My local firing range offers home defense tactics courses, but I can’t afford them right now. Looking for reliable online resources to help me learn what I can. I know there are lots of things to think about, but I’m trying to focus on simple ideas. I’m especially interested in the best ways for a homeowner to get their family into the master bedroom and protect that room. Thanks for any suggestions!
It really depends on the layout of your house and where your master bedroom is compared to the other bedrooms, and also what kind of situation you’re dealing with. If all bedrooms are upstairs, you could try holding the stairs. If they’re all down one hallway in a single-story home, holding that hallway could work. If your bedrooms are scattered, you may need to go collect everyone or deal with the situation where it starts.
Remember, you’re not likely to be defending against a tactical team unless you’re being swatted or involved in criminal activity. A police tactical team will usually knock and announce themselves. For a typical home invasion, you’ll usually see 1-5 intruders, and while they may be armed, they often aren’t. They’ll usually come through the same entrance and will tend to run once they realize you’re shooting back at them.
@Emma
I think the room would be pretty easy to defend, especially since the door is in a corner. Once someone enters, they have to go around a corner to see into the room, which gives us some time. My main worry is getting my son into the room safely. An intruder could get to his room before I could get to him, or vice versa. Now I’m thinking it might be better to have him stay low in his room and defend the hallway from our bedroom.
@Clarence
That could work. It really depends on the layout of your house. You might be able to hold the hallway from your bedroom, or you might have to deal with it from another part of the house. Or you might decide to just go get your son.
But keep in mind, you have the advantage in your own home. It’s not like an intruder is going to rush straight to your son’s room unless there’s something really special about him, like he’s Harry Potter or something!
@Emma
Haha! Yeah, probably not, but I like to plan for the worst just in case. It’s always better to be ready, right?
The best plan is usually to gather everyone in one place with a locked door, then position yourself at an angle where you can see the door and have a clear shot if anyone comes through. Wait to shoot until they come through or until the police arrive.
Then have someone else call the police. Maybe use a powerful flashlight aimed at the door from the other side to confuse the intruder and mess with their vision.
Room clearing and other tactics are higher risk even if you’re skilled. I’d recommend learning to use a gun safely and maybe taking a first aid class for trauma care.
@Williams
That sounds like a solid plan. I’ve thought about using a flashlight too—it would definitely make it harder for the intruder to figure out where I am. I’m not looking to go after them, just protect my family and defend the room.
I’ve been shooting since I was young and have been working on the basics to make sure I’m ready. The local range offers a lot of classes, and I hope to take them when I can. I also took a trauma class there and keep a kit nearby, just in case. My job in a machine shop actually makes the skills useful in other ways too!
@Clarence
It’s always good to keep learning, and you might need to move depending on the situation.
Putting the flashlight off to the side could help if they try to shoot at it.
Also, a deadbolt on the door is a cheap but effective upgrade.