4 Tactical Tips To Survive A Home Invasion!
Home invasions don’t just happen in “high crime” neighborhoods!
They happen EVERYWHERE (even in rural areas where home invaders know that there’s no one around to hear your screams).
So let’s dig into some REAL “tactical strategies” to help you get better prepared, shall we?
Imagine This Scenario…
You’re sitting at home watching reruns of ‘The Simpsons’ (remember the one where Homer started his own religio…oh nevermind) and there’s a knock at your front door.
“Who’s there?”
“Hello, my daughter is selling girl scout cookies to raise money for military veterans and we’d like to show you her selection.”
Being the real “patriot” you are, you’re tempted to open the door to “do your part”…
…but you’re not stupid either!
You look out and notice that you don’t see any little girl, but you DO notice one man standing on your porch you catch a glimpse of another one running to your back door for a sneak attack from the rear.
Which Weapon Do You Reach For?
Your .45?
Shotgun?
Claymore mine?
All are handy little weapons in the fight you recognize is about to happen, but there’s one weapon that you’d better have at the ready now that’s “go time”!
It’s your BRAIN!
A fire fight is a thinking man’s game (and woman’s 
.
If you ARE a “gun owner” (kudos!) then your first instinct may be to start blasting away.
Start with the front door lowlife and work your way onto the next vermin, right?
But a home invasion requires tactical thinking BEYOND just the point and shoot reaction many gun owners have instilled in themselves from typical range training.
So let’s break it down a little bit further and really tap into your cranium…
Your Home Invasion Defense Plan:
First, you don’t know what these guys are going to do or even how many of them there are.
Being the smart “thinking shooter” that you are, you know…
- Your living room is NOT the best defensive position! Too many entries and exits and it’s easy to shoot through walls so you’re more likely to get shot
- You know you have an attacker at the front and at the back and in your adrenalized state, your peripheral vision goes to hell in a handbasket.
- You have family in diffent areas of the house and no time to take a firing position AND coral them to safety.
So what do you do?
1. You need a “code word” for your family so that they all know how to spring into action.
Forget the Spec Ops secret code. “ESCAPE” works much better than “RED WOLF”. Simple…to the point.
2. Have a “safe room” set up in your house where everyone can retreat to at the same time.
It needs to be stocked with several items to be prepared for surviving the upcoming fight.
The list isn’t all that long, but it’s longer than what can be listed here (more on that in a minute).
But you KNOW you need to have a phone to call law enforcement, right? Use it!
3. DON’T leave your safe room!
Assuming you have those you love with you, don’t be one of the idiots who puts on his cape and decides to go take the fight to the guys invading your home.
4. Create a “fatal funnel”
Hunker down in a corner to the opposite side of the opening of the door so you have maximum time to make a shooting decision and are the last thing the home invaders see when busting in.
You have the advantage in this case because they have to assess the room before making a move (is anyone in the room; where are they; recover; reorganize; act)
You just have to decide whether to shoot or not and you already know that either it’s a bad guy coming for you or the police coming to rescue you.(hint: don’t shoot the police)
Stay in place until the police arrive, even if you think the threat is gone.
But What If…
- You have a loved one taken hostage?
- You were taken by surprise and handcuffed to a railing?
- You have to leave the safe room to rescue a family member?
- You can’t get to your firearm (or don’t own one)?
- The police weren’t notified and no one knows you’re being attacked?
All good questions!
That’s why I put together the “Home Defense Tactics” program – to arm you with the real “no nonsense” strategies you need for this worst-case scenario.
This new home invasion training package is taking the self defense and weapons industry by storm!
It’s a manual + 2 CD set is LOADED with the real life survival strategies you need to defend against society’s most feared criminals should they enter your home.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a complete rookie or a seasoned “expert”, there’s something for everyone in the HDT program!
Go check it out NOW and see for yourself why it’s now the #1 selling “home invasion survival guide” out there!
It’s at: www.HomeDefenseTactics.com
You’ll be glad you did!
Good start. I’ll save this, but I have already ordered the whole program.
Hey Jeff,
I have enjoyed your observations about defensive tactics. I teach churches how to conduct “Low Profile” security, and so these are some topics that I am always running into. When you are charged with protecting “His Flock” you want to make sure you do your best!;-) I am a former US Army Special Forces Operator, and have conducted close protection literally all over the world. I understand how to setup, and defend any type perimeter, but as I am sure you know, all this info in my head comes out like Greek to individuals that do not have the same training. It really doesn’t matter who you are or what your background is, you can learn from this program.
I try to describe home defense or perimeter security in easy terms now. I like to use the example of peeling an onion. The closer they get to the center, through your defensive layers, the more ways you need to be able to make them cry…;-)
Anyway, I just wanted to say great job here!
God’s Blessings,
Dave
Hey Jeff, what about slamming the door and calling 911? I don’t think you can shoot to kill without being prosecuted either.An ex-marine told me you gotta aim for the foot if you want to get off the assault with charge and cop a self defense plea.
Hey Norm,
Laws vary from state to state but in many states the “castle doctrine” says that you do not have to retreat in your own home, and you have the lawfull right to defend yourself using force, (including lethal force, if you are in fear for your life or for the lives of others). Of course this would not include shooting through a door because you could not identify your target.
Norm- the only times to shoot the foot is when (a) that’s all you can see (even then I’d wait for a kill shot) or (b) you have him/her restrained and he/she doesn’t care to answer your question. As this is a home invasion and not an interrogation, FORGET THE FOOT! CENTER MASS & DROP HIS ASS!
All great conversation guys!
Great points by all!
Keep the conversation going!
Norm,
I’m a FORMER Marine………There are no Ex Marines, but in this case I’ll make an exception.
Shoot them in the foot??? The only time I’d say to do that is if you have to shoot under a car, so
that you can get them down on the ground to shoot to kill!!
You ONLY pull the trigger with full intent to kill PERIOD!! If you can’t or won’t do that, then I’d
recommend you sell your gun, because otherwise its going to be taken from you and used on
you and/or your family!!
AIM FOR THE FOOT?!! WHAT *Ex-Marine* told you to aim for the foot? If you are defending your LIFE and your Family’s LIFE then AIM FOR ‘CENTER OF MASS’! (Chest and abdomen) NOT hands and feet!
How is shooting them in the foot going to help YOU in a ‘self-defense’ plea?! Why not just fire a “Warning Shot” over their head—that could go right into a neighbor’s house and injure or kill THEM?! THEN, while your gun is pointing up in the air, the burglar shoots YOU!
Shoot them in the FOOT and they will DEFINITELY shoot back at YOU! NO ‘take the money and run’ after YOU SHOOT one of them in the foot!!
Call 911? YES!! Shut the door? YES!! But if you need to shoot— go CENTER OF MASS!!
I live in Canada were it is almost a given that you would spend time in jail defending oneself. Calling 911 is a must but they will arrive intime to do a calk line of you. There is no doult that a person need to plan ahead for such events.
Hey Floid-ness, Floid Dude…..
How-a-bout we start with MOVING OUT OF THE SOC.-COUNTRY to begin with-!!! I’m very sorry, I know that Cananda is a very beautifull corner of “un-real-estate” BUT if more and more folks that were just plain old sick-&-tired of living under the yoke of opression were to pack-up and move to a place where those kind of retards didn’t hang their hat……maybe they would get the message after a few short years when no one was available to pay their land taxes, all other asst. taxes, etc.,etc. in other words, the “power’s-that-be” wouldn’t be raking in anymore $$$ and they would be forced to digest the blatent message, I.e.: “WE THE PEOPLE”….DON’T WANT YOUR KIND HERE-!!!! A–H—’s-!!!
Now I know that it cost’s a great deal of $$$ to make anything happen, but maybe it’s time to start focusing on a battle-plan do do just exactly that for your’selves, instead of daydreeming about that new 3-D T.V set Bro-! Just thinking out-loud boss-! / Oh ya, yes I need to hear and listen to my very own words Dude, think we all prob do.
There’s deffinatly something VERY WRONG with that crap-!!! “THEY” don’t WANT you to be able to defend yourself-!!! For what reason(s) WHAT EXACTLY are “THEY” hiding….???? I smell a basket of dead decaying fish head’s……or maybe it’s Mike Blumbergs underwear…..or however you spell his name, didn’t really give to big of a stink-in s–t.
I’m all done now,
JONNY HARD-BALL
Calling 911 is a waste of time. They will get there in time to bag and tag your body and those of your family members. Better just to have a shootout with the bad guys and if you are lucky enough to win cart the bodies off and dump them some place.
A few other things “out there” that are bad advice.
1. “Shoot them outside and drag them in”…Any idiot that has spent 5 minutes in the forest can follow a blood trail….LEAVE THE BODY ALONE, Other than removing the weapon, kick it away, use a towel, etc if you have to uncock it, and wait for the police!!! Investigators (good ones anyway) can determine what happened.
2. “Empty the clip to show you were scared”…Any good prosecutor will then ask, if you were so scared, and adreneline so high, how did you have such a tight grouping?? (of bullets in the perps chest/head). Its best to tell the truth…shoot how you’ve trained to shoot!!! Its called muscle memory and will serve you well!!…….in my case 2 shots to the heart, 1 to the head…I’ll do that automatically, even while taking cover.
3. Remember, its better to be judged by 12, than carried by 6!!….. In my case, I’ve already made up my mind that, IF it was determined I was wrong, well so be it, if I feel / felt that my family was in danger, and I had to kill someone because of it, as long as my family is safe…..well I’ll gladly go to jail for that. Sure beats going to the cemetary!! So decide NOW, BEFORE it happens, what are you willing to do? Or go through? to protect your family! If you’re not sure, then until you are, I don’t recommend having a gun. NOT because you shouldn’t, but because if you hesitate, as I’d said earlier, it will probably be taken from you, and be used on you and/or your family.
Always call 911 if you can. That way the police are on the way during your shootout with the bad guys.
You can win the fight but only if you have absolutely convinced yourself that you can win.
You must remove all doubts and fears that you will die in the fight.
You must train yourself to believe that they will die for attacking you.
I agree, SHOOT TO KILL!!!!!
A wounded bad guy can still kill you or members of your family.
Agreed Darren! Call the police and wait it out in a safe location where you own the element of surprise and the fatal funnel.
Thanks for everyone’s comments!
I have thought about this long and hard. Shoot as soon as possible once a threat is established.
This pusiness of laying down your gun to save a hostage is stupid, the culprit has already established that obeying the “rules” is against his creedo, so never believe that he will keep that sort of promise. If a hostage is made of my family member, there won’t be any trusting that the bad guy will become good just because I disarm. He will get about long enough for me to draw a bead to disarm himself.
By the way, Thank you for your information.
I would think that by calling 911 is a good idea for the reason being, you have a pretty good witness when they hear you yell out (I don`t want to shoot you but I will if I have to) when it comes time for court this could be very helpful testimony. But, if you don`t have it in you to pull the trigger, and aim for mass then know what the inevitable outcome is going to be if you just roll over, and give in to these cocker roaches. Then Pray that the Law comes to your aid in time. Possible, but not probable.
On a different note, I want to thank you Jeff for the talk show a while back. One worthy note too is if you now you are being invaded at home, sound the alarm on your vehicle it will disorientate them, and also alert the neighbors as well. I have learned a few things living in the country. Lots of dogs help. Motion lights with some cameras strategically placed are a good idea too as were all the suggestions by your phone in guests.
Thanks again,
Stephen
Slamming the door and calling 911, only works up to the point where they break the door down.
What if they’ve already cut the phone line?
What if your cell phone is in another room, or out juice?
I come down on the side of fighting like your, and your families lives depend on it.
I’d rather be waiting behind the bed, with my family behind me, behind a secure door, with a 12 gauge, or 9mm in my hand.
This is the safest assumption, that you have no other options other than self-defense. I have a “loaded” tactical vest next to my bed with 200 rounds of Hydra Shok for my Cx4. It also contains a Glock 30/45 cal with 4 full mags of Hornady Critical Defense. There is also a cell phone in the radio pocket (plugged in and charging all the time) along with several other critical items. The Cx4 is equipped with EOTech HOLO sight and light/strobe. Lastly, I have a 20 rnd mag with incendiary ammo that will fry the chest meat or the face. The “ready alert” position in my home is equipped with several other firearms, including a 12 ga shotgun with personal defense ammo (100 rounds). There is also 3 fire extinguishers in this zone as well as drinking water. My family knows the command and what to do in the event of a home invasion or attempt and they all know how to shoot (2 in the chest, 1 in the head). Nothing ever goes exactly as planned but nothing goes if there is no plan. Never, never give up and never trust your enemy. Those that worry about the criminals rights are the ones who leave their family at the criminal’s mercy. HE HAS NONE!!
Yes, aim for the center of mass. Save one for the head… Because when the police do come, yours will be the only story told.
A few additional thoughts: the best place for your handgun is on your person. It may not always be possible to make a smooth draw, but it’s a darn sight better than running to some other room to get your gun, with a bad guy on your tail, or slinging a round your way. Conclusion: get a comfortable holster and use it! Although it’s outlawed on most ranges, I think crossdraw is the best: comfortable in all positions except prone (when it ought to be in your hand anyway), including while sitting in an easy chair or your car.
All you guys talking about “aiming” must have some other scenario in mind. I teach point shooting to my students, beginning at the basic level. There’s certainly lots to be said for the Jeff Cooper two-hand method, but at really CQC distances, like a few feet (or inches!), there’s a also lot to be said for being able to shoot from the hip. Retention is much better, and accuracy can be impressive. If you have time to aim, maybe the threat isn’t what you think, or maybe you also have time to run, consolidate the family, etc. Also, if you don’t have your piece sticking out ahead of you, you don’t telegraph your capability to the bad guy(s). And anyone who believes that you can’t put a couple of center/mass shots AND a headshot using point (instinct) shooting, just come on out to California, & I’ll be happy to show you.
Capt. Phil, where can I get this training that you’re talking about? I live in California. Thank you.
RT, I teach in N. CA, about 60 miles north of San Francisco. There are plenty of good courses around, but I don’t know of anyone else who teaches point shooting — though there must be some, somewhere. Front Sight’s 4-day Defensive Handgun course doesn’t even mention it, though they do a credible job on the two-handed stuff. If you’d like to e-mail me at safeshooter@comcast.net, I can send you some info.
Shoot the center of mass of what you can see. Only shoot him in the foot if that is the only target you have. With any luck it will make him do something stupid and expose himself so that you can shoot him again.
Gentlemen Here is a love story.
Defense of oneself, family, etc is a requirement of real love. The problem with the love 4 letter word is how it’s interpreted. No surprise there so far huh!
From the religious end… The only true master engineer I’ve encountered through study and prayer is the Judeo Christian one. He never lied, does not lie now, and is the only one who never will do so. He is also the ONLY one who backed up his actions with POWER. supernatural POWER… and has continued to do so throughout the centuries…. for those really wanting to know what truth is and are willing to look at the evidence that is. [ and there is REAL evidence available ]
So…. encountering the scenarios where there APPEARS to be the need to kill:. since HE said no to murder [Killing with intent to do so].. it creates a bind. I spent 3 years researching this situation trying various authorities but met with silence for the most part. Then I ran across an ex-marine Catholic Chaplain Fr. B. He has jumped so many times including in the middle East that his knees are bad. This Jesuit told me: Mike you can’t INTEND to kill! I responded: “Come on now!!… you were in combat, how can that be true? He laughed and said: It’s like this you have the job to STOP the bad guy sure … but not to INTEND to kill him!! For example: Consider the military pilot ordered to shoot down a passenger plane. The plane was commandeered by hostiles and they are going to use it like a missile against unknown targets. The warrior who commits murder will target the center of the aircraft and kill people instantly. The warrior who wants heaven will shoot out the tail or an engine.” I responded in frustration and disbelief” What’s the difference!!!… they are all going to die anyway?!!” Fr. B said in essence: You must remember that it is the soul of human beings that is of prime interest to God. Decisions we make determine what we are and whether or not we are fit for heaven. The plane has to be stopped and people will certainly die; that’s a given. But Shooting out the tail or engine allows EVERYONE on board the doomed airliner to have a few minutes a few seconds.. that will allow them the opportunity to make peace with God [before their judgment] and tell him they are sorry for sins in their lives…they will have a last chance to make it.
End conclusion: For those who believe blood lust and wanting to kill are fine in self defense…. EHNNNNT wrong answer. It’s an honest human reaction sure, and we all have had it if real defense has ever been our objective. We may have those emotional reactions even now…. but our reasoning is required to be higher.
If we want to make it in the only arena that counts that is. The master engineer clearly stated that murderers will never enter Heaven [ be with HIM ]… meaning unrepentant murders that is. But it would be a non-thinking man who would think he could plan on murder and then scam God by telling him later he was sorry….and not mean it.
It puts a different slant on necessary mindset during training… One has to STOP the problem… but not INTEND to kill.
God bless us all …. and may we train well… and may we be real joyful friends 100 years from now.
Mike
Hey Mike,
If you haven’t already check out Lt. Col. Dave Grossman’s book called “On Combat” and read chapter 7 of Section IV titled “Thou Shalt Not Kill? A Judeo/Christian View of Killing” (pages 342-347) as it helped clear up this very issue for my wife who really struggled with the thought of me protecting her to the point of taking someone’s life – until I had her read the chapter…
Anyway, this chapter in Grossman’s book really helps clear up the whole “kill vs murder” issue – following much along the same lines you are talking about.
Peace,
Jim
Thanks Jim
Glad for the information!!
Mike Ora Et Labora
Mike,
The bible says that man may defend himself against those with evil murderous intent. Jesus says that those who do not have a sword should sell their cloak to buy one……….
I am a saved born again Christian. I will be in heaven regardless if I should ever kill a criminal(s) or not.
We perform tons of number analysis for these types of games because we feel that history can show us what may happen in the future. As you may or may not know it may be hard to figure out the winning team in professional football. This is the main reason why we recommend using statistics for football.