"IT" Happened

I have dogs, lots of them. two great pyreense outside, and 5 pom's inside, and several guns, No, I would not blink an eye, if someone was coming in my home. Also You can get birds, like guina's, they let you know when people are on your land. so do geese. and that is a good thing. you would be amazed at how many people are afraid of geese. and chickens. I also have a pet steer, that roams freely in the yard, and pasture. People see him, sure stop, and leave in a hurry. He is as gentle as a lamb, I raised him by hand since he was born. so he is mom's big baby, but the average person, see's a big steer, and get scared, most think he is a bull, not a steer.
so instant fear. Do I tell them other wise? no.
I would also light that place up like the fourth of july, and you can get camera's that are really nice, at Sam's club, for 40 $ a piece. might be a good thing.also, get a shot gun, and fill with buck shot.

I used to work for the County Attorney (prosecutor) and virtually every person caught breaking in or for breaking in was using drugs. I don't know if that was because only those on drugs were stupid enough for our rather inept law enforcement officers to catch or if most were actually on drugs. Our rule is if someone is outside the house we call 911 first. If they are inside, we call 911 after. If they are at the other end of the house we would give warning. If they're in the same room, it goin' get messy.

When I was a teenager we lived in the country close to Des Moines. My dad traveled so was only home weekends. There was a rapist on the loose and my mom got scared and booby trapped the house at night. She put the ironing board in front of one door with a cookie tin full of marbles on top. I don't know what her next plan was if that didn't scare an intruder off because she wouldn't have touched a gun even to save her kids. I've always thought that using any tippy bench, flower stand or ironing board with the tin of marbles was an excellent early warning devise and have done so a couple of times myself. I had a friend who used it to catch her sons coming in past curfew!

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This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Wow, is this about Gun Control or what?
I think everyone should have and know how to use a gun, and a Shotgun is the best weapon of choice too, for a couple of reasons and the first one is that it isn't a traceable bullet, like a pistol, or rifle. The second reason is that if you are "aiming from the hip" you will likely hit something on the person you are aiming at, and will surely scare away any person in their right mind who is trying to break into your home.
But here in WV we don't aim from the hip, we aim to KILL, or at least I do. Some robbers aren't going to sue me for my farm for just maiming him, I aim to hit my target, isn't that what Gun Control really is, hitting what you aim at?
I also have a Driveway alarm which I bought from Homesteads, catalog, for about $80.00 and it works a lot farther than I thought and around the bends in our driveway. Our driveway is approximently 1000. feet long and we have it installed after the first 50 feet or so, just enough room to get off the road and still let me know that someone is coming down our driveway. I am so thankful that I bought it and it tells me when someone is coming, the down side is, it also tells me when the animals are roaming around in that area of our farm. But, when the Beeper goes off, all I need do, is look outside and watch for lights, or signs of someone moving around, and I will have my trusty Double Barrel Shotgun ready for whoever decides this is an "easy place to rob."
Good luck and be sure to get some kind of protection, my dog won't even allow the Electric or Gas readers to exit their vehicles until I go out and tell her it is OK, now come to the house. I love it.
I own an Australian Cattle Dog, better known to those around here as a Blue Heeler, and they have the right instincts for being a good guard dog, without having to feed those larger dogs, and they also make very good pets, ones that expect to go everywhere you go, and do everything you do.
Good luck.

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It is a great life, if you have lived it.

But you can buy short barreled Shotguns, we own one, that is legal and is called a "Riot Gun" used by the police during times of riots. I don't think they will throw lead for a yard wide but, I sure as heck don't want to be shot by one, and with the barrel being so short, the length of the forarm is the length of the barrel, it would be a bit harder for someone to wrestle it out of your hands, unless you allow them to get too close. I don't even allow strangers on my porch, with my Driveway alert, I meet the people in the driveway, where they can't even get a glimpse inside the house, and I do own a lot more guns than the one shotgun, and we also carry concealed weapons, and have a Concealed Weapon Permit for the state of WV.
I hate to have to pay every five years for them to check me out but I don't have to worry about a policeman stopping me and seeing my .357 mag. in my purse, or behind my back tucked inside my jeans.
Guns are good, but like they have been saying, don't get one, if you can't stand the thoughts of shooting someone, for it will probably be used against you instead of you using it against a crook.

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It is a great life, if you have lived it.

I got my pepper spray online at Defense Devices,com
I picked up a regular, a grizzly bear strength, and a stun baton. I also have a Min Pin with a very loud bark. She is really alert and caught someone trying to break in a few months ago. I got downstairs to see him sneaking off down the street. It's too bad because if I had caught him jiggling the doorknob, I would have zapped the doorknob with my stun gun.

If by some unbelievable chance someone does get inside the house, I keep a .380 handgun with a full clip in my bedroom. When I'm out in the yard, I always have a hammer, shovel or wrecking bar within easy reach to help defend myself.

[QUOTE= We live in a wonderful, safe area, but should always be prepared


Where in NC are you? We two have had husband -wife murders here in the past 6 mths. They were both shot in their homes. And I am one to never lock doors. I will be more careful from now on. I am also in a nice country - **safe** area, but you never know these days . We are north of Statesville















8safe?

I have buried lots of dogs that have attacked my chickens and my rabbits... most of them MINE!!! The best dog we have we put in the chicken pen when she was a pup. she lived there until we were able to trust her to stay on the property (and put up a fence) She doesnt bother the chickens. She is half lab half pyreneese. Being pyr doesnt gaurantee they wont kill your stock, I have one that kills every duck he can get around. (should have buried him long ago) But, his "sentence" is life on the chain...
So, get a young dog and train it. Dont inherite someone else's bad manners or bad training....
My favorite gun is my 20 gauge shotgun. I wear my makarov 9.18 when I go out too far, and just got what I call my "rifleman" gun from my son as a gift.... I love the way it sounds when you load it!!!
I probably need to practice more, but have never flinched or missed when I decided to do away with the 4 leggers, have no doubt I could do the same with 2 leggers. Never underestimate the fury (or protection) of a mother....

Sherriff once said "if they break in, shoot 'em dead. If they fall out the door when you do, drag em inside and give me a call...." LOL! now that is my kind of sherriff!!! (that is cause it takes them an hour to get out here --minimum!)

I personally couldn't agree more!! I had three years of training thanks to Uncle Sam. One range we used to run was an urban assault range. You wouldn't believe how many times friendly civilians (simulated) were shot rather than the enemy. I shot more than my fair share. It made me swear off guns for self defense. When your hearts beating and the blood is pumping, the last thing I trust in a split second is judgement with my trigger finger.

I made the decision that I would much rather die than to have to live with the fact I shot someone who was innocent. Now all my guns are locked up until hunting season begins

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Brad Bachelor
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"Loving an old bachelor is always a no-win situation, and you come to terms with that early on, or you go away.”
-- Jean Harris

I've always lived on a farm out in the country, and grew up handling guns.unfortunatly, my husband has worked out of town too, so i usually had small children to defend. they knew NEVER to touch a gun, and when they were old enough, they were taught to handle them.
Now, my husband and I are elderly, he has brain cancer, and i still have my Glock. on another forum lately, i mentioned using the Glock on a rattlesnake that was trying to get my husband, and was told "Some man, using a gun on a poor snake that was only trying to do what comes natural" needless to say, I was too.
Oh, well, takes all kinds. And a dog? ever hear a Rottweiler answer the door?Ppl dont usually knock twice, especially after dark.

What was that Mel Gibson movie, with Julia Roberts, where he thought they were after him and come to find out they were? There's one scene where he balanced a beer bottle on the doorknob, and it fell at the first motion of the door or the knob.... have thought of using that one myself. Instead, have a doberman alarm set - big bark! no one knows he's a sissy but me.

Pam <---- relies on his superior hearing for help...

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My Dad always told me, "Honey, you can do anything you put your mind to." He was right.

It is not myself dieing that I worry about!How would you like to "live" with the fact that you stood by helplessly while your family was murdered!

I am sure that I would not stand by helplessly while my family was being murdered!!

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Brad Bachelor
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"Loving an old bachelor is always a no-win situation, and you come to terms with that early on, or you go away.”
-- Jean Harris

Your right you would be bound and gagged!

Everyone raves about pepper spray. Its wonderful stuff if you do it right and if the guy isn't too close and ready for it ect. I am supposed to carry the stuff at work and I don't due to the difficulty using it. As far as Homeland Security is concerned it is a soft technique similar to grabbing someone violently and is NOT To BE USED IN DEADLY OR POSSIBLY DEADLY SELF DEFENSE SITUATIONS, not ever. The old tear gas and mace used to spray out in a powerful wide fan over long distance, probably 20'. This newer stuff will knock him flat instantly IF you can hit him in the eyes. Thats a big if and when you consider it only comes out like a squirt gun and has a range of 10' or less you get the picture. Trust me I have shot enough of the stuff in training and marvel at its difficulty in hitting someone properly. We consider it an ambush technique for unruly detainees ect not a self defense weapon. Additionally you can nail him in the eyes and he can fight through it and still grab on to you in many cases. That stuff just isn't for serious situations.
One thing a former spook told us in a security class once told us was to buy a huge dog bowl set with a truly oversize chain and collar. Put it right by the front door where everyone will see it. It serves to keep the casual prowler from wanting to find out what lies inside. Personally I prefer the humble 9mm or .40cal. You just have no idea how fast someone freezes in their tracks when you draw down on them, its magic. You really should have some decent training and above all practice with it regularly so you remain proficient. Still the gun should be your last ditch option.
Better to keep em away using the usual tricks. Flood lights, warning sensors and motion activated lights are inexpensive additions. I like the motion sensing lights as they aren't on all night. Just get good ones with the sensitivity adjustment not the cheapies that are preset. Bushes and wind affect them. Good ones are only $15.

Self-defense with someone breaking into your personal space should be shoot to kill. This is just common sense. Chances are the jerk is high on meth and will not stop short of death. Why take a chance. As I said before, if they are outside my door, I'll call 911 first. It they've gotten inside all bets are off. I'll call 911 as soon as I can or, if I fail, the neighbors can call them to pick up my dead body. I won't shoot someone robbing the garage or stealing my car (unless i'm in it!), I will shoot anyone who breaks into my house.

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This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

I've seen guys hit repeatedly with pepper spray and if they are determined enough or high enough they'll fight right through it. And not to mention the pretty good chance of getting the stuff on you and incapacitating yourself. I've took several shots of pepper spray and only once was I the intended target. Then there was the incident involving the riot sized can of "Punch" pepper spray going off in the front seat of the company car while I was driving.....

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Respect The Cactus!

If your guns are locked up "safely" you will have no option, should the occasion arise. You'll never get anything out of your safe quickly enough. Home invasions happen in SECONDS.

You are smarter than your friend. 911 is often useless.

The 911 system has been touted as the best system for emergency response.[29] "The response time for 911 calls indicates that the system may be effectively useless for stopping crimes in progress."[30] "In 1992, for example, the police responded within five minutes to only 29% of all calls reporting crimes of violence."[31] Five minutes gives the criminal plenty of time to escape. Furthermore, the police are slow to respond in cases other than 911 calls. The Department of Justice reported that in 1989, the police did not respond to 168,881 crimes of violence within one hour.[32] A one hour response time may be too late; the violence will most likely have ended. Based on the slow response time in the current system, the police serve as an institution for punishing and not for preventing.

Southern Illinois University Law Journal
Comment, 21 (1997): 597.
Posted for Educational use only. Fair Use doctrine applies. The entire text may be viewed at the Second Amendment Foundation website.

I agree with the "get a big dog" people - we've had Anatolian Shepherds for years, & they are great for peace of mind, & (if given some supervision as pups) great w/children & livestock. Here's an Anatolian that was sired by one of my dogs:

Several years ago in the town I have lived in for nearly 30 years we had a murder. The husband was killing his wife as she screamed to the 9-1-1 operator on the phone. He heard the whole thing as she was murdered.
It still took the state police over 20 minutes to get there. Her 5 year old son was in the house with the murderer and her murderer met the police at the door holding the boy in his arms. I do not choose to risk my life while waiting for the police to get here after I call them or 9-1-1. I would much rather have some control over what is happening to me at the time and not have to depend on someone coming to save the day! There are too many people out there who believe that their next "fix" is worth much more than someone else's life. For this reason I chose to protect myself as best that I can. We have our dogs who are great alarm systems. One is a 10 month old Afghan Hound show puppy who is very well socialized. The other morning as Topaz and I sat in the car waiting for my husband to come out of the post office I fell asleep. A friend who Topaz knows quite well came over to the car and quickly opened the door loudly shouting "HI!". He startled me awake and I jumped, gave out a little scream. Topaz put herself between him and I and she began growling and snapping her teeth at him! I was shocked and told her to get in the back of the car which she did. As soon as I told her it was ok she greeted him as usual with a wiggle butt and big doggy grin. Would she have bitten him? I doubt it but she was making an awful lot of noise. Most people would not have known that she is a wuss but then who really knows? I also have a 4 foot cured walking stick standing by the door in case I need it, a couple of guns here and there in the house and a few other surprises that I can grab in a hurry. I have never had to use one and I hope that I never have to. I would much rather be prepared to protect myself than need to and not have the means to. My husband is very self confident and while he knows where everything is hidden I don't think he would grab one unless he was very positive that the threat was real. Me?~~~I would be/have been standing there with something in hand just in case. Because of the murder and a high number of breakins we now have a neighborhood watch system and call and check up on each other if we see or hear anything suspicious.