How to Make a Home Defense Plan for You and Your Family

Know Your State's Home Self-Defense Laws

The amount of force you can legally use against someone on your property depends on where you live. About half of the states in the U.S. have "stand your ground" laws that say you have no duty to retreat from an attacker. Other states have laws that require you to attempt an escape before you can use lethal force against someone.

Knowing your state's laws protect you from arrests and charges for defending your home. Unfortunately, it doesn't matter how you feel about home self-defense laws in your state. The legal system follows the rules, which means you could find yourself in jail or prison for defending your home and family in a way considered illegal.

The nuances of home self-defense laws aren't always easy for people without law degrees to understand. If you have any questions, talk to a legal expert before you make your home defense strategy. You can also reach out to your local NRA group to take a training course that includes personal protection legalities.

Obviously, you want to protect your loved ones however you can. Planning helps ensure you don't spend a lot of time and money defending yourself in court. When you know your local laws, you can create a defense plan that protects your household without leading to legal consequences.

Choose a Weapon for Home Invasion Self Defense

The weapon you choose for home invasion self-defense isn't necessarily the same gun that you carry in public or use when hunting. More likely than not, you want a powerful gun with rounds that will not penetrate walls. You never know who or what is on the other side of a wall, so it's best to choose a low-risk option for home defense. You don't want a stray bullet to strike a family member or neighbor!

Some of the best guns to consider for your home defense plan include:

• Glock 17—Get a Glock 17 Kydex holster.
• Glock 19—Get a Glock 19 Kydex holster.
• Beretta M9A1—Get a Beretta M9A1 Kydex holster.
• Sig Sauer P320 Full Size—Get a Sig Sauer P320 Kydex holster.
• Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm—Get an S&W M&P Shield Kydex holster.

Choosing Rounds for Your Home Defense Gun

You can injure criminals while lowering the risk of stray rounds by choosing the lightest bullet for your gun. A soft round should also disintegrate on impact, which makes it less likely to pass through walls.

The right round depends on the gun you choose. Talk to your local gun dealer to find the best ammo for your handgun.

Gun Accessories for Safety and Accuracy

Improve the safety and accuracy of your preferred home defense gun by adding accessories like:

• Grips that make the gun feel more comfortable in your hand.
• Tactical lights that can blind intruders and give you a visual advantage.
• Lasers that can significantly improve your accuracy, especially when you only have one chance to hit your target.
• An extra magazine in case you need to reload your weapon quickly.

The accessories available for your gun depend on the model you choose.

Find a Place to Secure Your Weapon

Your home defense plan needs to include a way for you to keep your firearm safe when you aren't using it. Teaching your children to respect firearms and how to use them safely helps, but you cannot trust them to always follow the rules when you're not home.

Store your guns in a safe, fireproof gun cabinet, or similar device that requires a key or code to access. Ideally, you should store your guns unloaded. Yes, it will take a few seconds for you to load your gun if someone breaks into your home. Still, keeping your gun unloaded lowers the risk that someone will accidentally shoot an innocent person.

Teach Every Member of the Household Your Home Defense Plan

Your home invasion defense tactics should vary according to your home's features. If you live in a small apartment, you probably want to get everyone out of the home as quickly as possible. If you live in a large home, you might consider building a panic room or safe room where your family can hide until the police arrive.

No matter what type of home you have, some strategies will stay the same. Make sure everyone in your household knows to:

• Stay low to the ground to avoid bullets and detection.
• Keep as quiet as possible while escaping dangerous situations.
• Meet in a designated location (preferably the home of a trusted neighbor).
• Take a headcount to ensure everyone's safety.

The details might vary quite a bit, but you should have these steps in your home defense strategy.

Physically Practice Your Home Invasion Defense Tactics

Your family might intellectually "know" your home invasion defense tactics, but that doesn't mean they know how to perform them physically. Practice your home defense plan at least once per month to make sure everyone knows how to follow every step.

You're practicing for an extremely dangerous—even deadly—event, so don't let small mistakes sneak by your observation. Pay close attention to every movement your family members make.

Get Accessories From Concealment Express

Concealment Express specializes in accessories for concealed carry, but we also have items that can make your home defense plan more successful. Browse our accessories to find items that you want for your home protection strategy.

We offer a lifetime warranty and fast delivery, so you never have to worry that our products will fail you when you need them most.