Are we training towards where crime happens the most?

[Trajan]

Doesn't most burglaries occur when no one is home?

How many of these offenses are a guy or multiple guys with guns out actually robbing the places? The way I'm reading that, it's just people stealing from places, not mobster era bank holdups.

[C4IGrant]

Doesn't most burglaries occur when no one is home?

How many of these offenses are a guy or multiple guys with guns out actually robbing the places? The way I'm reading that, it's just people stealing from places, not mobster era bank holdups.

Can't really say for certain. Earlier this year, there was a home invasion in Dover (small town near us) where the bad guys hog tied the owners (during the day).

The odds are that if you have to use a firearm to defend yourself, it will be in your home.

C4

[T2C]

Doesn't most burglaries occur when no one is home?

How many of these offenses are a guy or multiple guys with guns out actually robbing the places? The way I'm reading that, it's just people stealing from places, not mobster era bank holdups.

In our area most buglaries occur during the daytime when people are at work. You learn of the burglary when you arrive home from work and the burglars are long gone.

The number of home invasions in my area is up and they often occur between 4 P.M. and 12 Midnight. The home invasions are committed by three or more individuals and more often than not more than one person is armed with a handgun. It would appear that you are more likely to be attacked in your home by multiple assailants than a lone individual.

I believe that a handgun would be more likely to be used by a homeowner than a rifle or carbine in my part of the country. Training to defend against multiple assailants with a handgun would be beneficial.

I am a proponent of being armed with both a handgun and edged weapon when defending at contact distance. We have not had a homeowner defend themself with both, so I don't know how it would be taken by the State's Attorney's office should you have to use force.

I would like to see more courses offered that also cover defense while entering/exiting the home or a vehicle parked inside the garage or a parking deck.

[mark5pt56]

In a lot of these cases at the "homestead" the "victims" drew attention to themselves via lifestyle. Yes, there is pure innocent ones, but quite a few lead lives that attract flies. Traffic related crimes of violence is another one that can be avoided in some cases. As far as issues around the home-close your garage door, pay attention to who is driving by-don't be "afraid" to call on cars/people that "don't belong" in the neighborhood. You would be surprised when it's learned after the fact as to what the victims knew or saw prior to.

[C4IGrant]

In a lot of these cases at the "homestead" the "victims" drew attention to themselves via lifestyle. Yes, there is pure innocent ones, but quite a few lead lives that attract flies. Traffic related crimes of violence is another one that can be avoided in some cases. As far as issues around the home-close your garage door, pay attention to who is driving by-don't be "afraid" to call on cars/people that "don't belong" in the neighborhood. You would be surprised when it's learned after the fact as to what the victims knew or saw prior to.

I think this is an excellent point. Avoiding contact, keeping safe distances and not drawing attention to ones self goes a long way towards self preservation.




C4

[mark5pt56]

I think this is an excellent point. Avoiding contact, keeping safe distances and not drawing attention to ones self goes a long way towards self preservation.




C4

You know how some people go completely bonkers in traffic and act similar as some do on the web when they are in a vehicle. You just wave and smile to them and say "whatever dude--" They go away most of the time. My favorite is when this guy calls in a home invasion robbery-and actually reports that two robbed him of his dope! They missed the 10 pounds in one closet but the popo didn't Funny thing is also, "bad guys" got caught with enough for PW/I.

[T2C]

In a lot of these cases at the "homestead" the "victims" drew attention to themselves via lifestyle. Yes, there is pure innocent ones, but quite a few lead lives that attract flies. Traffic related crimes of violence is another one that can be avoided in some cases. As far as issues around the home-close your garage door, pay attention to who is driving by-don't be "afraid" to call on cars/people that "don't belong" in the neighborhood. You would be surprised when it's learned after the fact as to what the victims knew or saw prior to.

You bring up a valid point. A lot of the home invasions are committed with a purpose in mind, such as stealing drugs and money or exacting revenge on a gang member.

You still have to be prepared for a home invasion though. In two instances in my area the son brought attention to the household without the parents knowing until the home invasion was in progress.

As far as what the victims know ahead of time, I am going to use this forum to provide a pointer I give my students in NRA classes. I ask them to keep a notebook and pencil handy near the front door of their home or in a location they would most likely see cars and pedestrians. I also suggest keeping a pair of binoculars near the notebook. I ask them to write down anything suspicious that they feel looks out of place, but they do not feel rises to the level to call the police. For instance, if they see 3 teenagers in a blue Chevy sitting in front of a neighbor's house and they don't feel the need to call police, I ask them to at least write down what they see, especially a registration plate number.

This has paid off a few times in my area when the police were conducting a neighborhood canvass while following up on a burglary or vandalism complaint. I know it's a little off topic, but worth mentioning.

[mark5pt56]

That's a great tool. It's a matter of being involved, aware and prepared-be responsible to yourself, family and neighbors. That's why the older neighborhoods with retired folks, etc are normally pretty safe, they are all the above. It's actually a good thing to know each others business in some regards. Remember-ability, opportunity and desire, you have the most control over and can remove opportunity.
Ability you can take away once it begins and I hold desire can be controlled somewhat prior to by your appearance and actions.

[C4IGrant]

That's a great tool. It's a matter of being involved, aware and prepared-be responsible to yourself, family and neighbors. That's why the older neighborhoods with retired folks, etc are normally pretty safe, they are all the above. It's actually a good thing to know each others business in some regards. Remember-ability, opportunity and desire, you have the most control over and can remove opportunity.
Ability you can take away once it begins and I hold desire can be controlled somewhat prior to by your appearance and actions.

This brings up another point of discussion. Making yourself look like a hard target.

My neighbor's son has a drug problem and to cover his "habit" he steals stuff. All of my neighbors have been hit at one point or another (cars broken into, garages, homes, etc). All of my neighbors have asked me if I have run into any problems with the kid. My reply has always been NO. He is polite and friendly to me (calls me Sir).

The neighbors all look at me in disbelief. What they do not realize is that EVERY SINGLE TIME that this kid has seen me outside, I am open carrying a pistol or have an AR on me. He knows that I am armed at all times and realizes that there are easier fish to fry.

What's the saying, "Speak softly and carry a big stick?"



C4

[WillBrink]

This. As I have stated on here many times, one of the biggest errors I made is ONLY attending carbine training and ignoring pistol training. Because of this, my carbine shooting ability is far superior to my pistol skills. Which gun am I most likely to have on me?? Duh, pistol.

Hopefully others will learn from my stupidity.


C4

As a civi, I knew it was vastly more likely a handgun would be the tool, I spent all my time working on handgun skills, which are nothing special, but far superior to my carbine skills.

I've never understood why many civi spend so much time and $$$ at carbine courses and so little time on handguns considering which is the likely tool they will have handy when/if ever needed.

I guess I'm just repeating what you have concluded.