Break In

L

LittleSpartan

Joined
Mar 16, 2010
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Someone tried to break into my aunts house this morning at 5am or a little before, thank god I was over battoning slices of wood for her fire place cause she cant do it herself. I couldn't sleep cause I went running. So were my boxer, chocolab, and 2 rat terriers; rusty cerberus zim and gir lol. LOUD bunch they are :D

Hmmm well shes thinking of a glock 26 or a taurus revolver of some variant. I'll be going with her later to pay and get her all straightened out for her 10 day wait.

Any other security measures you guys can think of? She already has brinks home security, I was on phone earlier with a local company who are ganna be here soon to install her new lights. Also screen door. I already spent the morning planting fairly large pre grown rose bushes all in front of her windows. Eh, so I guess I'll be going to school from her house for a while since my mom would feel better if someone was here with her.

My dogs like her too, since she spoils them. Neighbor across street whos an officer said she should get a dog, too. And maybe mace. He said he'll review his property cameras to see if they caught anything useful. Shes a 68 year old small woman, drives the same 68 camaro she got as a teenager, shes really quiet and soft spoken. Glad I was there this morning and around the neighborhood running around. She was using my izzie to cut an apple this morning too. She said it was a neat little knife, and she WANTS one. lol.

Wow...what a morning. So not going to my classes today or work, just to give her support and help her feel comfortable.

Any suggestions on what else could be done guys? I have been googling and looking around. Closed curtains doesn't really do much for security either, so trying to think of things.
 
Some of the best home security, is to make it look un-inviting to break into. Trim hedges so neighbors and the street are visible. CLOSE THE BLINDS! Put signs for the security system up. Have a dog if you want one. Even a "Beware of dog" sign works. Don't be overly showy.

I'm not sure of California law in comaprison to my own, but here in Colorado we've got the "Make my day law" which says that if someone forcibly enters your house, and you tell them to leave, and they don't, you can use lethal force. There's quite a bit more to it than that, but that's the basics in Colorado. Find out local laws before anything else.

But, seriously, make it unappealing to break into. Break-ins are often not spontaneous, but premeditated. Make it seem like they won't get anything out of it.

Glad nobody got hurt, and it didn't escalate.
 
If she wants a gun for home defense I would reccomend her a 20g pump over a handgun. Cage the bedroom window if there is one & deadbolt her bedroom door so she can hide if they come back. it would save her valuable time if they tried to force entry. A doorway would make a narrow enough target for her to pump full of 000 if they were outside it.
 
Amroc: she isn't showy, her old camaro is a beat up well worn and used car with alot of history :) but doesn't look that appealing. And yah she has blinds and curtains already, but it isn't much to really look at, at her house. Nothing expensive or anything. In my head I think its more, because they saw her, probably often, and see that she is an older woman, who appears to live at home alone. And my mrs' and I, as soon as school is over for me? Have been wanting to move to Colorado for a long while, not to far away I went to Wyotech in Wyoming :P And yes my dogs will stay at least Cerberus or Rusty, all my dogs are trained, so commands are obeyed, they are really protective of my mom, sisters, mrs', just women in general and kids. I have more terriers, as well 2 corgis, they are like little alarm systems. My dads having a security specialist from his companys extensions come by to assess the place after and during install of some other items, windows are getting bared, and both doors front and back are being heavy steel screen doors installed. My other aunt may be moving in with her next week too, since she doesn't like living by herself too, her husband passed away last year, and their youngest son whos trying to go into the sheriffs, will be coming too.

Husky: she is really really small, and pretty weak, I am concerned if she could even handle a 9mm 26 or any other handgun, and I thought about the doorway to her bedroom too, since she has hard lenolyom floors? Could remove her doorway, and cut into ground, steel doorway and matching heavy duty door, like similar to hospitals or schools. I don't think she could handle a shotgun though. Thinking of alternate means of defense for her.




My aunts so scared shes like you can come live with me for a while! Your tree house is still good in the back! lol. If only the 3's came in pink with red handles or something lol, I'd get her that too, Pink Izzie seems like a nice gift.

Shes watching new moon now...lol. What a day...
 
I have found that most people who have alarms don't use them, same for locks. So I'd start there. I'd get a larger 357 and load it with 38s if she isn't actually going to carry it. Also, the learning curve on a revolver is less, period.

Dogs are great, I can't believe they didn't even bark.

Lights are good and with the new bulbs they can be run all night and use very little electricity.
 
All the above seems like good advice but I would definitely consider some different firearms. A 20 gauge with buckshot or slugs may be the best.

I havent shot the 26, but my 27 makes a lot of people complain when they shoot it. Muzzle rise and snap are considerable. If a pistol is what she wants, get something with a full or mid size frame to stifle a bit of the recoil. Also consider the simplicity of a revolver. The 357 loaded with 38 sounds pretty good.

Whatever you choose to do...if you end up getting her a firearm, be sure that she is totally on board with it, and is willing to get the training necessary to be safe and proficient with it.
 
Yea, I've got to agree with the saferoom and shotgun idea. A small .410 even would do the trick, and be easy to handle.
 
imaginefj said:
I have found that most people who have alarms don't use them, same for locks. So I'd start there. I'd get a larger 357 and load it with 38s if she isn't actually going to carry it. Also, the learning curve on a revolver is less, period.

Dogs are great, I can't believe they didn't even bark.

Lights are good and with the new bulbs they can be run all night and use very little electricity.
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No they did, but people are often leaving around that time for work, they usually bark a little than stop, when they barked alot followed by the door and its size panel glass going BAM, followed by the loud crying of the alarm, my dogs just crowded the door. Neighborhoods an officer, came running to check it out. He said he'd check his property cameras for anything usable, I am home right now cause I have to wait for a package for the old man from east coast, but half of my dogs are there, the ones who were there already when I went over.
 
Dizwolf said:
Yea, I've got to agree with the saferoom and shotgun idea. A small .410 even would do the trick, and be easy to handle.
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Yah someone else on my teams car forum suggested that for a fire arm alternative.

And I agree the room should be pretty good once a strong door and frame are in, and the locks.

Thanks for all the input guys!
 
Also make sure that she's on board with the idea and the reality of the fact that she might have to kill somebody with whatever firearm she has. Not everybody has the fortitude to be able to take a life.

______
RP #63
 
Well imho, I'd recommend either a Shotgun of sorts or Bear spray from counter assault. Here's my reasoning. I ran a gun range in SO CAL for 3 years and worked it for 5. I witnessed countless people coming for there CCW class and renewals that only picked up the firearm when they had to qualify. They'd come in about an hour before and shoot about 100 rounds down range, then shoot to qualify. All they had to do to qualify was hit the black on if memory serves was either a b27 or b29 silhouette target(which ever is life size) at out to 7 yards, needless to say that it looked like a shotgun pattern when they finish. Moral of the story is practice practice practice with a small firearm shooting one projectile at a time that can go through many walls on a missed shot. As one of my instructors would say, under stress you are only half as good as you are on your best day. So when I'm out of town I leave my better half with a Rem 1100 with bird shot, followed by 00 buck. With the Bear spray at least the counter assault, it shoot about 30 feet a yellowish green cloud of pure meanness. I have a story with that too but I think this has bee long enough. Good luck with decision.
 
practice, and some motion detecting lights would be great, need to get her in the mind set of what to do if she hears a bump in the night...good luck...
 
Well they are wrapping up door install for room, windows are all done, and front and rear door, I need to get the card of these guys when they leave or if my dad can get me one, cause they are FAST. and alot of guys. Will be here all day and for a few days I suspect, so I will discuss options for defense later, she said she has shot a shotgun before when she was young, with other family members.

So may not be to far out of the question for her to get a big 5 sporting goods special on Mossberg.

And thanks for the concern and input guys!
 
i agree with reinforcing the bedroom and motion sensitive lights. honestly i kinda think a shotgun may be a bit large for a 68 y/o woman, but i could be wrong. i was thinking a some sort of .22 would be something a little more friendly to her. Sure it's not a big caliber or a shotgun, but maybe she'd be more comfortable training with it and keeping it handy. I mean, in the end it's all about what the user is comfortable with right? can't have her shutting her eyes and trembling in fear of a recoil before she pulls the trigger. besides, i think the reaction to a person with a gun trained on you is universal, regardless of the size.
 
I would say go for the .410. I think a .22 is too small when adrenaline is high. Besides a woman of her age and frame should easily be able to handle it. My nephew who is 8 and is very small for his age duck & deer hunts with one as did I when I was his age. If a 55 lbs boy can handle so can your aunt.
 
true. i may be underestimating 68 year old women or overestimating shotguns. i just know there's degree of mental preparedness required behind owning a firearm, and shotguns make a loud intimidating bang. i had a hard enough time convincing my girlfriend to fire a 9mm. but if she's comfortable with a shotgun and willing to practice every once in a while, go for it! also a dog would be great, and she seems to love them anyways
 
If it has to be a hand gun, try a S&W M28 or some other N frame. Nice to have the extra weight when an easy shooting gun is needed. Revos are the original point and click device. Training isn't as much a factor with a revo, still important but not as critical as clearing a ftf/fte in an auto.

Still there is no pistol that is good as a 12 ga. for home protection IMHO. Loaded with the right ammo it doesn't need to overpenetrate into the neighbors house either.
Slugger
 
Aw man that is scary, a Glock in 9mm would probably be her best bet with training and practice. If it makes her feel safer and sleep better all the more power to her. What a scum-bag scaring an old lady like that to the point she has trouble sleeping. Get the Izula too for the kitchen:D Good luck working this out, wish you and your grandma all the best. GUNABILITY- a must for all Grandmas
 
Another thing to remember as stated above is that when people are scared their shooting accuracy drops significantly unless well trained. The good thing about the shotgun is you can change the chock for larger/smaller patterns accordingly. You don't need to be too accurate with some 00 buckshot. Just some thoughts. I have shot a .410 pistol before as well but it's been a while so I can't comment on how bad it kicks. They do have plenty of different youth models as well which can be quite small and easy to handle. Best of luck on your decision and let us know what you decide.
 
Take her to a range and see what she can shoot/handle. Alarms are a great thing BUT there is a delay between the sounding of the alarm and the call from the security company and the call to police. Then there is the delay of police arrival. A .410 or 20 ga shotgun is a great idea. #6 bird shot would be easy to handle, tell her to aim at the head.

Remember, WHEN SECONDS COUNT, THE POLICE ARE ONLY MINUTES AWAY!
 
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