Recently a prominent figure suggested a home defense methodology that is not only inappropriate, but (in my opinion) extremely dangerous. It was suggested that during a home invasion, the victim can take a shotgun outside the home and "fire a couple of blasts," which would quickly bring help.
As an NRA Certified Instructor in the discipline of Personal Protection In The Home, I must professionally and strenuously disagree. What gun is used for self-defense is not at issue here; however, the course of action suggested is the equivalent of shooting your neighbor because your house has been invaded.
Let's analyze. Part of this has to do with where you live, so we'll do it in two cases. Or blasts, if you will.
Case 1: You live in an environment remote enough that firing a few shots outdoors will not hurt anyone.
OK. That also means no one will likely hear the blasts, and NO ONE will come to your aid as a result. You will have basically expended ammunition for no good reason. If you live in an incorporated area, however remote, it is likely illegal to discharge a firearm in that area on private property; thus, you have also committed some level of crime for no reason at all. If you live in an unincorporated area, you are likely even more remote from neighbors and police stations. Even if someone does hear you and call the police, response time will be measured in double-digit minutes. As a result, you now have far less than a 50% chance of getting help in time, because your home invasion will be over before anyone arrives. Violent home invasions are typically very quick and very violent unless the perpetrators know you are so remote that they have more time. And, the Police arriving after you are seriously injured or dead does not help you.
By the way...both military personnel and hunters are trained that, in remote areas, an emegency signal is 3 shots or horn blasts, not two.
So - what would I recomend when a home invasion occurs? Step 1 - Retreat to your safe room (what is that? Take my class and find out, it's a lengthy explanation). Step 2 - Arm yourself to protect yourself. Step 3 - CALL THE POLICE YOURSELF. Step 4 - Handle the confrontation in an appropriate and legal manner (again, to learn what that is, you can take my class). Your life and the life of your loved ones should not be gambled with, and that includes the legal and emotional aftermath of such a confrontation.
Case 2: You live close enough to a sufficient number of other people that it is reasonably certain someone will call the Police if you fire some shots.
OK. That also means that people are likely within range of your discharged ammunition. You have a better than 50% chance of hurting your innocent neighbor (drywall, plaster, and wood do not stop most projectiles, including shotgun shot) as a result of criminals entering your home. Fire two shots, and it's almost certain you'll hurt someone innocent. If that doesn't seem foolish to you, PLEASE attend a gun buy-back and sell your gun.
By the way...firing into the air means you are activating laws of Physics that have to do with ballistics. Short version - what goes up must come down (with clost to equal force and velocity). You WILL hurt someone. Firing into the ground may be OK - if you don't hit concrete, water, rock, or something else that causes a ricochet. The results may harm YOU.
What would I recommend? The same procedure as above in Case 1.
In home defense, a firearm is a tool of last resort, and is considered deadly force - and that carries legal ramifications, implications, and responsibilities. Unfortunately, not enough people know exactly what those are. Educate yourself, and be logical and legal in your actions. And PLEASE don't shoot your neighbors instead of the criminals entering your home.
