Our NJ home was nearly robbed

[MarkM]

We have been having open houses every weekend for the past couple of months along with another house down the street.

Last weekend was our first open house with the house empty of furniture and personal belongings.

At their open house Sunday a pair of diamond earrings were stolen from the other house, and lots of drawers were searched through.

Then on Monday the homeowner was home and saw a white car drive by a couple of times, then he heard some noise at the front door (like someone trying to open the 4 digit code operated keybox the realtors provide), he opened the door (not smart) and there was a black guy standing there who said he was with Weichert realtors, when asked for a business card the guy made an excuse and left in that white car (with PA plates).

Turns our that guy in the white car had been to both open houses on Sunday and would probably have tried the same trick at our house Monday if our belongings had still been there.

The homeowner was very lucky because the guy could easily have been armed and he/his wife could have been robbed, raped, or killed. That is why I own a gun.

 

[Adam_MA]

That is why I own a gun.

And THAT is what will keep you alive!

 

[Pilgrim]

That is why I own a gun.

In NJ you had a gun?

 

[Executive]

And THAT is what will keep you alive!

Remember, just owning the firearm is not enough. You need to be proficient using it and it has to be readily accessible when you need it.


Chris

 

[FPrice]

And THAT is what will keep you alive!

Actually Adam (and others) it's situational awareness and being prepared to act that keeps you alive. A gun may be useful in certain situations but unless you are aware and prepared to act it might not be enough.

In the situation mentioned above the guy was truly not smart for opening the door without some idea what was going on outside. If the guy outside had charged him immediately (with or without a weapon) the man inside would have been in deep trouble even with a gun. He would have been in the unenviable position of having to react to an attack before he would begin his counter-offense.

Please don't get me wrong. I believe that a gun is an important part of your overall self-defense strategy. But doing your all to avoid being caught in Condition White improves your chances of of either avoiding or surviving an attack.

 

[C-pher]

Agreed on the above...


But also glad that everyone is OK.

 

[MarkM]

Agreed on the above...


But also glad that everyone is OK.

Exactly, someone who is prepared (mentally), and has training (which I need), would have been a lot better off. Personally I would never have opened the door, I would also have used our security cameras to see the white car in our drive and the unknown guy at our door trying to get in, I would them have called 911.

Pilgrim: yes, it is possible to own guns in NJ, just not easy. You need to go through the same process as applying for an ALP carry license in MA, 2 references, background checks etc, just to apply for the "right" to own guns, once you have that (took me the best part of 5 months) then you can own guns. If you want to buy a handgun you need a seperate purchase permit for each one, you can only get two at a time, and you have to go through the backgrounds checks and references etc all over again. Getting a concealed carry license is different however, you have to have major political connections and be buddies with the judge. In addition there are tons of other crazy rules such as it is legal to own hollowpoint ammo but if you are caught outside your home with it or use it in a justified self-defence you are breaking the law.