They will intentionally come into your home while you are home. That is because usually people with alarm systems don't arm the alarm while they are home. So no automated response.
They will come when they can reasonably expect you are not in bed, with your firearm on the nightstand or under your bed. They'll also pick a time when you're all probably together - meal times etc. That way they burst in, can control you, prevent any pesky phone calls to police.
So think about that. When you're preparing dinner, watching TV of an evening. Are you ready for a knock on the door or someone breaking through that sliding glass door? Even if you get a call out to the police, you're on your own for something like 10 minutes, entertaining your guests. If you're lucky, they're only there for your TV, wallet, phone, etc. - easily transportable valuables. Then again, you're just in the way and a security risk to them, they may decide to put you and yours down just to get you out of the way...
Sure, the chances of this scenario happening are very very remote. Yet when the consequences are so extreme - why take chances? You have a smoke detector, CO detector, wear your seatbelt, have homeowners insurance... All things you'll probably never need, but you have just because of consequences should you need them. Same thing with defending yourself and your family.
Be ready.
I cannot speak for him, but I will for me...biwhere in my home am I or my wife more than 6 feet from some kind of loaded weapon. Having them though means also having the will to use them. My 70yo mom one time was so concerned that someone trying to break into her home, with her and friends there, may have been mistakenly at the wrong home she did not fire at the guy. Fortunately he chose to run off after almost breaking the door down. Shortly there after, I moved her in with me.
As the old joke goes, Sheriff pulls over a guy driving south of Phoenix and asks if he has any weapons in the car. Guy says yes sir, on my hip is my 40 Glock. Under the seat is my back up Walther 9mm. In my boot I have my boot knife. On the back seat is my 12 gauge 870 and in the trunk I have my AR 556 and my LR 308. Sheriff says, my God, what are you afraid of...guy answers, not a damn thing!
Good post.
“The “average” home invasion now is a crew of three. Are you ready to deal with three thugs, right now? They will intentionally come into your home while you are home. That is because usually people with alarm systems don’t arm the alarm while they are home. So no automated response.”
And it’s probably a safe bet that they have some reason to hit your house - perhaps they know people that know you, or the plumber’s helper last week couldn’t help but notice a lot of goodies, and let his ‘friends’ know, or who knows what else. But to hit a house randomly, with no assurance of anything, I think is still rare in this country. If I had to guess, I would say the contractor (or deliverty man) connection is the most likely.
It certainly would be good to interview some of these people and see if they had any strangers in their homes prior.
Good post. It's important to remind people to be vigilant during prime time hours. We keep our alarm on, and my gun is always in its holster in my pocket.