do you give a warning or not?

[tombogan03884]

 I'll give a VERBAL warning, but if I fire it will be for center of mass.

[cevtv]

If you've given the warning (even more one that is recorded on the 911 call), you are that much more justified and it will sit that much better in the aftermath of the event regardless of who you end up shooting if they do come in.

-RJP

+1

[twyacht]

NO. In my house, unlawfully, trespassing, with not ONE SHRED of GOOD intent? 3:48 a.m. or any other time...

There may be more than one BG and a "warning" may allow the first scumbag that's going downs "friends" to take defensive cover.

I believe in the Spray-N-Wash home defense mentality: IF I have to get my Rem 870 out, after the Model 19, .357, all bets were off to begin with.

NO Warning, and NO Quarter.. if one invades my home....

[jaybet]

One warning shot....   right between the eyes. Then if they keep coming I let them have it.
Oh...no...that's for bears...

[Ping]

Well, around 4 a.m. this morning, 8/30/09, my wife and kids were awaken by a boom or bang. The wife sat tight with the baby and I gave her my cell phone while I grabbed the Glock 21SF and a flashlight. I made it across the hallway to where my two teenage sons were sleeping. I opened the door and entered their room and found them sitting up in their bunkbeds. I told them to sit tight and lock their bedroom door as I descended down the stairs for further investigation.
I have motion sensor lights on the front and rear of the home and both were on. I cleared every room slowly and methodically. None of the doors had been comprimised. As I headed towards the rear of the home I saw a shine in the windows. The police were already present and shining their spotlight around my home. I live in a better neighborhood so I decided to withdraw back towards where my loved ones were.
I did not exit nor open the exterior doors of the home. Once I saw the spotlights and squad cars I knew we were in good hands and moved back upstairs. Not sure what the situation was nor is it any of my business. One thing I am thankful for, other than God, was the ability and knowledge to deal with a home invasion situation effectively. Fortunately for us it was not our home being invaded.
I would not have given a warning shot in this situation. My instincts and training kicked in and I would have nuetralized the threat/s and my wife would have been on the phone with the police and prepared to protect the children.

[Sponsor]

[fightingquaker13]

Well, around 4 a.m. this morning, 8/30/09, my wife and kids were awaken by a boom or bang. The wife sat tight with the baby and I gave her my cell phone while I grabbed the Glock 21SF and a flashlight. I made it across the hallway to where my two teenage sons were sleeping. I opened the door and entered their room and found them sitting up in their bunkbeds. I told them to sit tight and lock their bedroom door as I descended down the stairs for further investigation.
I have motion sensor lights on the front and rear of the home and both were on. I cleared every room slowly and methodically. None of the doors had been comprimised. As I headed towards the rear of the home I saw a shine in the windows. The police were already present and shining their spotlight around my home. I live in a better neighborhood so I decided to withdraw back towards where my loved ones were.
I did not exit nor open the exterior doors of the home. Once I saw the spotlights and squad cars I knew we were in good hands and moved back upstairs. Not sure what the situation was nor is it any of my business. One thing I am thankful for, other than God, was the ability and knowledge to deal with a home invasion situation effectively. Fortunately for us it was not our home being invaded.
I would not have given a warning shot in this situation. My instincts and training kicked in and I would have nuetralized the threat/s and my wife would have been on the phone with the police and prepared to protect the children.

One question Ping
Why clear the house? I know its a natural instinct and one I would be tempted to do as well.Yet, if the your loved ones are behind you and the cops are outside, why not just hold in place? Clearing rooms is dangerous work, and unless you're in lot better shape than me (not a high standard) I wouldn't want to be wrestling for contol of a gun if I could just have sat tight at the top of a staircase and let 5 0 take care of it.
FQ13

[Ping]

To give you an answer FQ, I have been trained to do so in several capacities (military,local LE and civillian) over a couple of decades. The mistake that I do not make is exiting my home with a firearm. I am a big guy but I can manuever around my home with ease. After attending and training with Rob Pincus and Paul White this past week for Combat Focus Shooting, I am more confident, determined, consistent and efficient with my firearm within the household.
And as for the police, I do have a high regard for them. That is why after observing their presence outside my home I made the appropriate decision to allow them to perform their duties, remain inside and go back upstairs with my family. In the meantime I remained alert.
Hopefully that answers your question about clearing the house.

[Rob Pincus]

After attending and training with Rob Pincus and Paul White this past week for Combat Focus Shooting

.... but, for the record, we do not advocate clearing the house in that situation. In our home defense courses, we would've suggested that once the older children were identified as secure, all of the family should have gathered in one room and awaited LE response.

Possessing Ability to shoot does not mean one should seek out the opportunity to do it.

-RJP

[Timothy]

Possessing Ability to shoot does not mean one should seek out the opportunity to do it.

-RJP

Comment of the Day, week and so far, the year!  thanks Mr. P....

[Ping]

I apologize for bringing you up Mr. Pincus, Mr. White and I.C.E. Training (

we do not advocate clearing the house in that situation[/ I will surely think twice towards making the same mistake again. I was not trying to give the green light for possessing the ability to shoot. But I will and shall utilize all means necessary within the confines of my home to eliminate or nuetralize any threat that enters the walls of my home and threatens my family on my own accord.