We had our second burglary attempt within the past three weeks, and it changed our minds about gun ownership

[Anonymous]

The police took 25 minutes to get there because no one had broken into your house. These weren't burglary attempts, at most they were trespassers.

Are there cameras attached to this motion sensor? Because the camera over my driveway loves to capture an opossum's nightly adventures in my yard.

[Anonymous]

My dad sold guns and taught gun safety. He told me I could not have a gun for self protection unless I was 100% sure that if I got it out of the safe I was going to be shooting it and shooting to kill. You don't threaten with it, you don't aim at someone's kneecaps -- you shoot to kill. Or they take it away from you and use it on you.

So if you want a gun, don't plan to go "hiding in the attic" with it. Learn to use it, and use it if you have to. Cowering somewhere while clutching it is a good way to get killed yourself. Over what? The electronics and/or jewelry these people wanted to steal?

At any rate, this story does kind of sound like bs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you truly prepared to kill someone? Are you prepared to be someone who shot someone dead? Do you know what that does to a person psychologically? Think about that before buying a gun.

OP here. After having lived through the agony of waiting for the police for 25 minutes, yes, I am prepared to shoot and kill a perpetrator in my home, especially to protect my teenage daughter and my husband. So far I always thought that I would hide, but now I do not see why I should accept the risk of bodily harm to us.
I felt very helpless and exposed. I don't want to feel that way ever again in my life, especially not in my own home.

[Anonymous]

These were not "burglary attempts" this was trespassing IF ANYTHING. How do you know an animal didn't set it off the second time? Running to the attic and wasting police resources over this is a bit much. You are NOT the type of person who should own a gun. Period.

[Anonymous]

Get a bayonet/axe/other bladed weapon and have fun with them when they break in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I call BS.
Where do you live that a security company has armed guards on standby?
This also wasn’t an attempted burglary. It was a suspicious act. Someone walking around your house, while unusual and definitely concerning is not a reason to gosprinting to your attic in fear.
Take it down a notch.
You are the type of person who will accidentally shoot someone in fear.

OP here. We moved from DC a few years ago (but I am still on DCUM). Yes, our large neighborhood has a private security company. I have never seen it in the DC area, but it is common in our new area.

I am certain that it was a burglary attempt. Nobody just walks on our property toward the back yard unannounced.

Many ultra-wealthy people live on our street, many with their own security guards either in a car in front of the house or stationed in their gate-house. Just because this is beyond your experience it does not mean that there aren't places like this in this country.

[Anonymous]

A dog will be a lot better deterrent than a gun. A mouthy dog, even better.

I would never have a gun in my house. A childhood friend accidentally killed himself when we were 15 showing his girlfriend his dad's supposedly-unloaded gun.

But, as Bill Burr says, a pitbull is a gun you can pet...

[Anonymous]

Security company that has armed guards on standby?

What company is this and where is this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A dog will be a lot better deterrent than a gun. A mouthy dog, even better.

I would never have a gun in my house. A childhood friend accidentally killed himself when we were 15 showing his girlfriend his dad's supposedly-unloaded gun.

But, as Bill Burr says, a pitbull is a gun you can pet...

OP here. My husband and I are both busy professionals and do not have the lifestyle that would allow us to spend hours with a guard dog every day. It is not sufficient to walk the dog, it also needs mental challenges.

The gun would be in a safe accessible only with my or DH's fingerprints. Our daughter would most certainly not be showing it to her friends.

Burglaries are common in our area. They are looking for jewelry, watches and designer handbags.
The only place safer compared to our neighborhood is a gated community. There aren't many of those in our particular area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you'd rather get into a shootout with the burglars? Sounds like you should move to a better neighborhood or something.

Burglars around here aren't expecting homeowners to be armed. A shotgun and a willingness to use us it is more likely to result in a disgusting cleanup than a shootout

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Security company that has armed guards on standby?

What company is this and where is this?

Well, if you really want to know and this sprains your imagination, it is in Los Angeles. I am surprised that people get caught up on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Security company that has armed guards on standby?

What company is this and where is this?

Well, if you really want to know and this sprains your imagination, it is in Los Angeles. I am surprised that people get caught up on this.

* This was OP. I identify myself in every post that I write. I am writing this so that you don't attribute other posts to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I call BS.
Where do you live that a security company has armed guards on standby?
This also wasn’t an attempted burglary. It was a suspicious act. Someone walking around your house, while unusual and definitely concerning is not a reason to gosprinting to your attic in fear.
Take it down a notch.
You are the type of person who will accidentally shoot someone in fear.

OP here. We moved from DC a few years ago (but I am still on DCUM). Yes, our large neighborhood has a private security company. I have never seen it in the DC area, but it is common in our new area.

I am certain that it was a burglary attempt. Nobody just walks on our property toward the back yard unannounced.

Many ultra-wealthy people live on our street, many with their own security guards either in a car in front of the house or stationed in their gate-house. Just because this is beyond your experience it does not mean that there aren't places like this in this country.

So the thieves decided to pick the neighbor of the people WITH security guards? I think you want to be a target to show your level of achievement/success. That casual of a burglar - walking around, isn't looking for a $100k heist. They could get valuables more suited to their skills elsewhere. You also may just be paranoid.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. Yes, we have cameras at the driveway and on the path off the garage, but unfortunately they didn't record any images because the wi-fi range is often insufficient. We are now about to install hardwired cameras.

[Anonymous]

I'm 38 and grew up around guns. Break ins and crime rates are still very low where I grew up largely in part because everyone knows that the house they break into very likely has a gun. The break ins that do occur are usually done by people that they know. I used to own guns. I've done many classes and have been certified to teach them. I know you think you'd be ready to kill someone, but I can tell just from your posts that you're too reactionary to have a gun for protection at this time.

Take some classes. Learn about gun safety and self defense. Go to shooting ranges where you can rent a gun to shoot. You need to be very, very comfortable with a gun before you own one for home defense. It isn't just about being prepared to kill someone. You also need to know how to prevent the intruder from getting the gun away from you.