Home Defense

[Patti]

I recently read a couple of articles about riots that got me to thinking.

We prepare for worst case scenarios, but what if mobs were running amok?

One article was written by an LA cop who was in the middle of the LA riots. He suggested stocking up on plywood. Store it flat so it doesn't get warped. If it's warped, it's easier to yank it off with a pry bar.

Use a screw gun (not nails). Nails pop out easier than screws.

Radio communications are an absolute must. FRS, GRMS - and a police scanner. You HAVE to know if the violence is heading your way (or away from you).

This LA cop said their radios were dead and they had to find a pay phone to call 911!!! They needed back-up, but the back-up never came. They were out-manned and out-gunned. They had to find their own way out.

He said Asian stores were targeted by the black mobs/looters. The Asians boarded up the lower floor windows, stood on the roof, and shot down at the looters.

Very good strategy.

Just something to think about.

[OMEGA2669]

Hmm... I always figured a few guys and gals with AR's and AK's would be a deterrent enough to keep a mob away. And if not... well then I guess the mob would die. I would never board up my house though... I guess the way I think is that it is NEVER a good idea to lock yourself in or on top of a giant flammable box...

[MoResident]

The LA riots were handled very well with people who had guns (like the Asians).
Nobody wants to get their butt shot off.
It's easier to pick on unarmed victims.
The mobs followed the path of least resistance.

Moral of the story is to show you have firepower, LOTS of firepower, to a mob and they will back off.

In a long term SHTF scenario, you have to have sustained backup - like good friendly neighbors who would give their left nut to help you out (and likewise). Fortunately, my neighbors and I have a standing pact to support each other. We all are good friends. We go to the same church. We party together. We cry together. We even go to the range together occasionally. We trust each other.

[PointnClick]

Mo sez...


The LA riots were handled very well with people who had guns (like the Asians).
Nobody wants to get their butt shot off.
It's easier to pick on unarmed victims.
The mobs followed the path of least resistance.

Moral of the story is to show you have firepower, LOTS of firepower, to a mob and they will back off.

Yep... what she said. People that don't care about a gun are a) really stupid, b) really desperate, or c) really, really wasted. Most people still have a healthy respect for ballistics.

Over at DeeCee, the subject of the "warning shot" is a loser... "don't pull unless you are ready to fire until the threat is eliminated"... but I can tell you from first-hand experience, the warning shot can diffuse many, many tense situations. I was a witness to both of these examples...



Scenario #1: A drunk at a party is really pissing people off... the owner of the property has told the drunk (and his friends) that it is time to go, but the drunk sez, "I'm not going anywhere... I was invited by so-and-so, and I am not leaving yet." So, the property owner goes in the house and grabs his trap gun...

Upon his return and repeated insistence that he bid everyone farewell and adieu, the drunk (backed up by 4 or 5 of his similarly wasted buddies) sez, "What are ya gonna do, shoot me...?"

Chick-chuck... BLAM! The property owner shoots upward at a 45 degree angle to the left, and suddenly, the drunk and all his crew are fishing in their pockets for their car keys...



Scenario #2: A drunk (funny how that is a recurring theme) woman beater goes to his "girlfriend's" house a few hours after he has blackened her eye, only to find her in the company of her brother and a few friends... the drunk tells the others that this is none of their business, and they all need to leave so he can talk to his girlfriend. Girlfriend is having no part of that plan. Girlfriend's brother insists that the drunk needs to leave, but he wants to argue. Brother produces a Beretta 9mm and repeats his warning to leave.

The drunk sez, "What are ya gonna do, shoot me...?"

As far as I can tell, they always say that...

BLAM-BLAM! 2 bullets fired into the turf, less than one yard in front of his feet makes him change his mind...



The very sound of gunfire usually snaps people out of their idiocy... the threat of lethal force will usually make even the dumbest of people re-evaluate their plan...

[BikerRN]

Warning shots do have a limited place for application, BTDT.

I much prefer 7 1/2 Birdshot to the ankles for mob situations that I am intent on turning.

Biker

[peckman28]

The AK and ARs would definitely be coming out if that happened. I also have reservations about fighting from the roof, though I can't really think of a better way to defend the house...

[tcox4freedom]

The one thing I've learned about mobs (gangs, looters, dumba$$ protestors), is that it usually boils down to just a few "pack/mob" leaders and some sheep following the crowd.

If you take out the leaders the rest scatter.

A couple of years ago I puuled in to get gas one Fri night. As soon as I began to pump several car loads of gb's came screeching in and completely surrounded me. (I was either in the wrong place, or they were looking to jack my car.)

I moved to the rear 1/4 and got low. I picked out three of the 12-15 bgs that looked like they were going to be the ones to make the initial approach. I untucked my shirt & flipped the safety off and gave my gun a little shake just to be sure it would come out "quick" and "clean".

Evidently this was spotted by three members of the mob because the three making the approach suddenly STOPPED! We had a stare down for about a minute; then everyone got back in their cars and took off.

[walvord]

Our best home defense is all family members choose the firearm they're most comfortable with and become accurate with it. Having a 2 meter handheld doesn't hurt either. Thugs and rioters having multple calibers of lead or buckshot headed their direction should get them to change course quickly or expire trying.

[hudsonvalley]

If what happened in Japan happened here.....lawsuits would run amok and we'd eat each other....sorry to say that, but...it's how I feel....the spirit of the Japanese can only be applauded.

[BikerRN]

If what happened in Japan happened here.....lawsuits would run amok and we'd eat each other....sorry to say that, but...it's how I feel....the spirit of the Japanese can only be applauded.

I agree :congrats:

[Phillep Harding]

I would never board up my house though... I guess the way I think is that it is NEVER a good idea to lock yourself in or on top of a giant flammable box...
Molotov cocktails bounce off plywood better than they do glass. So do rocks. Few people are going for a fast exit through a window, but that's your planning, not mine. I think a sealed up house will draw fewer thieves, so the firebugs would be left to approach on their own. They are not likely to want to do that.

It's playing the odds and advantages/disadvantages against each other.