Home Defense Member Meeting – Thursday, June 19th, 2014
Topics
• Burglary & Home
Invasion Statistics
• Castle Doctrine - FL
• Physiological &
Psychological Factors
– Attitude
– Awareness
• External Preparations
– Landscaping
– Lived-in Appearance
• Internal Preparations
– Doors & Windows
• Glass
• Locks & Frames
• Materials
– Safe Rooms
– Firearm Options
• Ammo Selection &
Overpenetration
– Low Light Tactics
• Tactical Flashlights
– Police Contact
Crime Statistics
Burglaries - 2012
• Theft from Structure,
No One Present
– 2,103,787
– 1,111,849 Forced Entry
• 66% Home Burglaries
– 1,567,058 (every 20 sec)
– 53% Daytime, 27% Night
– 18% Arrests – NOT
convictions
Home Invasions
• Theft from Structure,
Person(s) in Residence
– 59,889 (7/Hour)
Florida Castle Doctrine
1. Establishes presumption that a criminal who forcibly
enters or intrudes into your home or occupied vehicle is
there to cause death or great bodily harm.
2. Removes the "duty to retreat" if you are attacked in any
place you have a right to be.
3. It provides that persons using force authorized by law
shall not be prosecuted for using such force.
4. It also prohibits criminals and their families from suing
victims for injuring or killing the criminals who have
attacked them.
PERSONAL
PREPARATION
Ethical Responsibility
• If you decide to include a firearm in your
personal defense plan:
– Are you REALLY prepared to take a life to
protect your own or a family member?
– Does your religion permit taking a life in
self-defense?
– Do your moral standards permit taking a
life?
– Are you prepared to tolerate the judgment
of family, friends, & neighbors?
Crime Triangle
Requirements Burglar’s do not like:
• Time
• Noise
• Being Seen
Skills/Tools
Desire Opportunity
Mindset
• Must establish a mindset that promotes
a positive attitude toward your personal
safety.
– First & Foremost: Never Give Up!
– Take your training seriously
– Develop a plan
• Practice & Visualize executing the plan
– Control the Encounter
Awareness Levels
Levels
• Oblivious
• Conscious
• Potential Threat(s)
• Initiate Action
• Unaware
• Aware
• Alert
• Alarm
• Unaware
• Aware
• Alert
• Alarm
Crisis – Stress Factors
Physiological
• Loss of fine motor
skills
• Tunnel Vision
• Auditory Exclusion
• Time Dilation
• Adrenaline Rush
Psychological
• Fight
• Flight
• Freeze
• Posture
• Submit
HOME PREPARATION
Home External Factors
General Appearance
• Must look lived in
• Must look secure
• Must look like
someone is home
– No papers in drive
– Grass cut
– Bushes trimmed
– Yard light functional
Home External Factors
• Trees & foliage for
privacy also provides
cover
• Trim bushes to eliminate
hiding places
• Consider “hostile” plants
• Garage door closed –
remote opener secure
• No tools or implements
used to gain entry
Opportunistic Factors
• Perimeter lighting
• Motion sensors
• Infrared cameras
strategically placed
Home Perimeter Security
Perimeter Elements
• Doors
– Patio Sliders
– French Doors
– Locks
– Other Devices
• Windows
• Garage Doors
Home Perimeter Security
Exterior Doors
• Solid Core
• Reinforced
– Frame
– Striker plate
– 3” Screws
• Locks
– No Thumb Knob
– Double Cylinder
Deadbolts
– 1” Penetration
Door Hardening Kits
Home Perimeter Security
Exterior Doors
• Locks Continued
– Door Knob Locks
Vulnerable
• Solid Door w/ No
Glass – Thumb
Lock OK
• Dbl Cyl Deadbolt
w/ Retention
• Doors to Garage
Home Perimeter Security
Exterior Doors
• Chains = Useless
• Pet Doors
– Will Admit Child
• Peep holes
– Reveals Presence
– Options for solid
doors
Patio Sliders
• Dowel in Trough
• “Pin” the Doors
• Vulnerability
– Lift Out of Track
– Jimmy Plates
• See website for
options & details
Home Perimeter Security
Exterior Doors
• French Doors
– Most Vulnerable to
Break-ins
– Fix Jamb & Threshold
Bolts Permanently on
Fixed Door
– Upgrade Locks
– Ensure Hinges are
inside or get hinges
with non-removable
pins
Home Access
• Do NOT admit stranger
• Ask to see ID
• No use of phone
• No solicitation
• Consider 2 way
audio/video
Home Perimeter Security
Windows
• Most Vulnerable Element
– Add Supplemental Locks
– “Pin” the Window(s)
– Tougher Glass
• Add coating
• Replace Pane
Home Interior Security
Garage Doors
• Electric Door Opener
Emergency Disconnect
– Remove Rope
– Tie Wrap Emergency
Disconnect
Tips
• Change Factory Remote
Codes
• Do not leave remote in
car
• Latch Door when away
Home Interior Security
Safe Room
• Create a Safe Room
– Master Bedroom
• “Hardened” Entry
– Solid Core Door(s)
– Upscale Locks
• Single Point Entry
• Windows
– Communicate w/
Police
Accessible Equipment
• Telephone
• Tactical Flashlight
• Firearm & Ammo
– Loaded Mags/Speed Ldrs
• Dark Sweatpants & Tee
• Cover/Concealment
• Extra set of House Keys
Home Defense Tactics
Home Defense Tactics
• Evade
– Go to Safe Room
• Arm Yourself
– Loaded &
Chambered
• Barricade
– Secure Safe Room
Door
– Seek
Cover/Concealment
• Communicate
– Call 911 (Call Recorded)
• Respond
– If Intruder is Outside
Safe Room Door
• Get Out!
• Police on the Way!
• I Have a Gun!
• If you coome in, I’ll
Shoot!
– Safe Room Breeched
• Take Planned Action
Home Defense Weapon
Handguns • Revolver
– Simple to Operate
– Very Reliable
• Semi-Automatic
– Hold More Ammo
– Quicker to Reload
• Caliber
– .38 Spl / 9 mm Min
• Spare Mags, Speed
Loaders
Long Guns • Shotgun (Pump)
– 12 guage or 20 guage
– Simple to Operate
– Easy to Load/Reload
– Intimidation Factor
• Rifle
– Cumbersome to
maneuver
– Many Rounds
– Large Magazines
Home Defense Ammo
Considerations
• Overpenetration
– Larger Calibers
– FMJ vs JHP
– +P, +P+, Magnums
– 00 Buck vs #4
– Frangible
• Extreme Reliability
– Premium Defense JHP
– Long Shelf Life
Other Issues
• Rotate Magazines
Periodically
• Test Fire Ammo
Home Defense Tactics
Tactical Flashlights
• Two Major Brands
– Surefire
– Streamlight
• Form Factors
– Handheld
– Gun Mounted
Desirable Features
• Illumination
– Momentary
– Full On
– Strobe
• Lumens
– 200-800
• Batteries
– Long Shelf Life
– Extended On-time
Low Light Tactics
When the Police Arrive
• Stay Where You are
• Tell 911 Operator
where you are in the
house
• Direct Police to
Window
– Provide Keys
• DO NOT appear at
window with Gun!!!
• Tell where you think
intruder might be
• Stay in Safe Room
until directed to come
out
• Put down your gun
(DO NOT emerge with
anything in your hand)
• Do EXACTLY what you
are directed to do
The Aftermath
Emotional Aftermath
• Elation
• Revulsion
• Remorse
• Self Doubt
• Acceptance
• Post-traumatic
Stress
Legal Aftermath
• Investigation
• Civil Actions
Be Glad You Live in
Florida!
Bibliography
• Practical Home Security
– Alex Haddox
• Home Defense
– USCCA
• Kick Ass Home Security
– Sgt. Mark Buschena
Summary
•Any Questions
• VSSClub.org Web Page – Education/Home Security
– Presentation
– Additional Reading Material