Should You Keep The Lights Off If Someone Breaks Into Your Home?

[@stephanieferrell2402]

My Uncle was an Attorney, and he said the same thing, "LET THE INTRUDER COME TO YOU". Great advice.

[@azure8696]

Best offense is a good defense 😈

[@IDNHANTU2day]

My uncle was a criminal and he said the same thing.

[@Honestandtruth007]

The intruders Always Come for us at our house Uninvited

[@ahujastamps6822]

@LabRat Knatz l¹

[@DarrellTurnerJr]

@LabRat Knatz I don't see how sneaking around in the dark is tactically sound? There are way too many "what if's" in a pitch black home at 4am. The lights will clarify many things. People doing dirt, love the dark. Lights popping on unexpectedly is a sphincter tightening inducing event.

[@culinaryavatar9563]

Have layers of protection, motion detecting lights, door alarms, outside cameras, inside cameras pointed at the doors from a main area. With all of this protection, I am aware IF anything is around my house, or in my house and I do not even have to get out of bed.

[@smal1393]

I have a similar setup, and, I have accent lights in every room except the master bedroom. In our house, there is nowhere to hide in the dark.

[@Honestandtruth007]

Man...... You Are ahead of me Well done 👍

[@jlg8689]

Dogs as well

[@TreeBarkSide]

The only thing is that this level of home security can get super expensive.

[@edstringer1138]

I got all that and bars on windows and doors, Minus the inside camera ,,,, I also have very low light blue night lights and plug in motion ,, lights through out house They come from outdoor motion light through bars into low light

[@jamesloubey6474]

I used to tell my son when he was younger and home alone, if you hear something in the back yard, turn on the LED yard lights. Bad guys don’t want to be seen. “ roaches scatter when you turn the lights on. Another thing, if you have young people still leaving at home, and they tend to come in late, you better see before the confrontation. Thanks Kevin.

[@maxrees8445]

Always turn on all the lights as possible!Makes justifying a shooting easier through situational awareness. Simply use home automation to turn everything on and lockdown a secure position for your family to defend. Let the police take care of clearing. Take care of yourself and family from a tactical advantage like a staircase or hall. Maybe toss on a plate carrier. Most thieves don't visit rooms when lights come on. Anything that still comes your direction after the lights come on is looking for trouble, so be ready to mag dump.

[@frankbeardsley2941]

Police won't be anywhere near my house inside an hour unless I tell them there's five bodies on the floor.

[@1kbs11]

Police are for after the fact. You enter uninvited and you leave in a body bag.

[@Frankie5Angels150]

@@frankbeardsley2941 Or a box of (dare I say it?) fresh donuts!

[@lyfandeth]

With home automation systems, even a 1985 X10 system, you can hit "all lights" or just rooms. The invader can't tell where you are, but you can check out the whole house.

[@John-cz6it]

Thank you thank you. As a retired LEO who is very pro 2A it seems like there are people just looking for opportunities to use the gun. I have seen cases where someone with Alzheimer’s walked into the wrong house, kids that came home unexpectedly, please just turn on the lights

[@DoubleplusUngoodthinkful]

I keep my doors locked. I don't know many Alzheimer's patients who pick the wrong lock.

[@cvabuck5489]

I don't trust smart automation, but I LOVE relay logic. When my alarm goes off, in addition to all the standard emergency services notifications, a very bright spotlight at the top of the stairs turns on, pointing down. Combined with the advice you gave, if the intruder chooses to come up the stairs, they do so blindly and well lit, while I'm still in a blanket of darkness behind the spot.

[@billthompson5644]

I live in what is labeled the worst zip code in America 53206, I have lived here 10 years now. I had to go to court because my two five-year-old German Shepherds decided to turn a couple of would be burglars into chew toys and they really tore the hell out of them.

[@Mixwell1983]

milwaukee is far from the worst zip code in America, hell I can think of many other cities much worse.

[@billthompson5644]

@@Mixwell1983 well then apparently you know more than the crime statistics.

[@BaldwinBay]

I'm working in low light and ambient light frequently. Sometimes in the shadows. But your advice is golden.

[@libertybell1574]

My plan is to stay in the bedroom, at the end of a dark hallway. The choke-point is lit up at the other end of the hallway. I'm in the dark, they are in the light. It's also a great way to identify the target first - who knows, it may be a surprise visit or some such thing. It's hard to identify who it is in the dark.

[@Lovingoddess28]

Absolutely good advantage point

[@SuperUnemployable]

Gotta love the kill box while your under the cover of darkness.

[@libertybell1574]

@@SuperUnemployable LOL Yes, that's what I call it, the kill box. I reinforced the back of the closet behind the kill box with wood to defeat overpenetration. If the lunatic must meet his maker, why should my house take damage, amiright?

[@SuperUnemployable]

@@libertybell1574 it's like peek a boo for keeps. Smile when you see the flash

[@Quantiples]

My kids are all over the house. My wife and I together have a plan that solves all the problems and it doesn’t involve staying in our room and calling the police.

[@jorgradtke8219]

Sucks I can only hit the like button once. This needs to be made as clear as possible. Thank you USCCA.

[@WadeWeigle]

Amen to this. Turn on the damn lights.

[@timokeefe2126]

That is my plan Kevin, the Philips Hue lighting app (I’m sure there’s others) lets me turn on every light on the 1st floor. A big surprise for the intruder, right from my phone. No need to walk around flipping switches. I figure they will high tail it out of there as fast as possible. Thanks Kevin , glad to know I was on the right track to safety.

[@PaulyD0859]

100% good advice! I have replaced the annoying siren on my alarm with a recording of "Welcome to the jungle"

[@b.a.lineman7582]

We have a pretty sweet fatal funnel senecio worked out… granted it far away from all the expensive “STUFF”. But whatever… can be replaced. If it gets bad… it’s 17 steps from the bed to the stairs… 13 steps to the 1st floor… if I lead with my right, I land with my left…. The third one from bottom squeaks…… this kind of information is also helpful in the event of fire.

[@Cardbordboxonfire]

“Hey Alexa…Sentry Mode” * the 4 rumbas simultaneously deployed around the house, outfitted like battle bots with blades in every direction

[@ronaldsimmonds1002]

Don’t be afraid of the dark. Be afraid of what’s……………In the dark.

[@RadDadisRad]

🦇 👨

[@sterlingmack5394]

Fact!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Fear disables people. Why would you tell people to be disabled?

[@northernninety7]

I am whats in the dark.

[@flawless_Cowboy]

@@exothermal.sprocket fear is what kept our ancestors alive. I'm sure that if you were a caveman and your buddies that decided to go venturing during the night stopped coming back, you'd be afraid as well.

[@zephyfoxy]

I keep a weapon by the bed and there's a fairly long hallway between my bed and the door, and I've always envisioned that the best thing to do is post up behind cover and just watch the door if trouble comes in, I feel better about that plan now that you said in this video that this is better than hunting for the intruder.

[@CoreyFPiazza]

My children's rooms are near the front door. My room is near the back. We don't have cameras yet, but we do have a baby monitor that allows audio from that side of the house. My teen knows her way around a shotgun, being a trap shooter, but I'm not banking on that. If I detect noise coming from that side of the house, my wife arms herself, I grab my shotgun, and I slowly investigate. I don't agree with just letting robbers have their way with your possessions if they're not there to harm you. The problem with the idea of, "your possessions aren't worth a life," and I'll agree, possessions are far less precious than a human life, however, the more successes a criminal has in obtaining what they want in an act of evil, the more they'll be emboldened to do it again. And next time it could mean an innocent life. It's unfortunate. We're not a culture that restricts appetite and punishes bad behavior. When that happens, evil is emboldened. Unfortunately, a 9mm, 5.56, or a 7.62 is a good way to remind evil it can't always have its way.

[@codenamekvn]

“i didn’t value my possessions more than his life, they did that by choosing to rob my house!”

[@DarrellTurnerJr]

I think the major point is not to be sneaking around in the dark. Your kid could easily have grabbed that shotgun to investigate something. Coming upon each other armed in the dark is a recipe for disaster

[@Redbloodroadrunner]

And that's why I refuse to own a track line house, great way to plan the protection of your family.

[@Frankie5Angels150]

@@Redbloodroadrunner What’s a “track line House”?

[@Redbloodroadrunner]

@@Frankie5Angels150 houses that are built by huge contract builders which are essentially house kits that are exactly the same in floor plan, materials and size. Most houses built in the last 20 years are like this and I'll take a cash bet on 90% of houses have rear master bedrooms.

[@jaynecobb1]

Good idea to have a tactical plan.

[@allen_p]

I've gone over this 80 times. Well, we have millions of new, first time gun owners. Might be a good idea not to insult or belittle them.

[@wrix-wrider]

Ha ha! I heard Kevin saying that and I'm thinking, i don't remember that one?! Glad it was repeated. As you say, LOTS of newbies out there, me included.

[@doughesson]

There's always going to be someone new to the discussion who is going to ask questions that have already been covered. It's not beating a dead horse. If you read gun magazines long enough, you'll see the same subjects being raised again & again. The subject is new to them & we more experienced gun owners owe it to them to bring them up to speed.

[@jake81823]

Nah it's all good. People need to realize how important this is.

[@1kbs11]

If a person lives a long life they'll see many things repeat. New is rare.

[@SasquatchComposites]

I’m one of those new owners, and this was new to me.

[@kellywalker8407]

I told my teenage kids...." if I hear a bump in the night and it's after midnight, me and your mom are gonna shoot first and ask questions later". It was very helpful when it came to enforcing their 12:00 p.m. curfew......lol

[@russmode]

People often don't realize they will have to explain and defend themselves in court after any shooting, playing Splinter Cell, let alone clicking on your laser, will be used against you for decisions you made on the critical time prior to shooting, even when justified. Turning on lights is also a deterrent for shooting, warning of intruder, so prove you took every step prior to pulling trigger.

[@Charlesj777]

As a veteran Marine my problem with letting someone have a chance to leave means they have another chance to come back and I might not know or they are better prepared. I personally will access the situation make a plan and defend. It does not hurt to have motion camera at every angle of my house either.

[@REDRIDER101]

You can light the funnel points so they can be seen at/from the point/s of domination.

[@hkfifty871]

THANK YOU. Something too many people in the 2A community forget about is that in most scenarios, pursuing an outcome where you can AVOID using your firearm is generally your best bet. It minimizes the potential danger to you, eliminates the risk of harming a friend or family member by mistake, and you can avoid any legal issues of whether it was a justified shooting or not by NOT shooting someone in the first place. And IF your efforts fail and you do have to use a firearm, being on the defensive is going to be your most advantageous position, both tactically and legally.

[@kevinclause4p55p5]

I would also be interested in understanding what thermal devices are affordable and appropriate for urban warfare.

[@KentvanKuller]

Good one. Thanks.

[@jscott5091]

This is why I use night lights in my house. I want to be able to go anywhere in my house without having to turn on lights.

[@jcr1323]

I have small but bright motion lights in all rooms except my bedroom. They are rechargeable and don't rely on the power being on to work. This way I know if anyone is moving around in each room of the house. If no ones there it shuts off after 15 seconds. Also another plus to having them is if I get up at night I don't need to find a light switch to turn on and off.

[@dougrebertus1992]

My setup and plan exactly. Our bedroom is in the loft upstairs from the main floor. There are a few small lights downstairs and no lights in the bedroom/loft where I can sit in the dark and keep an eye on the stairway. I've thought it out just as he detailed in this video, warnings and all.

[@JohnnyDont]

I created a smart home routine... "Hey Google, it's go time!" Then it turns on all the lights and starts playing the music from the bank scene in The Matrix.

[@City_Cichlids]

I’d keep the lights off because I have a wml and I know the layout of my home which gives me the advantage.

[@rolandbubb3398]

Agree completely. I added an 'INTRUDER' routine to Alexa. Once I say INTRUDER all the lights come on and the Theme from BAD BOYS starts playing. I have cameras inside and out so I can easily tell if a door or window is open. Meanwhile I am at the top of the stairs and waiting. Bring it!

[@STEVEARABIA1]

Hahah. That theme music should tell them there’s a world of pain coming.

[@hoosierplowboy5299]

My dear son got me Alexa and some smart ac sockets. How did you set up Alexa to do that?

[@rouxchat6033]

No Alexa but that's the best use of one I've ever heard. I can imagine the reaction of an intruder with that going on. Very creative. 👍

[@jd21k55]

I didn't see any of the previous 80 on this, so thought it was good information. Thanks!

[@mortykatz2236]

So absolutely on point. We have said this before many times

[@majorpwner241]

I can't imagine how much the cops would hate me if I just called them any time I suspected someone *might* have been in my house rather than checking the place out myself lol.

[@VTPSTTU]

While I appreciate this idea in theory, the practice is very different. I live in a windy, rural area. I have a motion detector at the end of the driveway, and I sometimes get false alarms on the motion detector on a daily basis. At times of the year, I get alarms for deer, coyotes, rabbits, and birds. I can't call 9-1-1 every time the alarm goes off. In 2018, intruders broke into my home. I have my security layered so that they didn't get through the final layer, but they were in an enclosed front porch and a back storage room. Since that time, I've put motion detectors in those areas. If anyone ever got into those areas again, I'd hear the chimes. However, I get false alarms on those motion detectors. During one stretch of the summer, I may get false alarms from moths twice a week. I'm not going to ignore the chime telling me that something was moving out there. At the same time, I can't call the police to check my house twice a week for a month because the moths become so thick that time of year. Response time to my home is often twenty or thirty minutes. I can't sit on the phone with 9-1-1 for that long and then talk to the responding officer. I need to get back to bed after the alarms go off in the night. I really don't want to tie up that much of my rural county's resources when I realize that I am probably facing a false alarm. There are times when citizens need to clear their homes for themselves. I understand that giving that level of instruction puts USCCA at too much liability. I understand that in theory, we should always just call the police. In real practice, that doesn't always work. I agree with lighting up the house. Before I go looking for someone, I press the alarm buttons on some sirens I have. That would tell an intruder that something had gone wrong with their plans. There's a good chance that the intruders who came into my home would have fled when sirens went off if I'd had this system at that time. I don't see any need for night vision equipment, but I understand that sometimes people need to look at a situation for themselves. In my situation, I have called 9-1-1 a few times when I just had a bad feeling. In most of those cases, I just asked the operator to stay on the phone with me while I searched. Granted, the operator wouldn't have been able to send help in time if I'd encountered another intruder, but the operator could at least dispatch help afterwards.

[@Vandicoup]

You should invest in some security cameras if you’re able to.

[@1kbs11]

Turn of the light and the moths will stop coming.

[@Frankie5Angels150]

You’re all over the place. Way too complicated. When the SHTF for you you are going to panic.

[@VTPSTTU]

@@1kbs11 The light is part of security. The moths get into the porch during the day anyway, and they are going to fly around. I also have motion lights, and they are drawn to the motion lights. The motion lights are also for security. I"m amazed at the number of truly stupid replies I'm getting.

[@VTPSTTU]

@@Vandicoup Thanks! I've thought about that. Most of the cameras rely on good WiFi and good internet. In a rural area, I have lousy internet, and that means buying an old style router that gives weak WiFi. Cameras would be great if I could get them to work.

[@Nukem962001]

Thanks for the "alexa, turn on all the lights" my Alexa literally just followed your instructions

[@coolsnake1134]

Same here.

[@brycedewsnup2813]

This is why I have a roomba with a camera clear my house for me. He is a brave little dude.

[@seikibrian8641]

Excellent advice. I would also add that if the wind blowing open your door is even a remote possibility, then you didn't do your due diligence in securing your castle. Solid doors in sturdy frames, with the best deadbolt locks you can afford are the first line of defense. Doing a security sweep every night before going to bed, and making sure all doors and windows are properly closed and locked only takes minutes, but could spell the difference between a good night's sleep and tragedy.

[@evaneason6906]

I see u said sturdy frames. Most people probably believe a deadbolt is hard to defeat. In actuality it usually only goes into the door casing which isn't very strong at all.

[@darrennew8211]

Or, you know, turn on the light and see if the door is standing open.

[@majorpwner241]

Oh please I bet you'd be easy to kickdoor. I've never even seen someone set their doors on their OUTSIDE of their doorframes at a residence. For some reason they're always hung on the inside (to allow for screen doors I guess, but a door on the inside of the frame will never truly be secure. Put like 4 deadbolts up the length of your door on the outside of the frame and I'd say you actually did your due diligence making sure no one can easily get through.

[@seikibrian8641]

That isn't an "or," it's an "and." It was already said in the video that you should turn on lights. And I say again, if you turn on the lights and see the door open, you did something wrong. (Or rather, didn't do something right.)

[@seikibrian8641]

"Oh please I bet you'd be easy to kickdoor." I'll take that bet.

[@Timothy-NH]

I have Phillips HUE lighting throughout my house. I have a mode setup to turn all lights on at 50% in red. Then take cover and announce the dangerous situation they are in. I have a commercial phone system in my home, push of 1 button, I am broadcasting over every phone in the house. (I sell phone systems).

[@yourdad4627]

Thermal alone poor choice since it only picks up heat so it will still be dark a better choice would be something like a dtnvs white phos w/ecoti 1 also would recommend sbr suppressed with a mawl or gray market unit and finally a minimalist plate carrier with extra mag. Ifak and bear spray because my local sheriff's dept could be 30 minutes or 3 hours away and get trained and stay trained

[@jefflawson7468]

I agree 100 percent wait on them in your safe spot

[@garybkatz]

Another advantage of lights on: identifying the drunk neighbor who thought he was in his own house. Unlikely, but it does happen.

[@auntiekk6240]

Sadly, my dad did this. It was shortly after my mom had passed away. He went out and had a few too many drinks. Took an Uber home and got dropped off two houses away, same style house. Thankfully the neighbors called police and they came out only to find him now passed out in their front yard. I woke up on the couch to police standing in the living room and my very intoxicated dad giving them “high fives”. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I’m very thankful our neighbor didn’t try to be a “hero” and just start shooting. Scary moment for sure.

[@garybkatz]

@@auntiekk6240 Wow, that could've gone south - glad it didn't! Sorry about your mom.

[@auntiekk6240]

@@garybkatz thank you. It’s very scary considering N. Idaho is a very 2a friendly state. He was beating on the door and kicking thinking I had locked him out. Apparently he got tired and gave up but in the meantime the neighbors were rightfully terrified. My parents had lived in that neighborhood for 25 years and a drunken stooper could have cost him his life. The neighbors though scared at the time were not mad and felt bad for what he had been going through. I’m just thankful we didn’t have to start preparing another funeral. My husband is in law enforcement and has hammered it into my head “know what your target is, if you can’t tell 100%… DO NOT SHOOT! “

[@garybkatz]

@@auntiekk6240 In the 80s, my dad had been robbed at his car lot, in a scheme possibly orchestrated by his partner, who wanted to buy him out. The robbers called him the next day and told him, "We didn't get enough; we'll be coming back!" Anyway, this caused my dad to buy several handguns for home and work, and install a burglar alarm at home. One night I came home very late, like 2 A.M. and didn't know my parents had changed the security code! So the alarm went off, unbelievably loud! I was terrified my dad would stumble down the stairs, blasting away! Fortunately, he didn't!

[@auntiekk6240]

@@garybkatz my goodness that is scary, for both your dad and you. Being woken up by an Incredibly loud alarm is jarring, your eyes aren’t adjusting quick enough and your brain is still very much in a fog, that could have ended badly, but happy to see it didn’t. Be safe out there!

[@tyronesmith3812]

I was in the military and have NVGs unlike home intruders. Of course I will turn off the lights. I own the night, they don't. They won't see me when I shoot them in the face from 3 feet away with 62 grain 5.56

[@praevasc4299]

What a great way to lose your trial by getting your self defense claim thrown out, as you started hunting for them instead of defending yourself.

[@tyronesmith3812]

No where did I say I was hunting for them. If they break into my home, I’m defending myself under every circumstance and they’re the ones hunting for me. You’re not an attorney nor a prosecutor. Stay in your lane little guy.

[@VikingVic76]

I don't know that "lights on!" is the absolute answer for everyone. I live alone in a 100yr old small farmhouse who's floorplan is basically a square. I have a night light in 3 of the 5 rooms & have great low light vision (the key is don't turn on bedrm light & keep your natural night-vision). Plus I know my house well enough I could navigate it blindfolded & I know which floorboards or hinges creak, ect. The only light the intruder will see from me is a couple of 1/2 second flashes; 1 for my weapon mounted light to confirm the threat is as perceived & real, just before they see 2 or 3 muzzle flashes & that's it. I'm staying silent & dark until threats are neutralized. There's a reason why the Spec Ops guys don't turn the lights on when they hit a house, I'm gonna go w/ their tactics. Besides light is only part of the big picture & there's 4 other senses that shouldn't be ignored, use them. Control the light, control the fight. I'd rather be a warrior @ the farm than a farmer @ war. I am my 1st responder, there is no calvary.

[@gextreme2381]

There is a major difference between Spec Ops ASSAULT maneuvers and personal home DEFENSE. While your approach will likely accomplish the objective of killing the target, it could leave you with a legal mess on the backside. The USCCA aims to train you to not only protect you and your family from bodily harm, but to also save your bacon from the legal headaches that you will be left with if you ever need to use lethal force to protect you and your family. Might be worth rethinking that approach, the world is a crazy place and even though you are in the right to defend yourself, it's not worth the risk of getting screwed by the legal system in the aftermath.

[@VikingVic76]

@@gextreme2381 You make a good point but that applies only if I notify the authorities & you'd be hard pressed to convince me to get them involved.

[@Loomis_Fishin]

I agree with you when living in a two story house considering most times bedrooms are upstairs. In my situation I’m in a one story house my wife and I had our bedroom on one side and the kids are on the other end. So at that point I’m not concerned about electronics they can be replaced my main focus would be getting to my kids to protect them. It also wouldn’t be just me my wife also carries so I know she would still be safe in the bedroom while calling 911. I know this might not be the right thing to do by putting myself in that situation but at the same time my safety isn’t my concern at that moment the protection of my kids is.

[@miniriver4865]

That is great advice, also, i have cams around my house, so i can check id indeed someone is in, stay put !

[@seanhoude]

I have indoor and outdoor cameras. Plus the indoor ones pan and track with night vision. I'd have been alerted to any motion outside long before there was motion downstairs. And it would all be recorded, regardless. Oh, and every one of them has a microphone and speaker.

[@maxrees8445]

Then it's Home Alone time!

[@battmale]

A useful setup is to have smart bulbs in all the lamps and set up a routine called burglar for the voice assistant that turns on all the lights in the house except the lights in the bedroom I am in at the end of the dark hall. I want to be able to see them but not for them to be able to see me, which provides a tactical advantage - the funnel.

[@danzarlengo7127]

When I remodel a home and for new construction, by the front and back doors and in the master bedroom, I put 2 light switches of a different color above the regular ones (not just added beside the regular switches. One switch turns on outdoor floodlights on the front of the house and the front corners/sides. The other switch does the back yard and back sides. So if you hit both switches, it conpletely lights uo the entire exterior of the house with no dead or shadow spots. They use seperate light fixtures, high enough that someone can't just reach up and unscrew them. So if you hear a noise outside, instant total light completely around the house. You can also do the same thing inside. One switch that turns a light on in every room of the first floor, garage, etc. Always use seperate fixtures, don't complicate wiring to double-use regular fixtures. Have one switch above the staircase and another in the master bedroom. You can repeat this on the upstairs. I also like the idea of having a wireless switch on each of the emergency lighting circuits that is activated by a key fob from the cars. Women especially like this idea when they come home to a dark house at night. Push a button or 2 on a remote, and the entire front, back and both sides around the outside of the house, and a light comes on in every room of the house. A benefit of seperate light fixtures is that you can remove any bulb you don't want to cone on, such as a child's bedroom. Depends on your circumstances.

[@mikeheckman4995]

Watched a news story on TV about two years ago. An older guy lived alone in a rough section of town. His daughter who no longer lived there, but still had a key decided to crash there after a late night of drinking. As she fiddled with trying to open the door, her father shot through the door and killed her. Terrible tragedy. Totally avoidable.

[@anthonyanonymous234]

Thanks for some insight, and advice

[@steves6320]

KM and USCCA always give great advice, but this one is golden. Though I knew this already, his detailed explanation will improve my response in a situation of this nature. And as another commenter said, you MUST walk through your entire abode at bedtime, making sure all entryways are secure!!!

[@Fizzbann]

My house I'll sneak if I want too. But I'll also turn any light on I want. Plus it's my house, as said, and that means if I'm butt naked I'll defend it butt naked lights on and helicopering as I hit the light switches. Thats my take in a tactical distraction to a whole nother level. Don't ask where the spare magazines are.🤣

[@CapnSoap]

Thanks for the 81st explanation, hadn't thought of it that way

[@1kbs11]

I read a lot of stupid comments and the video wasn't the best of ideas. The best advice is for you to do your own homework for your own situation and practice. As far as lights: Night vision takes time to regain. Shooting or about to shoot someone puts the human body in a heightened state - you will find yourself most likely shooting with both eyes open. Be it you have house lights on or off as the gun goes off the night vision for you and the bad guys in no more. True keeping one eye closed can aid a faster recall on gaining night vision back, but this still takes time and you must know to do this under a great deal of stress. Not every video gives the ideal advice. You must know your situation and do the work that works best for you and your situation. If it comes to using a gun it is more about staying alive at that moment and the legal issue can be worked out later. If the power goes off or if the bad guy is able to turn off your power (common outside sources accessible in certain areas of the US) the many good ideas here in the comment section of this 81st video (in which you should not complain about - It means you have new or newer subs.) won't work or work as well as you planned. Again, each situation is different. Good luck to the fools that enter another person's home. (JF)

[@blackhillsrider2626]

This was one of the best videos you have done. Nice job.

[@cliffhelwig5905]

Great info, I keep a very small 12gauge handy. Can clear a hallway with one blast.

[@kreazyd]

Unfortunately the layout of my house sucks. Master bedroom is the farthest from the front door. We have a plan but involves me getting to the other bedrooms by the front door.

[@dogswithjobs2531]

This is where a highly trained personal protection dog comes in handy! Among many other scenarios! 🐾🇺🇸🐕‍🦺🦮

[@IDNHANTU2day]

But they are expensive to maintain.

[@rouxchat6033]

I don't want a trained attack dog. I want a dog that alerts me to something amiss and lets me take care of it. I have a 16-pound Pekingese aka a ball of floof. I adopted him from animal control when he was 11-months old. I'd only had him 2 weeks when one night upon returning from his last walk before bed in the dark he stopped and furiously began barking at something to the right of us and slightly forward. I shined my flashlight in that direction and saw a man leaning up against the side of my wall by my door. He threw his arms up over his head and ran off yelling, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! This was prior to my obtaining my first handgun and conceal carry permit so I was not armed. I've also since taken an 8-hours hands-on self-defense class. I'm 72 so his keener senses are invaluable to me. One never knows what is in the shadows. Dogs know. I believe any family dog will alert. Owning a fully trained attack dog is a liability. This is my opinion based on my years as a professional animal trainer (dogs, cats, and horses), as well as a lifetime of owning same.

[@athuddriver]

@@IDNHANTU2day And a gun, ammo and training ain't? LOL

[@athuddriver]

I would also say that putting lights on might save you from accidentally shooting your pet.

[@dogswithjobs2531]

@@rouxchat6033 a true, with a stable temperament personal protection dog IS NOT AN ATTACK DOG!🐾🇺🇸🐕‍🦺🦮

[@dannymcneal]

Amazon Alexa Echo devices, coupled with smart entry sensors and smart light bulbs, allow you to set routines that automatically turn on certain lights or light groups if any of the entry sensors are compromised. Basically, dining room, kitchen, living room, deck, etc., at 100 percent, and the bedroom at, say, only 5 percent. The homeowner has the advantage. Further, depending on which sensor is compromised, the Echo device can raise the volume level and announce which sensor was compromised, so the homeowner knows where to look first. Lots of automation options available.

[@athuddriver]

I would suggest NOT going to 100% or at least not so in the bedroom. If you are sleeping and lights go on 100% you could be blinded. Just a bit of a tweak I have for my smart home.

[@dannymcneal]

@@athuddriver - Agree! In my comment, notice that I only have lights outside the bedroom at 100 percent-nowhere for the burglar to hide. The bedroom is at 5 percent, which, for our lights is more than adequate to see my firearm. My Echo in the bedroom will announce which sensor was compromised.

[@alyvarin1106]

For my understanding, leave the lights as is and quietly gather your loved ones into a "easy to protect area" and hold you safe position until the contact happens. Keep in mind that suddenly turn on bright lights near you will take away your vision for at least couple seconds, even it is gun mounted light. If you have a nice house, put some security system with speakers so you can sound the warning withou give up your location; also, make sure your room is the closed one to the "non-emergency entrance" as you can protect your loved ones. DO NOT turn on any BRIGHT lights, include the gun mounted lights, until it is absolutely necessary and you are ready for it.

[@alyvarin1106]

Additionally, you DO need plan ahead but you DO NOT have to execute your plans until there is no other choice. Make plans, practice them, improve them, and let your body remember them; stay alert and safe.

[@blackhawk7r221]

My PVS-7’s are right by my bedside pistol so I can hunt my familiar territory if I need. Darkness is a force multiplier.

[@carlorazzeto]

Good opportunity to mention that home camera systems can be an invaluable tool in a situation like this. We have three external ring cams, one in the back yard covering our back door, a ring doorbell covering the front door and one over our attached garage looking out at the street and covering the door way into the garage indirectly. These tools are excellent for bump in the night checks (outside the home). What is more questionable, and frankly I'm not fan of it, are the indoor drop cams. Anyone who gets one of these should understand they're potentially giving everyone with a monitor and a keyboard a window inside your home. Yes you can mitigate some of that with a strong password and two factor authentication but you can't completely eliminate the possibility of someone hacking your cam. This goes triple for camera's in a bedroom with a child or adults.

[@michaelbagley9116]

Add one thing to a hallway. Have a high beam outside light pointed down the hallway with you behind. Hard to see you.

[@Vikingr4Jesus5919]

Seems to be an explanation as well as to why certain shops keep their lights on throughout the night even if nobody works there.

[@profoundlyvanilla2708]

buying a couple security cameras that cover all the entry ways that you can check from your bedroom would be cheaper than dropping $20k on night vision

[@eddiearchuleta615]

No fun in that bro

[@JCHall-uf2tz]

All the lights attached to the home automation devices flash on and off when a zone is violated and will stay on when the system is disarmed. I have practiced navigating though the lights if I have to escape other than the direct window to the outside, but most likely any violator is not going to want to stick around as the neighboring apts will see the flashing lights as well and know there is trouble. Also, if a door is violated, the motion detectors will pick up the heat signature and that will either confirm an intruder or a chinook wind.

[@OllyJC]

This is why you have certain lights in unoccupied areas turn on when your alarm goes off or even when specific doors are opened. I have Frontpoint, and it's very easy to do through their app.

[@bcarss1970]

I am in ranch with a walk out basement. Lights on motion sensor outside. If that does not keep them out, all doors and windows are alarmed. If they are still coming in after that, well, good luck. Between the LEDs I have around the inside at night, having a chokepoint established, and my lasers (all of my pew pews). I feel prepared.

[@1984mrdale]

Thermal doesn’t allow you to identify the target either. You can see it’s a person, but you can’t see the detail that it’s your son. That’s part of why military infantry we use NVG for target engagement.

[@californiasun162]

Agreed 👍

[@porty2097]

This is why I have cameras on the front and back of the house. Two cameras on each floor. And one for each hallway and each set of stairs. They all have night vision.

[@michael30736]

I leave at least one light on outside the locked bedroom door. My plan is to leave the bedroom lights off so that they make a nice silhouette when they finally break the door down. I have tritium sights so I can get a good sight picture in the dark.

[@jeremiah7855]

I always have a light above the sink on at night/ over night to be able to Identify anyone in my house I have flashlights on all my all self defense guns but I still choose to use that light

[@kevinclause4p55p5]

Cameras are probably the move if you frequently have noises that turn out to be nothing. Also fix the door.

[@doughesson]

"Always a good idea to have pants..." Nobody ever wants to fight a naked man. Your house lights are not enough to blind anyone intruding. My plan is to gather overnight guests into one room, shelter in place behind whichever gun I grab & wait for the police. If I have to shoot,it's from a defensive position where I know the angles. This advice is essentially what Massad Ayoob's books have been saying for over 40 years.

[@majorpwner241]

Haha yeah I immediately thought... 'what use are pants in this scenario? Just go at them like a true tribal warrior! General Butt Naked Style!' Seriously, if it's a choice between grabbing your pants or your gun and being ready that much faster... skip the pants.

[@abc123fhdi]

Night imaging not allowed in some states.

[@armadillotoe]

If you planned ahead you could have a switch that turns all of the lights on from your bedroom installed. A laser sight lighting up the hallway is like a visual version of the sound of a shotgun racking. You should have a set of house keys attached to a light. Throw it out your window when you call the police so you can tell them where the keys are so they don't have to kick your door in to clear the house.

[@palanthis]

I know the layout of my house. I walk to the bathroom or kitchen in the dark every night. I know where every couch, coffee table, and lamp is. Do you?

[@rcarmisin3465]

I got night vision next to my fuse box. Silence of the Lambs style. lol :)

[@lornenoland8098]

In the event of an intruder, I want maximum incentive for them to leave and maximum advantage for me to defend my family and home. In my mind, that means lots of lights, lots of warnings, and lots of defensible positions.

[@daplaya2night475]

Great video. Unfortunately if anyone gets inside of my tiny house they are basically ontop of me. I don't really have much choice but to look, my hold position has line of sight of the door. I only have 2 holding positions and they basically allow me to see the entire home, similar to a studio apartment. I'm not sure what i would be in for legally if they were to engage from outside my front door. I guess that kight be a good video. What to do in a studio apartment setting where you have little to no cover and engagement could start from the moment you take up a defensive position, any of which put you in line with the door. In my case all left hand peeks.

[@LuisFernando-in5px]

Or make the least use of the AR flash light

[@keithjohnsonsr5622]

Just a side note, if yo have a light outside your home that’s very bright and someone enters a dark house, a bunglers eyes have to adjust. If your in your home and its dark where you are, you have a few moment advantage if your quick enough to encounter the burglar(s) because your sight picture is already adjusted to darkness. Also, lots of people can actually maneuver around their furniture in darkness because of their muscle memory in moving about the house. I totally agree with staying where you are when practical. Staying silent and armed has the advantage when formulating that moment by moment plan of attack and protection of you and the family.

[@1975normal]

Thank you

[@TheKisshu1997]

Spiders keep setting off our alarm and I just wake up, go downstairs and casually turn it off.... I feel one day, it's not gonna be a spider....

[@michaelodonoghue7464]

Things in Australia are somewhat different than they are in America, but when My Door is Shut My Door is Locked. I never simply Close a Door. You can Huff and you can Puff, but you will never Blow Open a Door in My House, without Explosives. Apparently not locking Doors is somewhat common in America.

[@mjg1544]

Not true. I live in rural Texas, doors are locked all day, the storm doors are security doors, and at night the alarm is set. 6 cameras outside and 8 cameras inside. 9 wi-fi wireless plugs to turn all 9 lights on with one app button. Armed like a small armory with a wife that has as good an aim as me. You could call me paranoid.

[@michaelodonoghue7464]

@@mjg1544 I’m a bit like that Myself, just without the Firearms. I’ve got the Firearms, just not allowed to use them for home defence or personal protection.

[@mjg1544]

@@michaelodonoghue7464 I know, and I’m sorry for that. But the US is creeping up to Australia and Canada. Just remember, with enough creativity….anything can be a trap or weapon. Stay safe my friend.👍🏾

[@DarknessNation]

What is your opinion on setting up lights that can be all turned on at the same time? I have lights throughout the house that can be turned on via voice activation.

[@paulis7319]

Having been broken into without having a gun, I can say from experience, stay put, be still and listen. If the threat leaves, go assess the damage (and call 911). If the threat is getting too close for comfort, be ready to pounce. If you have a firearm, be ready to use it.

[@bowtieguy85]

I too have been robbed without having a gun, luckily the intruder was unarmed as well.

[@ps3firebird]

Pro tip I have all smart light and a ifttt command with one phrase I can turn on all the light and call an emergency number on the loud speakers whole home setup

[@chrisferrell1037]

"Always good to have pants." last time I confronted an intruder naked I was told I had to be on a registry lol. Not me just a joke I heard.

[@punchfisttop]

Brilliant advice. Brilliant channel!!!

[@Jupiterxice]

Well....... I clearing rooms with NVGs and full tactical.......... I am not letting my fun go to waste

[@nuebanjoman]

LOL, great advice. Racking a round in your shotgun and saying loudly in your best Elmer Fudd voice, it's home invader season should work without firing a round.

[@Honestandtruth007]

You Are so Right Kevin on this Situation....it would HELP if we have Cameras inside the house 👍

[@pushonline1568]

So basically you’re saying, that when someone breaks in the home at 2a, you want me to turn the lights on, grab the phone, call the police, grab my kids, my firearm, go walk them into the closet or room, shout to the intruder to warn, hide then wait for him to come get me? Lmao! Wth!!?

[@storytimedavidcollins2897]

It’s been my personal experience that you’re better off to light the place up and listen, if there are still coming your way get ready to shoot and dial 911 on speaking phone and give your name and address in the speaker a few times and what you’re situation is. Defend your self and your family from what you’re threat is. Usually in California they come after you because they want your best stuff and if each individual takes less than $960.00 worth of your stuff they know that they won’t even get prosecuted and they will be back at your house before you get done filling out the paperwork. Do what you have to do but remember that the law / DA’s are not usually on your side in liberal Democrats ran areas. Know what the laws are in your area. Because you going to jail will usually cost you a lot more in the long run. There is an old saying Dead Men Tell No Tails but remember that discretion is everything.

[@praevasc4299]

And this is why "I barricaded myself in my room, warned them I have a gun, and they still tried to break into my room, so I had no other choice but shoot" will give you much better chances to win a justified self defense case than a "I decided to sneak around and hunt for them".

[@mikesmith-wk7vy]

one trainer online said something that i thought was very smart. have a weapon light that is used to get to your light switch, going in with lights and/or nvg's is a good way to shoot a loved one by mistake