...

[Speedpower]

And I agree with that, but this IS California. The rights of the criminal are just as important if not more important than the victim's rights. I would hole up and call the police, weapon pointed at the door. If the intruder escalates the situation and directly assaults me, I would decide that my life is in immediate danger and blow the POS in half. Honestly, I think I'd rather get killed than deal with a lawsuit or some sort of legal action against me because of this ***-backwards state...

Then why own a gun if you rather get killed than deal with a lawsuit? This is the most stupid statement I've read in this thread!

[kb58]

I suspect - but can't prove - that more people get mistakenly shot in a home than legitimate bad guys. Separately, to assume that everyone's home is well-lit in the middle of the night is silly. Faced with possibly killing a friend, wouldn't you want to make real sure before pulling the trigger?

[Barbarossa]

I grab my 870 and "quietly" locate the culprit, rack the slide and scare him off

Why isn't your gun already loaded?

Racking a round is a very good way to make your presence known.

If there is someone in my house in the middle of the night, I assume they are there to do me harm. For all I care they can take everything but me and the dog.

I have a defendable position, near a phone, and I'm going to be on the line to the police.

This is why you pay insurance, and own a safe for your valuables.

If there comes a circumstance where an intruder would cause me to directly be in imminent fear for my life, I would then be forced to take regrettable action.


Arm yourself, get to a dependable position, call the police (your LOUD voice and context of this call is the only notice the intruder needs to hear), Hold out until police arrive.

ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. Know your target and what is beyond.

[Michael in California]

My answer is exceedingly simple.

A shotgun light gives my wife a really good indication of what she is going to shoot. She doesn't practice, but if holed up when I'm not there, whats in the center of the beam is whats gonna get hit. (more or less)

[Sicarius]

Take a training class first off. KNOW what tools are available to you and how to use them properly. In these sorts of cases, ALWAYS assume the worse and plan accordingly. Yes, most burglers will scram at any confrontation BUT according to your staticstic, 5% won't. I don't want to unprepared for that last 5%. The light is more than just a situational awareness tool. It is used offensively to blind and disorient too.
Kevin

[MXRider]

And I agree with that, but this IS California. The rights of the criminal are just as important if not more important than the victim's rights. I would hole up and call the police, weapon pointed at the door. If the intruder escalates the situation and directly assaults me, I would decide that my life is in immediate danger and blow the POS in half. Honestly, I think I'd rather get killed than deal with a lawsuit or some sort of legal action against me because of this ***-backwards state...

Really, you would rather be dead than have to deal with the possibility of a lawsuit? I think we have the dumbest Calguns post this year to date right here, and that is saying a lot given the bull**** that gets posted in off topic.

[tacticalcity]

If I think I have to shoot someone, I damn well want to see who it is BEFORE I make an irrevocable decision.

That right there is the correct answer.

It is not about being cool. It is about understanding the reality of the situation beyond what you might have seen on TV. There are moral and legal consequences. You may think your kid, wife, or other loved one is an absolute angle. But if they are sneaking in at night, or just getting a glass of water at 3am and knock something over to startle you and send you into panic mode...you want to make absolutely sure they are an actual intruder before you plug them full of holes. Heck it could be the neighboorhood kid you've known for 10 years pulling a prank or a dare or some really stupid but harmless thing. You don't want to explain to your neighbors that you thought their unarmed (yet very stupid) kid was somebody trying to kill you. The list of things you would not want to shoot goes on and on.

In short. You want to clearly identify who and what you are shooting at before you pull the trigger. The light helps you do that. So if adding one is an option, do so.

Another thing that really helps? Training. We're all macho alpha males who think we know what we are doing. However, professional courses are critical for not only knowing how to shoot...but when not to shoot at all. Unless you run friend or foe drills, you are gonna shoot...even when you are not supposed to. Courses are good for running you through realistic drills that prepare you for real life. At least the advanced ones are.

[Speedpower]

So for me, the best (1st) defense is to have a small dog inside the house!

[JavaBrewer]

I'm not clearing anything. Period. Family will congregate in lighted bedroom with locked door. Call to 911 and until the cops secure scene anyone coming through the door is dealt with. No tactical crap to excite lawyers - a standard 18" HD 870 with 00 buck with a backup S&W 686 close by.

I understand where myk is coming from. I have no intention of killing a person for stealing my material goods. That is what HO insurance is for and why I'm never going to 'clear' the home to save a damn TV set. If the intruder(s) proceed to our location despite our warnings then I cannot vouch for their continued well being.

Either way it would be freaking nightmare.

[tacticalcity]

I ask you this? How does a light and the ability to use it properly hurt you in your stated situation? It only helps. What happens if you mistake a straggling family member who is attempting to join you in the "safe" room for an intruder?

God laughs when we make plans my friend. It is NOT going to go the way you think it will. The absolute last thing you think will happen, ends up happening every time. That is why it is best to have the tools and skill set to do it all, even though it is the last thing you would ever want to do, just in case you have no darn choice.

My plan is the same as yours, except I'm sneaking out the back window. I have no family to protect, gather, and defend. But I still know how to clear a house, and practice doing so when I train. Not because I plan to do so. But because someday there just might not be another option. I take the boyscout attitude. Be prepared for everything.

[tacticalcity]

My answer is exceedingly simple.

A shotgun light gives my wife a really good indication of what she is going to shoot. She doesn't practice, but if holed up when I'm not there, whats in the center of the beam is whats gonna get hit. (more or less)

Translation...makes it harder for her to convice the judge she mistook you for an intruder when she gets pissed off and shoots your arse!

[JavaBrewer]

Darwin laughs louder when you don't have a plan

As you can tell my plan is very basic - everyone into the same lighted room. Lockdown does not occur until all family/guests are inside.

To answer your question - the light would not hurt - I just don't see it as essential. Now if my mindset was to take the action to the intruder then yes I would spring for the light. YMMV.

[G-Solutions]

Nobody says you turn on the flashlight and wave it around like a beacon, it's used to identify a threat/innocent bystander. Hence why many tactical lights have the pressure switch, you only need to use it sparingly.

That just about sums it up... the light comes on once you have a potential target in front of you.
You are correct that you will most likely have sufficient ambient light to find your way around and that works to your advantage. However - I'd make sure that the shotty is good to go the moment you pick it up. Racking the action will cost time that you may not have once you confront an intruder.

One other point to consider on the use of the light: if you illuminate a perp and lethal force is called for, turn the light off, move and start firing after you're a step away from your original position.

Chances are that if the attacker is coming at you, he'll aim for the spot where you were when you had the light on. Not being there when you open up enhances your chances of not getting hit substantially.

In this case the light serves two purposes: identify and distract.

[MXRider]

I'm not clearing anything. Period. Family will congregate in lighted bedroom with locked door. Call to 911 and until the cops secure scene anyone coming through the door is dealt with. No tactical crap to excite lawyers - a standard 18" HD 870 with 00 buck with a backup S&W 686 close by.

I understand where myk is coming from. I have no intention of killing a person for stealing my material goods. That is what HO insurance is for and why I'm never going to 'clear' the home to save a damn TV set. If the intruder(s) proceed to our location despite our warnings then I cannot vouch for their continued well being.

Either way it would be freaking nightmare.

Does your family sleep in the same bedroom? So you would have no need to leave the confines of your locked bedroom to gather your kids from their room down the hall? Got it. Sound plan.

Also, stop thinking of a weapon mounted light as "tactical". It is practical. When the sun goes down, its dark. Also, what happens if you also lost power, how is that lamp in your bedroom going to work out for you?

[Michael in California]

Translation...makes it harder for her to convice the judge she mistook you for an intruder when she gets pissed off and shoots your arse!

She is dingy enough where the judge would easily understand if she said she forgot there was a light there or how to use it.

Insurance wise, I'm worth more dead than alive. I always proceed with an abundance of caution.