Police Response and Home Invasions.

[DawnCt1]

One thing has become apparent to me, since the home invasion that occurred in Cheshire, Ct. Dr. Petit lost his wife and his two daughters, who were burned to death. The police were outside of the home prior to the conflagration. The murderers have been apprehended and are awaiting trial. Since then there have been several more nationally notable home invasions. The last one that came to my attention was the home invasion in South Windsor, Ct. The wife, an attorney was taken hostage by her ex husband at her place of work. She was able to quickly call her best friend who alerted the police. The Ex was able to drive from Hartford to South Windsor, hand cuff her and attach her to a bolt in the bunker type basement. The police could not rescue her. They established a perimeter, and waited. At one point they sent a robot to the door. The husband went upstairs to see what it was. By some miracle she was able to unscrew the bolt and escape through the hatchway while the house was burned to the ground. He was captured and arrested.
I am not faulting any of the procedures, but what is clear to me, in an event of this type, you are going to be responsible for saving yourself. Wouldn't you feel more comfortable if you had a gun and was trained in how to use it?

 

[JessicaR]

One thing has become apparent to me, since the home invasion that occurred in Cheshire, Ct. Dr. Petit lost his wife and his two daughters, who were burned to death. The police were outside of the home prior to the conflagration. The murderers have been apprehended and are awaiting trial. Since then there have been several more nationally notable home invasions. The last one that came to my attention was the home invasion in South Windsor, Ct. The wife, an attorney was taken hostage by her ex husband at her place of work. She was able to quickly call her best friend who alerted the police. The Ex was able to drive from Hartford to South Windsor, hand cuff her and attach her to a bolt in the bunker type basement. The police could not rescue her. They established a perimeter, and waited. At one point they sent a robot to the door. The husband went upstairs to see what it was. By some miracle she was able to unscrew the bolt and escape through the hatchway while the house was burned to the ground. He was captured and arrested.
I am not faulting any of the procedures, but what is clear to me, in an event of this type, you are going to be responsible for saving yourself. Wouldn't you feel more comfortable if you had a gun and was trained in how to use it?

Yes I do. It doesn't hurt that I have large dogs also.

But your second story wasn't a home invasion. A gun wouldn't have been very helpful since she wasn't home. A carry permit isn't happening in some states unless you can prove a specific need.

My husband and I have had this discussion numerous times. LI has had their share of home invasions too.

 

[gate_pourri]

For me, personally no! I know myself and I don't think I would have the guts, balls, whatever you call it, to actually use a gun. I do hope to go to a shooting range in the near future and try one out. For my husband (whoever he may be in the future) YES, I will feel much more comfortable at home knowing he was armed and trained!

 

[java]

I am not faulting any of the procedures, but what is clear to me, in an event of this type, you are going to be responsible for saving yourself. Wouldn't you feel more comfortable if you had a gun and was trained in how to use it?

Nope.
But I do miss my old neighbor ( NRA member )

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

I am all for our 2nd amendment, the right to bear arms, however I am also a trained police officer and have seen what happens to those who carry the weapon and those who are exposed to the weapon. IF you are not properly trained on how to use your weapon in not only accuracy but in self defence situations, it can get very ugly very quick. The hours and hours and hours and....... you get the point, of training required to handle the weapon is more then most people understand. Not to mention the need to know the law inside and out. It is a lot for some people to handle and makes our jobs as law enforcement very difficult at times. Its also why many officers chose not to carry off duty because, at times, it's just not practical to intervien in a hold up or assault situation safely without the risk of injuring others. Its better sometimes to be a great witness then a hero that steps in over their heads.
Consider this, all home invasions are by suprise to the victim. If your sleeping or doing laundry or in the shower or in your pool or what have you, how will you be able to access your weapon from your safe? You cant. You may want to consider other proactive steps like installing and properly using a burglar alarm just to name one.
Now, if you are up for all the responsibilty that comes with it then I back that choice and right 100% just please be respons. about it so everyone stays safe.

 

[DawnCt1]

For me, personally no! I know myself and I don't think I would have the guts, balls, whatever you call it, to actually use a gun. I do hope to go to a shooting range in the near future and try one out. For my husband (whoever he may be in the future) YES, I will feel much more comfortable at home knowing he was armed and trained!

That is kind of where I am now. DH thinks I should learn to use his gun. I also love my big dog! One of DS's friends came to the door tonight, after dark. Jude doesn't know him. He knocked and entered. Jude didn't like that. I had to grab his collar. I told Jude, "its okay, he can come in". I did not say "bad boy". He was protecting me. How many burglars are going to complain to the cops that they were attacked by a big white poodle.

 

[GeorgeG]

I've been a firm believer in being armed, with the proper training, of course, and have been for over forty years. While I usually don't go about armed these days, I have that option. Sometimes, when I must travel to or through some areas it's often more a comfort than a necessity, kind of the spare tire in the trunk... just in case.

Like we have seen in at least one signature here on the DIS, you "carry a gun 'cause a cop is too heavy."

The police can be there in minutes when seconds count.

The list goes on, but being a live responsible gun owner is better than being a dead victim. It's not for everyone, but that's why we are free to choose... well, in most states.

 

[JessicaR]

I am all for our 2nd amendment, the right to bear arms, however I am also a trained police officer and have seen what happens to those who carry the weapon and those who are exposed to the weapon. IF you are not properly trained on how to use your weapon in not only accuracy but in self defence situations, it can get very ugly very quick. The hours and hours and hours and....... you get the point, of training required to handle the weapon is more then most people understand. Not to mention the need to know the law inside and out. It is a lot for some people to handle and makes our jobs as law enforcement very difficult at times. Its also why many officers chose not to carry off duty because, at times, it's just not practical to intervien in a hold up or assault situation safely without the risk of injuring others. Its better sometimes to be a great witness then a hero that steps in over their heads.
Consider this, all home invasions are by suprise to the victim. If your sleeping or doing laundry or in the shower or in your pool or what have you, how will you be able to access your weapon from your safe? You cant. You may want to consider other proactive steps like installing and properly using a burglar alarm just to name one.
Now, if you are up for all the responsibilty that comes with it then I back that choice and right 100% just please be respons. about it so everyone stays safe.

What State do you live in? I can't think of a single cop that I know that doesnt carry when off duty.

 

[LuvOrlando]

We bought a firearm when we moved to PA and I learned how to use it. Even so once my kids along I transferred them to my FIL's Vietnam room to make sure an accident couldn't happen. As far as using it, I wouldn't hesitate. IF someone were to invade my home and endanger my kids then it's self defense, to me and the law. Still, I hope to heaven that my ADT and dog and generally cautious nature are enough. I lived through a home invasion as a newlywed on SI, NY by the Grace of God, and will never, ever, ever willfully leave a door open again. I was so very lucky.

 

[Camicar]

If your sleeping or doing laundry or in the shower or in your pool or what have you, how will you be able to access your weapon from your safe? You cant.

Because my grandfather trained and sold hunting dogs, he was someone who knew and owned guns. He always said that if you own a gun, you know have the power to kill and MUST be responsible, which means gun in safe, ammo somewhere else, especially if you have children.

As he put it -- What is the likelihood of you being able to retrieve a gun from a safe and the ammo from its location in time to stop an intruder? Probably 0%. And even if it weren't 0%, are you truly going to be willing to use it and if you're willing, are you capable and calm enough to use it effectively? Then, if you realize your likelihood of getting to the gun in time is 0%, what is your alternative? To walk around your home with a handgun in a holster or carry a long arm gun around like some moonshiner protecting his still? Who wants to live like that on the extremely remote chance of being victim of a home invasion?

I can't think of a single cop that I know that doesnt carry when off duty

I don't know ANY cops who do carry when off duty.

 

[java]

I don't know ANY cops who do carry when off duty.

All the ones I'm related to do.

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

oh please dont get me wrong, a lot do carry off duty when they feel it can be done properly and safely. But a lot wont because of the risk of exposing their family to the risk that goes with it. My husband and I are both officers and will carry from time to time when it can be done safely and we feel it is warranted.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I don't know police but do know a few FBI agents personally and they ALL carry all the time. I have to admit its un-nerving when my FIL's buddies come over to watch the Superbowl and I can see the weapon above their shoe when they sit.

 

[JessicaR]

Maybe its a NY thing but I doubt it. I have family and friends that are police officers and not a one leaves their gun home when off duty. Even the retired ones carry.

 

[DawnCt1]

When I was younger, I grew up in a town where NO one locked their doors. In fact, I don't think we could have locked the doors in our house. My grandfather painted over them. Even today, I am not as vigilant as I should be. I lock the front doors, but when the AC isn't on and its a nice night, I will leave the door open to the deck off of our bedroom. I like the fresh air.
My neighbor on the other hand is so serious about her alarm system. If she leaves the house to go in the yard, she will arm the alarm. She leaves it on during the day and would never open a window at night, even on the second floor. I can't live like that. I would feel like a hostage in my house. A big dog and DH with a gun "somewhere" works just fine for now.

 

[GeorgeG]

When I was younger, I grew up in a town where NO one locked their doors. In fact, I don't think we could have locked the doors in our house. My grandfather painted over them. Even today, I am not as vigilant as I should be. I lock the front doors, but when the AC isn't on and its a nice night, I will leave the door open to the deck off of our bedroom. I like the fresh air.
My neighbor on the other hand is so serious about her alarm system. If she leaves the house to go in the yard, she will arm the alarm. She leaves it on during the day and would never open a window at night, even on the second floor. I can't live like that. I would feel like a hostage in my house. A big dog and DH with a gun "somewhere" works just fine for now.

I remember those days, too, Dawn! I didn't know what a house key was until I was just about out of high school. And, we typically left car keys in the ignition whether in the garage, driveway, or parked downtown. That was barely 30 miles outside NYC, but that was also a long time ago. Before I left, I carried just about any time I had to go out after dark. Granted, it was a pain in the butt, but I felt safer and my wife did, too. She used to balk until we came home from shopping one evening. We went in the back door as usual and she stopped in her tracks as soon as she saw the front door open. Us coming in must have scared whoever it was off, but it could have been different. She hasn't balked about me carrying since and sometimes insists on it.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Nope, I would feel much less secure with a firearm in my house. You are more likely to be injured by your own gun than to ever need it (or successfully use it) against another person. I know myself, I would be one of those people. Guns are unnecessary IMO unless you need it for your job. There are way too many stories of jumpy wackjobs shooting innocent people in the name of "protection", or kids getting into "secure" gun cabinets, the list goes on. Guns are nothing but trouble IMO. I don't buy the "armed society is a polite society" either. An armed society is a scared society.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I don't know police but do know a few FBI agents personally and they ALL carry all the time. I have to admit its un-nerving when my FIL's buddies come over to watch the Superbowl and I can see the weapon above their shoe when they sit.

And without your permission to have a weapon in your house, I find this completely disrespectful.

 

[terri01p]

No way I would have a gun in my home, we are much to nervous for something like that, if I had one we would have probably blown my dd head off long ago with her sneaking around our house at night.

That being said, I followed this home invasion in the news and was so sicken by what happen to this family. I cried for this man that lost a whole family to these animals.

One thing I can tell you for sure is, in this day we are living in I'm glad I have basically nothing of value that people would want and also if I'm ever in a situtation like that I wouldn't be waiting for help, someone would be getting a butt full of my feet and by the time I got though busting loose, hopefully they would say forget this, it ain't worth it !

 

[Nancyg56]

My DH is a hunter so we have guns and ammunition in the house. He feels strongly that homeowners should be armed. I do not have any confidence in either one of us being able to get to the gun cabinet, unlock it, get the ammunition and the gun together because they are not stored anywhere near each other, load the thing and then stop the invader before he gets through the door. In theory having a gun in the home might work but unless it is loaded and handy I cannot see how it is an advantage.

I would rather have a big dog...so when my two old cats are gone I will think about that.

I also grew up in a community where we never locked the doors and am pretty comfortable in my neighborhood even now. This fear we have now is so sad.