Recent Purchases
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I did follow that Doug, and I totally understand the need to increase your family security, it sounded scary as hell. My comment was not meant negatively against your purchase in any way, if I lived in the US and my family had a similar experience I would do exactly the same as you have.
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No worries. I didn't take it that way. We're straying into the OT realm, but I would just like to add: I've been practicing martial arts my entire life (since 4 or 5 years old). Even if the bad guys came in bare handed, the way my foyer is spaced, I would be in serious trouble if two guys came at me at once (and the martial arts style I've been practicing for the last ten years specializes in close quarter combat). Three guys and I would be overwhelmed. When it comes to the safety of my family, I'm not taking any chances.
So to answer Rafa's question, I already have physical deterrents (locks, hasps on the doors) and a very good alarm system (which did go off but the bad guys didn't care), now we have a dog as an early detection system and a deterrent as well (though I really don't want him to do my fighting for me), and we've had a number of guns for awhile but I'm upgrading to the 40SW and a shotgun (Remington 870). I'm also getting personal training on using the firearms for home defense. Jody will be getting a Springfield XDm 9mm when funds are available…
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I actually live in a really nice area. The jackasses that stole my car left it down in one of the worst parts of DC (I'm guessing they were also from there). Short of living in the middle of nowhere (which comes with it's own problems), I can't think of any place I can move to
Here's the thing: if you were looking for victims, would you go into a bad area where people are used to crime and are prepared for it, or would you go into a good area where folks are fairly unsuspecting and the security of their homes are largely unchallenged? So I'm not entirely convinced that moving into an even nicer area is going to be safer. I guess I could move into a neighborhood with a paid, armed neighborhood security police, but I'm not one to depend on the competence of others to do what I should be doing myself
Moderator hat on: I'm really impressed how civilized this discussion has been. Thanks, gents
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Point well taken, Doug. You're right, the nicer neighborhoods are probably more popular targets, for the reasons you mentioned; also, I'm sure they are believed to produce better scores. I applaud your decision to take a course with your purchase, as well. The debate re: firearms in this country would be far less ferocious, if everyone were this responsible.
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Here's the thing: if you were looking for victims, would you go into a bad area where people are used to crime and are prepared for it, or would you go into a good area where folks are fairly unsuspecting and the security of their homes are largely unchallenged? So I'm not entirely convinced that moving into an even nicer area is going to be safer. I guess I could move into a neighborhood with a paid, armed neighborhood security police, but I'm not one to depend on the competence of others to do what I should be doing myself
Exactly. I agree 100% with you.
I don't think this necessarily has to do with neighborhoods, states, or countries. You never know when you could be robbed or assaulted. Being prepared just seems like common sense.
If I could be as prepared as Doug, I would sleep better at night. Doug, congrats on the purchase and I hope your family feels better prepared now.
A side note, my girlfriend(who lives with her parents while still in college) had her house broken into a few months ago in Toronto. She lives in a nice middle class neighborhood but it's very close to a "ghetto" low income area. Her family is from Georgia/Ukraine and they are very friendly, extremely smart(both computer programmers), and pose no threat. No guns, knives, or physical training. I have no idea what would of happened if this situation had gone any different.
Sofi heard something at like 3-4am. She woke up and stood in her hallway for a few minutes trying to listen for anything. Then, a guy(I'll leave that to your imagination) jumped out with a knife and cornered her in her room. Apparently, he was telling her to calm down while holding the knife(idiot). I'm assuming this was an amateur burglar. She started screaming and her parents woke up. He hid behind her door and they thought she was having a nightmare or something. Once they realized the guy was there they asked him to leave and he ran out of the house. Cops came and nothing was ever resolved.
They were lucky. They were not prepared at all and, thankfully, nothing was stolen and no one was hurt.
I asked her dad why he didn't have a knife or try to stop the guy so he could get arrested(her brother and whole family are 6ft+ btw). He said if he were to injure a burglar in Ontario he could potentially go to jail(very recent case of this actually a few miles away from her house). Apparently, the law says that your first and main line of defense in those situations is to run. What a complete and utter fucking joke.
They have since gotten a very nice alarm system. Sofi has mace under her pillow and in her purse. I've given her brother and dad pocket knives.
Anyways, I'm drunk. You can never be too prepared.
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Thats fucked up bro!! Im glad everyone is ok but i would be rattled man, i am pretty rattled right now reading this and it didnt even happen to me. Im in ontario too(u know that tho shane lol) and have "heard" the same law. Pretty stupid. I would not hesitate to fuck someone up that broke in (unless it was guns they were carrying i guess) and then have my gf slap me around a bit before the cops showed up. Tell them he broke in and assaulted me. Bullshit law, im gonna have to look into that
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Lori and I have both completed concealed carry courses and have firearms in our vehicles, nightstands, and multiple rooms in our house. We live in a small military town with an exceptionally high violent crime rate. We're in a nicer area, but last week a shoot out with police happened four blocks from us. The assailant fled into our neighborhood and there was a door to door manhunt. We have a good alarm, four dogs, and a secure home. Yet, we still aren't taking any chances. If someone breaks into our home, they better be prepared to get shot. In Oklahoma, aka the Wild Wild West, shooting an intruder is basically applauded. Like Doug, when it comes to the safety of my family, I'm not taking any chances.
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I (living in a small german village with ~2000 citizens) can't even think of something like this…it's just crazy (but totally understandable!) what is going on in the US of A (and many other countries as well!)...scarry and crazy shit I have to say and protecting the own family is by far the most important thing in life, no matter what the laws are saying! so I can see where you guys are coming from with owning a gun or two...
there was a break-in once in my neighborhood (living there for my whole life, 25years) and it happened only like 150metres away from our house. two guys broke into the house of a friend of mine in the middle of the night, his dad noticed some noice, went down the steps and got knocked over by one of them...nothing else happened, since after that they run for their lives. am still a weird feeling though...
but tbh. I'm also happy that the gun law in Germany is quite "tight", so that it isn't too easy to own/store a gun at home...
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In Texas and many other states, the Castle Doctrine applies (as in a man's home is his castle). If anyone is intruding in your home, place of business or vehicle, deadly force is typically considered justified.
Personally, I keep a Taurus 9mm with hollowpoints by my bed for piece of mind. My home was broken into over 3 years ago and I still feel paranoid from time to time. The physical items that were stolen pale in comparison to the lost sense of security that I now occasionally have. I've done my best to try to ensure that my home isn't low hanging fruit.
The Kriss Super V in the photo is not mine but I hope to be purchasing one in the near future:
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grabbed a GR1 Go Ruck the other day before heading to SXSW for work.
I have to say there's no backpack I'd rather put 30+k of equipment for a days work.
The thing was great, and after beating the hell out of it for a week of work the thing has limbered up quite well.
I went for the GR1 pouch inside, and really couldn't be happier, it's a great bag. If anyone's looking into any of their gear just take the plunge. I'm all for it. Like D666 i've had a bunch of other packs, Arc'teryx, Ospery (10+ years ago when they looked better with the Vector system) and some other bags but GoRuck is really on point. All my gear and the Serge Windbreaker fit in there, I did my best to lighten the load as every day went along but as a camera bag the Billingham Hadley Pro sleeve fit in the bottom very well, and with some nylon / fleece camera wraps I was able to put a medium format body, and a couple Leica's and a flash as well as a widelux in there and it held the load well. Luckily I had a production trailer to put it in during the day, but carrying to the site and from for the rest of the night was fine, I mean as fine as carrying a bunch of gear and a retina 15" mbp can be, ha.
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