Physically securing/protecting your gear

[Jim Brennan]

Jim,
You make some good points and of course every situation is different. However, I would make a general observation after 29 years as a law enforcement officer that a strong defensive position can deter criminals from becoming bolder and more violent. The last thing anyone wants is for them to feel "empowered" to go on to committ violent crimes.

I agree. Which falls under the "be Smart and Don't Advertise What You've Got" heading.

I used to train staff at a psych unit in NYC in physical management techniques. But the first thing I taught them was that their head will help them to either diffuse or avoid most dangerous situations. Only an idiot wants to get physical with a 300 pound drug dealer with a history of schizophrenia, facing deportation/incarceration. You do what you have to, but you try to create alternative situations whenever possible.

With gear, keep it out of sight when not in use, be cautious regarding your surroundings, and don't tell everybody and their brother that you have 40K in gear in your garage.

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

Yep, and that brings us back to "plan A"

Mine saved me at least a car battery one night. She heard the guy pop my hood at 2am and was out for blood. He never even got the hood open. :thumbup:

Do you have a Malinois, Gary?

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

I knew that gun couldn't be yours.

As we all know, the problem with a .357 is that if you shoot at someone and miss, you are going to kill your neigbor accidentally who lives four houses away. At least the .45 round stops when it hits something and better yet is just a good old pump action Mossberg. Anyone who doesn't run at the sound of a Mossberg 12 ga. with buckshot chambering a round is either insane or on drugs. The best way is to get them to run, if you shoot someone, even in your home, the lawyers and bleeding hearts are going to make them throw you in jail anyway.

Dan

I swear you and I were separated at birth Dan. If your travels ever bring you to DC, the beer is on me! :beer:

 

[puredrifting]

You've got it Matt.

You can take me to all of the best Civil War battlefields in the area. I took my son to the local civil war re-enactment, "The Blue and Grey" and it was amazing and very moving. Even though it is just a re-enactment, the people who do it are so passionate about accuracy and you can't help feeling emotionally involved.

And I am sure just like our Bluegrass music festivals out here, our re-enactments probably can't hold a candle to the ones that they have out on your neck of the woods.

Take care,

Dan

 

[JonathanLB]

insurance, an alarm and a healthy ass-whoopin waitin' for anyone who breaks in.
That's the bottom line. If more criminals were dropped on the spot, there would in fact be less criminals out there. We lean too much on our judicial system and not near enough on justice.

Yeah if I had my equipment in my place mainly, I'd agree. But my equipment is in a secure storage location. It's also insured through the production insurance.

In my place of residence, where I usually keep the cameras (so I can rent them out) and of course my editing equipment, etc., this is a secure condo building with controlled access. You can't even get into the building without checking in at the desk, which is manned 24/7 and we have around-the-clock security as well. That plus you need a key card to get onto any floor of the building. Then there is the lock on the door. And behind that is me, and I own both a Glock 9mm, a Walther P22 .22 semi-automatic, and two black belts, and no moral qualms about killing people for the right reasons (i.e. threat to my life, property, etc.).

 

[gco]

Do you have a Malinois, Gary?

Golden Retriever/Chow; hunter, leader and protector, spirited and full of life.
Miss her dearly.