? 4 LEOs about home defense plan

[gsbaum]

Although all my firearms are locked in a safe, my 9mm is ready to go in the event of a break-in. PD response in my neighborhood is generally anywhere from 10-20 minutes. I have a drop-leg rig and plan to inform dispatch that I am armed. I would also like to tell LEOs what I am wearing. Would it be wise to leave a white t-shirt in the safe, making me more visible to both LEOs and the bad guys? Thanks and thank you for your service!

[18sam2011]

Sounds good to me. Just make sure when you're on the phone with dispatch you describe exactly what you are wearing, you are armed and the homeowner.

[B.D.Dubloon]

Don't tell dispatch you are armed. All they are going to do (probably) is tell you not to shoot anyone. For the sake of law abiding folks, shoot the bg once you have legal right to claim self defense and protect the rest of us.

[eltee]

I would, in your position, tell dispatch you are armed, what you are wearing, what you (briefly) look like and that you "hope I don't have to use this thing." If I'm rolling up on a residential prowler/invader, I'd like to know if the homeowner is in the premises, is armed and what he/she looks like.

I'd also want you to stay on the phone. If I am working plainclothes and am the closest/only unit, I'd want dispatch to tell YOU that the first unit responding has a very handsome , well dressed officer in plainclothes arriving in a blue Ford Taurus or something like that.

Also, if you have to shoot, the dispatch recordings will capture your shouting, "Please stop, I don't want to shoot you, put your weapon down, please, I am a peace loving citizen. I voted for Obama, please don't force me to shoot you in self defense."

When a unit arrives, automatically hold the gun up high in the air or put it on the ground and keep your hands up high. We'll all sort it out, but when I arrive out of breath, donut crumbs and coffee stains fresh on my shirt, gun in hand looking for a gangster I don't want to wet myself as I round the corner and see you. If you're on the phone w/ dispatch, likely they will tell you we have arrived and are at the door...entering the house.

Alot depends on your jurisdiction and neighborhood. I can totally see a dispatcher telling you not to shoot anyone. I can totally see a cop pup freaking and plugging you by mistake. Keeping the comms going is crucial, and not posing a threat to responders will keep everyone happy.

Are you really going to take the time, in a SHTF situation to strap up a tactical rig? Critical time might be better spent grabbing your firearm, a light and dialing up 9-1-1. Also, should you have to shoot an intruder in self defense his survivors (who will be plaintiffs in the ensuing wrongful death suit) will claim you were a trigger happy, combat craving psycho looking for a kill. They'll bring out the rig, tell everyone that this was a combat / LEO tactical rig that even patrol cops don't get to wear and that you couldn't wait to play Wyatt Earp.

Just my 2 cents at the end of a hot, tiring day. Not a criticism, just my observations. YMMV. I think it is good for you to ask.

[Fire in the Hole]

I would, in your position, tell dispatch you are armed, what you are wearing, what you (briefly) look like and that you "hope I don't have to use this thing." If I'm rolling up on a residential prowler/invader, I'd like to know if the homeowner is in the premises, is armed and what he/she looks like.

I'd also want you to stay on the phone. If I am working plainclothes and am the closest/only unit, I'd want dispatch to tell YOU that the first unit responding has a very handsome , well dressed officer in plainclothes arriving in a blue Ford Taurus or something like that.

Also, if you have to shoot, the dispatch recordings will capture your shouting, "Please stop, I don't want to shoot you, put your weapon down, please, I am a peace loving citizen. I voted for Obama, please don't force me to shoot you in self defense."

When a unit arrives, automatically hold the gun up high in the air or put it on the ground and keep your hands up high. We'll all sort it out, but when I arrive out of breath, donut crumbs and coffee stains fresh on my shirt, gun in hand looking for a gangster I don't want to wet myself as I round the corner and see you. If you're on the phone w/ dispatch, likely they will tell you we have arrived and are at the door...entering the house.

Alot depends on your jurisdiction and neighborhood. I can totally see a dispatcher telling you not to shoot anyone. I can totally see a cop pup freaking and plugging you by mistake. Keeping the comms going is crucial, and not posing a threat to responders will keep everyone happy.

Are you really going to take the time, in a SHTF situation to strap up a tactical rig? Critical time might be better spent grabbing your firearm, a light and dialing up 9-1-1. Also, should you have to shoot an intruder in self defense his survivors (who will be plaintiffs in the ensuing wrongful death suit) will claim you were a trigger happy, combat craving psycho looking for a kill. They'll bring out the rig, tell everyone that this was a combat / LEO tactical rig that even patrol cops don't get to wear and that you couldn't wait to play Wyatt Earp.

Just my 2 cents at the end of a hot, tiring day. Not a criticism, just my observations. YMMV. I think it is good for you to ask.

I like it.

Oh BTW, I'll only add that IMHO, a shotgun is the best HOME self defense gun to keep ready. Magazine tube loaded, chamber empty.

I've done a lot of testing of shot in ballistic gellatin, and patterning at 15 yards. Shot size #BB seems to work the best.

[eltee]

I like it.

Oh BTW, I'll only add that IMHO, a shotgun is the best HOME self defense gun to keep ready. Magazine tube loaded, chamber empty.

I've done a lot of testing of shot in ballistic gellatin, and patterning at 15 yards. Shot size #BB seems to work the best.

+1 on using a trombone for home defense.

[gsbaum]

leg rig dropped from plan. My awesomely beautiful, reliable and almost antique Crescent Arms .410 sXs added to plan. THANK YOU!

[Fire in the Hole]

leg rig dropped from plan. THANK YOU!

Good, you really don't want to come off as a "Tackleberry" to LE, the DA, or Plaintiff's Attorney.

And remember what I said about a shotgun instead of a handgun for HOME self defense. Well, have a handgun too.

[Toolman]

I agree with FITH answer...good info, but can I touch on ammunition type for a moment.

I am a weekend reserve USFS reserve Patrol Ranger that doesn't carry by the way, but I do work full time for a DOD research facility (25 yrs.) that involves ballistic testing in a different way than for penetration. My testing involves kinetic impact signatures of very high velocity and is located at a LEO outdoor facilty.

Now having said that, I get to do some very fun half time activities since the armory is there. Discussion come up about this very same topic recently while running some drills. One feature that isn't mentioned by the poster is the type-brand of ammunition used for home protection. I was graciously given the opportunity to purchase several boxes of "duty" (Fed. HST) rounds in 9mm & 45acp for my home protection. The question I posed upon receiving was, "for law enforcement use only " on the boxes. The reply was, if it's good enough for us it should be good enough for you and that's how a jury would look at it. However, I could only imagine what could become if god forbid I had to use it, what a field day they would have with that never mind having it at the ready which could be considered "laying in wait". Not to mention if I was asked to open my safe, even though everything in it is Ca. registered and compliant. Would they have "just cause" to look in the safe? Since I'm a proficient reloader (can they look in the garage?) and have several 1911's and other pistols with holsters in the safe are you know considered a proffesional. The DA probably wouldn't give a hoot if it's a JS but the BG's wrongful death attourney would have a field day.

I'm very cautious about what I do and how I do it, including my OLL Ar's as I plan to keep my DOD clearance and lively hood I cherish so much. As they say, dot those I's and cross those T's.

What's crazier, is I can even get a conditional carry permit while transporting speacialized weapons and custom made AP rounds back and forth to the range while going through downtown L.A. But that's another thread...sorry. I can carry my side arm at the range while testing though, big deal.

[oldironpants]

I too agree with eltee and drop the white t-shirt plan. You're not going to have time to change (your shorts later maybe) and how many folks do you see that wear white t-shirts?

And keep in mind that no matter the description and such you give dispatch, if you are armed, there is a very good possibility that you may get proned out until responding officers sort out that you really ARE the resident home owner. Until that time, officers always presume +1.... if you find one bad guy, assume there is a second bad guy. They are going to make sure that you aren't a buddy that was able to get in the home. Staying on the line with dispatch should help alleviate this, but no matter, when you are contacted by the officers, follow their directions without delay or argument.

I've gone on scene for bear calls where the bear was attempting a "burglary" of the residence and the callers states that they are armed if the bear comes in. I have dispatch keep them on the line so they don't shoot the two legged bear when I come to the door after hazing the bear away.

[mlatino]

First things first... Drop the 9mm and pick up a .40 or .45