Some long range shooter-type LEO-type on this site turned me on to this little jewel. I liked it so much, I bought one for each of my sons. I'm never without it.
If you have a light on your gun; carry a hand-held flashlight.
If you don't have a light on your gun; carry a hand-held flashlight.
If you don't carry a gun; carry a hand-held flashlight.
You are actually safer going out nekked. (or nearly so) Would YOU want to tangle with a half (or more) naked guy? Probably not. See...
(warning NSFW language, visuals, hence no preview)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7klxYbBRVAM
If you have a light on your gun; carry a hand-held flashlight.
If you don't have a light on your gun; carry a hand-held flashlight.
If you don't carry a gun; carry a hand-held flashlight.
I respectfully disagree. A double pane glass door or window is all that is keeping Mikey the meth head from my family, id have gone out jewels out to keep the threat out of my home. I grew up every other weekend with a dad in that crowd. Trouble doesn't wait. I saw a guy who had been hit by a semi on his Harley earlier that day throw down at one of dad's parties. I truly believe most people underestimate the threat level of these tweakers because they have never lived among them.
Thanks for your input Dusty. I really can relate as I lived with my grandma on her farm for a few years after my grandpa passed. locked in the middle of a 100acre combo of field and woods can lead to some very interesting encounters. I did not go out at night without a shotgun close, for pests as well as scrappers who thought barns were easy targets.
I have started to remedy my readiness, and am shopping for a nice easy to pocket holster 380, doesn't help that I recently made the mistake of picking up the new SA 911 at the lgs. I don't necessarily like 380's, but for the purpose of walking the dog it seems appropriate. It wear gym shorts 99 percent of the time to bed and I'm not going to strap on a belt just so the dog can take a leak. Most of the lanes of engagement provide easy escape for mr. creeper. And if they are fleeing, I'm not going to be pursuing, most of the time. If they are fleeing after having committed a heinous act against my family God himself would have to remove me from the situation, but just creepin scoping potential hits if they run I'm not pursuing. This means that engagements would take place within a 5 to 25yd ring, and I'm confident that a 380 even at 25 yards will make most aggressor reconsider their life choices... I have taken my recently retired worklight home so now it sits charged and ready right next to the leash. The streamlight has a strobe that really will f you up if you are not prepared for it, so it has a benefit to my wife as a device to aid in fleeing.
I appreciate how positive this thread has stayed, these real world embarrassments are excellent learning tools when shared and discussed openly.
Good for you thinking about being better prepared. One area of concern from your post is that it sounds like you might not have a clear idea regarding when the use of deadly force is justified. The use of a firearm against someone creeping around an outbuilding or running away is likely to get you in trouble. And although it's up to you how you're going to act if someone has harmed a loved one, shooting when they are fleeing is another problem area.
IANAL, but the generally accepted definition regarding when deadly force is justified is if you (or a loved one) is in immediate danger of serious bodily injury. There is a lot of difference of opinion regarding curtilage. Strongly suggest that you invest in some good training that includes covering your legal rights and responsibilities.
My solution for having gear at the ready at all times...
A few years ago, I found one of these at Goodwill Outlet. It's an older version; likely sturdier.
It is sturdy enough that I can hook one end over the bar and hook the other end through my carry belt, which is connected to my shorts/pants (depending on the season) which will have the following already loaded:
Wallet
Cell phone
Large folder
Small folder
Fenix PD 35 handheld flashlight (I've gotten a few deals on these via Amazon's Warehouse deals over the years; I can't recommend them highly enough as EDC lights - they are very bright and damn-near bulletproof)
Small multi tool
Spare mag carrier w/ 2 full mags (13 x .45)
Empty holster
It doesn't take much longer than putting on gym shorts and tying them, and I just walk over to the safe and grab my carry pistol and lock it in the holster, and I'm good to go.
YMMV