So glad I carry!

[Dr Big Bird PhD]

Salmoneye, give em hell.

Edit: I feel like there is a general tendency in the forum moderators to remain PC and encourage its members to rely on the state for our general welfare.

 

[Frank Ettin]

...It simply does not apply to me in MY situation...

Why this seems to bother you to the point of being insulting, is baffling...

And what you don't seem to get is that your situation doesn't matter. It's not about your situation. It's about providing the information for anyone who is interested. And it's also about helping be sure that others recognize that your opinions about your situation are just that and not generally applicable.

 

[Frank Ettin]

... I feel like there is a general tendency in the forum moderators to remain PC and encourage its members to rely on the state for our general welfare.

Really? Then go back and re-read pax' post 31:

One thing that always fascinates me about this stuff is that those who have a higher level of training have much more robust understanding of how to do it safely... and also of how & when not to do it.

Perhaps the moderators here, and some of the other members, just happen to know a little something about the subject -- maybe more than you.

So how much do you really know about clearing a house, and how do you know it?

 

[JimPage]

Freqently on here I see people get emotional about someone disagreeing with their statements being challenged. The challenge is usually a good learning experience to see options and different approaches to various situations.

However some people view a different viewpoint from their's irrationally as a personal attack. Those who are so irrational are not the people I want in a tough situation with me. Keep it cool. That's the best way to win a gun fight - or any fight.

 

[Frank Ettin]

...The challenge is usually a good learning experience to see options and different approaches to various situations...

Jim, looking at options is generally good. We need to consider options. But statements like, "I'm not calling the police for an open door", or "I'll handle things because the police won't come", aren't offering options. They are merely statements of intent or rationalizations for intent.

If someone in such a situation were really interested in offering options to staying put and calling the police, he'd outline ways of dealing with the very real tactical disadvantage he'd face going into the house to look for one of more intruders.

So someone who believed he'd need to go inside, say because there was a disabled family member at home, might want to discuss the training he's had and what he had learned about how to enter a building in which there might be one or more criminals. He might want to discuss some things to do before going in, like looking for signs of forced entry or checking the windows for unexpected movements. A couple of folks mentioned dogs, and that could be helpful as well.

The tactical disadvantage doesn't go away. So if someone wants to offer useful options to calling staying put and calling the police, he really needs to discuss how to deal with that issue.

 

[pax]

After nearly a decade of teaching and learning at a busy professional firearms training school, I have to say that the more I've learned about how to clear a home, the less willing I am to do it unless it's utterly necessary.

Here's a news story about a man who came home from work and found his front door open. He armed himself and went inside to look for a bad guy. He found one, and now he’s dead. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...interrupted-burglary-20121020,0,3679823.story

I suppose some would say that’s a case of “don’t bring a lead pipe to a gunfight,” and that’s true. But the bigger lesson is, don’t go looking for someone who wants to kill you.

It's one thing if you absolutely have to do this thing for some compelling reason -- such as, you reasonably believe a family member is inside. Or if you're 97.32% sure that there's no lurking bad guy because your dog hasn't alerted, or because of some quirky personal circumstance (such as a known-to-be-malfunctioning door latch on a windy day).

But if it's just a matter of being too embarrassed to call for backup, that's very unwise. Because with situations like this, it turns out that it is possible to die of embarrassment.

pax

 

[ltc444]

It is better to be thought a fool than to be proven a dead fool.

If you believe, the security of your home is compromised then you should contact the professionals and allow them to do what they are trained to do.

In any potential shooting situation, the police should be contacted (if time permits) before initiating action.

 

[Tom Servo]

I feel like there is a general tendency in the forum moderators to remain PC and encourage its members to rely on the state for our general welfare.

I think it's quite the opposite. I carry a firearm because the state may not have the resources, will, or competence to guarantee my safety.

However, that doesn't mean I shouldn't avail myself of those resources if it means not placing myself in needless danger.

 

[Powderman]

This is addressed to those who say that they will clear their homes alone in this eventuality; those who would hesitate to call the police, and those who are concerned about false calls or false alarms, and "crying wolf".

I am the one who gets the call from Dispatch saying that a person has an open door; possible burglary in progress, (address), homeowner/occupant is (insert location here) and is watching the residence.

My reply is, "Received. Do you have a description of the homeowner?"
Dispatch then gives me your description.

By this time, I've got every light on the vehicle going, but no siren. Why? I want to CATCH them, not scare them off. Usually, there are at least two units responding to back me up, as well.

My lights go off a couple of blocks away. I and at least one other officer will contact you and ask a few questions.

Does anyone else have a key?
Have you given anyone permission to enter?
Did you leave anyone home; is everyone accounted for?
Are there any pets inside?
Did you leave any firearms or other weapons accessible inside?

Finally, do we have permission to enter and clear your home?

Units will set a perimeter to observe and secure all sides of the home.

I'll prepare to go in with a partner. We're both wearing body armor and radios with earpieces. Both of us will grab our patrol carbines (AR15 type) and chamber a round. We'll make sure we have a couple of reloads as well.

I'll then tell you, "Stay behind cover, and whatever else you do, do NOT approach or enter the house until you see us come out."

We will then enter and clear the home.

We are wearing body armor and carrying rifles. We do NOT, except under extreme emergency, enter a home alone.

We accept that if someone is there, there is a good chance that we'll get into a fight--possibly a gunfight at VERY close quarters.

My son was in Fallujah in 2004. He cleared buildings with other Marines for two solid months--and Fallujah is a pretty big city. And yes, he told me that he did encounter hostiles while clearing buildings and houses. If you think trading a few shots inside is a daunting challenge, try getting into a gun fight, with both sides going full auto at almost muzzle contact range.

HE has told me that he will NEVER clear a building or house alone--and this is a guy with more experience than most of us can ever think of.

For those who still want to do it, think of it in this way--what is a more somber trend of thought--you waiting for the police to arrive, with the possibility that your hard earned belongings are being taken...

...or having someone approach your wives, husbands, sons or daughters to tell them that one of the people they love most in the entire world just got shot to death?

Folks--PLEASE do not attempt to clear the house by yourself. Call us. It doesn't matter how many times you call--I would rather respond 100 times to your address to clear your home with no result, than have to respond ONCE to collect your dead body.