around us at home. Personally, I like keeping a spray bottle with chlorine bleach in it by my bed. It’s very simple, very easy to aim, covers a fairly broad area when sprayed and certainly would incapacitate anyone quickly. No chlorine bleach? No problem. Ammonia works very well too. Just don’t mix the two because then you could also be incapacitated. Together they make a very toxic fume.
Great Reading, being prior special forces I believe it starts at home. I have trained my 15 year old daughter to break down all the weapons I own and be able to put them back together and fire them proficiently. She is also has a powerful punch and kick. Train the persons in your home to react but make it fun. Also always scan your surroundings and wait a few seconds before you approach your home, car, or anything that puts you in harms way. The info here is solid take heed and God bless and protect yall.
I use to teach this stuff and told my students. Every day you get up,Think this is the day I am going to be attacked. Just know what is going on around you. If you don’t feel good about going some place, trust your gut. Take the time to get your spray, key, knife, gun, whatever you think you may need to fight off a person with.
Enjoy your day you own it .Awareness is the key.
Frank,
I always carry a personal safety alarm, which you can purchace from amazon, they sell many different types.
Betty
Hi guys,
I live in the nanny state Australia, guns have been illegal in Australia since n 1996, we basicaly are at the mercy of the criminal, we have laws which protect the criminal even if they are home invading the inocent . I tell you though I would die to protect my family and I would make sure at least two of them would come with me before they got to my family. So thanks for the great advice.
Heres to freedom of speech :-)
Hi, I have not responded to many e-mails, but this one is good. Thanks a lot. These are really good to keep in mind for us old people. Canes are good too, and hand bags.
Thanks again. Tata
A can of wasp and hornet killer on the bedroom night stand before slleping is a great deterent. What makes it better then mace or pepper spray is that it shoots 20 feet. You can stop them in the doorway.
Excellent advice about a quick escape and availability of weapons. That reader’s comment about usefulness of an untrained dog is very pertinent for this household, too. How about an old samurai sword for both defense and offense?
An umbrella, helps a lot. Especially when someone pulls your handbag.
I guess I’ve always been one of those people who have thought on the offense. I thought I was the only one who came up with the heavy ceramic lid to the toilet bowl in the bathroom.
The one that brought a chuckle though was the fire extenguisher.
Yes Frank, I have a arsenal of guns, hand ,shotguns,rifles and my moto is, anything less than 2000 rounds per caliber, ” I’m out of ammo ” ! I have conceal permits for 36 states and I carry everyday. I have a holster and flashlite on the side of my bed, a 6 shot riot shotgun within 3 feet inside my closet, and I’m Front Sight Trained for tactical indoor invastion. But, when things get real nasty with that bump and crash in the middle of the night, I usually weak the wife, as she is not near as hospitable and polite as I’m, and seems to handle these things in a much swifter manor.
Although, a thick glass candlestick holder or 3lb ashtray sure makes for a good “thump” in the middle of the night….My Sticker on the outside doors read, ” Nothing inside worth dying For ” !! Jerry
A tip when striking an attacker with a club like object. This is coming from Mil and LE training; the easiest part of the body to hit is the upper legs, this will also limit their ability to move if you’re able to land a blow to the sciatic nerve. The upper legs/thighs are also the hardest part of the body to defend, and most people will twist their legs into the way to protect their groin. By the way, a groin shot might not be as effective as most people think, and certainly not as effective as portrayed in the movies. Don’t be afraid to aim center mass when swinging for what you can hit. Knocking an elbow or a knee can bring a quick end to a bad fight, but also remember that in a fight for your life, anything goes.
This is great info. Here’s one that is easy and legal.
Wasp and hornet spray will instantly cause blindnesss
and confusion. It can be sprayed up to 30 feet away, and
is safe to keep around the house.
A kick with your foot or ankle to the side of the knee is very effective.That same kick to a mans groin area will stop him quick.A strong blow to the adams apple area is very effective.
Remember these suggestions MUST be applied with all the strength you can muster.The very best thing a woman can do is carry a can of wasp spray as it will spray a long distance.Run if you can and while running take spray from your purse or where ever you have it turn spray at the attackers eyes if you get it in there eyes you can count the encounter over.
First along with all things referenced here….be acutely aware of how you,and your body “will” react,as in most situations described ,the natural tendency is either flight,or fight,adrenaline is dumped into the blood stream,pupils dialiate your gross motor movement increases while ones focused reaction pretty much goes out the window,unless either you have trained,and practice,and/or a professional…a real choice has to be made. For the sake of time and argument along with the tips from all….use those gross motor movements to your advantage and to your potential attacker’s disadvantage…remember clubbing blows to either the throat,neck,face,collar bone areas can be quite effective when coupled with jabs,fingers,knees,and definitely elbows instead of the fist to the head….you would probably break your hand,the head really is hard,and if struck wrong…well you will be getting x-rays soon…anyway to make a long story short ,along with the other tips given…you can survive,oh and just btw….give no quarter…take the opponents ability to counter,or attack out of the equation…better they than thee .;)
REMEMBER – Don’t be nice. He sure isn’t going to be nice to you. Go after him as if your life depends upon it – because it probably does…..
If you have no time to get a weapon gouging the eyes is taught in Corrections to the staff. Make your hand(s) into a rigid claw and aiming at forehead quickly strike downward as your fingertips find the sockets force them into the socket(s) as hard and deep as you can and during the whole strike focus on clawing the flesh. Practice for knowing maximum effective distance for your arm length and for developing of your striking power and strength in fingers. Nails should be long enough to dig and tear skin but not long enough to break. If your fingers don’t find a socket keep clawing downward and do as much damage as posible and prepare to flee is possible or rush to the nearest effective weapon as discussed above. Vitamin E will enhance nail strength and length greatly. Sounds gorey but consider what can happen if you don’t quickly subdue your attacker. CRITICAL with ALL self-defence strategies is be aware of where all items usable for weapons are in your environment if at all possible. There may not be time to locate one later.
Great info! Honestly, I live in England and there are no guns here. I tell you what though if a home invader came to my house, wow… he’d wished he hadn’t!
Great ideas, thanks.
Great ideas! It’s all too easy to play the part of the victim.
Thanks Frank! I always enjoy reading your emails and find your tips quite useful. As always I read most, if not all of the comments from other readers. I find them a bit more comical than useful, but who am I to judge. We are all entitled to our own thoughts.
As for your ideas on self-defense weapons in case of a home invasion attack I must state the obvious first… THE PERSON COMING ON THE ATTACK HAS THE ADVANTAGE OF SURPRISE! It really doesn’t matter what weapon you can improvise, at best it will slow the attacker down. If you do succeed with a lethal strike, have you really won the confrontation? Some may respond with a hearty chuckle and say that they got what they deserved, others may ponder a bit longer and realize that the only thing won was a horrific memory that will not soon leave your mind.
Well that’s enough of my ranting. My personal choice for thwarting off an attack is by improving my first line of defense. Locks on doors and windows are only intended to keep an honest person out. I use quality locks on a solid core door that cannot be easily kicked in. Notice I did not say impossible. Home alarms are noisy and typically ignored by neighbors. So communication direct with local law enforcement is critical. Spend a few more bucks on the upgrade and get the ‘Live-Talk’ option and include a fail safe word to use in case you are forced to speak by the intruder. Last but not least, an untrained dog is a pet so if you think “Fido” is going to save your life you need to take’em to a professional trainer for lessons. I have two well trained dogs. A large Australian Kelpy and a small wire haired terrier. The terrier is by far more vicious than his larger pal but both work well together to keep the home safe from intruders.
My own suggestion is to have great insurance and an escape route! Material things are not worth dying for and that is why we all pay those hefty premiums. So protect your most valuable possession, your life by, getting it as far away from danger as possible.
Some may label me a coward for not standing firm an fighting. Well all I can say is that there is a time and place for everything. When lethal force is the only option then I have, and will continue to stand firm and protect with every ounce of strength I have been blessed with. But if someone is ready to exchange their life and freedom for what you have then they are truly a dangerous person and should not be angered further with wasp spray or appliances. I do however like the amonia idea. If the attacker can’t see or breath then they are just a large pinata and prime for the LouisVille Slugger I keep at the ready.
Make sure your car is as close to the store entrance as possible and try to park with your door towards the entrance. Before you get into your car, make sure no one is in the back seat.
I have an industrial meat clever close to the door, a golf club behind the door and a USMC K-Bar at hands reach. If you come in my apartment you better be ready to die!
very good reading jim
Lots of good advice. I thought some self defence training might be a good idea, but then they might have a knife. And a knife can be taken off you. Liked the walking sticks idea from a reader, but then one has to be careful what one carries as one can be done here in UK for carrying an offensive weapon, but a good defence against rabid dogs. A bottle of lemon juice squirted in the eyes might even up the odds?
Lots of good advice, even from your readers. The key idea was O.K., but if you have your keys on a ring, you can arrange them so a key sticks out between each finger. Then they become a set of gouging brass knuckles. My house is protected with my favorite and reliable weapon, the sawed-off shotgun. Improvised weapons are to be used when you can’t get to old reliable. I also noticed some of you readers made claims about being real tough ex Navy Seals or Green Berets. I don’t care what kind of military training they had, the thing to remember is that the criminal doesn’t care either. They just want what you have and will do anything possible to get it. Taking your life doesn’t mean a thing to them, as long as they get what they wanted, and some don’t care about your possessions, they just like to hurt people.
Thanks for the excellent info and reminders!
I made my wife start keeping a can of wasp spray by our bed a long time ago. she thought it was stupid until she tried it on a mean racoon in the backyard that was trying to attack our daughter. The coon will never be ok and she now keeps two cans by our bed. that way if she runs out and doesnt get any good shots to the eyes with the first can, just when the intruder thinks he’s in the clear to attack, she will nail him with the second can right in the face. That stuff squirts 30ft. It is just as useful as grizzly mace when it comes to the face.
Some of the macho bravado, that I read here is just plain silly and made me wonder if the person that claimed Navy Seal status was even a Cub Scout. Probably not, because Cub Scouts are taught honesty. If you are attacked your best defense is an aggressive counter attack. Grab your attacker and bear hug him, tight and close, as this limits his power in hitting and gives you the opportunity to use the strongest muscles that you possess… your jaws… start biting and gnawing a hole through this creep and he will be the one trying to get away. If he breaks your grip, try to grab ears and gouge eyes and given the opportunity, pound that Adams apple. A man that can’t see, can’t fight! A man that can’t breath, can’t fight. Pencils, pens, keys are all good, but your teeth are your most effective weapon if you are not armed.
Really, really big problem with biting an attacker for some people: No Teeth To Bite With Or Wearing Denture!
A simple zip gun will help u in a hurry.wish i had the plans to build a few to place in strategic locations hidden throughout my home.if someone can help me with my project,i would appreciate that very [email protected]
Where and who makes zip guns for protection?
I will do all of those as i.have done some during a couple of street fights.i refuse to be a statistic and will even consider taking anyines life to protect my family and myself or my friends.God help me stay the winner.amen
OK, I get it. there are many things that can be found in ones house that could be used as a weapon. Add a bottle of bleach or a broom or a mop. all can be used but only if you are either a trained military type or some kind of very tough individual. Most people will have no chance whatsoever of repelling any attacker simply by using everyday items as improvised weapons. .
Ones adversary is highly likely to be high on drugs such as cocaine and as such will feel an absolute zero pain from such improvised weapons even if they were to severely injure him.
My question is why the author has even bothered to write this obvious dribble. You as an American have second amendment rights. Take advantage of them and buy yourself a pistol.
Attend classes and learn how to use it. Obtain a concealed carry permit which is available in most states and I assure you that you will not have to use your shaving cream dispenser against an armed thug who is high on crack cocaine or watch him as he rapes your wife and daughter.
Get real for a minute and thank the founding fathers for giving you the second amendment. (You should also read up on the primary reason for the second amendment) Let’s just say it is not just to protect your hunting rights. Google the second amendment and learn it’s real purpose.
Democrats are advised to go back to sleep and simply await the second coming of Karl Marx. Yes, maybe in your mind the attacker has more of a right to kill you and your families than you have to protect them. May God help to enlighten all you useful idiots to world communism.
It very much sounds like you are a “Gun Nut”. To many of us senior citizens, and especially women, this article is not OBVIOUS DRIBBLE! I am a senior citizen woman, and know how to safely handle a pistol (which is a 9 mil). I do not however walk around my home with it in a holster on my hip within my home or in my yard. A Concealed Carry Permit is not. to my understanding (where permitted) needed for keeping a firearm in the home. To my knowledge the state of Arkansas requires a person to exit the home when an intruder is known to be breaking in, period! As explained to a police officer once: I have not got the ability to run to an exit, and I do not even have steps on my front deck. The officer’s response: I do not think a judge would charge you for shooting an intruder given your age and physical disability. SO MUCH FOR MY SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT! As an ex-Navy Hospitalman, and ex-Security Officer, I know that a drugged, and very mentally ill enraged person, do not feel pain easily. I totally disagree that most burglars are going to be high on drugs while doing a home invasion. The drug addicts are most likely the ones looking for the easiest places or persons to rob when they are starting to get off of their high. I strongly suggest people like you need to study some statistics about home break-ins before spouting off about those who commit them. Also for your information some of us “Useful Idiots” are enlightened by God, and know that it is not world communism that is to be feared!!!!!!!!!!!! I am also neither a Democrat or Republican, and have never been either.
Mr. Bates,
I appreciate this info.. I would like to make one comment on protecting yourself. A few years ago I was trying to help someone who had a drug problem for 13 years. (that I knew of). He was staying with me, supposidly trying to get on his feet. He threatened me one morning with a stun gun. I got it away from him and used it on him. I then ran to a neighbors for help. They took me to the police. I ended up getting arrested because he had the marks on him. Before the judge, I would not deny I put the marks on him, but did so in fear for my life and protecting myself and my property. The judge still rulled against me. I did two years of unsupervised probation.
Just a word for others, the system is not always looking out for you. Even in this situation, I was not allowed to protect myself, my belongings, and property. Go figure..Says a lot about our court system.
I am senior citizen and hearing impaired since birth. I made my own walking/hiking sticks with two handles each of them for the canes which made from these galvanized plumbing pipes and two rubber tips on both ends (total 4 rubber tips) and then painted white primer coats and white glossy regular coats and then painted bright fluorescent orange. Each of them: two 18 inches long 1” pipes for bottom end and middle, one 24” long 1” pipe (top end for walking/hiking), four end caps, two 4” long 1” pipes for the handles, two T one inch joints for the handles (lower and middle), and two 1 1/8” rubber tips for top and bottom on both ends of these end caps. Both handles are much easier to get down to the floor with with bottom stores’ shelves or pick up something anything to use and then much easier to get up. Also, you can use the weapon for self defense that you can use both handles with middle and lower end and 24” long toward the attacker and then pound hard just once against the attacker’s chest or throat or forehead or groin, be warn that it is very deadly weapon can be killed the attacker so be careful and check your local and state laws. Just remember this: you have your right to defense yourself because of the United States Constitutions for your protection.
I have hidden an apple corer in each room of mu house. It has sharp point and serrated edges. Also an ice pick in each room. None are visible but can easily be obtained. If someone invades my home they will leave in a body bag. If is a group … they will leave injured.
I like you Frank.
You do`nt want to say 21.12., but be ready for everythings people.
I read you, but here in Europe we do`nt have a place to buy an AK47 or a M16.
The life here in Denmark is very quaetly, easy, very friendly, normally now.
Here people do`nt use guns, maybe a knife. Our Police is very efficient with wrong persons.
But if will come something wrong, I do`nt know how people will react, when they will have not water, food, warm house,etc.
Even I, I wil be prepared for 3-4 day darkness and few days more.
Here we do`nt have a big privat areal land where we can construct something special, like you.
.We have not rivers, water is inside earth very down, special Danfoss pump take this up.
All we have back in the last, if will be a disaster, is our trust in GOD.
Best regards,
Dumitru Mirica
very good article I have wepons posted at every door at steel gate and a Doberman Pinscher is all so a deteriante to home invsion.A steel door jam and reinforced fiberglass front door is also very good,,, if he feels he wants to get through the steel gate while the Pinsher is on alert and kick in the front door while I laugh as he breaks his foot,, he then will face a 7.62x 39mm round…under The Castle Doctrine Law in Texas he is dead,dead,dead. Home invasion occur almost on a daily basis in Houston,TX my better half and I train just like fire drills in school.. I hope my imput will help people and not scare them.fail to plan ..plan to fail. In God we trust we are Christians.
Signed,
Being a Good Citizen
I would make sure that the intruder is dead or close to it. We always hear about how these scumbags have successfully sued and won against the victims.
I know this time of year (Close to Christmas) being prepared is so important. I stand away from my car and take a look under it. There have been reports of people having their legs sliced.
Easy Off oven cleaner works very well it contains LYE. Another handy weapon is a spray bottle filled with AMONIA keep it on the counter and change it if the amonia level drops it will turn into water after time
bottom line is anything that will produce a hole/gash that bleeds alot will stop an attack…unless you are faced with a carrer criminal , then you must kill by any means…the trick is to know the differnce…
Nice wright, I never thought of any of thoes things. I don’t wory about it any because I’m the baddest sob I know as beeing trained as a Navy Seal and surived Viet Nam a home invader will have a bigger surprise on them.
Good suggestions…I am sending them to my granddaughters.
Thank you, this is a Community Service.
Please send me contact information for Teresa about combat training.
In absence of a weapon strike the attacker with an open palm (the heel of the palm directly in front of the wrist and arm. This is much better than making a fist. It will do more damage to your attacker and less damage to yourself). This strike should come from about waist height, in front of the chest, open hand facing the attacker. Strike directly under the chin with the intention of lifting the attacker off the ground. This blow needs to follow through as if you were reaching for the ceiling. You obviously have to be close range to deliver this blow. Practice doing this strike until you feel confident in your ability to deliver it powerfully. Even a weaker individual can cause much damage if done right. You don´t necessarily need a target when practicing. Just picture your target in your mind´s eye while you are striking thin air.
any hot beverage thrown into someones eyes followed by an elbow strike to the nose area is also very effective. Ultimately a shotgun blast from close range using # 9 shot is a wonderful deterrent as well.
I agree with you 100%! I will do what ever I can to kill this person to PROTECT my FAMILY!! Its not a school yard fight, This person is attacking you for some sick reason in his F**ked up head. I have many weapons and lots of Ammo and the last thing I want to do is take another LIFE! If it comes down to it he is going to LOSE no matter what. People out there who hate guns and think they cause most of the problems should wake up. Drugs are illegal but if you want them you can get them. If all these cry babies get there way guns would be illegal and all the criminals would have them and people like myself and family, that would stand up for someone I dont even know,,,would lose our right to have our guns,,,So stew on that. Yeah there are people out there that get guns and do bad things with them but, do some research. How many people own guns legally and then find out how many crimes are committed with legally owned guns. You might be surprised! There are more then 85,000,000 gun owners Legally so how many crimes were there yesterday or today by these gun owners? 0! ANTI-GUN YOUR DUMB! (RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS)! That means it is my RIGHT. You don’t like it,,, thats fine its a choice but don’t ask me for help!,,, invision one thing. your wife or daughter or son being raped,and tortured. You are helpless and can’t do anything. Just watch before you are killed. How do you feel right now? I hope you never have to find out. I hate all you people who hate guns. I also hate people who use guns for doing harm for personal gain. Just don’t F**k with me and I won’t F**k with you.
I THINK THIS IS A PIECE OF FANTASTIC LIFE SAVEING INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NO TRAINNING IN HAND TO HAND COMBAT OF ANY KIND, PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY, OH, THAT WON’T HAPPEN TO ME,I LIVE IN A NICE NEIGHBORHOOD. (THINK AGAIN). IT’S WHEN YOU DON’T EXPECT IT, WHEN THINGS HAPPEN., BUT, IT’S HOW YOU REACT TO THE SITUATION, THAT TRUELLY COUNTS”
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK,
RUDOLPH GARZA
an iron. Hot or cold. An iron has a sharp point. works well in the top of the head. hat iron to the face. The sides of an iron make excellent contact & is heavy enough to cause serious damage.
Another is ammonia in a spray bottle . Hot water , coffee , soup … whatever. No one likes to be burned. It is incredibly painful.
corner of a book to the throat .
The ear will tear like paper if hand to hand. Grab & yank.. HARD. Bleed like crazy & hurt like ….
Fact is this, anything & everything.. BUT,,,
Your BEST weapon is BETWEEN your Ears!
DO NOT PANIC!!.
An attacker is not there to say “How do you do”?….
He is there to ATTACK.
All this may sound very harsh, but unless & until one has been in a position to have to protect /defend…. well, you do what has to be done. Period.
another really effective use of lamps is this… especially if a long cord. Rip the cord from the lamp , leaving it plugged in . , wires exposed . electrocute the attacker.
I hope you never have to use any of these techniques, but should you ever, remember to keep your wits about you, think clearly and remember … he is the bad guy, & to protect yourself or others, YOU MUST be capable of becoming his worst nightmare !! By whatever means is at hand.
FIGHT BACK… And fight to WIN.
ANY GARDEN TOOL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A FORMIDABLE WEAPON. USE A CELL PHONE AS IF IT WERE A WALKIE TALKIE (ROLE PLAY). eg. ” yes, i have him cornered, come quick!
Who ever thought that there were so many weapons in your own home. Thanks for the heads up. More people should see this article, after all not everyone has an arsenal in their home. It makes you aware that you can fight back. After all it comes down to ME or HIM and I’m dam sure it’s going to be me who comes out alive. Thanx.
I have been assulted several times, and being a little guy, I think the attackers thought I was an easy target. I’ve had six years of self defense and Taekwondo, not to mention wrestling in high school. I have had three guns pulled on me, of which I took two of them from the attacker, the third ran off after dragging me fifteen to twenty feet when I lost my grip on the weapon. The thing about these instances are, they were already close and nothing within reach, but a revovler can’t fire if your hand is in between the hammer and strike plate, or firing pin if its a Smith and Wesson, and a semi-auto can’t fire if you push the barrel/ slide back just a little, but you have to have a firm grip on it, and have a plan of attack from that point. The attacker actually goes into a state of survival once your hands are on the weapon, they instinctively squeeze the trigger repeatedly, even though the gun wont work, which tells me they have no remorse for your life, and that really pisses me off! I know for a fact that, it’s your life or theirs and that’s how they view it, they also are of a mind set, you shouldn’t have what you got and it aint fair! So they justify it that way, then usually take your money, items or what ever and buy drugs with it, and I have even seen instances where individuals didn’t have enough money or items worth enough, so they shot em anyway.
i have a little dog and he will bite until death.
i am 70 years old and i’m having trouble breathing. so i’d just have to kill anyone coming after me. i was told just make sure they are in your house.
the farm is not paid for so they take it when we cant pay anymore. because they’ll so take our ss. funny ss. lol if i sell part of it to pay the rest off i wont have ground enought to make it safe. we only use space heaters now. and the electric is bad but the propain ha ha is worst.
you know they will be having u n take your guns away. MRS. C is working on that as we speek. my brother said that just before he died 10 years ago and now its in the works. we have know rights. my grandson hunts so we’ll have deer meat to fill our freezer, we are putting in the air power as soon as possibly, and we have a creek on the 50 acers. but we live on a u s hyw and we are to close to the road. i want to put a cabin right in the middle of the farm so we have a safer place. we do have an rv with generator. but that wont last long. what else can we do?
It looks as if the near future is likely to be somewhat rocky due to a ecomony that is in decline, and a growing culture that is not responisive to the values our country has developed and shared all these years.Well, so be it, time to learn and prepare for possible confratations with malcontents and lawless individuals. Your comments reffering to home defense are well taken. Comments from readers are also imoprtant skills to learn. Thank You.
I recently saw an episode of Doomsday Preppers, I believe it was, in which a 14-yr old young man had taken a wooden baseball bat and hammered in several 16D common nails into the bat. Then he ground the nail heads down until they were sharp on the ends. One helluva nasty weapon and a great idea. It will only take one good swing of this bat for anyone to hit a home run!
I’ll be heading down to our local thrift store asap. I know I can pick a few of these up for between .50 and $1.00 and making me a Mad Max Thunder Stick for the bedroom, my truck, you name it.
I have thought of a lot of what you have suggested, but you have given me a lot more to think about, Thanks.
H. Miller
I recently completed a conceal and carry permit course and one of the self defense alternatives the instructors suggested was a high intensity LED flashlight. He said the bright light can temporarily startle and blind an attacher giving you time to escape or go on the offensive.
The lights that he offered for sale in the class were about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 5 1/2 inches long small and would easily fit in a pocket. His lights had a sharpened bezel around the lens. The least expensive one he had was $35.00 and they ranged up to several hundred dollars.
I found an acceptable alternative at Menard’s for less than $7.00. If you don’t live in Minnesota or Wisconsin, you could probably find an acceptable substitute at Lowe’s or Home Depot.
A high intensity flashlight is not the surest defense but it is another tool that should be considered for illuminating your attacker if nothing else.
Keep up the good work.
T. Mike
Good advice! I recently bought a ruger LC-9 with a laser sight & have it on me at all times, even at home. I found that after a couple weeks I hardly know it’s there, the gun hasn’t been more than a few feet away from me scince I got it! Things can turn bad quick! If you are not prepared you can be in an unfavorable situation before you can act! Always be ready!
Good thoughts and the ever present “but” your “Pratice” para, to my mind the most important piece is weak. “You” have to have a plan AND stuff staged or in the heat of the moment when your brain is struggling to process the situation you will fail.
And don’t forget my favorite Wasp Spray. Stage a can at the entrance door(s). Works wekk if you have a mesh security door. Just a bit of deterant while you move to that next staged deterant.
A thought in Targets I teach my students, if the opponent cant breath they cant fight so the throat is good, the one not mentioned is the knee, Can’t walk can’t fight.
How do I contact Teresa for info on the system of combat?
One weapon I really like and recomend to young people and ladies : a small can of floresent spray paint. Right in the face. It will slow them down and mark them for quite a while. It will be hard to get that out of the facial hair especially. Don’t forget to call the police right away and tell them what color your attacker is now!
I do not recommend the use of knives or other bladed instruments because of the likelyhood that a home invader is an HIV carrier and you need to avoid contact with his blood and other bodily fluids.
I have 18″ x 1″ oak dowels in several key locations mounted to the wall or the underside of shelves and counters with velcro. The fallacy of this is that I have zero training and practice with these weapons, but it is better than nothing.
I also have a “death curtain” that I can activate. If he tries to go up or down the stairs, he will have a shocking experience… 15kV worth! At that voltage, skin contact is not required. I would gladly offer CPR to a fallen home invader (after calling 911 and having the police dispatcher get all the data for his lengthy form, that takes about 15 minutes to fill out, of course).
I guess CPR is not much use for an assailant with a badly crushed skull and third degree burns from the kitchen stove…
Took me few seconds to get the drift….good plan.
In the house, coffee, hot in the pot. anything on the stove. knives at hand, meat mallets. spices. you know your way around your own house, an intruder probably does not. litter box? might not stop them, but the gross-out factor might give you time to escape. ditto bird-cages. cleaning supplies, laundry supplies. hair products. fireplace tools, carpentry tools. shoes…….a woman’s high-heeled shoe, properly applied, can do a lot of damage. so can clogs. the trick is to grip them from the upper & let the lower portion do the work.
your comment about encouraging people to think about this rang true. they used to say that a lot of people got hurt/killed because they were raised to be nice, & that hurting people was wrong. So even if they were in a situation that they could be killed, the first “instinct” was to be nice,
when I was a much younger woman, I was almost the victim of a carjacking. I was stopped at a light, & a man ran out & tried the passenger door. It was locked, but the window was open, He reached in to get to the lock & I hit the up button on that window without thinking, trapping his arm. I dragged him to the next light & dropped him there. I have long wondered how he explained his injuries…………but hope that I ended his carjacking career.
Wasp spray in the car would be good while they try to enter a door or window, or like in your case, to spray someone stuck part way.
In FL I had a carry permit for a 9mm. I felt confident I could repel any car jacking attempt.
Great food for thought. The future is very unpredictable.
Great ideas!
Also, if outside, Reflector posts for whipping, using as an asp, and stabbing (pull it out and go to work). Planters, yard sings, etc. are good as well.
First off: when it comes to self-defense in a life and death situation, the concepts of right and wrong, no longer apply. It is either life or death (survival). For any of you really interested, contact me so I can tell you about the most advanced, effective and dangerous system of combat in the world. I am an ex-special forces operative and have worked with several Federal and International agencies in places from Nicaragua, Colombia, Panama, Sudan, Morroco, Israel, Afghanistan and other places. I advice against the use of facebook (very strongly). Trust me when I tell you that a totally normal, unathletic man or woman can bring down any attacker in les than 2 seconds and basically anything can be used a s a weapon. You just need to know how.
I tell alot of people to keep a can of wasp and hornet spray close to their favorite chair at home or on their desk at work. It has a 30 foot or better range and is better than mace because mace will affect more than just the intruder, including the user. Wasp and Hornet spray incapacitates an intruder and the person has to go to a doctor for the antidote. Personally, I have a concealed weapons permit and carry at all times (except in federal buildings and liquor stores)
Good things to think about
Come on Clifford. Did you miss these two sentences? “If you have a gun and can access it quickly, that’s obviously the best answer to a home intruder. But if you don’t own a gun or are unable to get to it swiftly enough, you may find yourself in the position of needing an improvised weapon.” Do you keep your .45 on your person at all times, even while at home? I know I don’t. The whole idea is to maybe help you GET to your .45 using some improvised objects.