Today, most people are overly concerned about having a firearm in the household that is at once available for home defense and not a danger to others — particularly children. For the record, let me state that a properly chosen firearm that is correctly handled will never be a problem. Unlike what the media and democratic politicians would have you believe, a firearm does not have a will of its own.
A firearm is an inanimate object no different than a hammer. Like the hammer, it cannot drive a nail or move to another location. To prove that, during my beginning classes I hold up a firearm and state that we all know from news reports that guns kill people. Then with a flourish, I place it on a surface behind me while stating, “During this lecture portion of the class I need you all to keep an eye on this gun and if you see it move, you need alert me immediately so I can secure it before it does any harm.”
You would be very surprised as to how many people fix their gaze on it, expecting it to rise on its own and shoot someone. Occasionally, I will swing around dramatically, grab at it as if subduing it and say, “That was a close one! I heard it move… Glad I grabbed it before it escaped to hurt someone.”
It’s at about that point in time that even the most ardent believers start to realize that they have been hoodwinked and firearms do not have a will of their own. At least not in my class. Eventually, during the course, they come to realize that a properly chosen firearm correctly handled will never be a problem.
Firearms at Home
When it comes to having a firearm in the home, the most important concept to understand is that of availability. When something goes bump in the night, and you reach for a firearm, the last thing you want to come up with is one locked away, empty with the ammunition stored in the shed out back. When you need a firearm for home defense, you want it yesterday — ready to go.
The best procedure, and the one I teach my students, may sound inconvenient and paranoid at first. The truth be told, it is neither. The correct way to store a loaded, ready-to-use firearm, in your home, and ensure that others may not access it, is to have it on your person. I
n that way, nothing can come between you and your new best friend. It will be instantly available no matter where you are or what you are doing. In a short time, carrying it will become second nature. If you are a CCW holder, it will be on your person when you leave the home. If you are not, it should accompany you in the appropriate locked container.
I firmly believe the entire family should be educated in firearms safety and operation — even if they do not approve, or have a fear, of firearms. I also include children as soon as they are old enough to understand and are physically able to operate the mechanism safely. Children need to be taught that it is not a toy.
Under proper supervision, their curiosity should be sated by allowing them to explore it. It is in that way that they can be made to understand that under no circumstance are they allowed to handle a firearm unattended. If they would like to see it, they should get mom or dad to show it to them. Kids are great learners. If you handle firearms safely, so will they.
Defensive Strategy
The best advice I can provide regarding strategy is to have a plan, and don’t ever follow the dog. Let’s look at the ideal position for you to be in first. You and your entire family are in the most protected part of the house. You cannot be seen by an intruder, and you have something between you that will stop his bullets. That is referred to as cover and concealment.
Your wife, or whomever is with you, is on the phone to the police and should state, “Shots have been fired!” Some advice concerning that statement. That piece of advice is controversial and may get you in trouble, if in fact shots have not been fired. However, it will get law enforcement there in a hurry.
You can always say that you have never heard gunshots. It might have been a car backfire, but you thought it was a shot… You never know it might work, and it is worth a try. The point is to get them there tout suite. The person on the phone should then describe you and what you are wearing. A very important thing to remember at this point is that the intruder does not know where you are.
Do not under any circumstances give your position away. If you do, you lose the single most important aspect of any plan, surprise. The intruder should not discover your presence until he or she sees your muzzle flash.
IMPORTANT! Remember to be sure of your target before you fire. Make the intruder come to you. Your only concern should be for your safety and the safety of your family.
It is sad but true. In our country today, the criminals have all the rights in the eyes of the law. That said, the law generally stated, allows one to use equal force to combat a threat. That means that one is justified in using lethal force only when you are in fear of your life or grave bodily injury. There are no exceptions to that.
In most jurisdictions, you may not shoot to defend property unless you are threatened with deadly force and are in fear of your life. If, God forbid, you should be involved in a lethal confrontation in your home, you will most likely be too shook up to make sense. Politely insist on your right to have an attorney present before you answer anything except name, rank, and serial number.
Being Armed
It is important to realize that the mere possession of a weapon does not constitute being armed. Man fights with his mind and his weapons are only an extension of his will. The state of mind that ensures victory was called “the combat mindset” by Jeff Cooper.
The key elements of the combat mindset are, Awareness, Anticipation, Concentration, and Self-control. Your major enemy is fear, and that is also found in your mind. Fear is normal and healthy. Fear can be controlled. Fear takes time to build up, so use your anger to overcome it. This can work very well.
The most powerful weapon you can possess is mental preparedness. Mental preparedness is the key to crisis management, so use it. This state of mind, along with good weapon management, will allow you to respond immediately to neutralize any threat. Remember, any delay — no matter how slight — could be fatal.
Home Defense Tactics
In the final analysis, when you are being shot at, there is only one thing for you to be thinking about —your shooting. So remember, front sight, press, front sight, press. Tactics are an art, not a science. Tactics are the subject for the more advanced student. However, some items should be noted and can be applied to any situation.
Never underestimate your opponent and be prepared for the unexpected. Your response should be based on information gathered by your senses. Keep your adversary at the maximum distance allowable. Above all, focus on the front sight.
Reloading is also an important tactical element. In most cases, reloading during a gun fight is not necessary. According to the FBI, most shooting’s will be decided with the ammunition contained within the firearm.
A lack of ammunition suggests one of two things — bad shooting or you have taken on the local chapter of MS 13 (always an ill-advised move). If it is required that you must reload — you should always have at least one extra magazine or speedloader on your person — use the tactical reload as opposed to the speed reload. Be advised however, a truck load of ammunition is no substitute for accurate shooting.
For those not familiar with the terms, a speed reload is what one sees competition shooters execute with blazing speed. The reason for the speed reload is that you have run your gun dry and need to reload it very quickly, hence the “speed” portion. A tactical reload, on the other hand, is used during a lull in the action to top off the ammunition still in the firearm while retaining the unexpended rounds.
One other note on tactics for those of you who have gone through training at one of the expensive shooting schools. The exercise called the shoot house, or whatever house where room clearing exercises are held, are fun and give some insight into the procedure. If they neglected to tell you, I will. It was only an exercise, and you are in no way trained or prepared to clear anything save perhaps your browser history.
Under no circumstances should you attempt to do that on your own. Even in your own home, you cannot clear every area safely without turning your back to something that has not been cleared. All it takes is one mistake to cost the lives of you and your family, and gunfights are very unforgiving.
Modifications to your firearm should be kept simple and limited to work that improves the functioning and reliability of a given firearm. As always if you have any questions, please ask a reputable gunsmith or firearms instructor, not some self-appointed expert on the internet. I wish you continued enjoyment of the shooting sports and pray that you never need to rely on your firearm to save your life.
Do you have a tip for home defense or a firearm in the home generally? Share it in the comment section.