House Break-in

Well if you want one very funny story about use of force listen to this one:

A teacher told me this story while I was in the south pacific, came across some teacher only e-mail system or something like that. This happened back in the continental USA:
Known rapist was on the loose in a city, what happened was he decided to break into a teachers home, she was single so the guy decided to break in. How he found this out not sure, but I can tell you he spilled his guts after what happened next. He breaks in sometime around 1:00AM and tries to find her, but she finds him instead. Turns out she was a blackbelt, and he had 0 and I mean 0 combat training. She took a baseball bat to him first and flattened him and promptly turned him to a bloody pulp. She never called the cops, the neighbors did because the rapist was screaming "help" at the top of his lungs. When the cops arrived they had to pull HER off of him and he was begging them for protection. The guy spent a while in the hospital for broken bones and other body parts. She turned him into a basket case of broken parts. She was let off because of who he turned out to be and I do believe she got the bounty on his head.

Manta, do not put a knife beneath your pillow... That is common sense 101, I keep my knife sharp and on a table where I can get at it but others will not notice it because I have it situated for MY use not someone else. Also I have about 5 other weapons to use along the way of getting to my knife including a bayonet, fighting sticks, staffs, swords, etc. Home defense gun though for me would be a .45 1911. Rapid fire, fast reload and good for VERY close quarters combat. Also I can use one hand on it and keep my other hand free for contestant #2 if they still feel like having a go at me.

As well as keeping whatever weapon to hand, how about a balaclava too...

The intruder may not be expecting anyone to be home and not have their face covered, but how would they react to the occupant confronting them weilding a weapon and having their face covered and only eyes and mouth visible?

They'd not be able to read your expressions...fear/panic ect and would probably be even more intimidated.

Originally posted by citizen smith
They'd not be able to read your expressions...fear/panic ect and would probably be even more intimidated.

Haha! That's what I did from the very beginning of the aftermath. I now sleep in a bandana on my neck, so that I can pull it on my face in a few seconds, gives quite a lot of confidence, too.

Yall gave up your guns over there...So short of that, get a axe or bat and call the cops. The more you smash his head in the less of a chance it happens again. Glad you and your brother are Ok, we have a sign up on a gate that reads ALL INTRUDERS WILL BE SHOT, SURVIVORS WILL BE SHOT AGAIN....next to the FAR WOULD FAR CHEEP...

If you are going to put spike traps on the floor take a lesson from the VC. Rub the tips with human faeces to ensure a good infection from even the most minor puncture. Don't scratch yourself though!

Nail-board V2.0

Rather than have the risk of forgetting that you left a pointy-board on the floor under the window by your refrigerator and maiming yourself whilst looking for midnight munchies after a few beers, the safer and less obtrusive alternative would be to measure-up the exterior kitchen window-sill and make up a nail-plank to size, paint the wood up to match the colour of the exterior sill, and fix down with screws.

Anyone attempting to jump up and grab the sill to have a recce through the window to see if you're home, or stand on to climb through the window is going to get seriously hurt


As PaddyInf pointed out with the possiblility counter-charge by an injured intruder, your claim for having it affixed to your window is prevent pidgeons or other birds roosting on there (much like the method used to protect public buildings from the same)

And also, as Hippichick mentions, you could smear the nails with something nasty and not have to worry about the risk of accidental self-injury, or any smell for that matter

[edit on 24-6-2007 by citizen smith]

If its dark and you have an intruder make sure you have a powerful torch to shine into the intruders eyes, then take him out.

I also like the balaclava idea, The intruder would not be expecting that.

I actually have a friday the 13th mask i have hanging on my wall which is a good replica from the film, Allthough I think the balaclava would instill some fear into the intruder, but make it look like you are an intruder and signal him with some intimidating signals to get him to leave.

Might make him think you are there to truley rob the place.

most of it is psychological.

[edit on 2-6-2008 by Dar Kuma]

If you do actually beat the crap out of an attacker, you'd better be able to justify the force that you used to the police. You must be able to prove that you believed your safety was in jeapordy.

Heres what the law of the land here in the UK has to say about it all.

Joint Public Statement from the Crown Prosecution Service and the Association of Chief Police Officers.

"Anyone can use reasonable force to protect themselves or others, or to carry out an arrest or to prevent crime. You are not expected to make fine judgements over the level of force you use in the heat of the moment. So long as you only do what you honestly and instinctively believe is necessary in the heat of the moment, that would be the strongest evidence of you acting lawfully and in selfdefence. This is still the case if you use something to hand as a weapon.

As a general rule, the more extreme the circumstances and the fear felt, the more force you can lawfully use in self-defence."

The whole thing is here from the CPS themselves.

www.cps.gov.uk...

And......... If you booby trap your home and place warning signs...

The duty can be discharged by taking reasonable steps to give warning of the danger or to discourage people from incurring the risk, and no duty is owed where the risk is willingly accepted by the trespasser.

www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk...

All in all the law stands very firmly in the house holders favour, even if you use some thing to hit them with or they stumble onto some thing you have forewarned them of.

reply to post by citizen smith

Do not set traps designed to injure or kill. You can and likely will be charged for using such an indiscriminate device. If you want to inflict damage, do it with a gun. As long as you know what you're shooting at your butt is covered from any retaliation, assuming local law follows the Castle Doctrine (this would exclude socialist cesspools like California or Canada). Your only justification for harming the intruder is in defense of yourself and your family. Bloody them up with your own two hands all you want. But if you set out a trap that doesn't know nor care who the victim is, be prepared to face consequences, especially if the perp survives.