Self-defense is probably one of the more difficult and more divisive parts of prepping. It’s difficult enough to prepare yourself and your home against an attack in the first place, without everyone else telling you that you’re wrong.
But there are plenty of preppers out there with their own ideas, who are more than ready to tell you that your ideas just won’t do it.
Opinions about over what are the best weapons to own and to use. That’s where most of the divisiveness comes from. Everyone has their favorite and many are quick to say that their favorite is the only one to use.
But the reality is that their needs and your needs may not be the same. Each of us has to develop our own defensive plan and find the weapons that are going to do us the most good.
So I’m not going to talk about weapons, except in the most general sense. Rather, I’m going to talk about other things that might be missing from your home defense preparedness.
While I have my own opinions on firearms and other defensive weapons, those aren’t anywhere near as important as the overall defensive strategy that you develop. In fact, they’re just a part of that strategy; so let’s look at what else you need.
Related: Some Thoughts on Defensive Rifles for Preppers that are New to Firearms
A Defensive Plan
Defending your home requires much more than just guns, although guns are important. It requires a plan.
Just what do I mean by that? I mean that you need to predetermine who is going to do what, under the various different circumstances you might encounter.
There’s no way that any of us can know just how an attack will come, so we need plans based on all the possibilities we can think of.
Don’t allow yourself to fall into the trap of being the only one there, between your family and the bad guys. That might look heroic, but if they take you out, there’s nobody else to protect them.
You’ll all be much better off if you can stand together, with everyone in your family who can aim a gun taking part in the defense of your home.
In the military, a defensive plan includes what the unit will do in the case of casualties. That doesn’t just mean who is going to take care of those casualties, although that’s a part of it; but rather, how the positions of the shooters will shift, to ensure that the perimeter is covered.
Good Defensive Positions
Speaking of everyone taking part in the defense, you’ll need good defensive positions for everyone to shoot from. Don’t expect the walls of your home to stop bullets; they won’t.
In fact, the only caliber of round that a brick wall will stop is a .22LR (or smaller). So unless your home is made of rock or concrete, you’re going to have to do something to provide those shooting positions with some real cover.
The military solved this problem long ago
with a low-tech device, called a sandbag. Your home’s floors will support a three-foot high, one-foot thick sandbag wall; even on the second floor.
So you can build sandbag firing positions below all the windows, giving your family a definite advantage.
Those sandbags should stop just about anything they can throw your way, unless they show up with a .50 caliber machine gun.
The Right Defensive Guns
You’ve got to have the right guns to work with. But just what are those right guns? That depends. Nevertheless, every shooter in your family or survival team needs a handgun and a long gun.
The handgun is primarily for them to use in case they are caught without their long gun. It should be something they are comfortable firing and have enough capacity so that they can do a lot of shooting, if they need to. I prefer semi-automatic pistols for this, although I know people who swear by revolvers.
Related: 6 Reliable “Pocket” Revolvers For Off-grid Defense
For your family’s long guns keep in mind that you don’t really need sniper rifles; you’re going to be shooting at people in your front yard. That makes shotguns a good choice, as well as shorter-barrel AR-15s. I’d avoid going to the really short barreled ones though, so you don’t have to get an ATF sticker for them.
Firepower is important. That means the ability to put a lot of fire downrange in a minimal amount of time. There again, the AR-15 excels. So do some tactical shotguns.
But once again, this is a personal decision and you should take into account the shooting preferences of every member of the family. A good mix is valuable too, as it will help ensure that you’re ready for any situation.
Good Surveillance and Lighting
Unless you’ve got a large family, it’s going to be difficult to keep a lookout on all sides of your home. This is where surveillance cameras can really help.
With today’s prices for those cameras, there’s really no excuse to put off buying them. Just make sure that your system will continue to work when the power goes out
You’re going to need lighting too, to go with those cameras.
Solar-chargeable LED lights with motion detectors are a great option, as they will only come on when needed and will not need the house’s power to be on for them to work.
The lights coming on also make a great alarm, as it shows up readily on your monitor, showing you that something is happening.
Secure Doors
The average home entry door can be kicked open with a booted foot. That’s not enough to keep the bad guys out of your home.
The basic problem isn’t the deadbolt or the lockset, it’s the door frame. That piece of ¾” thick pine just isn’t strong enough. I’d recommend strengthening it by installing security striker plates and security hinges, all mounted with 3” or longer screws. That way, they’re going to have to work a whole lot harder to get in.
It wouldn’t hurt to add something else either, like a door prop, a floor club or just barring the door. The idea is to keep them outside, so that you have an advantage.
Related: Home Security Tips From an Ex-Burglar
Secure Windows
Speaking of keeping them out, we all know that the windows are the weakest part of the home. Glass just can’t keep people out all that well, unless you do something to strengthen it.
One such option is to install security window film on the windows. This is a clear plastic film that sticks to the inside of the window.
It makes the window stronger, as well as making it so that if anyone breaks the window, the glass doesn’t fall out.
They have to break the window all the way around, in order to get it out of the window, so they can stick their hand through to open the latches.
The other option is even stronger, although not as attractive. That’s to install burglar bars on the home. These mount over the windows, making it so that they can’t get through the windows, even if they manage to break them. The big problem is that many people think they make the home look like a prison. But it is secure.
A Well-Established Perimeter
One of the issues we deal with is keeping our home defense on the right side of the law. Current laws allow for the use of deadly force in self-defense and the defense of others. Some states add in defense of property to that as well, but not all states do. We need to make sure that we keep within that criterion.
That means only shooting when there is imminent threat of life and limb. In most jurisdictions, they see that as meaning that the criminal must be facing you, inside your home, with a weapon in their hand.
Now here’s the problem. If a number of people come to attack your home together, you can’t afford to let them in your home, before you start fighting.
If several of them manage to get through the door and into your home, your chances of survival are vastly reduced.
That’s where an established perimeter can help, as it creates a clear line where they are not allowed to cross without trespassing.
At the same time, the perimeter can be used to channel attackers into a funnel, where it is easier to deal with them, as people will always take the easy way.
Someplace for a Last Stand
Hopefully, you’ll be able to keep the bad guys out of your home; but that might not be possible. In that case, you’re going to have to have someplace that the family can gather for one last stand, before leaving the home.
This should be a central place, where everyone can gather together easily and have at least some protection from the bad guys.
At the same time, it can be helpful if they have to come down a hallway to get to you, giving you a good chance to shoot them, should they choose to charge your position.
An Escape Route & Plan
Finally, you’ve got to have an escape plan. While it would be best if you never have to use it, there’s just no guarantee that you’ll be victorious. With that possibility existing, you have to have a means to escape.
That includes both an escape route and a plan of what you’re going to do once you escape, such as where you’re going to meet and where you’re going to go. You can always come back for a counterattack, but you’ve got to survive before you can do that.
Be sure to stash your bug-out bags where you can grab them as you’re going out the door. It would be good if you could have an off-site cache of supplies available to you somewhere, so that you have supplies to use if you have to escape.
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The military solved this problem long agoGood Defensive Positions with a low-tech device, called a sandbag. Your home’s floors will support a three-foot high, one-foot thick sandbag wall; even on the second floor.
lost me the very second I read this >>> 300lbs per square foot – hold Mr Bluto’s weight standing in a spot on an average US home’s floor – that should be the minimum standard in your area …..
you stand a chance with plywood sub-flooring supported cross floor joints – not a chance on the adjoining wall that has a single (if lucky) floor joist supporting the load ….
Ahhh! The king of criticism AKA:ILLINI WARRIOR is back.
Warrior, have you no respect for a lady. YOU need help, you need GOD in your life Sr.
respect…
some don’t deserve respect or have it to give.
stand strong illlini warrior. I don’t think any one on here will be beating your door down, to come and help you when SHTF…
Don’t mean to disrespect any one but it’s very true.
Gazetty, maybe Kay is the one that needs GOD.
well if you’re an Illinois bubba, it makes sense you would be so critical of this article. I would be concerned with my local guv and LEO. I am sure your basement is quite fortified and stocked with all the hot pockets you can eat.
Any home built to US code can support the weight of 4-5 long tube bags of sand against a wall under a window to fortify a defensive position. Don’t know about trailers. Cement block is worthless for stopping modern quality ammo esp in higher calibers.
You are correct. And it is a low cost way to insure you have at least one spot that can give you some protection.
As a Certified Building Contractor and Engineering understudy I understand a 1st floor concrete substrate could easily support a 2 or 3′ stack but that same stack would only work if they were located at a joist end bearing wall (perpendicular).
I meant to state On the 2nd Floor
Defense perimeter line for alarm.?simple…60lb. Test monofilament fishing line with treble hooks tied in every one foot on the line. String it high / low or combination. Pre -tie 50ft lengths, ready to unroll off a spool at short notice. Just listen for the screams and curses….shoot on demand.
Might be somewhat effective, useful, wise, Legal, etc in Vietnam, Iraq, etc.
“Sounds Good” – BUT:
But in a typical US Neighborhood ??
Do what you want – but:
“I” Could see “My” Dogs getting into it next day. Hmmm
I can see kids, neighbor dogs, cats, Delivery People, etc (even “You”) getting snagged and hurt. AND it is a “Pain” trying to Maintain that type system. Mow around it, clear leaves etc off, etc etc.
Exposed/Physical Systems like that DO take Regular Maintenance.
I could “Easy” see “Me” (Being not that smart and failing Memory) – getting snagged up in it.
Better approach? – Motion sensing Lights/Cameras, etc. Maybe an Alert Barking Dog in the house. A “Safe Room” in your house.
Also – Shooting “Outside” your house can – easy – land “You” in jail.
I know that here in Ky, if you are caught using any kind of going trap, they will put you straight into prison. Guess the police don’t want to get into any while hunting around without permission! Lol BUT! If they aren’t in the mix? Whatever goes. Here’s one idea. I call an slap-traps. Simple and easy to build. 2 ,1 ft. Length 2×4, 1 6 in. 2×4, lay an out in a line,long ones on the ends, attach ends with door hinges drive 16 penny nails through the 2 long ones ,nails pointed up, dog holes big enough for the middle to drop into. Set an up and wait. If you hear someone screaming well ,you got you one and I know that just using a stick for pressure will make the nails go deep enough that it takes a hammer to pry em apart. Hope it will help!
Once I toured a house for sale in York, ME. That was built in the 1700’s. The house had amazing defensive structures built in place. All windows had what the agent called “Indian Shutters”, which were heavy shutters nestled into the sides of the walls that could be pulled out and used to close, brace, or defend the window. The house also had a fireplace in every room that was connected to one main central chimney. Down in the basement there was a dirt floor and that central chimney had an open base that was a small fortified area, surrounded by huge local natural sone wall. There was a large rock strategically in place to roll over and secure the entrance. My guess this was perhaps one of the original designs for safe rooms.
Me:
State and DHS Certified Defense of the Home Instructor:
Certified State and DHS Pistol Instructor
CQB – Defensive Competition Shooter – Pistol/Rifle/Shotgun
I mostly agree but a few more points :
Further recommend :
Exterior Motion-Sensing/Alert Lights and Cameras.
And “Established/known to All Family” “Safe Room” – Final retreat-to and call the Law.
“Safe Room” : Store – Guns/Ammo, Phone, Lights(Hand Held Tactical), Water, etc
Also – Very Effective – A barking dog. A small “house dog” will do.
Train to bark if anyone approaches house.
Many people have guns available but Most(by far) have NO Training in Defensive/Combat Shooting. And don’t have a clue what it will really be like and how “Very Likely” they will be subject to Failure.
Most will say I have fired guns – “I know how to shoot”.
“I tell you now” if you have had no training in Close Quarters Combat Shooting – You will
very likely Fail and maybe make things even worse.
Do you know how many walls a 9mm will shoot thru ?? ans All of them.
Do you know What happens to your Hearing when you shoot a gun in a house ??
Hint – You Will NOT be able to hear “Anything” for say 5min.
You will not be able to hear what a 911 Operator is telling you.
Are they sending anyone? Who? How many? How long ? Where too?
Get some training from an Instructor who knows and knows how to teach Fundamentals of Shooting and Home Defense – for the whole Family.
Calling everyone but oneself incompetent is pretty common these days, like the guy in the classroom who said he was the only one in the room qualified to handle a weapon, just before he shot himself in the foot. The redeeming factor in this case is that those criticized as incompetent are at least advised to find training and become competent.
Thank you for your self-righteous commentary. We are not all lucky enough to have these paper certifications on our walls. however, some of us are endowed with common sense. You “many people” comment as well is very unbecoming of someone who would like to brag and boast about their training. I have met a few instructors that were good on a range, but complete idiots under stress in a true life situation. I would suggest that if you want to convey a message about how awesome you are, I would start by not being condescending or insulting. I am sure there are quite a few of us with the life experience and DD214 to show it, but do not throw it in peoples faces to get a point across. Seems like you and mr illini warrior are bunker buddies. You should do fine in the SHTF.
My mistake.- trying to talk to those – like you – who don’t understand the basic principal/courtesy of stating your Qualifications – Up Front.
So People will know where you are coming from, your experience base, training,
competence level, etc.
It is actually Expected on some Self Defense/Shooting sites I follow.
The fact that one is X-Mil Alone (While I respect and appreciate that) does NOT Automatically make you a Qualified Pistol Instructor, nor Self Defense Instr.
I Simply stated my Formal Qualifications/Certifications. Up Front. 1st.
So people will know “Where I am coming from”, My experience base, Training, etc.
ie My “Credibility”.
Nothing Whatsoever to do with “Bragging”, “Self Righteous”, etc
Just the facts please.
I did NOT embellish on my Real-Life experience – but I am going to Now – since you “asked for it” with your “Condescending and Insulting” remarks.
If that offends you – that is on You – Not me.
I “Never” said I was “Better” than anyone else.
I did say if you have No Real Gun Fight Training you will likely fail in a real fight.
And I will Stand on That.
The logic:
On some of the more serious “Self Defense” and “Shooting”, “Instructing” sites/forums
I follow, it goes to your Qualifications and Experience.
1st Posting your Qualifications/Experience is expected and appreciated.
ie Where are you coming from ?
What are your qualifications ?
What qualifies you to say what you are saying ?
State and Fed Qualifications, Certifications, Military Experience
Personal Experience – whatever.
Its considered Good Form
ps “Bragging” etc has Nothing to do with it.
“Paper Certifications” ?
I did NOT add that I have “Personally” been in 3 “Real” Gun Fights involving Pistols, Rifles and a Shotgun. And Me with only a Pistol. And I won.
Well actually it was a S&W 5 shot 38 revolver.
“That” – is “Bragging”
Lucky I am still here to do it.
If that offends you – that is on You, not Me.
But – The fact that You are XMil does Not, Alone, make you a good “Instructor”.
Or apparently analyst.
More “Bragging”
I Forgot to mention I have also Taught, with a midsize, 300man, Sheriff Dept –
– Concealed Carry Certification
– Basic and Combat Pistol
– “Full Auto”(Machinegun), Shotgun
– SWAT – Pistol, Rifle CQB(Close Qtr Battle), XCQB(Extreme CQB)
– SWAT – Sniper
– Regional Drug Task Force
And Finally:
“To my Main Point”/Issue Here.
(ie What you criticized me for)
ie Most people Don’t know how to shoot – especially “Defensively”.
And will likely Fail – in a Real Fight.
“Perhaps” I should have said Up-Front – all this(Below).
But I did not want to appear as if I was “Bragging”.
Just – Matter of Fact.
AND – THIS is, primarily, what you had trouble with me saying – out loud.
I said “Most” Gun Carriers today don’t get any training and don’t have a clue what a real gun-fight is like. And “Very likely subject to failure.” in a Real Fight.
I think the term you used – for Me here was – “Self Righteous” etc.
But This is an issue “I” am “genuinely” concerned about.
And most – like you – are just not aware of the problem/issue.
You are not there to see it.
ie “Most people have NO Training in Defensive Combat Shooting,
Or even the Fundamental Mechanics of shooting !
And, for sure, Not the more advanced Mechanics of Real Self Defense/Combat Shooting. A MUCH Higher Level of Shooting.
And are thus very likely subject to failure – in a Real Fight.
FYI
How do I know this – for real – “Factually” ?
I have been teaching?(more like Helping “Conduct”) a State Conceal Carry Course for several yrs now, with other “Officers”. (“I” however am Not an “Officer”.)
But I am Certified to teach the same “State Certified” course along with them.
And was asked to help. On a Volunteer Basis.
I would classify it, the CCW Course, as “Sessions” on the Legal aspects of shooting
ie State Laws, etc. The basics of Gun Types, etc but NOT a Course in “Shooting”.
And – for sure Not – “Self Defense”.
“Fundamentally” A good thing – but Not the mechanics of actually Shooting in Self Defense.
Little did I realize how dangerous this (The Range Shooting Session) would turn out to be.
Ask any Cop who has taught/conducted a Range Shooting course in CCW
to the Public.
“Many” People of all types, sizes, ages, skill level, etc.
It includes “applicants” shooting Several rds to qualify for their gun “Permit”.
Which an almost blind person can do – at these close distances 10ft.
So I have seen them with my own eyes, up close. “Danger Close”.
It is not pretty. “Most” don’t have a clue and cant find one.
And it is getting worse – Not Better.
*So I “Personally-Know”, 1st Hand, what they can do and Not do. *
How they shoot. etc.
So that is NOT “Self Righteous – Guessing” – on my part.
It is observed FACTS as I know, and have observed 1st Hand.
ie “How very likely they will be subject to failure” – especially in a “Real Fight”.
And this is in the S.E. ie “Gun Country”.
In fact if I do any more of it(State Conceal Carry Instruction) I am going to wear,
at least, my Soft Body Armor if not my 1″ MilSpec, Class IV, Ceramic Rifle Plates.
The Cops I work with on this tell me this is one of the Most Dangerous things they have to do.
Hi Defender,
I will go out on a limb here stating that (probably) the majority of us readers here in fact do give you credence and appreciate your knowledge, what you have to say, and thank you for your civil service- Blue Lives Matter !!!, but that sentiment would reflect on your FIRST POSTING..
The FACT that you just couldn’t believe someone had the audacity to think you may be just a WEE BIT “full of yourself” because…….. you had to come back to this blog 3 MORE TIMES, with LOOONNGGGGG postings, mainly trying to prove your Manhood is VERY MUCH indicative of a VERY ANGRY man, that has something to prove. I have 6 friends that are current, or retired law enforcement (1 was the Chief of Police) and 3 have stated to me (honestly) that law enforcement officers have big egos, and unfortunately, you just reinforced that statement by my “Buds”.
You may want to start drinking DeCaf a bit more !!
Again, thank you for your service !!
Thanks for your concern and good advise.
“Writing” – I often take the Abe Lincoln route:
“I am writing you a long letter since I don’t have time to
write you a short one” ?
And as a former Engineer I was trained to be very Thorough
and Detailed. You want the figures for your Bridge to be very
thorough and Double Checked.
Thanks for your comments.
I appreciate it.
Defender
Hearing protection is a must.
At 160 db and above you get disoriented, even vomit & can pass out in addition to loosing your hearing either temp or permanently depending on the caliber,
the number of shots fired & if in a confined area makes it even worse.
This comes from an Audiologist, it is not my opinion.
Police and others carry earplugs, the military wear over the ear,
protection in combat.
People when they kill someone will often throw up, sweat profusely for several hours, put off a bad body odor due to the adrenalin release, have very high blood pressure for several hours afterward and need to take a rest for several days.
This is for everyday people, not military trained personnel, unless you are a natural-born killer with no conscience.
Don’t believe what you see on TV, any professional knows that.
Ask a professional about it and see what they say.
Well, thought out article, but has some outstanding pre-conceived notions; some of which apply but most don’t. Why all the “firepower” unless there are multiple assailants? Even so, if you are “in your front yard” you don’t want to just spray and pray as that gets neighbors kids killed. Training, maintaining a calm and cool “self-defense” mind-set, knowledge of what comes after a shooting all need to figure into things before the number of rounds you are able to send out there. One good solid hit is worth more than 20 or 30 misses. Don’t get hung up on number of rounds for firepower.
Please read this article and take the advice with a grain of wisdom and think through things first..
That old Marine Left Coast Chuck took this subject seriously and went to a lot of trouble researching the proper way to sandbag a defensive position. He concluded you needed a double wall of sandbags laid in alternate interlocking layers to be sure of stopping the higher energy rounds. My home is slab on grade and would support the weight, most pier and beam construction and second floor construction, maybe not. Then you have the problem of enfilading fire, you’re hunkered down behind sandbags but suddenly, because rifle rounds will penetrate most exterior walls you are taking fire from your unprotected sides or rear.
My opinion over the years has become that a house is indefensible and the best plan is to exit immediately on predetermined routes. Let the bad guys into your indefensible home and kill them when they come out with their loot.
Stainless steel mesh window and door screens, like Security Screen Masters as an example, are getting my interest. Anybody have experience with these?
JH – That doesn’t quite work if you’re surrounded.
Like when the Lone Ranger saw Indians everywhere, turned to Tonto and said “We’re surrounded!” Tonto calmly replies, “What you mean ‘we’, Kimosabe?”
Your 3 military options when surrounded are surrender, fight to the death, or make a breakout attack. A breakout is concentrating your strength at a single point of the enemy line to try and over match them and escape. Breakout attacks tend to end badly. You can and should come up with lots of scenarios and how to react to them, prevent them, take advantage of them.
If I was attacking a house to steal resources I would leave the occupants a clear escape route, it gets real ugly when the shooting starts and anything can happen. Today I didn’t even have to use my A.K./ I gotta say, it was a good day. Great lyrics, don’t Google them, too much reality, Ice Cube NSFW.
Judge ,
Had never heard of security screen masters, so looked them up.
First thing that came up was BBB rating of “F”
Just thought ya should know.
Peace,
MadFab
Just using their page as an example of the product. It’s almost as hard to get an F from BBB as it is to get an F in a public school.
My, my but people do get testy. I don’t read these articles for the great wisdom and expert advice. I read the because they provoke thought and discussion. I.E. it was after reading one of the articles that I decided to put working steel shutters on my little house. They look like many other shutters but mine close, will allow me to shoot out,will keep tear gas and flash bangs out and will stop small arms fire. All because I read an article that caused me to think about window security.
@ jpup
Testy, yes that’s US…
that’s why we bitch at one another about STUFF. then we kick each other when some one dose not like the post and then others join in and then we agree and then disagree.
So, hell of a way to figure out how to build shutters for window protection.
thanks…
Ok, here’s one for ya. I live in a 21 year old manufactured home on one acre. I got the San Pedro River down the street, and over wash across the street. San Pedro is running high and fast right now, wash is dry. In a bug out situation,what do I do? Not that I would run for it, but just in case?
@DEFENDER…You of course have some of the usual ideas for perimeter defrense/alert. All you have to do is think about how gentle you can be…think about curfew, flag has gone up, people are roaming the streets and roads….looking at you.
Now, you do not have to set the lines of fish hooks low enough to snag the biggest dog or cat…think. oh yeah, be sure and call out your position when your lights come on….have you ever been in a war?…I doubt it….go sit down little keyboard boy.
Hi Rich M.
I am a Prepper in an isolated area and I NEED To Move away from. I Live in a 2 Bedroom Camper.
I Am LOOKING FOR A CHRISTIAN Prepped Community. I need a community that has the following of what I Need & Look for:
.In Bristol, VA or Cedar Bluff/Tazewell, VA.
I Prefer Bristol, of Apalachin Mountains
.a long concrete parking pad for my 38′ camper
.in a non-flooding zone
.with a 50 Amp plug socket for my camper
.with vehicle parking bad, but may compromise,
that, depending upon the topography of that Area
Land
.with room&permission to potential add on a
room
.and permission to put up my 5′ X 6′ storage shed
By my back camper door
.With Potential of Rent to Own the small land lot,
But will consider for Rent Only.
Any suggestions for contact direction, would be most appreciated!
Correction:
“I am a Prepper”
Point #5: “Vehicle Parking Pad”
AND ADDED Point I Forgot:
.A Community of Believers who will not mind helping me Move there…as in put my outside stuff and inside packed boxes in a truck and trailer that members have, to help me move me and my camper & property there, to prevent my camper from being too heavy to move!….and someone to help me move my Camper there to the rental parking pad in that community, who has a heavy duty Duley Truck capable of pulling my camper.
.Looking to move ASAP.
.
Good ideas but not so good against armed drones.
Or Molotov Cocktails.
Or a truck crashing through your wall.
About guns – an invader does not know your level of training and will assume you have the same as them.
This could work to your advantage.
True, but we took care of the truck/wall problem. There are deeply dug garden beds all around the house, hugelkulture a la Arizona. Between that and the house, there’s a lot of very thorny berry brush like hackberries. The roof needs to be a) flattened and b) 6 inches of clay over tin. Garage and back porch need to be replaced with adobe block. niio
Well if you’re going be retarded then yes they left out nukes too
security window film: thank you!
Short barrel ar15s are not required to get a tax stamp if you build it as a pistol ar setup. Which those are bad ass and make a great HD rifle.
Anyone ever see how much sand bags cost…
This Marine thought this was an excellent article. Good info for people new to this line of thinking and good refresher for the “experts”, most of whom are not experts at all regarding perimeter and home defense – but watch too much TV.
You can add your refinements to the article but the article is a very helpful starting point. Well done!! I study history and now that we are in Obama’s third term,
I DO BELIEVE he means us serious harm, and yes, coming to YOUR front door. We have NEVER as Americans, in the last half century NEEDED more to be armed and thoughtful of home defense. Organized, powerful forces ARE coming at Obama’s request, to harm you.
Fully endorsed by Dems and the absent GOP doesn’t care. YOU will be on your OWN, folks.
You’re veering off into comic book fantasy land, which is fun, but probably not relevant to problems we will actually face.
C’Mon Man, the American people don’t have to worry !!!
JH- You need to read a WHOLE BUNCH about the beginning of Communism and the actions they take. Hell, our government has been doing the same thing since the 20’s, and WE are IN LOCK STEP with what their Playbook states. WAKE UP !!!
Thanks Judge, always gotta be somebody who wants to bring politics into a dog fight! Lol
Geez. I’ve never heard such bitchin on a site. I do not have most of the concerns or imaginations stated here. I do not live in an area where I can pee on the house beside me from the front porch. I do have quite a bit of back up within 2000 ft. Think in terms of words like Brutal. I had to help a couple civilian dads understand it’s true meaning, to this day it makes them nervous. There are no rules to survival or surviving. IF it goes hot like the article describes, those that live is metro or suburban settings good luck. Here, signs and fliers will be distributed immediately upon night fall. It will explain the rules regarding a certain zone x,y coor, and roads to avoid as they will already be impassable and guarded from 2000ft away. Nobody in, period. You leave you will not be permitted back inside. You breach the barrier and we will leave your corpse there for the next DA that doesn’t understand. Now, we’re talking worse case Mad Max. I do not expect a roving band of miscreants to make it all the way out here. Basically, the perimeter is far as you get, after that, you will witness first hand the definition of brutality.
In my town there was a Karate School, and the “Teacher” had many years experience and quite a reputation.
There was a senior at my school who simply was the baddest kid in school.
On a Friday night after the football game, he picked a fight with the Teacher, there were many witnesses.
The HS senior beat the crap out of the older Karate Teacher, why…he was a Golden Glove Boxer.
My point is there is always someone out there that you may not be able to defeat.
So no matter how well you are fortified to defend yourself, you can still lose.
For me, one firefight is one too many.
If I am fortunate enough to win a firefight,
then I am immediately bugging out to a Plan B site since my “hidden location” has been compromised.
We are not prepping for a Walking Dead (WD) worst case scenario,
but yes there will be sick militaristic “WD Negan” groups roaming and looking for YOU.
They must never know you exist.
-or-
in a lessor “world/national SHTF disaster” with the federal & State governments still running things,
there will Military Night OPS targeting heat signatures of any resistance groups.
Don’t get labeled as a resistance group.
There have been articles here that describe “passive” resistance. Be smart.
Being 100% ready for conflict is smart.
But prepping is a waste of time if you are “planning for a confrontation”.
Conflict Avoidance is absolutely priority #1.
Although quite expensive, I consider getting underground in a bug-out location as best.
But that is a pipe dream for most of us, including me.
Sad note on the crisis for Americans in Afghanistan.
After Vietnam 1955-1975 (55,000 dead Americans) and Afghanistan 2001-2021 (4,000 dead Americans & 2 Trillion$ flushed), our government is repeating the same withdrwal mistake. I wonder if Iran’s nuke program is next? I hope not.
We should go in, complete the mission, take out the bad guys, then get out.
Donate a billion to the UN and tell them to handle the cleanup.
Bad actors only respect power and the willingness to use it…the bad guys would get the message if we would just erase them when we can find them.
Based on what you stated particularly the last a withdrawal by our President …we need to evaluate just who the bad guys are ???!!!
Weakness is something we dare not show. It only inspires the enemy.
For Judge Holden and MadFab, yes, I had the Security Screen Masters install their screens on the three most vulnerable windows in my former home. They would be very difficult to get through if someone simply tried to break through them. There are other ways to defeat them but I won’t get into it on a public forum. In short, if someone wanted to bypass them, it would be very noisy and take some time, so the noise would be your alert to their effort. They were quite expensive, but in my mind they were well worth it. After beefing up the doorway with regular wrought iron, and other less visible means, the next target would have been those three windows. I never had to worry about someone coming in through those windows. Peace of mind. Priceless
Common Sense ::
Dogs, Lights, Sirens, plans
Thieves, Criminals , Evil does not announce intensions
you must be mentally prepared
NO Fear in the Time of trouble
disconnect feelings from facts , no time for emotions
if ever in situation where you must do harm for your defense , must be all in , no hold s barred
also Most thieves either are out on own or in a group
prepare for both
mob mentality has no fear of consequence , Just EGO and Addrenalin
no matter how well you train, think it thru, set it up
you are never really prepared , unless you are living it daily ( like martial arts , must train regularly)
Then it just comes naturally
Most are cowards or physco’s out to get what they want
Be alert, Prepared, and ready to stand your ground
once the line is crossed you must commit to all the way , no good in the criminals
unless God who is Just and Holy changes a life , it is corrupt and evil by nature , from the start
if you do or do not believe , does not matter , you will have to give account and stand in judgement ( all , NO exceptions ) Blood of JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SIN OR YOU PAY FOR IT BY YOUR OWN STANDARDS , IF YOU CAN MAKE GOOD FOR YOUR SIN.