How to deal with a home intruder -

[symantec]

I'm a very paranoid individual. I've hardwired the ever-loving shit out of my property. I refuse to acknowledge that wireless devices exist, with the exception of my cell phones. Because of this I have CCTV cabling with aluminum piping covering the wire, sprawled throughout my properties. I've done my best to ensure it's not exposed. My CCTV system alerts my phone via SMS when it's triggered in the event of a cut line, or movement on the premises.

A couple of nights ago I woke up to an intruder in one of my homes, thanks to an SMS alert. I login to my CCTV catching him busting through a dog door and subsequently unlatching the back door. I have several methods of protecting myself, but I'd rather not have to kill, maim, or do anything to an individual if the police are capable of doing so in a timely manner. Not to mention I wasn't staying at this property at the time.

Having this happen to me, I've been wondering what the absolute right thing to do would be in a situation like this where I was home. I'd like to think bullets stop intruders the best, but I'd like to minimize damage, and honestly I'd rather not have to take another life, unless it was threatening someone other than myself. Not to mention I have a couple properties in countries where firearms are frowned upon.

Having given you this information, I'd like to know what fellow forum members would do in the event their personal sanctuary was invaded by a potentially armed (or unarmed) individual. How would you react? Do you see a paradox to the idea of taking another human life, even to defend your own? At what point do you think to take a life, or at what point do you figure out another method? And what would that method be?

 

[WhoBusTank69]

If you're dealing with multiple properties then you're fucked - any increase in security once a house has been hit will eventually be compromised, cameras or no cameras.
If it's the house you're in? Shoot them. You don't know what they're doing or what they're after. They might be stealing the change lost in your couch, sure, but they also might be some asshole trying to strangle people in their sleep for fun. I'd rather not ask when I have to wake up at 3 in the morning to some idiot breaking and entering.

 

[symantec]

If it's the house you're in? Shoot them. You don't know what they're doing or what they're after. They might be stealing the change lost in your couch, sure, but they also might be some asshole trying to strangle people in their sleep for fun. I'd rather not ask when I have to wake up at 3 in the morning to some idiot breaking and entering.

Personally I agree with this sentiment, however, I've seen what killing another man does to a person. It's fucked up the things you have to mentally get over. I just don't know whether I'd be capable, having the understanding of what others have gone through, of taking another life if it was only me in the home. I guess I'd be pissed off and fearful enough not to care.

 

[Dutch Courage]

If you are dead-set against using a firearm, your alternatives are these:

1) Higher caliber pellet rifle (.25 or more): This won't kill anyone under most circumstances, but it might fool an intruder into thinking you are armed, and if you are shot at close range with a .25 or .30 pellet, it could do some damage. The main drawback is a break barrel rifle of those calibers will only offer you one shot, and a pneumatic rifle (which offers multi-shots and can fire potentially lethal .35 or .45 caliber pellets) needs to be filled with air before use. If your intruder has a real firearm, you will lose the battle. Higher caliber pellet rifles also cost more than firearms.

2) Taser Pulse: This is the civilian-model Taser, and it will incapacitate someone long enough for you to either flee or overpower them. The chief drawback is the price, which is around $400 for the taser plus two cartridges. Another drawback is that the effect is short-lived, and your intruder will regain his strength in about a minute, and will be rip-roaringly mad. You also get only one shot at a time, and reloading takes longer than a firearm.

3) Stun gun: Not recommended. You have to be touching your intruder for it to work, and it might not work through heavy clothing. Stun guns only inflict pain; they do not incapacitate muscle as a Taser does. However, they are cheap (a nice rechargeable one with a flashlight is about $70) and relatively easy to conceal.

4) Pepper spray: Not recommended in close quarters, because you might blind yourself. Used correctly, this will give you time to flee, but it will enrage the intruder, who can recover quickly. Very cheap, around $12 for a keychain sprayer. But it is better to use it on muggers in the park than a home intruder

5) Baseball bat: Probably as effective as all the others, but easier to operate. Main drawback is that it might be hard to swing it indoors, and if your intruder grabs it away from you, you are fucked. Legal in all 50 states to own one, though.

6) Guard dog: Might keep burglars away, but he has to be mean. A lot of guard dogs will be very friendly with intruders who stop to scratch them behind the ears. Drawbacks include care, feeding, training, need for replacements. Benefits include a new furry friend.

 

[Iliveinacrashingskyrim]

A few guard dogs would probably help. Even if they aren’t trained to kill most dogs bark at almost anything and will scare most people away especially if there’s more than one.

 

[AnOminous]

Probably the most prudent thing to do, safety-wise and legally, is to retreat if possible, even if you are armed, and let the police deal with it and insurance pay off any losses.

But you can't always do this and in that event you should kill them without any regret. Anyone invading an occupied home is very likely to be extremely dangerous and you should assume hesitation will get you killed.

 

[symantec]

If you are dead-set against using a firearm, your alternatives are these:

6) Guard dog: Might keep burglars away, but he has to be mean. A lot of guard dogs will be very friendly with intruders who stop to scratch them behind the ears. Drawbacks include care, feeding, training, need for replacements. Benefits include a new furry friend.

A few guard dogs would probably help. Even if they aren’t trained to kill most dogs bark at almost anything and will scare most people away especially if there’s more than one.

I've thought about getting dogs in the past. I've heard mastiffs are scary as fuck and German Shepherds get the job done. Not quite sure what breed is most beneficial, and whether or not it's fruitful to take one with me everywhere I go if they're trained to attack intruders.

Probably the most prudent thing to do, safety-wise and legally, is to retreat if possible, even if you are armed, and let the police deal with it and insurance pay off any losses.

But you can't always do this and in that event you should kill them without any regret. Anyone invading an occupied home is very likely to be extremely dangerous and you should assume hesitation will get you killed.

I have considered a safe room where I can house some servers, and use it as an escape. Not quite there with the idea, but it seems like an obvious answer to this question.

 

[Arctic Fox]

I've thought about getting dogs in the past. I've heard mastiffs are scary as fuck and German Shepherds get the job done. Not quite sure what breed is most beneficial, and whether or not it's fruitful to take one with me everywhere I go if they're trained to attack intruders.


I have considered a safe room where I can house some servers, and use it as an escape. Not quite there with the idea, but it seems like an obvious answer to this question.

Dogs are always good. I recommend American Pit Bulls. They're not monsters like the media portrays them, but they will fuck up an intruder. Or more likely scare them off.

Get yourself a shotgun. There is non-lethal ammunition you can buy. Beanbag rounds will knock the fuck out of the target without killing. Plastic and rubber bullets also exist. My girl and I prefer to carry with a clip of rubber bullets over lethals for this exact reason. As a last resort, that could be an alternative you like.

 

[Spl00gies]

Inb4 OP shoots the mailman.

 

[Archon]

fool an intruder into thinking you are armed

This is an excellent way to get killed.

 

[Dutch Courage]

This is an excellent way to get killed.

All of them are really.

 

[DumbDude42]

well you can keep a big guard dog at the house. all it has to do is bark really loud when it notices an intruder, that's usually enough to make them panic and leave.

other than that, if you want to actually confront the intruder, you don't have many options excep shoot him. a home invaasion is always a life or death situation, you never know in advance whether this particular intruder is willing to kill you or not until it's too late. you can either shoot him down at first sight, or lock yourself in a room while calling the cops.

trying to confront and subjugate (or scare away) an intruder on your own without a gun is a very reckless and dangerous idea and can get you killed, i don't recommend it.

 

[nagant 1895]

I've stayed on a farm for a few summers and understand that this is likely not a realistic solution (the realistic solution is run if you can, kill if you can't). But I'll vouch that the more animals you have around the more likely you are to be made aware of intruders. Dogs, functioning in a group rather than solo, will make different noises depending on if they hear familiar footsteps or new footsteps acting strangely. Chickens might get to know one or two people but will generally make noise if anything new comes near and then collectively freak if it doesn't leave. Goats don't give a shit, let them establish that something is their territory and they'll headbutt a battle tank if it crosses the line.
The dogs, properly trained to alert and/or attack are sort of the lynchpin though. They can hear the other animals from farther away than you or I and will freak at mostly appropriate times to let you know whats up, or at least that something is up.

 

[WhoBusTank69]

There is non-lethal ammunition you can buy. Beanbag rounds will knock the fuck out of the target without killing. Plastic and rubber bullets also exist. My girl and I prefer to carry with a clip of rubber bullets over lethals for this exact reason.

That's "less than lethal" as it still has the capacity to injure, maim, and kill. Which, if that happens and your assailant gets the bright idea to press charges/sue, you will definitely be at fault due to a myriad of reasons including, but not limited to, your life not being enough at risk to use proper ammunition and shooting with intent to wound.
And that's not to mention the attacker possibly responding with a gun using actual, REAL bullets.

 

[AnOminous]

That's "less than lethal" as it still has the capacity to injure, maim, and kill. Which, if that happens and your assailant gets the bright idea to press charges/sue, you will definitely be at fault due to a myriad of reasons including, but not limited to, your life not being enough at risk to use proper ammunition and shooting with intent to wound.
And that's not to mention the attacker possibly responding with a gun using actual, REAL bullets.

Messing around with nonlethal bullshit is just a great way to get killed. And as you point out, even worse, sued. Dead men tell no tales.

 

[Pargon]

I don't see any paradox whatsoever in killing someone who is forcing their way into my home. I don't know their intentions and it would be dangerous to wait to respond in order to learn them. The likelihood they mean harm to my family is high, whether or not that is their primary purpose for breaking in. It is also extremely likely that they are in their right mind while trying to break in, and even if they are not, that's another determination that is too dangerous to try and make.

Some circumstances really do come down to a "it was me or him" scenario. The self-preservation instinct is extremely strong, and valuable. It persists despite our advancements in society for a reason.

Kill that motherfucker. You can go to therapy over it when he's in the ground.

 

[Arctic Fox]

That's "less than lethal" as it still has the capacity to injure, maim, and kill. Which, if that happens and your assailant gets the bright idea to press charges/sue, you will definitely be at fault due to a myriad of reasons including, but not limited to, your life not being enough at risk to use proper ammunition and shooting with intent to wound.
And that's not to mention the attacker possibly responding with a gun using actual, REAL bullets.

If you're not in California, you don't need to worry about your assailants suing you. Which I don't.
And yeah, I'm sure after getting ribs cracked from a few shots, or getting knocked unconscious from a headshot, they'll just be scrambling to get up and get ya.

 

[AnOminous]

Kill that motherfucker. You can go to therapy over it when he's in the ground.

Better to need a therapist than a mortician.

If you're not in California, you don't need to worry about your assailants suing you. Which I don't.
And yeah, I'm sure after getting ribs cracked from a few shots, or getting knocked unconscious from a headshot, they'll just be scrambling to get up and get ya.

They very well might. I was watching a video earlier of some woman mag dumping on a guy robbing her store. After that, he was still coming at her although she got away. I looked up a news story about it and he not only got away after that, but made it to the hospital where he was arrested. And that was with "lethal" bullets.

The last thing you want to do with someone who is already crazy, possibly on PCP with superhuman tard strength, or who knows what, is do something that will just piss him off.

 

[WhoBusTank69]

If you're not in California, you don't need to worry about your assailants suing you. Which I don't.

They are able to sue you in multiple jurisdictions. If not the assailant themselves, their family.
That's why "It's better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6" is such a depressing mantra.

And yeah, I'm sure after getting ribs cracked from a few shots, or getting knocked unconscious from a headshot, they'll just be scrambling to get up and get ya.

The human body is notoriously tough and stubborn. People survive headshots and can even function, albeit a short while, after the heart is destroyed.
Also

 

[Absolute Brainlet]

Get a supernatural entity of some sort into your house and befriend it. Even if the 200-lb knife-carrying black guy high on coke gets away after encountering it, bitch'll pay anything just to never come near your house again.