Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I figured scaring criminals away from your home is a tactic. Anyway, I stumbled across these signs the other day at readytodefend.com . While I do think that a sign/warning like this has its merits and may deter criminals (or at least some), I just don't think it's the best idea. Maybe, after seeing the sign and knowing you own firearms, a criminal would survey your house and break in when you aren't home, with the intent to steal weapons. However, the main reason I wouldn't buy one of these signs is that, in the case that you do need to shoot someone, they may bring legal ramifications. Wouldn't such a sign make the houseowner look "aggressive?" (as in ready/wanting to shoot). Just wondering what others thought about these.
security signs
- Thread starter rifleman8
- Start date
I have always believed that advertising any kind of "gun stuff" will attract the interest of a number of criminals. And the dangerous ones won't be deterred by any warning sign. Besides it's so much more fun when you can "surprise" them.
In all seriousness I hope I am NOT home when the bad mens come. I used to travel around a gun show circuit with a bunch of dealers. None of them had any bumper stickers on their trucks or trailers. Even still, one night two of them were sitting in the motel restuarant talking about "business" while a couple of guys were overhearing everything they said. About 2 am they hit these dealer's rooms and got all of their merchandise and cash. Unloaded their trucks in the parking lot. Made me think about it. I always liked Roosevelt's line...."walk softly and carry a big stick." The best thing you can do for home security is remove/modify shrubs and trees around the house so you can see all of the yard and have lights on. A dog is the best motion sensor around.
In all seriousness I hope I am NOT home when the bad mens come. I used to travel around a gun show circuit with a bunch of dealers. None of them had any bumper stickers on their trucks or trailers. Even still, one night two of them were sitting in the motel restuarant talking about "business" while a couple of guys were overhearing everything they said. About 2 am they hit these dealer's rooms and got all of their merchandise and cash. Unloaded their trucks in the parking lot. Made me think about it. I always liked Roosevelt's line...."walk softly and carry a big stick." The best thing you can do for home security is remove/modify shrubs and trees around the house so you can see all of the yard and have lights on. A dog is the best motion sensor around.
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Frank Ettin
Administrator
I think the only type of security sign that can actually be helpful is an alarm company sign. Announcing you have guns just encourages bad guys to be extra sure that no one's home when he comes to take your guns away from you.
I have to agree with this. In more aspects of life than just my home. I believe far too many people advertise who they are and what they do with stickers on the back of the're cars.
Unfortunatly this is extremely common in the military dispite being briefed and trained on keeping a low profile and not becoming a target. When my brother in law was deployed my sister had one of those magnet stickers that read "my husband is in afganistan" or something along those lines with US army wife writen under it. To me this just paints a target on her that her combat trained husband is no longer in the house to protect her.
Back on topic to home protection signs. I used to have those "protected by S&W" stickers on a couple of my windows but have since removed them. The same goes for luxury items, After 2 break in attempts my uncle removed his Porsche parking only signs from his garage.
Yankee Doodle
New member
Alarm company signs on mailbox, system is actually installed and monitored. All firearms and valuables are in a rather large heavy safe, bolted to the floor and walls. My back-up system is a 110 lb. Akita. I don't think I can do any more than that.
I would never put up any sign advertising the fact that there are firearms in the residence. I think that is asking for trouble.
I would never put up any sign advertising the fact that there are firearms in the residence. I think that is asking for trouble.
FireForged
New member
rest assured that any sign or sticker you have on your home, window or bumper will be photographed and enlarged to 4foot x 6 foot when it appear in trial.
I have the alarm company stickers on my windows and doors with no mention of fire arms. I also have a Doberman that is protection trained and will attack anyone entering my house when I am not home. A friend of mine doubted he would attack him because he knows him. LOL foolish man he is. He got bitten
I had beware of dog signs on my doors and my insurance man told me to take them down as it was an admission that I had an aggressive dog. If the dog did bite someone and they sued me they would use the signs against me in court.
I had beware of dog signs on my doors and my insurance man told me to take them down as it was an admission that I had an aggressive dog. If the dog did bite someone and they sued me they would use the signs against me in court.
Beware of the never ending argument
One lawyer says: Take down the Beware of Dog sign because it can be used against you because you're admitting that you have an aggressive dog.
The other lawyer says: If you take down the Beware of Dog sign, it will be used against you because you didn't warn the public that you have an aggressive dog.
If you have a toy poodle with a bladder problem be sure that you have the appropriate biohazard sign on your window. Frankly, Shakespeare was right.
One lawyer says: Take down the Beware of Dog sign because it can be used against you because you're admitting that you have an aggressive dog.
The other lawyer says: If you take down the Beware of Dog sign, it will be used against you because you didn't warn the public that you have an aggressive dog.
If you have a toy poodle with a bladder problem be sure that you have the appropriate biohazard sign on your window. Frankly, Shakespeare was right.
Frank Ettin
Administrator
I'd opt for keeping the "Beware of Dog" sign up. Any dog can react unpredictably with strangers in his territory, especially if startled. And it serves to protect the dog as well as anyone else.dannyb said:
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
Anything you do can be used to construct a theme against you in court.
Gun signs might indicate a predisposition to want to shoot folks. You might argue - no - it was to deter crime.
The jury decides which tale is convincing.
As far as the alarm sign indicating you have stuff - perhaps. But a gun sign indicates you have small, desired and easy to sell stuff. Also, in a neighborhood of equally appealing homes - say affluent or just nice - your lack of a sign is a target indicator.
The dog - well, the dog own its own can run out and do evil. I doubt your 1911 can do that.
Gun signs might indicate a predisposition to want to shoot folks. You might argue - no - it was to deter crime.
The jury decides which tale is convincing.
As far as the alarm sign indicating you have stuff - perhaps. But a gun sign indicates you have small, desired and easy to sell stuff. Also, in a neighborhood of equally appealing homes - say affluent or just nice - your lack of a sign is a target indicator.
The dog - well, the dog own its own can run out and do evil. I doubt your 1911 can do that.
I would not and do not proclaim that we have firearms. I agree with the posters above that it says you have something worth stealing.
We do have a monitored alarm system. I do not have their signs up. I would rather use a generic warning sign. I figure it provides the same level of discouragement without giving the experienced burglar the knowledge of which system he is attempting to get through.
I like the beware of dog sign because neither of our dogs is a danger to anyone. They do make a lot of noise however. That should be enough.
We do have a monitored alarm system. I do not have their signs up. I would rather use a generic warning sign. I figure it provides the same level of discouragement without giving the experienced burglar the knowledge of which system he is attempting to get through.
I like the beware of dog sign because neither of our dogs is a danger to anyone. They do make a lot of noise however. That should be enough.
Agree strongly
with the Beware of Dog sign approach.
I'm off to buy one now.
Meter reader came into our back yard unannounced, through a closed but unlocked gate, my dog bit him! Surprised me. He apologized and admitted he was in the wrong. Fortunately not a serious bite we just had to show proof of rabies vaccine. Not to hijack the thread but I will get that sign now both as a deterrent and fair warning.
with the Beware of Dog sign approach.
I'm off to buy one now.
Meter reader came into our back yard unannounced, through a closed but unlocked gate, my dog bit him! Surprised me. He apologized and admitted he was in the wrong. Fortunately not a serious bite we just had to show proof of rabies vaccine. Not to hijack the thread but I will get that sign now both as a deterrent and fair warning.
One reason I dropped my FFL was the demand for me to advertise more and put up a business sign.
My insurance carrier requested I remove the beware of dog sign indicating it showed I had an idea the dog might bite.
The remote video cams are nice but unless you put the recorder in the attic and nail the access shut, a smart thief will steal the recorder also. Around here, they're an indicator that you have something worth protecting.
An alarm won't help much when the cops are 40 minutes away.
My place looks like an indigent lives here(close) and I'm not doing much to change that.
Since I'm retired, it's really difficult to tell if the place is occupied or not and a mistake might be fatal since I carry a firearm constantly. The guy from the water district walked through the yard to the house a couple of weeks ago and was surprised when I just appeared around the corner of the house. I suggested next time he came to drive in and honk.
My insurance carrier requested I remove the beware of dog sign indicating it showed I had an idea the dog might bite.
The remote video cams are nice but unless you put the recorder in the attic and nail the access shut, a smart thief will steal the recorder also. Around here, they're an indicator that you have something worth protecting.
An alarm won't help much when the cops are 40 minutes away.
My place looks like an indigent lives here(close) and I'm not doing much to change that.
Since I'm retired, it's really difficult to tell if the place is occupied or not and a mistake might be fatal since I carry a firearm constantly. The guy from the water district walked through the yard to the house a couple of weeks ago and was surprised when I just appeared around the corner of the house. I suggested next time he came to drive in and honk.
Stressfire
New member
There's that, of course.
One of those "Protected by Smith & Wesson" or "Forget the dog, Beware of Owner" say simply one thing -
"Do your homework and case my house for awhile. If you wait until I'm not home, you'll have all sorts of good stuff that's worth a lot of cash on the street. It will be worth your time, I promise"
Then again, there's always one that was suggested on another forum:
"CLAYMORE'S ATTACHED TO ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS....OPEN AT YOUR OWN RISK....OWNER DOES NOT HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE...."
