Go to
http://www.nrainstructors.org/searchcourse.aspx
Click the box for the Personal Protection In The Home Course (left hand column about half way down)
Find yourself an instructor and take the class. Here's the course description:
*The NRA Basic Personal Protection in the Home Course exposes students to several schools of thought regarding defensive shooting techniques and is for law-abiding adult citizens, as defined by applicable federal, state or local law. This course is much more than just a routine shooting course and it’s important that participants have sufficient maturity and life experiences to be able to assess various situations and make mature decisions. Before taking this courses students must have proof of shooting experience that must be one of the following: NRA Basic Pistol Course Certificate, NRA First Steps Course Certificate, NRA Marksmanship Qualification Certificate (Pistol disciplines), pistol qualification card, military DD-214 with pistol Qualification, concealed carry permit or pass the NRA Personal Protection Pre-Course Assessment.
* This shooting portion of this course is about Defensive accuracy, which is a balance between speed and accuracy. Students shoot as fast as they can while still hitting the target every time. Factors that bear on speed or accuracy are the distance to the target and the target size. For example, a close in (1-21 feet) large target can be engaged with multiple hits in seconds without slowing down to obtain perfect sight alignment and have every shot on the target. The opposite is a 25-yard shot, which requires the shooter to slow down and use perfect sight alignment and possibly a supported position.
* The Course Goal of the NRA Personal Protection in the Home Course is to develop in the students the basic knowledge, skills and attitude essential to the safe and efficient use of a handgun for protection of self and family and provide information on the law-abiding citizen’s right to self defense.
* *The length of this course is a minimum of 8 hours. There are 7 course lessons and they are the following:
1. Introduction to Defensive Shooting.
2. Basic Defense Handgun Skills.
3. Firearms and the Law: Possession, Ownership and the Use of Deadly Force – Must be taught by
* a Qualified Individual.
4. Strategies for Home Safety and Responding to a Violent Confrontation.
5. Selecting a Handgun for Self-Defense.
6. Sport Shooting Activities and Training Opportunities.
7. Course Review and Examination.
* *Attractive certificates are awarded to participants who successfully complete this basic course. --
http://www.nratraining.net/#/personalprotinthehome/4529527277
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In short, what the course teaches is to hunker everyone down in the dark, behind good cover, in a defensible place, with the cavalry on the phone, and the primary defender in place with artillery trained on the most likely avenue of approach- which is well lit, either from remote controlled area lighting, motion activated lights etc. Making them come to you is likely the best course of action, and if they walk off with the TV before the LEOs get there- no big deal.
The best course of action of course is to prevent the break-in in the first place if you can. You do that by making your home less of an inviting target to thieves. Take a look at
http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/propertycrime.html for some ideas on how to harden your home against criminals.
Odds of having a hot burglary or home invasion are not generally very high, unless you're in a high-risk occupation involving relatively ready access to lots of money, jewelry etc. In my region, the only outright home invasions in recent years have pretty much involved drug dealers being ripped off/robbed, or druggies looking for money or drugs. Doesn't mean it can't happen, and it certainly doesn't diminish the stakes if it does happen to you. Which is why it's good to add to your repertoire of family emergency plans... like your fire drills, your evacuation plan for floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.
hth,
lpl
