How do you defend yourself?

[MrDawn]

A man breaks into your house with a knife while you're getting ready for bed. How do you defend yourself against him and with what weapon?

 

[Katrina]

A man breaks into your house with a knife while you're getting ready for bed. How do you defend yourself against him and with what weapon?

I have a T-Square from my art school days underneath the bed. It's heavy duty so I can try to take him by surprise and whack him across the head.

 

[MrDawn]

I have a T-Square from my art school days underneath the bed. It's heavy duty so I can try to take him by surprise and whack him across the head.

What if that doesn't work and he overpowers you as a result?

I thought about using a baseball bat or hatchet to defend myself in case someone breaks in to hurt my kids. But than I thought. What if someone and their friends break in and they're all armed. What then?

I'd definitely be easily over powered by them and probably be disarmed rather quickly. I have a small body frame.

So I decided I'd go see this guy who sales firearms. I've always liked guns and have been a big supporter of the 2nd Amendment.

I keep 2 pistols by my bedside. I have one 9MM and one .45 ACP pistol. I'll use either one during a home invasion. Seeing as he's armed with a deadly weapon which is a knife. In the state of Missouri, I'm allowed to use deadly force and defend my family. I'd fire a warning shot first to see if he leaves. If that doesn't deter him. I'll use the next shot to drop him.

The facts of the situation are always very important when it comes to questions of self-defense. If an attacker waives or shoots a gun, pulling a gun or shooting back usually will constitute self-defense. In some situations, using a gun in self-defense also may be appropriate even if the aggressor does not have a gun. For instance, if an attacker has another deadly weapon such as a knife, a metal bar or a baseball bat, using a gun can be considered reasonable if the victim can't access any other weapon.

Victims also might be justified in showing a weapon and warning that they will shoot if necessary, even if the aggressors have no weapon but are threatening or attacking with their fists.

Using a Gun for Self-Defense: Laws and Consequences

A person is entitled to use a gun for self defense in the U.S., if necessary, but laws in every state establish when a person can use force to defend himself (or another), and whether a person can use a weapon.

www.criminaldefenselawyer.com

 

[Katrina]

What if that doesn't work and he overpowers you as a result?

Well, I have an answer for that problem. I keep 2 pistols by my bedside. I have one 9MM and one .45 ACP pistol. I'll use either one during a home invasion. Seeing as he's armed with a deadly weapon which is a knife. In the state of Missouri, I'm allowed to use deadly force and defend my family. I'd fire a warning shot first to see if he leaves. If that doesn't deter him. I'll use the next shot to drop him.

Using a Gun for Self-Defense: Laws and Consequences

A person is entitled to use a gun for self defense in the U.S., if necessary, but laws in every state establish when a person can use force to defend himself (or another), and whether a person can use a weapon.

www.criminaldefenselawyer.com

What if you don't hear him and he knifes you first?

I'm not against people owning guns and even considered it when things got crazy last year and the governments weren't punishing the rioters/looters, etc...

 

[MrDawn]

What if you don't hear him and he knifes you first?

I agree. Anything can happen. There's always a possibility that you can lose your life or become fatally wounded in a home invasion. I really hope it never happens to me. Most home invasions I've read about and watched on Investigation Discovery, the person after you is actually is using a firearm themselves. You'd be lucky if you shot the intruder charging you with a knife if that was their weapon of choice.

I'm not against people owning guns and even considered it when things got crazy last year and the governments weren't punishing the rioters/looters, etc...

I think you should get a compact pistol. Maybe go out and buy yourself a Taurus, a Glock 22, or a Sig Sauer. There could be that one occasion when having one means life or death. If someone knows you have a firearm. It acts more as a deterrent and they'll leave you alone just because of that. Even if you do threaten to shoot. It's always best to call the police first and then do a warning shot to scare them off. IF that doesn't work, then you drop them. I've put up MIPC security cameras at my house that are recording around the clock, 35 dollars a year, and I keep my doors locked at all times. I plan to invest in door and window sensors as well as more cameras.

 

[Deleted member 31696]

Glad this scenario would never happen to me. My house is fully alarmed and also has security cameras.