Best weapon to keep under bed in case of home invasion?

[fuji]

I know you said no firearms - but a shotgun (particularly a pump action) is probably the best (and psychologically effective as well) home protection weapon.

That's true but in Canada there are several drawbacks.

First, your gun is going to have to be >26" so probably too long to aim effectively in an indoor encounter. Second, to be legal you will have to keep it trigger locked with the ammunition stored separately. It is going to take you a few minutes to prepare to fire it, and you might not have that long.

For legal weapons I think a rifle with a bayonet fixed is going to maximize the fear factor and intimidate far more than a sword or knife. You can also point it out and use it to maintain a distance between you and the bad guy, which is harder to do with a knife or sword. People tend to back up when you advance at them with a bayonet fixed.

You can also use your rifle as a decorative piece of art in your home. Get an old Lee Enfield with a nice wooden stock, remove the bolt, fix the bayonet, and hang it on the wall. It's a nice piece of Canadian history, the Canadian Forces used the Lee Enfield to defend our country in World Wars 1 and 2, in the Korean war, and it even saw some use in Afghanistan. It's appropriate, then, that even if only as a glorified spear it would serve a role in defending your home.

Just remember: Thrust, twist, rip.

 

[Aardvark154]

It is illegal to point a firearm at someone without lawful excuse, so the guy had better be giving you a lawful excuse before you point the bayonet in his direction.

Besides the legal aspect it is just plain good firearms safety and common sense as well to never point a weapon at someone unless you are willing to shoot and kill them, which then goes to having legal justification to do so.

 

[Aardvark154]

That's true but in Canada there are several drawbacks.

First, your gun is going to have to be >26" so probably too long to aim effectively in an indoor encounter.

True and that is a point to consider, however, a M-14 is 46.5" (118.1 cm) While a Lee-Enfield (SMLE) is two and a half inches shorter at 44" (110 cm).

 

[DshRipRock]

Lock the bad guys out properly so they don't get in. A dog helps I would get a German Shepard. Plus an alarm loud
enough the neighbors come out to see what the fuck is going on.

 

[GPIDEAL]

What about a baseball bat?

 

[fuji]

What about a baseball bat?

If you are strong and reasonably tall a baseball bat is a good choice. You will certainly never have to explain to the police why you have one, but if you are smaller or less muscular there is a chance your intruder will rush you and get the bat away from you. I still say bayonet, because nobody rushes at a bayonet point, but they might rush you with your bat, and they might close the distance before you can get a good swing in.

 

[jiiimmm]

get yourself a really good paint ball gun, a repeater or machine gun style with the large size paint balls. Those things really hurt but won't kill you.

 

[fuji]

True and that is a point to consider, however, a M-14 is 46.5" (118.1 cm) While a Lee-Enfield (SMLE) is two and a half inches shorter at 44" (110 cm).

Yes that's true, which makes it completely ineffective as a firearm for indoor use. But as a bayonet, with the goal of keeping the intruder as far from your person as possible, the length could be an advantage.

 

[GPIDEAL]

If you are strong and reasonably tall a baseball bat is a good choice. You will certainly never have to explain to the police why you have one, but if you are smaller or less muscular there is a chance your intruder will rush you and get the bat away from you. I still say bayonet, because nobody rushes at a bayonet point, but they might rush you with your bat, and they might close the distance before you can get a good swing in.

A reasoned argument Fuji but it just seems that I would go thru more trouble acquiring a M14 collectible item with a bayonet (I only have a Possession Only Firearms Licence) then defending myself with a metallic bat.

Plus you know what they say Fuji: The bigger you are, the harder you fall.

P.S. Years ago, a cop told my dad after we were burglarized (I think once we were sleeping) to get a dog and keep a baseball bat under the door, although my dad had semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun, 30.6 and 22 calibre rifles too.

 

[GPIDEAL]

get yourself a really good paint ball gun, a repeater or machine gun style with the large size paint balls. Those things really hurt but won't kill you.

How about a fire extinguisher? Someone also mentioned bear spray and dog-repellant (pepper-spray), but those items are considered weapons are they not (like Mace)?

 

[CapitalGuy]

Fire extinguisher and bear spray are great ideas! I was going to say a golf club (a bullet putter, specifically) to provide reach, and a large knife (buck, kukri) for close-in protection.

 

[simon482]

Chuck Norris.

i seen the title and that was the first thing i thought of. you stole my gag.

 

[simon482]

my old house had a "tire checker" hanging by every doorway on a thread that could be broken with a quick tug.

 

[T.O.tourist]

I agree with having a pump action shotgun. I prefer a mini 410 for home protection. You don't need to load it or point it at anyone, just pump it once -shuk shuk- it a pretty universally known sound.

 

[fuji]

How about a fire extinguisher? Someone also mentioned bear spray and dog-repellant (pepper-spray), but those items are considered weapons are they not (like Mace)?

You can legally own "bear spray" so long as it is marketed as "bear spray". However, it is illegal to use it on a person. Not sure how it would go over if you used it as a weapon AT HOME, where the intruder had come to you and your bear spray. You might be the test case.

The advantage of something like bear spray is obviously you are much more likely to use it, as it is non lethal. Most people will think twice before pulling the trigger on a gun, bayoneting someone, or hacking at them with an axe or sword. It's a lot easier to pull the trigger if you believe the guy will live to see another day.

The disadvantage is that it isn't guaranteed to stop the guy--it might just make him really mad.

 

[fuji]

I agree with having a pump action shotgun. I prefer a mini 410 for home protection. You don't need to load it or point it at anyone, just pump it once -shuk shuk- it a pretty universally known sound.

A sharp eyed thief will notice your trigger lock, and the jig will be up.

 

[wet_suit_one]

It's a nice piece of Canadian history, the Canadian Forces used the Lee Enfield to defend our country in World Wars 1 and 2, in the Korean war, and it even saw some use in Afghanistan.

That's bullshit. It is a nice piece of Canuck history (no doubt about that), but it was not used to defend our country. It was used to defend the British Empire and to assist our allies. The only time this country has been defended was in the war of 1812. Everything else has been far too vague to constitute "defend[ing] our country."

Totally off topic and shit disturbing I know, but it's also more like the truth than what Fuji said.

I love this, because fuji said it, most people are likely to agree with me just because of that fact! AHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I almost win by default!

 

[Aardvark154]

That's bullshit. It is a nice piece of Canuck history (no doubt about that), but it was not used to defend our country. It was used to defend the British Empire and to assist our allies. The only time this country has been defended was in the war of 1812. Everything else has been far too vague to constitute "defend[ing] our country."

Totally off topic and shit disturbing I know, but it's also more like the truth than what Fuji said.

I love this, because fuji said it, most people are likely to agree with me just because of that fact!

I hate to tell you but. . .

 

[harryass]

an air horn or bear spray

 

[Smash]

A tunnel to the garage.

A tunnel leading to a room down the street that has a computer on with this thread up. That way you can find out what weapon would be best.