A few days ago, I heard a loud noise and searched around the house but found nothing out of place. When I checked the security footage, I saw a man attempting to kick in my front door. Thankfully, the door had two locks and a reinforced strike plate, and he fled when he realized he couldn’t break through.
The camera didn’t capture his face clearly. All I could make out was a man in a black hoodie, around six feet tall, with a slim or athletic build and dark skin. Initially, I thought it might be some teenager pulling a prank they saw on TikTok. But after reviewing the footage, I’ve noticed someone with the same build and hoodie walking by several nights in a row. He’s definitely not a kid — I’d estimate he’s in his mid-twenties to early thirties and looks rather rough.
We contacted the police, and they promised to increase patrols in our neighborhood. I’ve seen patrol cars on the cameras at night, but the guy is still walking around the area.
What’s particularly concerning is that the break-in attempt occurred just after 10 PM, which isn’t late at all. He didn’t try to be discreet either — the noise was loud enough to be heard by everyone, even on different floors. Most burglars would probably try to break in when no one is home or at least when everyone is asleep. But this guy tried to kick down our door in a quiet suburban area while we were awake and moving around. This makes me suspect he could be on drugs or dealing with serious mental health issues, which makes him potentially more dangerous than the average burglar.
I’m not familiar with firearms and don’t feel comfortable having one in the house. However, I have a five-year-old, and I’m not willing to take any risks.
How should I handle this situation? Let’s assume this person might be on drugs and resistant to things like pepper spray. I’m open to non-lethal defense options, but I’ve seen stories of people on drugs being able to withstand multiple gunshot wounds and keep going. My state has very relaxed gun laws, and I’m legally allowed to use lethal force if I believe the intruder poses a threat to my family. There are no licensing or waiting period requirements here.
If you were in my position, what would you do to protect your family if this man tries to break in again?
If someone has attempted to break into your home at night, you need a gun. End of story. A bat or kitchen knife won’t cut it in most cases, those can get taken from you in a struggle and used against you. Pepper spray might blow back in your face and be ineffective on the intruder.
There’s a saying that I’ve heard, and it applies here: “If someone tries to break in during the day, they’re after your belongings. If they try at night, they’re after you.”
Get a firearm. Take a course. Practice at the range.
This is a great response, and I’d like to add a few more tips. If you don’t have very large rooms or spaces, a pistol is your best bet. The .45 ACP is the easiest round to suppress, but keep in mind that a suppressor requires additional paperwork and federal approval, even in states with more lenient regulations. For most self-defense situations, a 9mm is also a very effective choice. Personally, I prefer CZ pistols (like the 97 BD for .45 and the P01 or PCR for 9mm), but there are many other reputable brands to consider, such as S&W, Sig, Glock, HK, Walther, and Beretta.
Given that you have children, invest in a quick-access safe for your pistols, such as a V-line model with Simplex locks. These safes don’t require batteries, are easy to open in the dark, and keep firearms securely away from children. I trust my V-line safe to keep loaded, chambered pistols accessible to me within seconds, while still being secure against unauthorized access.
Make sure to practice with your firearms, use hollow-point ammunition, and follow gun safety guidelines. This will help ensure you and your family stay safe.
Unfortunately if they want to get in, they will. That’s just how it is unless you pay for an on-site security guard, OR you live in a bunker. Move to a better neighborhood or if moving is not feasible. Try to have more sirens to warn the neighborhood and buy a firearm.
True, I’ve fortified my house significantly, but it would only hold off a determined intruder for about 15 minutes if they’re persistent and use heavy tools on the windows. Kicks and punches wouldn’t be effective, but would likely cause injuries. However, 15 minutes is enough for me to wake up fully, identify the intruder, call 911, move my family to the basement safe room, and decide on the appropriate firearm if law enforcement doesn’t arrive quickly. Honestly, I’m not sure if I’d just wait for the police or take action myself. I don’t want someone that violent to escape and come back later with more dangerous tools, or before the insurance company fixes the damage. I’m concerned about giving them another chance to return. In my Stand Your Ground state with Castle Doctrine, I’m legally permitted to use force, but I’m unsure how long a window would hold up against an intruder using unknown tools. 
Given the possibility of a slow police response and the need to protect your child, having a firearm is crucial. Owning a gun doesn’t mean you’ll use it, but it provides essential protection in case of a home invasion. With your state’s lenient gun laws, I would strongly recommend making the purchase. Be sure to learn how to shoot safely before using the firearm. If you buy a pistol, opt for hollow-point ammunition rather than full metal jacket (FMJ). FMJ rounds can over-penetrate and potentially harm innocent bystanders, while hollow-points expand upon hitting soft tissue, reducing the risk of collateral damage by slowing down the projectile.
You mentioned being “wide awake and walking around your house.” I’m curious about how this might be relevant. How would he know you’re moving around inside? Can he see into your windows?
The first step is to ensure he can’t see inside your home, as this would allow him to identify potential targets like your child, spouse, or even yourself.
If he can see inside, he can determine whether you’re asleep, away, or occupied in the shower.
You should be aware of what he might do if he gets inside your house. If you’re unsure, you need to be prepared to defend yourself at all costs. Assume the worst-case scenario that he intends to harm or kill you.
Be mindful of where he might be hiding, from your parking area to the path you take to your door, and while you’re unlocking it. Make sure your family or roommates are aware of this serious threat.
For home defense, a rifle or shotgun is preferable. While pistols are convenient for carrying around, statistics show that rifles and shotguns are more effective at stopping an intruder with just one shot. Long guns are also easier to aim than pistols. Ignore the idea that racking a shotgun will scare off an intruder; firearms used for defense should be ready to use immediately. Given that you have a 5-year-old, I recommend storing the gun in a high place out of their reach or in a locked closet safe that you can access quickly. A 12-gauge shotgun doesn’t have significantly more recoil than a 20-gauge. Even at close range, you need to aim don’t believe the myth that shotguns don’t require aiming. The most important thing is practice: know how to handle your firearm, understand when it’s legally appropriate to use it, and be aware of what’s beyond any walls you might shoot through to avoid harming family members in another room. Take steps to deter intruders, but remember that even the fastest police response will be slower than having a firearm readily available. I never want to use a gun, but protecting my family is the priority.
If someone is determined to get into your home, they will find a way that’s the harsh reality. While locks and doorstops can slow down or deter amateurs, a determined or intoxicated intruder can still break in. The most effective deterrent, in my opinion, is a loud alarm with a volume of 140 decibels or more. The sudden noise will disorient the intruder and trigger their instincts to flee. I’ve also been searching for an alarm with barking dog sounds, but haven’t found one yet.
Get a gun. I’m not obsessed with firearms, but I believe it’s important not to rely on others to ensure my family’s safety.