Posted on 04/27/2011 4:58:59 AM PDT by marktwain
We’d never think of inviting a total stranger into our homes. Someone well outside our social circle with an unknown background. Someone who could case the joint, clock the exact security set-up and return with his friends to highlight and delete our possessions. Or worse: someone who’s emotionally unstable, and aggressive with it. And yet we hire workmen we’ve never seen before and give them the run of the joint. Some people leave workmen alone with their most precious possession of all: their family. There is a better way . . .
Obviously, anyone with an ounce of common sense never hires a handyman, window washer, roofer, etc. who’s not bonded and insured, and always check references. Right. But even if you are careful, you never know. For example, do you know the bona fides of the workmen working for your workmen?
There’s a simple way to keep yourself safe during these periods of employment and send a clear message that you and yours are not an easy target: home carry. At least one of the adults in situ should pack visible heat.
If your gun is legal, you don’t need an special permission to open carry at home. You’re good to stow.
If you open carry in front of workmen, they’ll get the picture pretty damn quick. I’ve watched workmen point to Sam’s holstered 686 with a wry smile and make a sarcastic remark. To which she replies calmly, “I’m an excellent shot.”
That’s more than enough to get the point across. The message also works its way to the “workman community.” “You’re the woman who carries a gun in the house.” To which Sam replies “Obviously.”
And then everyone gets on with their business. Just as it should be.
The USA is known for having fewer “hot” burglaries (i.e. with one or more occupants at home) per dwelling per year than most other countries, due to would-be intruders’ fear that the occupants might be packing heat.
However, too ostentatious a show could also signal the presence of a cache of valuable weapons to be plundered at a time when the dwelling is believed to have no occupants. A cheap gun or two in an inexpensive utilitarian holster, with the rest kept well out of sight, should suffice.
And I as a “workman” also go armed, ..even if the homeowner doesnt know it.
Of course....I’m not crass enough to advertise it either...
Your first step to avoid being the victim of a “workman” crime...
DONT HIRE ILLEGAL DAY WORKERS.
Second step:
Hire a licensed contractor and ask for references.
So true. When a group of low lifes moved into my townhouse community, just up the street from my home, numerous breakins began...all during the day when people were at work. These two had no visible means of support. Anyway, they were out working on one of their motorcycles in the car port as I came home one day so I introduced myself to them. I told them to be careful with their possessions as there had been a rash of burglaries recently in the neighborhood. They both looked at each other somewhat bemused. I then told them I was an armed agent who worked odd hours and if I ever found someone in my home when I came in, ransaking it, they were going on feet first. The upshot, almost every one of the over 24 nearby units in that complex had been entered over the next few months, but not mine! Message sent, message received.
Agreed, I have worked hundreds of burglaries during my career and I would say with no reservation less than ten were what would be considered an home invasion.
Most of those were dope/stash houses getting hit by rivals.
I would also add that almost every one of those other residence burgs had no alarm services. One had the phone lines cut prior to the job.
Alarms work. In fact, local, state and federal goverment would be money ahead if they offered a tax rebate or break to offset the cost of service for homeowners.
Some insurance companies grant discounts on homeowner’s and motor vehicle policies for the presence of a sufficiently good alarm. That said, a silent alarm which does nothing more perceptible at the residence than turn on steady lights is most likely to get its cause discovered by the local gendarmes. Cell phone connectivity and battery back up is a must as you point out. Motor vehicle alarms, except those that quietly alert the driver when away, are virtually always overlooked as nuisances. (A rash of auto break-ins and thefts of radios happened a couple of decades ago at an apartment complex where I lived; I was away at the time but police reported that nobody bothered to report the repeatedly sounding alarms at what was likely a gang initiation).
I generally leave a box of #4 12 gauge ammo out for all the employees to see. Sometimes I’ll leave a holstered handgun out. They can put the connection together that someone in the family carries concealed and this home is not considered a prime burglary choice.
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