The homeowner had the drop on the criminals and had he had retreated to the bedroom and called 911 as an alternative suggestion, the situation could have turned out much differently. And maybe not so good for the owner. Never a desire to kill someone but you gotta do what you gotta do to protect you and or your family. I would’ve probably reacted the same way. Just never know how you’re going to handle a situation like that until it happens to you.
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I don’t think I would judge the folks this incident happened to nor could I say they should have done this or that. Neither could I say what I would do in any specific way. My house is small, very small, also have an alarm system, if it should sound, I could be confronted in seconds, I keep my .38 special on my night stand and I would fire at the first one who showed themselves. Anyone breaking into a home at any point, day or night is there to do you harm period, at 76 years of age, I’m am to old to take a whooping…I’ll do what I can to see age 77.
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I would have grabbed my firearm and took cover in my bedroom with my wife behind me. If possible I would have called 911. I would have yelled I have called 911, I have a gun and will shot if you enter. Then wing it from there.
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If I had been presented with the same scenario as the elderly gentleman in Columbia, Missouri, my actions would have depended upon what I know to be true in my own scenario. I trained my wife and daughter not to ‘go hunting’ if an intruder situation arises. I tell them to find the deepest, darkest ‘safe’ (no walls that can be shot through) spot, dial 911 while grabbing your weapon and retreating to the same. If you dial 911 and say nothing, if your cell phone is set up correctly for 911 calls (a topic I feel should be presented on USCCA), they will respond to your address. If you’re not set up that way or at a different address, yes, they can ping phones but that takes time. (My daughter was a Police Communications & 911 Officer.) Whisper, if you can safely do so. MAKE THEM COME TO YOU! I tell them: whether there is but one, or even six intruders, they all cannot fit through the doorway that is in your sights at once! Unless you KNOW they are not armed, assumed they all are! That means, to me and mine, remain the one who surprises, not the one to be surprised! The first shot fired, for my wife and daughter, will likely be two to the chest, one to the pelvic area (below armor, in case they have it - it is getting more common) and, if still possible, two more to the chest or one to the head. They have been trained by a highly qualified instructor who is also renowned for weapon competition events, and me, the goal is to stop the intruder(s) or attacker(s) who have made you fear for your (or another’s) life! When they stop, clearly incapacitated, keep a target in your sights until they are on the ground and no longer any threat AND until you are absolutely certain they have no firearms, no knives, etc. or are disarmed. Leave the latter to the police.
If the assailant’s cohort(s) are foolish enough to press the issues and also attempt entry to your safe area, assume they (a) want you dead, (b) are on drugs or otherwise irrational, or (c) you just killed or wounded someone they care about enough to get you for it; again, if they come, do as you were trained … again and again.
Speaking of safe places in the home, in parking lots, etc., I think several good articles / videos should be done on how to effectively choose such spaces. I’ve already noticed the topic is covered somewhat.
IF IT WAS ME: I know my own capabilities. I’m trained to move effectively against or in concert with threats to gain advantage and, if I have loved ones I don’t want to let them get too close to, I’m coming for the perpetrator(s). If there is any way I can set-up a safe area to cause the perps to remain away from loved-ones (or students in a school, church attendees, etc.), I’m going to set up a buffer and avoid the direct head-to-head shooting match.
I would make enough noise, if it was just me, to be heard on the phone with 911, personally. I’m not blurting-out the fact that I am armed! I do not know enough about my enemy to arm them with that knowledge! I would wait for the 911 operator to ask me if I am armed, and I would answer then yes or no.
It would be beneficial if you scared them off, which would be my goal. Anything they want to take, short of my loved one’s or my life, they can have! ‘Stuff’ can be replaced; even if it is so precious it cannot be replaced … for me, material goods just aren’t worth either me killing them or them killing my loved ones or me.
If I am alone when intruders come, I will be that guy moving towards in a fashion that has been rehearsed many times; and you will know I am coming, because being alone, I’m likely grabbin’ the ‘street howitzer’ and pumping it and placing it, grabbing my quick-release AR (FN-15) and flippin’ on the laser on my handgun. The handgun is to get me into an advantageous position to lay-down firepower with extreme prejudice, if necessary. If I make a decision to fire, I will do so until the target is reduced to a no-threat status; then I stop and wait, and maybe even displace.
OK, well, having had attempted break-ins several times over the decades, THE BEST DEFENSE HAS PROVEN TO BE A GOOD OFFENSE: On went the lights, lasers were clearly visible, and the intruders never got in - they hauled u-know-what. 
I think, in closing, that the older gentleman likely had a loved-one to defend so he put himself between the threats and the loved one; and when he saw them, he did the right thing, in the night, to the intruders. Whether that is true or not, it was his home, his castle, and he has the right to feel and be safe in it! They asked for it, they got it, and I’d like to commend the man for his weapon discipline, which as we all know is his trigger finger and his aim! One man’s opinion; user’s mileage may vary.
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Agree 100%.
We will hunker down in the master, fatal funnel the inbound hall, call 911, and if, only if they cross the threshold, begin self defense.
We are not going through the guilty upon proven innocent process over “stuff” unless truly life threatening. Especially in California.
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If the elderly homeowner here had been a USCCA policy-holder and was charged with a crime in this self-defense shooting (by, say, an ambitious Leftist DA), would USCCA honor his policy?
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I also prefer gods caliber and have a 1911 and glock 21 as my preferred defenses. I love the glock for its fist full of gods fury with an intruder. The 1911 is comforting because it is an old friend that hits what I aim at. An intruder in front of either will shortly be in a bleeding horizontal position.
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I like the story I think I saw on here.
Guy hears someone breaking in, takes a defensive position. Announces to the intruder “I have a gun”. The intruder replies back so do I. At which point the home owner opens fire.
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When seconds count the cops are minutes away! That’s
why you can’t wait for 911 to dispatch a cop to your residence and need to be prepared to react.
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Your analysis seems like the cowardly way. BUT, thats exactly what I would do. Locked myself in a room and called 911. Than, I would announce that the cops were on their way. And than, only than, if they still tried to enter the room I was in, they would be greeted by Smith & Wesson (deadly force).
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I agree. I might add (per the instructor I trained with) "I have a gun and I am in fear for my life all while being on your 911 call for police. This way it is recorded and it will add the fact that you gave the intruders every opportunity to vacate the premises
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I understand why you would think that but please hang up! Anything they can use against you, they will use.
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I am with NavalAV8r on this one. Don’t give them any tactical information they might be able to use against you.
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Amen, brother.
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I most definately would have waited until the intruder(s) have entered the funnel/tunnel/defcon4 zone and deployed the 12g shotgun. I can repair any damages later.
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I agree. I was only relating a story I read. The home owner said I have a gun, I guess hoping to scare off the intruder. It didn’t work because the intruder said; I do too. The home owner then open fire.
Only relating just because you are armed doesn’t mean the bad guy is going to retreat. Most people erroneously assume saying I have a gun will scare him/her/them off. You better be prepared to fight.
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Thanks
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I would not know how I would react until I would be faced with the dilemma. If faced with a house invasion in the middle of the night first reaction is everything, especially when you are awakened in the middle of the night from a deep sleep the first thing you must do is clear your head.
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I live in just such a gated community. Not rich but home is worth 1 million. The 2 entry levels are mostly windows.
I’ve created a perch on the crosswalk from one upper bedroom to the others and the stairs. From my perch I can cover front door. Deck and side entry.
Ive lined it with bullit proof material, including the floor.
If I have to engage I have the high ground and 360 degree view.
Let them come to me. They will be in the “kill” box.
21 years Army Officer I’m trained for this.
I live about 40 miles north of Atlanta in what most northerners call redneck territory.
Were not rednecks but everyone has guns and most know how to use them.
With neighborhood watch, crime up here is very low.
RM
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Addition.
My family all have their own guns. They are trained to retreat to a safe spot. I’ve created one for each and this gives them the advantage of drawing any intruder to their bedroom door where they can shoot the intruder, intruders and they have the advantage of havig concrete walls on the lower floor to their back and one side.
And safty from the other side.
They also know they can shoot through plaster walls.
Only important thing is to be sure it’s not me or another family member.
A. We all have a walkie talkie.
B. Dogs barking along with door breaking in, glass breaking is a good clue it’s not a family member. Also if one of us does move around at night we have challange and answer codes.
So we can be sure not to shoot each other and to shoot an intruder if they break in. Of course call 911 and leave phone on to record everything including saying your scared for your life.
RM
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