Guest post from Bersa 380:
When I was a kid, I used to break into people’s houses at night. Okay? Get over it. I’m a good person. This went on from about the age of 16 until I had a scary experience at the age of 19 and gave it up. The scary experience was that a homeowner and I encountered each other – I was in the kitchen, he was on the stairway, halfway down, probably no more than 15 feet from where I was standing.
I guess I woke him up. I have no idea what he looked like or what his situation was because I couldn’t see him around the bend in the staircase. But he was there, all right. Things got so quiet that in the first few seconds of our little dance, I could hear his shallow breathing, I could hear every move he made, and he could probably hear me. I could hear him so well that I know, all these years later, that he was wearing slippers.
I wasn’t a very good burglar. I did it more for a little excitement than for any other reason. Plus, you know, broken home, unhappy childhood, all of that. Who knows why I did it? I stole a few things from people’s houses – bottles of alcohol, food, a nice sweater one time, a jacket one time, a few bucks that were lying around in a glass cabinet, even a box of rubbers. My goal, above all others, was to not run into anyone in the house. In fact, in almost every case, I tried to break into houses I had checked out beforehand and knew that nobody was home.
I read this blog and others like it. I feel like my experiences qualify me to have an insight. And the insight is this: If you’re a guy with a gun on your bedside table in case somebody’s gonna break in and harm you and yours, you can rest easy. Ain’t gonna happen. By all means, if it makes you feel better, keep the gun right where it is, but don’t worry too much about having to use it.
See, criminals (whether harmless burglars like me or hard-core predators) have already checked you out. They’re not coming to your house. Especially not predators. When I was young, I had the unfortunate opportunity to meet a couple guys like this. They’re more daring, sure, because their gig includes interaction with the victim. They get off on the power-trip of it. But believe me, they’re looking for easy pickin’s all the same. What they want to find is young women living alone. The total maniac nutjobs (one percent or less, probably) want to find a young woman living with a man who can’t protect her.
What they DON’T want, and what nobody out there wants, is a man with a gun. Nobody wants to get shot, or even risk a shootout. Criminals are observant. They watch what happens. They see you walking to the car with your camo case and they think, “Nope, the guy has guns in there.” Hell, you probably got a dog or three for good measure. Nothing in this world will keep a stranger away more than a big, mean dog.
You know what? Sometimes I suspect half you guys actually want some poor sucker to break in so you can pop him in your living room and call it self-defense. Well, you can drop the fantasy. You bought those guns as a deterrent. Congratulations. It worked.
- Bersa 380
11 responses so far ↓
1 3rdman // Apr 21, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Bersa380s SUCK!!!!!!!
2 Bill // Apr 21, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I partly agree with Bersa. As a 12 year cop, I’m also qualified to add a little insight. Nowadays, people are lazy-even the crooks. What the hell happened to the strong work ethic of the common criminal? Anyway, they may only do a minimal amount of recon before breaking in. A lot of times, they will canvass the neighborhood under the guise of selling magazines or offering landscaping services. Each time they knock on the door, they assess the house and the people inside. They also assess the neighborhood. If the neighborhood is a ghost town, no cars in the driveway or garage, and no answer at the door when they ring the bell, they may hop the wall and break the rear slider. In that case, you may be home although your car is in the shop and you didn’t answer the door because you don’t want to be bothered.
By the way, most burglaries take place in the morning when people are at work.
I understand what Bersa 380 is saying, but another thing to take into consideration is the fact that thieves may break into a house specifically because they know a gun is inside. Now in that case, they will do their homework to make sure nobody’s home so that they don’t get popped by someone inside.
As a side note, DO NOT keep anything of value in the master bedroom closet. That’s the first place a thief looks when they go through your shit. Later-
3 KY mom // Apr 22, 2009 at 4:40 am
Bersa 380-
Maybe I am being simplistic, but, number one I really don’t want to deal with someone that is just looking for thrills or an easy score. Get a life, a hobby, and a job. Number two if you mess up and pick my house I will have no problem eliminating the threat - period, simply because I don’t know your intentions. So no - I am not hoping for this to scenario happen but I will not hesitate should it occur.
4 Hokiemagnum // Apr 22, 2009 at 7:17 am
I’ve got your insight right here. I’m one of those men with a gun….and if a stranger happens to find himself in my house at night, there’s a very good chance he’ll find himself there in the morning. Next topic.
5 sirlancelot // Apr 22, 2009 at 5:21 pm
When I was a kid, I used to break into people’s houses at night. Okay? Get over it. I’m a good person.
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say what ?
6 Jerry // Apr 23, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Nothing personal, but as a former cop, let me tell you this - you’re right about one thing, I and everyone else in my family would shoot you if we caught you in our home…that’s if the dog didn’t get you first. Seriously.
7 Millerized // Apr 24, 2009 at 2:29 pm
So sad. You folks are treating this guy like dirt. He’s probably the future president of the United Socialist States of Amerika, and you’re treating him like a common criminal.
Bersa: Maybe you’ll get lucky and someone will pop you before your next good deed. Or someone will rob your place….but guessing there’s not much to steal from your parents basement or under your cot at the “Y”.
(I really hope this was a joke, like the Cucumber/Daisy Fairie convention)
8 Angry Mike // Apr 24, 2009 at 8:25 pm
On my doors are 3 stickers. One reads: If you are found here tonight, you will be found here tomorrow. Another reads: Forget the dog, beware of owner (although a pair of 100 pound Rottweillers will tear your ass up) and the last reads: Protected by Smith & Wesson.
I dont keep a loaded gun in my house. I do however keep a combat knife very near by. I have been taking martial arts for 30+ years. I was trained in knife fighting through numerous diciplines. I am qualified as a US Army Ranger. If you enter my house, even with a gun, your in trouble.
I do understand Bersa 380’s point. This was done in his youth when he had his head up his ass like many young people (myself included at the time) do. Professional burglers are never armed. They do not want to encounter the owner and if they do they do not want an armed confrontation.
If I have a gun and he has a gun I will shoot. If he has no gun or other weapon and I do I will not shoot. Bringing a gun escalates the situation. Its also another charge with a stiffer jail sentance if they get caught.
The professional theif is not the one Im worried about. The crack or heroin addict who needs a fix is. He / She will be armed and violent and will feel little pain. They dont do very good research and they are looking for crap items like DVD players that they can hock for $25 bucks to buy their junk.
If you happen to encounter someone in your home who posses no physical harm to you ask your self this question: Is a $70 DVD player worth someones life? This will be the question the Prosecutor asks at your trial.
9 theotherryan // Apr 25, 2009 at 3:15 pm
As for whether crooks are armed there is a big difference between burglars who try to sneek in when you are gone and home invasions where they either know you are home or just don’t care. Home invasion crooks are armed for sure. Their crimes are on the rise.
10 The Grill Sgt. // Apr 26, 2009 at 9:56 am
Angry Mike; you say the drug addicts who invade homes would feel little pain…then use a bigger gun like 12 ga., and aim for the appropriate “appendage”. I guarentee, they’ll feel it!
11 Angry Mike // Apr 29, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Grill Sgt.,
I like your style! When I reach for a defense gun it is NOT a pistol. It is however a Remington 870 Police model with 7 in the tube, lazer sight and a flashlight. The side shell carrier has 2 rounds of rubber shot, 2 slugs and 2 more OO buck. The Mrs.packs the tricked out .45 and is my back up!
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