Posted on 08/08/2014 3:08:45 PM PDT by marktwain
Numerous people have criticized homeowners for having a gun in their hand or on their person when answering a door. I have always maintained that it is only prudent to do so. Home security systems can be very useful, of course. A standoff barrier, such as my old friend, Tex Ferguson, the highly decorated combat vet and intelligence operative used, works very well, as do surveillance cameras. Not everyone has such a system in place, or working, all the time. In any case, surveillance and standoff systems work best when backed up by armed force. I have reported numerous cases where armed homeowners prevailed against criminal attackers; and even a few cases where armed homeowners prevailed in court against police invaders. There are even a couple of rare cases where police officers have shot and killed homeowners, simply because the homeowner was armed.
The following incident resulted in the death of a criminal home invader. From the pottsmerc.com:
The incident occurred around 1:27 a.m. July 28, when Daryl Marquis Evans, 22, knocked on the door of the home and displayed a handgun when the front door was opened by a 29-year-old resident, according to the press release. Police later determined Evans was carrying a Taurus PT 911 9mm handgun. The resident was also armed, with a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson in his waistband, which he brought with him to answer the door due to the late hour, the district attorneys office said.The homeowner made the evaluation that defense instructors suggest. "Does this attacker intend to kill or severely injure me, even if I comply?"
Based on Evans appearance and actions, the resident feared that Evans was going to kill him. The resident pulled his .40 caliber, Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun from beneath his shirt and fired (6) shots striking Evans in the chest, pelvis and the leg, the press release states.Action beats reaction. Evans already had a long criminal history at age 22. One has to wonder how many crimes the homeowner prevented by acting to preserve his own life.
I can see my driveway from where I’m sitting and with about 3 steps I can see anyone at my front door from behind.
I wouldn’t open the door at 1:30 am but when I open it at other times I inform the ‘salesman’ that in this neighborhood we go by the constable’s recommendation that one does not open the door to strangers but also indicate that someone is home so if someone opens the door they are most likely armed.
There’s a freeper who owns the door sentinel product. I highly recommend it. Turns your standard front door into a nearly kick proof one just by upgrading the hinges and screws. Buys you an extra couple minutes easily.
I look out the peephole and window.
It all works like a charm.
There is still room for stuffing a new phone book below the gate or tossing it over the top decorative part.
As the realtors always say: location, location, location.
Hmmm, I’ll check into it.
THAT is the best of all.
Nobody can get to my front door unless I open the gate for them. It is so nice not having to shoo JW’s and sales “persons” away. There is a lot to be said for being a grouchy curmudgeon!
Throw your home commercial security systems in the trash, and cancel your contract. It’s one big con-job....Set up a few of your own cameras, and get a good dog....and whatever else ya need to do and there is lots which can be done.
If ya can’t do that, keep paying the bills to these home security swindlers.
Is this `Daryl Marquis Evans’ now just some rotting meat in a muddy hole in Potters’ Field? The story does not state.
Anyway, kudos to the armed resident. But, six shots & three hits - well....hope I can hold that steady when the time comes. Range time, range time.
My son is starting his junior year at the Air Force Academy. Juniors and seniors are allowed to have cars there. Since we live about an hour away, he frequently comes home when he can. I told him that if he comes home at night to make sure that he calls ahead. He said he would and knows why.
I believe that the BTK killer worked for a home security company.
There are people out there with no common sense and will give home tours to COMPLETE STRANGERS who answer their ads they run on Craigs List etc.
No joke...No kidding...These people exist in large numbers.
BTW Craigs List is great for selling, but ya can’t be stupid about it.
“But, six shots & three hits - well....hope I can hold that steady when the time comes. Range time, range time.”
He might have hit more than three times. Could have been three to chest, one two to pelvis, one to leg...
The do not say for certain...
>> it would have been better not to have opened the door.
OK, let’s run with that: Count the number of other doors and windows in your house. How many of them could 22-y.o. Marquis (good Lord, where do they get these names?) easily kick in and then jump or push through?
If you were armed, could you cover all of them? In the middle of the night? How long does it take the chalk outline drawers to show up in your neighborhood?
We use a key-locked glass storm door outside our front door. Unknown night knocks = LED maglite in one hand, shootin’ iron in the other.
Ya, like the home security employees telling their crime buddies when people go on vacations and on and on....
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