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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2007 21:24:00 GMT
A gun has its limits in the dark. A knife won't wake the neighbors. I'm not sure if you are speaking on behalf of the invader or home owner. Let's assume it's the invader: Home invaders usually show up in numbers. The home invasions I'm aware of here in the Phoenix area ALWAYS involve at least one firearm. If you as the home owner intend to answer them with an edged weapon, your chances of success are not encouraging. A single, stealthy burglar. He's hoping to get your stuff, not encounter you. He will perfer an unoccuppied dwelling, therefore, he'll choose to enter your home during the day when everyone is at work and/or school. If he does show up while you are asleep, assume he's prepared to meet resistance from the occupant (you). He may be armed with only an edged weapon, but I wouldn't make that assumption. If the invader is armed with a firearm and discharges it, your neighbors may not hear it--they are asleep. Or, if they do, they may think it is a backfire, if it is one or two shots. Lastly, the invader may be carrying a knife at first, but when he sees you approaching with a sword, he transitions to his firearm. I hope you remembered to strap on your fanny pack, but you will be behind the curve. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2007 21:38:17 GMT
You are going to sneak up on your home invader? Remember, you'll need to close to be able to use your edged weapon. But I would encourage you to try to sneak around in the dark (or low light really) and see how quiet you can be and whether your intended target can detect you. I think you'll be surprised. No, i wouldnt "sneak up" on him, i'd call the cops and tell them that someone has broken into my house (if this was possible under the circumstances). I'd stay away from the burglar if i could, but if he entered my room, I'd stand behind the door and jab a knife in his neck! (ok, maybe not in the neck but that sounded cooler, lol ;D ). Better to avoid confrontation if it's possible, though if one has to confront him, be sure you're the one who makes the first move... I'd rather be behind the bed, using it as cover, while I train the firearm on his chest. I'd light him up with the surefire flashlight and if he's armed, take care of the threat at a safer distance than what a knife or sword could provide me. If he's not armed with a firearm, and the distance is great enough, I might convince him to leave. But once again, it's hard to know what he's armed with. I would prefer initiating a suspect control scenario, forcing him to the ground where I can determine what his weapons status is and hold him for police. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2007 21:49:01 GMT
No, i wouldnt "sneak up" on him, i'd call the cops and tell them that someone has broken into my house (if this was possible under the circumstances). I'd stay away from the burglar if i could, but if he entered my room, I'd stand behind the door and jab a knife in his neck! (ok, maybe not in the neck but that sounded cooler, lol ;D ). Better to avoid confrontation if it's possible, though if one has to confront him, be sure you're the one who makes the first move... I'd rather be behind the bed, using it as cover, while I train the firearm on his chest. I'd light him up with the surefire flashlight and if he's armed, take care of the threat at a safer distance than what a knife or sword could provide me. If he's not armed with a firearm, and the distance is great enough, I might convince him to leave. But once again, it's hard to know what he's armed with. I would prefer initiating a suspect control scenario, forcing him to the ground where I can determine what his weapons status is and hold him for police. well as i don't own any firearms the only ranged weapon i got is a air-soft-gun (which is unusually powerful BTW, though not enough to inflict serious injury beyond blindness) and some throwing knives. So firearms is not an option for me. |
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 1, 2007 22:28:06 GMT
I still take the approach that if I'm there, and it's night, I know my way around my dark house better than he does. If he's got a flashlight, that's all well and good, it gives me something to aim for when I start throwing stuff.
If he's got a gun, he'll have a hard time using it just once or twice before I'm on him. I'm pretty big, and I fancy the typical gun isn't going to be a desert eagle, after all, he would be aiming to 1) not use it 2) not make a lot of noise with it, so a 9mm or even .40 cal that isn't dead-on probably wouldn't stop me from hitting him with something.
If all he's got is a knife (doubtful), he's pretty stupid, so taking him on shouldn't be hard. If he does produce a firearm second, it'll be in the midst of a nice foray, and his odds of efficiently deploying it will be pretty low.
On the note of the mattress, they may be thick, and will probably deflect a small bullet, but they aren't impenetrable. I'd be somewhere...not behind the bed. Tough to move from there.
I do have guns, and sometimes they're loaded, but I'd rather not fumble in the dark with a rifle over a guy ten feet away. Likewise, I'd rather not fumble in the dark with a handgun over a guy ten feet away. I'd take my chances charging him with a pillow first.
Then again, I'm up here on the second floor, the ground is probably a healthy 15 feet below my window. If anybody's coming into my room, they're doing it by the stairs, which means they pass the dog first. I think I'd be behind my door with a bat ready before they give up and leave. After all, dog starts barking, all five inhabitants of house wake up, two of us keep arms in our rooms, and the dog is pretty unfriendly. If you shoot my dog, I'M pretty unfriendly.
Oh well. Here's to hoping it doesn't matter.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2007 22:37:07 GMT
Well i'd maybe try to chatch him unaware, charging right at him, wresling him to the floor, breaking as many bones as i can.
Might be a working tactic...
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Post by septofclansinclair on Aug 2, 2007 1:25:30 GMT
I live in Canada, where our gun crimes rate is extremely low. Most home invasions occur with the invader strung out on meth or crack and carrying a screwdriver or, at most, a butcher knife. I'm not too concerned about guns in our area, so I'm happy with my swords. And with the Gen2 Celtic-Anthro sword, buddy's losing his hand at the shoulder.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2007 5:10:01 GMT
Here are the storage requirements for prohibited weapons in my state(Yes swords are prohibited weapons here) taken from the Australian Knife Collectors website: Storage Requirements for Prohibited Weapons: You should also be aware that prohibited weapons are already subject to strict storage requirements. As such, it is expected that swords will also be required to satisfy appropriate storage conditions: Example: "Weapons should be stored in a locked cupboard, cabinet or safe of sturdy construction, and if glass fronted, the glass will be a minimum of 5mm. It the mass weight is less than 150kg it shall be fixed to either the frame of the floor or wall (where applicable) so as to prevent easy removal. Wood screws are not acceptable but ramset/dynabolts are sufficient. The locks fitted to these receptacles shall be of study construction. Padlocks shall have shanks of hardened steel." There are other methods of securing swords - but the basis for this legislation is that you as the holder of the exemption, should be only person able to access your sword in your home. If unsure, contact the Victorian Licensing Service and discuss your idea for storage. I try and abide by these absurd regulations as i have had dealings with the police in my home before. They will confiscate prohibited weapons if not stored correctly no matter what their original purpose for entering your home may have been. As for self protection i have a one and a courter foot steel square pipe next to the bed. Not many people own guns around here and someone who is trying to steal your television isn't likely to be able to afford one anyway. I'd just like to add that for all the people that have enough weapons near their bed to arm a battalion, i hope you have one item that you are sure you will grab before all the others. You will only have time to grab one anyway so you might as well put the rest away. Also for those who would use the biggest baddest sword they own on an intruder,for an invasion of zombie penguins this is ok, but keep in mind a decapitated or bisected corpse is ALWAYS going to reach the news and it never looks good. Randomnobody even a round from a common "Saturday night special" in the stomach is enough to slow down most people who aren't on PPC, and even if the first one or two shots don't kill you straight away, a bullet in the spine is a hard thing to live with. CQC is a tricky thing and guns just make it more unpredictable, and after throwing in all the other things that often go wrong in home invasions i would say trying to take down a man armed with a gun in the dark barehanded is a bad idea. Just my two cents for what it's worth.  |
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 11, 2007 12:13:03 GMT
I'd rather live with a bullet in my spine than die with a bullet in my head. Sure, taking on an armed intruder is never a good idea, regardless of your own level of armament, extreme danger is what you're facing. Anything can happen, or nothing. In the ultimate case, I'd take the chance, rather than not even try. Oh, and yes, I do know which I'm reaching for first. The rest are decoration that have nowhere else to go. They also make for fine back-up, if I make it that long.  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2007 0:29:57 GMT
Oh, and yes, I do know which I'm reaching for first. The rest are decoration that have nowhere else to go. They also make for fine back-up, if I make it that long. Thats good, I'd hate to think of someone in an emergency unable to choose a weapon from the stockpile of arms while the burglar walked out with the fridge |
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 12, 2007 3:02:41 GMT
...Actually, I was reaching for the refrigerator first, but if they're carrying it, I'm going to have to rethink matters...
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2007 4:10:49 GMT
I argue that for home defence, the sword is the best possible weapon for those of us who are rusty in our H to H. In order to defeat a man at full charge, even someone who can speed draw needs at least 25 feet of distance to draw, aim and fire. Even in semi-skilled hands, a well made sword is faster and more selective then a gun in close quarters combat. I personally recommend a short stabbing sword like a gladius, maybe a point oriented longsword if you have larger rooms. I'm not going to follow tradition and list my arsenal as that would undoubtedly take up most of page five . |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2007 1:56:49 GMT
As far as swords near the bed, all of mine would qualify; also the maces, hammers, axes, spears and halbards too, as well as .308's, 12 gauges, .45's, 9mm's and .22's. I keep my weapons there to lock them away from my grand-daughter, who's 2. But it also puts them in handy reach, just in case.
Several years ago I attended a self defense course that was put on with the cooperation of the local police. One thing that stood out from the course was that a knife wielding assailant could close and attack before a pistol armed person could draw and fire, given the range at initiation of combat being 20 feet or less, so I definately see Dirtydan's point. I would imagine being awoken from sleep and fumbling about would only increase the odds of that happening.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2007 20:42:22 GMT
I have my trusty bokken and a Manriki Gusari.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2007 17:41:17 GMT
Yes, within a step and a grasp. Also have a razor-sharp tomahawk(one with the spike opposite the blade) under the bed. Along with other goodies in the cabinet beside the bed. he could still get me, if he wants me bad enough, I guess. Don't worry though, if the UN has its way, we will all have a nice phone by the bed so that we can call the police. THEN, we will be safe.
P.S. ---that is based upon a rumor that I heard about proposed UN resolution that states that self defense should not be considered a "basic human right". Don't know if its true or not, just spreading rumors.
P.S.S.---sounds like the UN though, doesn't it?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2007 18:35:56 GMT
Yes, within a step and a grasp. Also have a razor-sharp tomahawk(one with the spike opposite the blade) under the bed. Along with other goodies in the cabinet beside the bed. he could still get me, if he wants me bad enough, I guess. Don't worry though, if the UN has its way, we will all have a nice phone by the bed so that we can call the police. THEN, we will be safe. P.S. ---that is based upon a rumor that I heard about proposed UN resolution that states that self defense should not be considered a "basic human right". Don't know if its true or not, just spreading rumors. P.S.S.---sounds like the UN though, doesn't it? Well thank God I live in Texas. I keep my 45 next to my bed with a tomahawk. The shotgun with slugs is in the closet and the sword is for bulletproof things .... like zombies. (Short sword, soon to be replaced by a good gladius) |
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Post by ShooterMike on Oct 11, 2007 2:40:34 GMT
Hot Damn! That's my kinda neighbor. Rouses out of a sound sleep with a .45 in one hand and a tomahawk in the other. Things like this make me glad we're neighbors...well sorta neighbors in the way 100 miles is "just down the road a bit."
You can live on my block anytime. ;D
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 11, 2007 3:09:19 GMT
I'm with ShooterMike. If there were to come a knock on my door in the middle of the night and it was some guy bearing a gun in one hand and an axe in the other, who introduced himself as my neighbor and asked if I "heard that just now," I'd shake his hand, get my sword and perhaps a gun, and off we'd go. Unfortunately, my neighbors are rich old people who I'm not sure ever leave their house.  I should move to Texas...which I may... |
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slav
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Post by slav on Oct 11, 2007 4:46:18 GMT
The sword that I want beside my bed has fifteen blades, each 9 millimeters wide, and extendable to about 50 yards in length, give or take. It requires no swing radius, and cannot be parried. It is not hammer forged, but it does have a hammer.
Anything else is a joke.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2007 13:37:23 GMT
Yes I agree Slav,
Swords are the coolest, but never bring one to the gunfight. The tomahawk just looks bad, though. I have learned to throw it about 15 feet. I will take a pic of it when I have driven it thru 1/2 in plywood. If you ever took that sucker to the skull, oooohh. Bad headace to follow.
Plus, hopefully, someone would look and say"Tomahawk, who the hell uses one of these anymore? this dude must be crazy!!
No one can disagree though, NO BETTER home defense than a s.b. 12 or < gauge loaded with 00buck. It is The Equalizer. In the dark, when you are groggy, even at short distance.
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slav
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Post by slav on Oct 11, 2007 14:59:12 GMT
yeah, shotgun's good too. Less likely to shoot through the wall and kill the loved one sleeping in the next room.
But if all you have is a sword at the moment, by all means keep it near the bed.
I once asked a photographer what the best all-around camera is...
His answer: "the very best camera, is the one you have with you at the time."
I've found that this logic applies to all forms of equipment and application.
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