🚨 Stay Safe at Home!🚨
Your home should be a sanctuary where you feel secure, but home invasions and the potential for violence they bring can disrupt the feeling that your home is your castle. By examining statistics related to both home invasions and shootings during such incidents, we can better understand the risks and take proactive measures to protect ourselves. Let’s delve into the data:
Prevalence of Home Invasions:
Home invasions, also known as burglaries or residential break-ins, are unfortunately quite common. In the United States, the FBI reports approximately 2.5 million burglaries per year. Of those, 1.65 million (66%) are considered home invasions and occur at a rate of one every 30 seconds. This statistic underscores the significance of the problem and the need for heightened awareness. In Texas, the Castle Doctrine allows residents to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves, their family, and their property from an intruder or attacker. This is similar to the “Stand Your Ground” doctrine in several other states. However, it is my belief that an untrained (or poorly trained) person with a gun is worse than that same person not having a gun at all.
Time of Day and Occupancy Status:
Home invasions can happen at any time, but they often occur during daylight hours when residents are likely to be away. Studies indicate that the most common time for home invasions is between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Surprisingly, around 28% of burglaries happen when a household member is present, increasing the potential for violent encounters.
Methods of Entry and Risk of Violence:
Approximately 30% of burglars gain entry to homes through unlocked doors or windows, emphasizing the importance of basic security practices. When occupants are present during a burglary, the likelihood of a violent confrontation increases, with incidents of violence occurring in around 25% of cases.
Firearms and Self-Defense:
Firearms can play a significant role in home invasions. In the United States, it is estimated that firearms are used in about 7% of burglaries that involve a violent encounter. However, the use of firearms for self-defense by homeowners during burglaries is difficult to quantify accurately, with estimates ranging from 60,000 to 100,000 defensive gun uses per year. I believe that a well-trained person with a firearm is a great equalizer against a person (or persons) of bigger size.
Lethal Outcomes and Legal Implications:
Shootings during home invasions can have legal consequences. Justifiable homicides involving firearms by private citizens during the commission of a home invasion, totaled approximately 364 incidents in 2019. In Texas, the Castle Doctrine (a.k.a. Stand Your Ground) is a legal principle that allows residents to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves, their family, and their property from an intruder or attacker. It’s crucial to be aware of local laws and regulations in your state regarding self-defense and the use of lethal force, as they can significantly impact the outcomes and legal consequences of such incidents. Understanding the risks associated with home invasions and shootings can empower the homeowner to take appropriate measures to enhance home security and personal safety.
Some general tips to consider:
- Install sturdy doors, deadbolt locks, and window locks to deter intruders.
- Utilize a comprehensive home security system with alarms, surveillance cameras, and 24/7 monitoring.
- Lateralus Group is partnered with leading installers of security systems.
- Develop a family emergency plan and practice it regularly, including procedures for dealing with home invasions.
- Let us design a threat mitigation plan for you and your family.
- Consider seeking professional guidance on personal safety and self-defense techniques.
- Our instructors are FBI certified in defensive tactics and firearms.
- Familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations regarding self-defense, firearms, and the use of lethal force.
- We suggest the use of liability insurance, such as USCCA.
One may say, “this will never happen to me” or “we live in a safe neighborhood”. Unfortunately, criminals are banking on this way of thinking in hopes that your guard is down. Unfortunately, you may never know if your home is being cased for a home invasion. Remember, prevention, preparedness, and personal safety should always be prioritized when it comes to home invasions; your life may depend on it someday. Let Lateralus Group be your provider of assessments and training, so that we can help you mitigate your threats. Contact us for a no obligation consultation.
