Had to clear the house this morning at 3AM

[jediagh]

I recall a training video (online somwhere; frontsight perhaps???) in which they talked about this very issue. The highlights I remember were

1) Get everyone into one room with only 1 way in
2) Call 9-1-1
3) Tell the operator you think somoene just broken into your house and that you fear for your safety.
4) Yell out that you have a gun, not to come into <the room (bedroom, bathroom, closet, etc) or you will shoot cause you are afraid for your life and that the police is coming.
5) wait...

What this does is
a) there is now a recording on your state of mind (fearing for your life)
b) there is now a recording that you gave warning
c) there is now a recording that you did not go looking for trouble (it came to you)

[Dryden]

FLASHLIGHT. Identify your target first.

I keep two right next to my bedside pistol and I've got one attached to my shotgun.

[rvb]

Originally Posted by Dryden

FLASHLIGHT. Identify your target first.

I keep two right next to my bedside pistol and I've got one attached to my shotgun.

yes. I always add "understand the situation" after ID the target...
if no immediate threat (intruder attacking you, has gun, etc), you should determine if it's really a bad guy or daughter's boyfriend, drunk neighbor, son sneaking his buddy in to play video games, heck even a cop investigating a neighbor's call about your door being open. all reasons not to blast away just because it's not an immediate family member you recognize.

another good reason for being verbal from cover. worst you'll do is cause the daughter's BF to soil himself if you start shouting out about cops being on their way and shooting any MFer that walks up the stairs....

-rvb

[Annie Oakley]

Another hint....if you call 911 tell the dispatcher to stay on the line and leave the phone where they can hear your verbal commands. This gives you an official record of what went down. I don't think that any one really know absolutely how they will handle this sort of situation even though they may have a plan. Just don't ever forget to id your target.

[Dryden]

Originally Posted by Annie Oakley

Another hint....if you call 911 tell the dispatcher to stay on the line and leave the phone where they can hear your verbal commands. This gives you an official record of what went down. I don't think that any one really know absolutely how they will handle this sort of situation even though they may have a plan. Just don't ever forget to id your target.

That is an excellent idea. It would sure come in handy during the trial.

[rvb]

Originally Posted by Annie Oakley

if you call 911 tell the dispatcher to stay on the line .... This gives you an official record of what went down.

Don't they usually tell YOU to do that, so that THEY can have a record of what went down?

I've told my wife to make the call, say that there is someone in the house and we are afraid for lives, ask them to send help, and that we (the homeowners) are armed so the cops know good guys have guns too when they show up. Also good to be on the line when the cops show up so you can notify through 911 where you are, when it's safe for you to disarm and greet the cops, etc.

-rvb

[Annie Oakley]

Having been a dispatcher, I can tell you that they don't always stay on the line. It depends on the person answering that 911 line. Some dispatchers are really good at the job and some aren't. It also depends on how busy they are. You haven't really lived until you have 11 or 12 911 lines all lit up at the same time!

[rvb]

Thanks for that first-hand info, Annie.
The couple times I've called (for less severe things like traffic accidents) they've had me stay on till help arrived, even just as whitness. assumed SOP.
-rvb

[w_ADAM_d88]

My plan is to have the wife call 911, while I go investigate. If I can see the BG and tell that he is not armed, I plan to order him to the ground to not move, and hold for cops. If I see a weapon, I plan to shoot first ask questions later. Hopefully, I never have to experience this. Hopefully, the 100lb Lab's bark will scare anyone off.

[DCR]

I haven't yet seen the discussion where there might be TWO BGs.
What then?