That's a good put, considering that the daughter is twenty five years old.Posted by Godsgunman: ...obviously in your situation your daughter is your main concern being on the first level. Is she properly trained with a firearm? Does she have easy access to one in her room? If not I would suggest that getting her trained in self defense and firearm tactics would be the first thing. Obviously I don't know your or her personal situation and whether she is physically able to do such things, its just a suggestion. It just makes sense that she should be able to protect herself first then have you as backup....
It raises an obvious point about the wisdom of going down with gun in hand with another family member waiting armed in a defensive position. Having a rehearsed plan is of utmost importance.
Everything should start with risk analysis. Having family members in locations to which one cannot get without exposing oneself to ambush is not a desirable situation. Can that be avoided? If not, what other mitigation strategies might be available?
On page 3 of this thread, Frank Ettin posted links to several lengthy prior discussions about what to do and what not to do in the event of possible indications of an unlawful entry or attempt at same. It is unquestionable that getting others to safety is paramount, but that doing so may involve serious risks.
It seems to be a natural reaction for the untrained to want to go forth to investigate or to confront. However, informed opinion suggests doing otherwise. To summarize the downside as discussed in threads that go back into 2008:
- There is a serious risk of the defender being ambushed, and the odds against the defender who steps out of a safe position are overwhelming;
- while the primary motivations of intruders may not include harming anyone, their stong desire to avoid capture or being killed can result in gunfire that would not otherwise occur unless they are approached or their escape route is blocked;
- there is the risk that the defender will shoot an innocent person;
- and there is the very real risk of the defender being shot by ariving first reponders or armed citizens.
The last of these can occur, and has occurred, both indoors and out.