““varmint guns” - heh, heh. Lots of prairie dogs and coyotes in your neighborhood? Need to keep those guns at the ready in case they assault your house.”
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There are both two-legged and four-legged varmints. Both can cause harm and both can be repelled and dealt with if you have a firearm handy. Over the years, we have had to deal with coyotes and rabid foxes, along with wild dogs (pit-bulls). Not to mention the raccoons and opossums raiding the hen house. We try to be prepared for both versions since we live on several acres in the country.
We have a local reputation of not being exactly sociable to those that would come onto our place to take what doesn’t belong to them. If someone needs assistance, they can call or knock on the front door and we will do all we can to help.
Most neighbors know that and will call if they need our assistance. Whether it is money to pay their electric bill, help starting their vehicle, or the need to have someone plow and clear their garden spot. We have done it all. If they show up planning mischief or harm, it’s on them if they get trouble in return.
Where I live (and a whole lot of other places) bears have been known to break into houses with and without people present inside. So, four legged varmints do “assault” houses.
I have also read a few stories about deer, elk and moose crashing through windows and screen doors too and once inside they become very agitated by the unfamiliar surroundings and can go a bit nuts.
Stuff happens! :)