Four Fundamental Rules That Can Save Your Life.

The NRA has three golden rules. We at Carryconcealed.net have added a 4th.

1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
This is the golden rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. If you are in a room the safe direction is away from people in the room, but you must take into consideration what is on the other side of the walls or outside the windows. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances. On gun ranges, this is most likely down range. Listen to the Range Safety Officer or person in charge.

2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.

While handling a gun, place your finger on outside the trigger guard, until you are ready to fire. This is one of the most difficult safety rule with new students. You can never trust a mechanical safety on a firearm, your finger is the only safety you can trust. So fight the natural impulse to put the finger in the trigger guard area and on the trigger until ready to shoot.

3. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does. This does not include self-defense guns as they should be on the ready. If the self-defense gun is not in use it should be unloaded and locked up. There are great safes that allow for quick access while keeping the firearm away from un-authorized persons….including children.

4, Get training and practice.

Responsible gun owners cross political, ethnic, and religious boundaries. They should take the lead on setting the example for others in our open society. Get training and become familiar with your firearm before disaster strikes from a violent robber or an accident while handling the firearm. After taking the training class from your local instructor, practice as often as you possibly can.

Joe Horn was relaxing at his home outside of Houston, Texas when he heard glass breaking. He looked out the window and saw two men in broad daylight using a crowbar to break into his neighbor’s house.

911 Call
Joe grabbed his 12-gauge shotgun and called 911. Here’s the exchange.
“Uh, I’ve got a shotgun … uh, do you want me to stop them?”
“Nope, don’t do that,” the dispatcher responded. “Ain’t no property worth shooting somebody over, OK?”
Joe Horn and the 911 dispatcher spoke for several minutes while Joe pleaded for the dispatcher to send out the police to stop the burglars from escaping. The dispatcher continued to urge Joe to stay inside. But Joe is a Texas boy.
“Don’t go outside the house,” the 911 dispatcher pleaded. “You’re going to get yourself shot if you go outside that house with a gun. I don’t care what you think.”
“You want to make a bet?” Joe answered. “I’m going to kill them.”
Shortly afterwards the burglars crawled back out the window. They were carrying a bag, which was later determined to contain a large amount of cash. The police had not yet arrived, and Joe yelled to the dispatcher, “Well, here it goes, buddy,” as a shell clicked into the chamber. “You hear the shotgun clicking, and I’m going.”
A few seconds passed.
“Move,” Joe can be heard saying on the tape. “Or you’re dead.”
Boom.
Click.
Boom.
Click.
Boom.
Apparently someone moved.
Joe picked up the receiver and said, “They came into my front yard so I shot one and he’s in the yard next door and the other one is running down the street.”
Both men died, each shot once at a range of about 15 feet. I am fairly certain Joe’s defense will be he feared for his life. Which may be hard to prove if the burglars have buckshot in their backs.

Bernard Goetz
Joe Horn’s case is similar to Bernard Goetz, the young New Yorker who shot four menacing teenagers on a subway. The four were trying to rob him when they asked for $5, he said.
Goetz got off on the murder and assault charges even though his last shot was at point blank range as the wounded teen laid on the subway floor. But he was convicted of illegal possession of the gun. Even today Goetz remains a hero to some and an out-of-control murderer to others.
Joe Horn’s case will test Texas’ law of self-defense and defense of property — albeit a neighbor’s. No charges have been filed yet.

Justifiable homicide
I’m not sure of California law on self-defense and defense of property, and when I briefly researched it to finish up this column, I got even more confused. Happens a lot these days.
I believe homicide, at a minimum, is justifiable, when you are resisting an attempted murder or stopping a felony or when you kill in defense of your occupied home.
When you may use deadly force is spelled out in California codes and thousands of court cases. Too much reading for the civil law lawyer.
If you actually and reasonably believe your life is threatened, deadly force is justifiable. I think it is the same if someone is breaking into your home. Shooting to kill to protect personal property with no threat of life may be a different story.
Shooting in the back to protect your neighbor’s property may just get Joe Horn a manslaughter charge. But don’t count on it.
I remember being told in law school, “If you shoot a robber in your yard, drag him into your house.”

Anyone know?
Maybe our deputy district attorney or a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can help us out with the law of justifiable homicide, self-defense, defense of property or home, and deadly force vs. non-deadly force — what are a layperson’s rights and duties?

Used with Permission. About the Author:

Emergency Planning and Checklists

Now that you’ve learned about what can happen and how your community is prepared to respond to emergencies, prepare your family by creating a family disaster plan. You can begin this process by gathering family members and reviewing the information you obtained in Section 1.1 (hazards, warning systems, evacuation routes and community and other plans). Discuss with them what you would do if family members are not home when a warning is issued. Additionally, your family plan should address the following:

• Escape routes.
• Family communications.
• Utility shut-off and safety.
• Insurance and vital records.
• Special needs.
• Caring for animals.
• Safety Skills

Escape Routes

Draw a floor plan of your home. Use a blank sheet of paper for each floor. Mark two escape routes from each room. Make sure children understand the drawings. Post a copy of the drawings at eye level in each child’s room.

Where to Meet
Establish a place to meet in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. Record the locations below:

	Where to meet...
Near the home	For example, the next door neighbor’s telephone pole
Outside the immediate area	For example, the neighborhood grocery store parking lot

Family Communications

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another. Think about how you will communicate in different situations.

Complete a contact card for each family member. Have family members keep these cards handy in a wallet, purse, backpack, etc. You may want to send one to school with each child to keep on file. Pick a friend or relative who lives out-of-state for household members to notify they are safe.

 Right is a sample contact card. Copies to fill out can be found in Appendix C. Also in Appendix C is a more detailed Family Communications Plan which should be completed and posted so the contact information is readily accessible to all family members. A copy should also be included in your family disaster supplies kit.

Utility Shut-off and Safety

In the event of a disaster, you may be instructed to shut off the utility service at your home.

Below is some general guidance for shutting off utility service:

Modify the information provided to reflect your shut off requirements as directed by your utility company(ies).

Natural Gas
Natural gas leaks and explosions are responsible for a significant number of fires following disasters. It is vital that all household members know how to shut off natural gas.

Because there are different gas shut-off procedures for different gas meter configurations, it is important to contact your local gas company for guidance on preparation and response regarding gas appliances and gas service to your home.

When you learn the proper shut-off procedure for your meter, share the information with everyone in your household. Be sure not to actually turn off the gas when practicing the proper gas shut-off procedure.

If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and get everyone out quickly. Turn off the gas, using the outside main valve if you can, and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home.

CAUTION - If you turn off the gas for any reason, a qualified professional must turn it back on. NEVER attempt to turn the gas back on yourself.

Water
Water quickly becomes a precious resource following many disasters. It is vital that all household members learn how to shut off the water at the main house valve.

• Cracked lines may pollute the water supply to your house. It is wise to shut off your water until you hear from authorities that it is safe for drinking.
• The effects of gravity may drain the water in your hot water heater and toilet tanks unless you trap it in your house by shutting off the main house valve (not the street valve in the cement box at the curb—this valve is extremely difficult to turn and requires a special tool).

Preparing to Shut Off Water

• Locate the shut-off valve for the water line that enters your house. It may look like the sample pictured here.
• Make sure this valve can be completely shut off. Your valve may be rusted open, or it may only partially close. Replace it if necessary.
• Label this valve with a tag for easy identification, and make sure all household members know where it is located.

Electricity
Electrical sparks have the potential of igniting natural gas if it is leaking. It is wise to teach all responsible household members where and how to shut off the electricity.

Preparing to Shut Off Electricity

• Locate your electricity circuit box.
• Teach all responsible household members how to shut off the electricity to the entire house.

FOR YOUR SAFETY: Always shut off all the individual circuits before shutting off the main circuit breaker.

Insurance and Vital Records

Obtain property, health, and life insurance if you do not have them. Review existing policies for the amount and extent of coverage to ensure that what you have in place is what is required for you and your family for all possible hazards.

Flood Insurance
If you live in a flood-prone area, consider purchasing flood insurance to reduce your risk of flood loss. Buying flood insurance to cover the value of a building and its contents will not only provide greater peace of mind, but will speed the recovery if a flood occurs. You can call 1 (888) FLOOD29 to learn more about flood insurance.

Inventory Home Possessions
Make a record of your personal property, for insurance purposes. Take photos or a video of the interior and exterior of your home. Include personal belongings in your inventory.

You may also want to download the free Household and Personal Property Inventory Book from the University of Illinois at www.ag.uiuc.edu/~vista/abstracts/ahouseinv.html to help you record your possessions.

Important Documents
Store important documents such as insurance policies, deeds, property records, and other important papers in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box away from your home. Make copies of important documents for your disaster supplies kit. (Information about the disaster supplies kit is covered later.)

Money
Consider saving money in an emergency savings account that could be used in any crisis. It is advisable to keep a small amount of cash or traveler’s checks at home in a safe place where you can quickly access them in case of evacuation.

Special Needs

If you or someone close to you has a disability or a special need, you may have to take additional steps to protect yourself and your family in an emergency.

Disability/Special Need	Additional Steps
Hearing impaired	May need to make special arrangements to receive warnings.
Mobility impaired	May need special assistance to get to a shelter.
Single working parent	May need help to plan for disasters and emergencies.
Non-English speaking persons	May need assistance planning for and responding to emergencies. Community and cultural groups may be able to help keep people informed.
People without vehicles	May need to make arrangements for transportation.
People with special dietary needs	Should take special precautions to have an adequate emergency food supply.

Planning for Special Needs
If you have special needs: Find out about special assistance that may be available in your community. Register with the office of emergency services or the local fire department for assistance so needed help can be provided.

• Create a network of neighbors, relatives, friends, and coworkers to aid you in an emergency. Discuss your needs and make sure everyone knows how to operate necessary equipment.
• Discuss your needs with your employer.
• If you are mobility impaired and live or work in a high-rise building, have an escape chair.
• If you live in an apartment building, ask the management to mark accessible exits clearly and to make arrangements to help you leave the building.
• Keep specialized items ready, including extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, catheters, medication, food for service animals, and any other items you might need.
• Be sure to make provisions for medications that require refrigeration.
• Keep a list of the type and model numbers of the medical devices you require.

Caring for Animals

Animals also are affected by disasters. Use the guidelines below to prepare a plan for caring for pets and large animals.

Guidelines for Pets
Plan for pet disaster needs by:

• Identifying shelter.
• Gathering pet supplies.
• Ensuring your pet has proper ID and up-to-date veterinarian records.
• Providing a pet carrier and leash.

Take the following steps to prepare to shelter your pet:

• Call your local emergency management office, animal shelter, or animal control office to get advice and information.
• Keep veterinary records to prove vaccinations are current.
• Find out which local hotels and motels allow pets and where pet boarding facilities are located. Be sure to research some outside your local area in case local facilities close.

Know that, with the exception of service animals, pets are not typically permitted in emergency shelters as they may affect the health and safety of other occupants.

Guidelines for Large Animals
If you have large animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs on your property, be sure to prepare before a disaster.

Use the following guidelines:

1. Ensure all animals have some form of identification.
2. Evacuate animals whenever possible. Map out primary and secondary routes in advance.
3. Make available vehicles and trailers needed for transporting and supporting each type of animal. Also make available experienced handlers and drivers. (Note: It is best to allow animals a chance to become accustomed to vehicular travel so they are less frightened and easier to move.)
4. Ensure destinations have food, water, veterinary care, and handling equipment.
5. If evacuation is not possible, animal owners must decide whether to move large animals to shelter or turn them outside.

Safety Skills

It is important that family members know how to administer first aid and CPR and how to use a fire extinguisher.

Learn First Aid and CPR
Take a first aid and CPR class. Local American Red Cross chapters can provide information about this type of training. Official certification by the American Red Cross provides, under the “good Samaritan” law, protection for those giving first aid.

Learn How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
Be sure everyone knows how to use your fire extinguisher(s) and where it is kept. You should have, at a minimum, an ABC type.

At Carryconcealed.net we have had many questions on home defense. These questions have a common theme. How do you protect your loved ones for the lowest cost? There are several aspects to home defense. They are proactive measures like lights, making your home looked lived in even while on vacation, dogs, and security video systems. There are reactive type protection measures like fire arms, pepper spray and calling 911. Home alarm systems monitored by security systems or by the police can be expensive if they are installed correctly with sensors at every window and door. Dogs are one of the best proactive solutions for security. There are some problems with the use of dogs for security. Some people are allergic to their pets, or people just don’t take the time to properly train their pets. We have had great results with our dogs over the years. They have stopped many bad guys and been a great addition to our family. As a family we have taken the time to play and integrate them into our daily lives. 

                There are resources to help families pick the right dog and the adoption can not only add a new layer of security to your home, but also may save the life of a deserving puppy. Picking a breed that has the herding or the natural will help in training for protection. I cannot recommend a PitBull for any reason. The working class or herding dogs understand their relationship with a family. Their natural ability to protect is amplified when the dogs are integrated into the home. There are breeds that make great family pets, but do not have the instinctual ability to protect a home and children. An example of this would be the beloved Golden Retriever. The Golden Retriever is one of the best family dogs that anyone could want; they just cannot protect anyone because they would help the bad guy carry out the burglary.  The cost for the dog would be approximately $75 to $100 for the adoption and $50 per month for food and pet supplies. Veterinarian visits would be an average for $200 per year and this would be a total of an estimated $900 per year. Remember the dog is one of the best proactive systems as they will alert you before an attack.  Do not forget to put the signs around your house warning of a guard dog.

                Alarm systems can range in prices from $100 for an installation of a motion sensor and two key pads with a monthly charge of $35 to 50 per month. This solution is a tried and true method for home defense with the signs in around the house. However, we have seen that even an alarm system will not stop the home invasion, but rather it will help alert the home owner if one is happening.  We had a neighbor that had a very expensive home alarm system and she was home one day. The home invasion started while she was in the shower, and they cut through the wall next to the door on the other side of the house successfully bypassing the alarm system.  Our neighbor was able to scare them off and she was lucky enough to have police on site within several minutes.   The alarm can run a yearly solution between $250 to $300, and up to several thousand dollars if you add video and 24x7 surveillance.

                Cameras and video can be very expensive. We have added several “Trail Cams” around our house. This is a reactive solution as the “Trail Cams” do a great job taking pictures of who has been around our house. We are in the process of placing them in several places to find which neighbor or regular individual is stealing gas from my truck. Pictured on the right are some of our neighbors that we like hanging around. The deer and raccoons are my kind of neighbors. These remote cams are not expensive, but they are reactive. You can only see what has happened after the fact. When trying to find out who is “casing” your home or stealing your gas they are a good tool. Sams have a Wildview for $128 dollars with a remote power supply and optional locking cable. This will activate on thermals. This will help with taking pictures of animals, burglars, and even cars. We have tested the “Cams” and they pick cars up from the engine heat.  Just knowing who is around your house, or if your home actually does get broken into, having a few “Trail Cams” around is a starting point for the police to start the investigation. The “Trail Cam” can range from $128 to $500 depending on how many “Cams” are needed to place around the property. Having the knowlege of who is around your house can also help you change your defense plan to be ready for the right senerio.

                We have talked about proactive and reactive, and that leads us to the moment of the home invasion.  At the moment of the invasion is the ultimate reactive point. Having a plan of action for the family is important and will save lives. Our readers have asked what guns should be considered the best for home defense. With the tone of the article on keeping the cost down, I would recommend a combination of several guns. If you can only buy one gun, it would be best to buy a 12 gauge shotgun. One of the best shot guns we have tested is the Mossberg 500. The cost of the 500 is between $154 and $250. A 12 gauge pump shotgun has the most distinctive sound in the world, especially at night. There are accessories that you can get for the shotguns that are inexpensive, but help with handling in tight quarters.  I have added a folding stock and heat shield to one of my 500s. The folding stock was $45 from Advanced Technology and the heat shield was $30.  You do not need to add the additional folding stock or accessories. So the solution for a shotgun could be between $150 and $300.  There are also different kinds of rounds that you can use in defense.  There are non-lethal bean bag rounds, or you can use the defense rounds that are devastating at close range.  Many readers use normal game or pheasant loads just so they do not have to have several different loads around the house. There are racks that are available so that the shot gun can be kept secured, but yet still available. We have other folks that have used combination trigger locks that allow for security with quick access.

                The pistol or handgun solution is one of the most difficult as there are so many to choose from, and there are so many variables for the selection of a handgun. We have always recommended using the largest caliber handgun that you can shoot safely and consistently.  For example, we have a Ruger P95 in a quick access safe. My wife can use the 9mm and it does not have too much kick for her. She also has 4 extra 20 round magazines in the safe. Only my wife and I have access to these quick access safes. They range in price from $50 at Academy to $400 for biometric reading quick access safes.  Now I have a quick access safe in my office and it is where my 1911 is stored. I prefer a Springfield Arms 1911 with nightsights for my home defense pistol. If you cannot operate a semi-automatic a revolver may be something that you need. A Taurus .38 or .357 is around $325 and is a solid handgun.  This part of the home defense plan will need the most amount of research and practice.

                In summary:  Home defense is something that does not “Happen” without a plan and a lot of work. A home needs more than just a gun for home defense. It needs proactive and reactive measures for defense. Lighting, signs, dogs and alarms with signs are excellent proactive tools. The lighting and signs are the easiest, but also have the least potential to stop a home invasion.   Finding the right dog is not expensive and is an excellent proactive solution. The problem is most people do not take the time necessary to train and integrate a dog into a family as a proactive protective solution. The time and integration is the costly portion of the dog solution. The shotgun is a great tool for defense but it needs to be locked up until needed, and the owners need to take the time to practice and understand how to use the “Action” of the shotgun. The handgun is one of the most difficult decisions as most people do not take the time to consult with an Instructor prior to purchasing a handgun, and they never practice. Taking the extra time for matching your specific needs for a handgun with the different models available can not only save your life but save the life of your family members.

Get a plan, implement the plan, and practice the plan; the life you save just may be your own.

Happy trails and keep the lead down range. Clark –Carryconcealed.net

Imagine it is the end of a long day. You and your family are spread about the house: your spouse in the study, your son in his room playing video games, your daughter dutifully doing the dishes, and you tinkering with your train set in the garage. You hear the doorbell ring; you go to answer, glancing at your watch and wondering who could be dropping by unannounced at this hour. You look through the peephole and see a nicely dressed man who claims, by yelling through the door, that his car broke down and he needs to use the phone. You open the door.

You just made a big mistake.

That nice young man has two buddies hiding out of sight and the instant you open that door, all three pounce on you. You are pushed to the ground. Your screams bring your family running, though inside you desperately wish they would hide or even escape. But it’s too late. You are the victim of a home invasion, and now you and your family are in danger.

Regular burglars work doing the day, breaking in during daylight hours when the home is usually unoccupied. They want to get in and get out with the loot, avoiding confrontation.

Home invasion criminals are different.

Home invasion criminals do their dastardly deeds at night, and their target is more than just the loot: it is often the residents. Single women, the elderly, or the wealthy are common home invasion targets. Home invasion robbers do it for more than just the spoils of war. Many get an adrenaline rush from the violence, the domination, and the fear they instill in you. Home invasion criminals are the most dangerous kind of criminal, and you must protect yourself and your family from home invasion with dedicated vigilance. There’s a reason people say the home is a castle –- it needs to be a well-secured battlement to protect you from home invasion.

The first sixty seconds of a home invasion are the most violent; this is when the attackers often beat, subdue, or bound you and your family. Threats are made against your life, and the home invasion criminals stalk about your house looking for valuables to steal. They could take their sweet time, while you tremble with fear, bound and gagged on the floor, wondering what will happen to you and your family. Will there be sexual assault? Murder? You are helpless. All you can do is pray and wait for them to leave, and then try to get help.

But you can prevent a home invasion.

The same steps you take to secure your home when you are away are useful when you are at home.

1. Lock all doors and windows at all times.

2. Arm your burglar alarm even when you are there

3. Stop forced entries with solid doors and reinforced locks.

4. Create a home invasion panic room at the center of your home, with a deadbolt lock, sturdy door, first aid supplies, and a charged cell phone. Home invaders often cut the phone lines to prevent you from calling for help. Keeping a cell phone in your panic room allows you to call for help if the regular lines of communication are cut.

5. Instruct your family to never open the door for an unexpected stranger. If someone comes to the door asking to use the phone, offer to make the call for them. Harmless people who really do need help understand that you are just being safe. Home invasion criminals, luckily, often just give up.

6. Hold a family meeting and create a plan in the case home invasion. Make sure each family member knows what to do: escape out the back door if they can, or head for the panic room, and don’t fight back. Violence only escalates if the home invasion criminals become angry.

It may seem like home invasions are impossible to prevent. Any criminal who really wants to get inside your home can just kick the door in. But precautions and common sense can keep most home invasion criminals from trying their luck with your home. You can enjoy your pleasant evenings home, knowing you and your family are safe in your well-fortified castle.

More tips to preventing Home-Invasions

1. Strangers: You tell your children not to talk to strangers, so why do you open the door to a total stranger?
2. Peephole: Install peepholes, talk through the door.
3. Posers: Home-invaders pose as delivery people, public workers, or people in distress.
4. Make a call: Under no circumstances do you open the door unless you get phone numbers to call their superiors.
5. Distress: If someone is in distress tell him or her you will call the police for them.
6. Do not call the police! If you live in a high crime area area where law enforcement takes a while to respond, and if someone is trying to break into your house while you are in it, calling the fire department will sometimes get help to the scene quicker. Do this only if you are desperate. Firefighters are not equipped to handle violence. However squealing sirens can deter a criminal.
7. Home Safe Home: Consider a second line or a cell phone in your bedroom. Burglars often remove a telephone from the receiver when they enter a home.
8. Get alarmed: An alarm system activated while you are sleeping will prevent a burglar from getting to far. Newer alarms have cellular options, a safeguard even if the phone lines are cut.
9. Money and jewels: One simple reason your house is chosen is someone tipped off the Home-invader that you have valuables. Your friends or children or baby sitter might have unintentionally bragged.
10. Get armed: Having a non-lethal weapon in the form of a Taser or a Pepper spray in close proximity to your bed or front door can debilitate your attacker before they gain control.
Get Firearms Training; The probability of serious injury from an attack is 2.5 times greater for women offering no resistance than for women resisting with a gun. When a woman is armed with a gun or knife, only 3% of rape attacks are completed, compared to 32% when unarmed.