Home defense kit or bag

[longhunter]

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Zip ties???? No way, you ever had to pull duct tape off of your skin?

O.W.

I'll stick with the Flexicuffs for restraint but will add some duct tape in case I need to gag them. Especially if they have facial hair...

[Buggyout]

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All you need is your firearm, guys. Any other of this equipment will sway a jury in court. And...not in a good way! We aint the police.

[jezcruzen]

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I don't think you will have the time to "gear up" during a home invasion. Home invasions happen fast and are very violent. The strategy is to surprise and overpower the residents - to use that 2/3 seconds it takes a surprised person to figure out what is happening to dominate and control the occupants right from the beginning. If you can't meet force with greater force in the first 2 seconds you are done! That means being alert, awake, and having your weapon either on your person or within arms reach and a willingness to use it immediately without debating the issue with yourself.

Forget the bag. It will only be a distraction.

[longhunter]

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I don't think you will have the time to "gear up" during a home invasion. Home invasions happen fast and are very violent. The strategy is to surprise and overpower the residents - to use that 2/3 seconds it takes a surprised person to figure out what is happening to dominate and control the occupants right from the beginning. If you can't meet force with greater force in the first 2 seconds you are done! That means being alert, awake, and having your weapon either on your person or within arms reach and a willingness to use it immediately without debating the issue with yourself.

Forget the bag. It will only be a distraction.

Very true, a grab-n-go bag is not the right answer for everbody. I often times take it for granted that I work in physical security and have the knowledge, means and contacts to actually secure my residence. I'm not talking some one size fits all ADT or similar system either. I know the second someone steps on the property and, short of explosives, they'll have difficulty breaching in. In IL the only time we're allowed to carry loaded (other than hunting of course) is on your property or place of business so at home I'm always armed or have it within arms reach. My greatest threat is the perp breaching with his vehicle. Not common but it has happened...

Buggyout also makes a valid point. It's a good idea to check your local laws on citizens arrest. In our case, again on your property or place of business, you are allowed to restrain and hold the individual until the police arrive.

[RICHFL]

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My kit if you will is a 12 ga. shotgun with extra 5 rounds attached to the stock. My wife and kids know how to put handcuffs on anyone left behind. That includes the dead. Never leave a body behind you in a gun battle that is not secured.

[computerman]

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Rage for Order, a MIA member of this site, used to swear his best home defense weapon was a "Throwable Dog". Sound feasible to me.

[ColoradoMike]

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Not sure what the trend is everywhere else, here in the Springs (Colorado Springs), the thugs are using women with a small child to come up to the door with a sob story....once you let your guard down... the other three thugs rush you once she has a foot in the door. That's why we live out in the country....lights, cameras, dogs etc. Just installed some perimeter alarms on all the gated drives. Unemployment is up.....jobs are scarce, crime follows suit. Stay vigilent.

[JLBIII]

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I agree with you there Colorado, there are a lot of people out of work, and crime goes up with the unemployment rate. It's a sad state of affairs when you feel the need to be armed no matter where you go.

Joe