Home Defense - what do you use?

I'm pretty new to the USA and I have to say I don't understand the home invasion fantasies lots of Americans seem to have. Is this something that happens often? Are there any kind of statistics to justify the need for these types of precautions? If you just love guns, that's something I can understand - but why is it wrapped up in "home defense"?

The first post described what I would simply consider somebody making a wrong turn. I have lived in rural areas and when I would see somebody coming down my driveway, some kind of wild west gun fight never came to mind. It's not very comforting to know that if I get lost somewhere, showing up on someones property or doorstep to ask for help might end with a gun in my face.

Not saying you shouldn't have guns or you don't need them or anything like that. I just personally don't understand it. I think I have a lot to learn about this country.

If I made a wrong turn onto somebody's property, I would be making every effort to get out of there as quickly as possible. The car that came on our land bypassed our turnout point drove all the way into the back of the property and had his headlights off. I immediately came outside with my spot light and they drove off in a hurry. I live in West Sacramento, right next to newer developed homes - as of late there has been reported burglaries in the area. Like I said, I'm not one for violence but I'm also not a huge fan of risk taking especially when it comes to my family or animals.

I'm pretty new to the USA and I have to say I don't understand the home invasion fantasies lots of Americans seem to have. Is this something that happens often? Are there any kind of statistics to justify the need for these types of precautions? If you just love guns, that's something I can understand - but why is it wrapped up in "home defense"?

The first post described what I would simply consider somebody making a wrong turn. I have lived in rural areas and when I would see somebody coming down my driveway, some kind of wild west gun fight never came to mind. It's not very comforting to know that if I get lost somewhere, showing up on someones property or doorstep to ask for help might end with a gun in my face.

Not saying you shouldn't have guns or you don't need them or anything like that. I just personally don't understand it. I think I have a lot to learn about this country.

I grew up in Oakland where home invasions happen all day long. Perhaps, you grew up in some happy peaceful country where it doesn't happen much. Then you moved to Marin county where you sit around at your computer bagging on us Americans and how screwed up we are by politely saying how you "just don't understand". I find that rude and offensive. Do you understand?

Got to love it   

I have a shot gun, taser and a baseball bat all with in close proximity. I would not hesitate to inflict harm on anyone that jeopardizes the lives of my loved ones. Weapon of choice would be the bat 

I grew up in San Francisco and it wasn't pretty.

Hell i live in Redding, look at the crime stats. They are through the roof. Who Fantasizes about it? Nobody ! I lived in a upscale neighborhood, our house got broke into, thank God we weren't home. same place our cars got broke into several times. we moved to where we live now, nice older neighborhood, i have caught people in my back yard, hiding out by my trailer, and looking through my trash, and cars. Most have been met with the sound on a shotgun, AR, or handgun racking a shell into the chamber and some crazy ass Labs running after them. My neighbors all around us are the same way. Like Rich said it's being Prepared. By the way we have called the cops a few times with people in our shop with flashlights, it took over an hour for them to get there, i live 2 miles from the police station. They are way over worked, and we don't have nearly enough police in my opinion. Redding is, has, turned into a heaven for homeless, and released criminals, thank God we are a county that the Sheriff thinks CCW is a great idea. And by the way Adam I do " fantasize " ok have nightmares that i fall off my Kayak and am surrounded by sharks !!!! Usually after shark week !!! CCW for sharks next LOL !!!   















   

I'm pretty new to the USA and I have to say I don't understand the home invasion fantasies lots of Americans seem to have. Is this something that happens often? Are there any kind of statistics to justify the need for these types of precautions? If you just love guns, that's something I can understand - but why is it wrapped up in "home defense"?

The first post described what I would simply consider somebody making a wrong turn. I have lived in rural areas and when I would see somebody coming down my driveway, some kind of wild west gun fight never came to mind. It's not very comforting to know that if I get lost somewhere, showing up on someones property or doorstep to ask for help might end with a gun in my face.

Not saying you shouldn't have guns or you don't need them or anything like that. I just personally don't understand it. I think I have a lot to learn about this country.

  Perhaps you come from a place that is very happy and peaceful where home invasions don't happen. But they happen here in America.Especially often in Oakland where i grew up. How often they happen depends on where you live.Many Americans feel it prudent to have a way to defend their family just in case it does happen. Does that help you "understand"? OF course there are those people who don't like that and feel the need to insult people who choose to take these precautions. It appears you live in Marin where the only crime is wealthy foreigners sitting at their laptops politely bagging on Americans. I find it rude and offensive.

I'm pretty new to the USA and I have to say I don't understand the home invasion fantasies lots of Americans seem to have.

Yeah, it's a thing here in the States. I still don't understand the fantasy, but lots
of people have it.

Why chose the word "fantasy"?  Just because you don't understand, doesn't make it a fantasy.  It is insulting to those of us who have had very real world experiences that have pushed us in the direction of gun ownership.

-Allen

I'm pretty new to the USA and I have to say I don't understand the home invasion fantasies lots of Americans seem to have.

Yeah, it's a thing here in the States. I still don't understand the fantasy, but lots
of people have it.

Why chose the word "fantasy"?  Just because you don't understand, doesn't make it a fantasy.  It is insulting to those of us who have had very real world experiences that have pushed us in the direction of gun ownership.

-Allen

I didn't chose the word (though I think it might be the right word). Help me out with something. Are you telling me that the observations is both wrong and offensive, or just offensive?

To reiterate (again), I'm not saying that all gun owners entertain such fantasies, rather that I have directly observed such fantasies more way more frequently here in the US than elsewhere.

Adam, we are prepared for it here, and constitutionally allowed to do so. Thinking things through, discussing plans and options, is not fantasy. It is planning. It can get carried away, just as women planning black Friday shopping can get carried away. The bottom line is, what you do not understand, you dismiss as fantasy (not your use of word, but appropriate).

I'm pretty new to the USA and I have to say I don't understand the home invasion fantasies lots of Americans seem to have.

Yeah, it's a thing here in the States. I still don't understand the fantasy, but lots
of people have it.

Why chose the word "fantasy"?  Just because you don't understand, doesn't make it a fantasy.  It is insulting to those of us who have had very real world experiences that have pushed us in the direction of gun ownership.

-Allen

I didn't chose the word (though I think it might be the right word). Help me out with something. Are you telling me that the observations is both wrong and offensive, or just offensive?

To reiterate (again), I'm not saying that all gun owners entertain such fantasies, rather that I have directly observed such fantasies more way more frequently here in the US than elsewhere.

One man's reality is another man's fantasy.  55 million americans own guns.  We can't all be living a fantasy.

But yeah, I'm sure there are some whackos out there living the fantasy.  Why the focus on them?  The rest of us are grounded in our own realities.

-Allen

There is SO MUCH I want to say, but I wont. You cannot argue and change the essence of a person's moral constitution. When the discussion turns to that, just take inventory of who you are engaged in the debate with...

So if the question is why there seems to be more whacko Americans proportionally to the rest of the world.  I blame the constitution.  We have the greatest freedoms of any country in the world, guaranteed to us by that constitution.  If it means we are allowed to have guns, and some small percentage of the population fantasizes about it, well ok.  So what?

The guy asks about HD options. And the discussion turns to fantasies?  What's that all about?

-Allen

I'm pretty new to the USA and I have to say I don't understand the home invasion fantasies lots of Americans seem to have.

Yeah, it's a thing here in the States. I still don't understand the fantasy, but lots
of people have it.

Why chose the word "fantasy"?  Just because you don't understand, doesn't make it a fantasy.  It is insulting to those of us who have had very real world experiences that have pushed us in the direction of gun ownership.

-Allen

I didn't chose the word (though I think it might be the right word). Help me out with something. Are you telling me that the observations is both wrong and offensive, or just offensive?

To reiterate (again), I'm not saying that all gun owners entertain such fantasies, rather that I have directly observed such fantasies more way more frequently here in the US than elsewhere.

One man's reality is another man's fantasy.  55 million americans own guns.  We can't all be living a fantasy.

But yeah, I'm sure there are some whackos out there living the fantasy.  Why the focus on them?  The rest of us are grounded in our own realities.

-Allen

Yeah....and I'm one of those 55 million.

I don't know why, but you guys keep insisting that preparedness is what I'm talking about. It isn't. I also reject the idea that only the whackos entertain such fantasies, as I have observed such fantasy from otherwise highly rational people.

Why focus on them?  I'm not. Some guy made an interesting observation and lots of people got defensive instead of looking at the merits of the observation.... which in turn perpetuates the discussion.

I'm pretty new to the USA and I have to say I don't understand the home invasion fantasies lots of Americans seem to have.

Yeah, it's a thing here in the States. I still don't understand the fantasy, but lots
of people have it.

Why chose the word "fantasy"?  Just because you don't understand, doesn't make it a fantasy.  It is insulting to those of us who have had very real world experiences that have pushed us in the direction of gun ownership.

-Allen

I didn't chose the word (though I think it might be the right word). Help me out with something. Are you telling me that the observations is both wrong and offensive, or just offensive?

To reiterate (again), I'm not saying that all gun owners entertain such fantasies, rather that I have directly observed such fantasies more way more frequently here in the US than elsewhere.

One man's reality is another man's fantasy.  55 million americans own guns.  We can't all be living a fantasy.

But yeah, I'm sure there are some whackos out there living the fantasy.  Why the focus on them?  The rest of us are grounded in our own realities.

-Allen

Yeah....and I'm one of those 55 million.

I don't know why, but you guys keep insisting that preparation and preparedness is what I'm talking about. It isn't. I also reject the idea that only the whackos entertain such fantasies, as I have observed such fantasy from otherwise highly rational people.

Why focus on them?  I'm not. Some guy made an interesting observation and lots of people got defensive instead of looking at the merits of the observation.... which in turn perpetuates the discussion.

So if someone broke into your house when you were home, are you prepared to use your guns?

It's an interesting discussion ... framed badly.

-Allen

ok gun  fantasies  here`s mine   

My fantasy involves better trigger discipline.

ok gun  fantasies  here`s mine   

My fantasy involves better trigger discipline.

What are you talking about? She has at least two fingers on the trigger! 

I am. But I am also prepared to NOT use my guns. There is a misconception that people will just blast away. That seldom happens. Most of the time, the perp takes off once they find out someone is up or home. I will use deadly force when appropriate. I am also aware of the legal ramifications of choosing to do so, and the inevitable civil suits. Is that fantasy? No, that is reality. That is preparedness.
Do I fantasize about my home burning down or arson? No, but I change my batteries in the smoke detectors, have fire drills with the kids, and have an emergency action plan. Can I visualize all the above? Yes. I am as prepared as I can be, as long as I practice and continue thinking about every possible way to keep myself and my family safe and prepared for any and all hurdles life throws in our way.