In the world of home invasion prevention and protection the answer is a watch dog. That does not mean an attack dog. It could be an “ankle-biter” so long as the dog sounds an alarm of a violation and/or anticipated violation of their/it’s territory.
Once the family (including one person) is awake and aware there will be a follow-up even if it is a so-called false alarm. My perspective is that there is no such thing as a false alarm coming from the family dog. I maintain that a barking dog will PREVENT and/or deter any home invader.
Now, the follow-up to the barking dog can differ according to circumstances. If the area is crime riddled and police response to any call is slow (both are extreme descriptors) then the people with a defensive firearm will probably be necessary. But, in areas where crime is low and/or police response is quick (the other extreme descriptors) nothing but a 911 call is necessary.
I do not believe guns for self-defense is necessary in most American households. The danger within our society of gun violence has increased drastically since the year 2000 and the sundown of the assault weapons ban of 1994.
In the year 2021 there is no such slogan stating “All that is necessary for a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.” In the USA there is gun violence of passion taking over any criminality involving gun violence. Not to dispel the idea there is criminal use of guns, of course there is, but, along side is a growing and dangerous trend of passionate use of guns for violence against others. This is a huge change in the gun culture in the USA. Arsenals are now a status symbol.
Bottom line is that there are too many guns on the street, in our neighborhoods and in the American home. They aren’t necessary AT ALL.
The only REAL preventative to home invasion is a barking dog and a response that brings police to the address if there is in fact danger to the household.
I tend to think a household dog is better than dogs roaming the property. Why? Because dogs can be killed as well. Inside the home they are members of the “family pack” and protected from injury or death.
Guns are not necessary in a society that values life, including animal life, with neighborhoods where police know their town and the people within it and respond to calls that are meaningful to a good outcome.
People in the USA are taking the law into their own hands. I recently heard on the news how a woman shot and killed a Peeping Tom through the wall of her home. The assailant was not within the confines of her home. Peeking into windows should never be a death sentence. Basically, that is a nuisance and misdemeanor under the law for most cases. It is a mental health issue. The woman who killed the person outside her windows should face prison for aggravated manslaughter.
All that said, get a dog before getting a gun.
