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"Geez, better buy a gas mask for the dog."

I won't discuss Heysoos, either, but there's a better mask suggestion for the dog below. ;-)

Seriously, here are only a few suggestions for home defense, for people who have their heads screwed on right enough to make effective arrangement in advance and use force.

Consider various home invasion scenarios, right down to the most minute of details. These suggestions focus on people who are in their own houses--not apartments (sorry). Then carefully choose...

* Types and locations of lighting--indoor and outdoor.

* Physical and legal barriers (fences, flowerbeds, rock veneer on walls, rock gardens, laminated windows, custom doors, other cover, concealment, for example, curtains, blinds and all).

* Alarms--switches, infrared motion detection, software motion detection, mutts, all.

* Receivers for alarms. At least a few soldiers have used zone boards with each LED marked with a zone (to receive from motion detectors). Cheap driveway alarms might be helpful if placed and oriented well.

* Camera systems. Camera systems with software motion detection can be put together as a do-it-yourself project with enough prior study. Video files can be automatically uploaded to remote servers (study).

* Lawyer-up. I've seen lawyers retained for as little as $500 and successful defenses in cases by those lawyers (another $1000 or more).

* Nonlethal weapons. Slippery trespassers, who have their false stories together in advance, trespassing little by little, trying to get close before grabbing you? Find out about the legalities of various nonlethal weapons in your state, then get trained in using such weapons. BTW, remember to tell your lawyer about every security measure that you incorporate into your plan.

Lethal weapons. Study the legalities of weapons ownership and use in your state. Study all likely invasion scenarios honestly for yourself before purchasing weapons. There are big differences between weapons suited for urban, suburban and rural scenarios. For example, most suburbanites may be legally and otherwise safer and more effective with a weapon that won't be likely to over-penetrate and that would be least expensive to train adequately with. Someone in a rural area with few obstructions of views (long, clear fields of fire) might consider that possibility of a long range sniper attack. Many people in rural areas without much lighting (no street lights, no yard lights, and the like) fail to consider night vision where legal or fail to consider night vision without IR flashlights/laser mounted on their firearms (lights present a target to others with starlight optics). Consider outfacing, LED light pollution (not for you but for optically enhanced invaders).

Remember on the range and anywhere else with a firearm, study all safety precautions and abide with safety. It can be rather embarrassing to shoot oneself or a loved one. Practice, practice, practice (especially every safety step while adding your own extra safety steps). BTW, remember to tell your lawyer about every security measure that you incorporate into your plan. Consult with your lawyer for advice on defending yourself with lethal weapons, what to do and what to say (and especially, what not to say) to police in the aftermath of an event.

If you're good to go with plans, safety, legalities and all, study terminal ballistics before purchasing a firearm.

* Get in better physical condition however possible. Healthier body, healthier mind. Martial arts forms even help, or other any other healthy exercise that strengthens balance (also enhance safety). Rural folks with high visibility, don't be afraid to lay on the ground for better fire-and-maneuver training. A few inches of soil in front of you can serve as cover and offer a better support for a rifle, if you do your part (lay low enough). It's a hoot, watching the hot dog experts of firearms exposing half of their bodies above their "barricades."

[Disclaimer: I'm not an attorney and am not offering any legal advice. If you need legal advice, find a properly license attorney. I will accept no liability of any kind for any of the suggestions given above. "You're on your own."]

Being well prepared for self-defense will more likely put off invaders to attack the neighbors' house, instead. Wanna-be invaders sense good security. Becoming very well prepared can be expensive but well worth it. And there are many great do-it-yourself projects. [Remember to avoid lethal booby traps: felonies in at least some states.]

Join an organization that supports our Second Amendment right: the NRA and organizations in your state. Fees for membership are a pittance and well worth it. Write to members of Congress and your state assembly.

Have fun. Enjoy the slide. Oh, and put a Hillary Clinton mask on that dog. ;-)