Do You Really Stay Put or Go Check? Home Defense Thoughts

Not sure if this is the best place to ask, but I’ve been thinking a lot about home defense, CQB, and house clearing. Everyone who trains says you should NOT go clearing your house, but at the same time, I see people saying they’d grab their gun and light to check a noise. Isn’t that the same thing?

Most advice says to gather your family in a room, lock down, and wait for the cops. But what if you don’t know if it’s a real threat? Do you check every noise with your gun? Do you call 911 every time? How do you balance ‘don’t clear your house’ with making sure there’s no threat? Curious to hear how people handle this.

So do you really get everyone into a room and call the cops every single time you hear something?

The reality is there’s no single right answer. Every situation is different. Some people have good judgment, but a lot of people don’t. That’s where things get tricky.

And depending on where you live, the laws can be completely different even if the situation is exactly the same.

@Hollis
Yeah, it depends. Someone in a small apartment will handle it differently than someone in a big house with multiple floors.

@Hollis
Exactly, no one-size-fits-all answer.

Sky said:
@Hollis
Exactly, no one-size-fits-all answer.

Common sense goes a long way. Everyone’s setup is different.

I knew a guy who, when he was younger, got a gun pulled on him by his stepdad because he came home late and the guy thought he was an intruder. There’s also a tragic case where a son shot his mom because she came in through the back door and he assumed the worst.

Things can go wrong fast if you don’t think it through.

Best thing you can do is have cameras and keep doors and windows locked. I’ve got a dog, three cats, and two little kids who sometimes wake up at night. If I hear something weird, my first move is to check my security cams. Then I check my kids’ rooms. Nine times out of ten, it’s the cats knocking stuff over.

If I hear something serious—like footsteps or voices—I’d grab my Glock 19, get my wife and kids in our bedroom, barricade, and call the cops.

@Peyton
Respect. Good camera setup is a lifesaver.

Sky said:
@Peyton
Respect. Good camera setup is a lifesaver.

I use Tapo cameras inside and out, plus a doorbell cam. They’re cheap but work great. I even set some up at the end of my driveway with solar power so I get alerts when anyone pulls in. Definitely worth it.

Link

@Peyton
I have tech too, but honestly, my dogs are my first line of defense.

I’ve got three kids and three dogs, and each dog sleeps in a kid’s room. If someone breaks in, they’ll know before I do. They don’t have to ‘clear’ a room—they just know. If they start barking like crazy, that’s my cue to grab my gun and react.

@Peyton
My uncle had a metal security gate at the top of the stairs in his house. Locked it every night. Thought that was a smart move.

Corey said:
@Peyton
My uncle had a metal security gate at the top of the stairs in his house. Locked it every night. Thought that was a smart move.

Smart setup. I once installed stairs that folded up hydraulically like a drawbridge to hide a basement entrance. Was wild.

@Peyton
An alarm system with window and door sensors makes a huge difference too. If someone breaks in, you’ll know right away.

Get your family safe, put on night vision, and find the noise. :sunglasses:

Wolf said:
Get your family safe, put on night vision, and find the noise. :sunglasses:

These days, just send in the drone instead.

Levi said:

Wolf said:
Get your family safe, put on night vision, and find the noise. :sunglasses:

These days, just send in the drone instead.

That’s what dogs are for…

Wolf said:
Get your family safe, put on night vision, and find the noise. :sunglasses:

Best answer yet. :joy:

Reality check: Most noises aren’t intruders.

In 30 years, we’ve had a picture fall, wind blow debris through a window, boxes fall in the garage, and one drunk guy try to kick in the door.

If you hear a noise, stop and listen before doing anything. If you live alone, get your gun, call 911, and find a good spot to wait. If you have family, you might have to move to protect them. Home layout matters a lot in how you handle it.

This gets complicated because the internet is full of bad advice.

I was military law enforcement and did some SWAT work. Had to check plenty of ‘bump in the night’ situations—usually turned out to be homeless people or animals.

If it’s just a weird noise, check it out. If it’s clear evidence of a break-in (crashing glass, kicked-in door), get your gun, call 911, announce loudly that you’re armed and the cops are coming. If you have a family, position yourself in a way that protects them, like at the top of the stairs.

Do NOT try to singlehandedly clear your house like you’re in a video game. You’ll lose that fight.

@Joss
Good advice. Respect. :heart:

The biggest mistake people make is not having an alarm system set every night. If someone breaks in, your alarm should tell you exactly where they entered. That info is way more important than worrying about ‘clearing your house.’