3 Things You Should NEVER Do When Someone Breaks Into Your Home 

VOTE BELOW: What is your FAVORITE home defense weapon?

3 Things that should never have been a problem. #1. Worrying about a legal minefield while defending your or your loved ones life. #2. Have any expectation that a criminal has any right to life or limb during a break in. #3. Valuing the life of a criminal over that of the innocent. Right now... all 3 of those things are a problem and they never should have been!

I hate that we've "evolved" into a society where criminals have more rights than the victims and people need to be so afraid of legal action. If someone is breaking into your home they gave up those rights.

I am 80 years old with nothing to lose and if anyone breaks into my home I will protect my wife, pets and self to the fullest extent. Its these type of laws that have ruined America with giving the bad guys and killers protection for their crimes and these crimes will keep happening. Our court system and laws needs a over haul. Thanks for the video but things need to change,

Also, keep your car remote next to the bed. The panic button will help. If your car is in the garage, beeping horns and flashing light will tend to make the intruder flee.

Anyone who breaks into a home does not deserve mercy. Arguing to protect criminals is 1 of the reasons why crime is out of control.

Burglar (Being held at gun point) : “Aren’t you going to call the police? Homeowner : “Why? Nobody else knows you’re here.”

My home is the safe room. They come in, EMT carries them out. There's no compromising!

Seems like it's getting to the point where you might be charged for not offering the criminal a cup of coffee while they're breaking into our home and stealing our stuff.

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shines his flashlight around the house looking for valuables when a voice in the dark says "Jesus knows you're here." Freaked out, he turns his flashlight off and freezes, but hears nothing more so shakes his head and continues. As he is disconnecting cables from the TV, he hears very clearly "Jesus is watching you." Startled, he shines his light around frantically looking for the source of the voice. In the corner of the room he spots a Parrot. "Did you say that?" he asks. "Yes," the parrot confessed, "I'm just trying to warn you that he's watching you." The burglar laughs a bit, "warn me huh? Who in the world are you!" "Moses." The bird replies. With a now humorous tone, the burglar asks "What kind of person would name a bird Moses?" The bird replies "the same kind of people who would name a rottweiler Jesus."

If you breach my door, you're in my safe room! At that point all bets are off, that's a miscalculation for them.

Prosecutor attorney's care more about winning cases than they care about someone protecting their home and property.

I love how this guy was a cop but always says don’t talk to the police I salute you sir and it’s true sometimes little bit you say can convict you.

As a single guy, I feel a deep obligation toward a civic duty to permanently dispatch anybody willing to break into my house. The balance is not the intruder's life verses my things. It is the intruder's life verses the lives of those in the next house he breaks into. The next house might be an unarmed family or elderly. If the burglar survival rate were to take a nose dive so would the burglary rate.

It amazes me beyond words, how lawyers will go to extreme lengths to go after the person defending their home and property - and almost ignore the fact that none of it would have been necessary if the criminal hadn't gone there in the first place.

When I took my CCW class the instructor told us you make yourself known, you tell them you are armed, have called the police, and they need to leave, all while still on the phone with 911 so it is recorded. This can be used a evidence that you told them not to come near you and can help you prove the point that they were not there just for you belongings if you have to use force.

As far as the "they only want stuff. They'll run if you tell them you're there." etc., I don't know how many security cam footage I've seen of home burglaries where the robbers are openly carrying guns. If they're coming in armed and ready, what makes you think they're going to run upon hearing "I called the police" or something? Maybe 30 years ago home burglaries were just about getting in and out quick with some of your stuff, but today I feel these criminals are much more prone to violence. The value of human life has diminished greatly.

I would add, never fire a warning shot.

This is VERY Old School advice (1970s) that a police officer told my dad after someone tried to break into our house, and yes, my dad was a firearm owner. The officer said, something along the lines of: "Well, if someone breaks into your home at 2 am, and you shoot him dead...then there's only 1 side of the story to be told." I've always had that in mind... I am a woman who lives alone and I think I can thus pretty easily and Truthfully say that I was in fear of my life. If someone broke into my house...I will not shoot to injure...I will try my best to make sure that person leaves my home in a body bag. I would have a far more peace of mind knowing I killed a 'bad person' over the idea that if the guy lives, I might have to face being sued by him, or worry about what he will do if he goes to jail for a time, but then gets out holding a grudge against me. I Do Not want to live the rest of my life looking over my shoulder in such a scenario of a home invastion. I lock my doors and windows at night, have two large dogs that growl...Those are my only, 'Keep Out' warnings...and if someone wishes to persist in face of that...again, I am going to assume they would be willing to harm me for what ever reason is in their stupid ass minds for breaking in.

As a mom of 5 I have several means to defend myself. I can’t scoop up my kids and run to safety. We also live in the country so by the time the deputies got here what’s going to happen already has. My husband works part time at 911. We have a sign on our home that says, We don’t call 911. I was raised with guns and to shoot with accuracy. I wasn’t raised to be a defenseless female. My kids are older and know where our guns are, how to use them, and at what point it’s ok for them to do so. I’ve also told them if they can’t take the shot then just try to escape. I don’t want that to haunt them. They are only to do so if I can’t. Thankfully, we live in a community that watches out for one another. But if I went outside to scream for help I don’t know if anyone would hear me. I sleep with my keys on my nightstand to use the panic button to scare off anyone first. Then my 4 small dogs go nuts if anyone steps on our property. If that doesn’t deter them I sleep with my 38 under my pillow & I have a snake charmer between the headboard and my nightstand that doesn’t have a safety and is cocked and ready. I also have a 9mm hid in another location in my bedroom. Our AR is ready and hidden as well. I have 2 other 9mm’s hidden in other rooms that no one would ever know existed. After having a husband who has worked part time on weekends for over 20 years I wont be caught unprotected. Plus we have cameras I can monitor anytime. This day and time it’s up to us to make sure we stay safe. I pray I never have to use them but if it comes to my kids or them it will be them.

I’m a police officer and these laws are very cringy where criminals have more rights than law abiding citizens Smfh

I’ve asked this before…. Why is there even any legal ramifications to using deadly force against someone endangering your life? Who are these prosecutors who go after the home owners? Shouldn’t we make efforts to remove those people from office?

"Anything you say CAN AND WILL be used against you in a court of law". This is not just when you are being arrested. Prosecutors are looking for wins, not justice.

#1 DO NOT leave the intruder alive. #2 Say you were afraid for your life. #3 Don't talk to the police, call a lawyer immediately! Thanks Coyote for the great 3 rules! COPY AND PASTE THIS AND SEND IT TO OTHER HOME INTRUDER VIDS!

"Least force necessary . . . for Least Harm necessary." Sage advice.

Never tell them you have a gun, never fire a warning shot, never talk to the police without a lawyer.

I was LEO for 25 years… I’ve seen the degradation of prosecutory attorneys degrade the last ten years. The poor officers have training and protocol that’s untenable and irrational given most situations….I was on the wrong side of training the last five years simply because I was using real world field experience versus officers with ten years on armed with revised training protocols… I was constantly told my experience was wrong … in retrospect my experience was right and their knowledge would get me killed. End story we are in a rotting society, and do what you need to do to survive, every situation is unique, your gut instinct is usually the best. Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six is real. Arm chair quarterbacks are a dime a dozen. Train your body and mine be wise… evade your enemy but be swift in protecting yourself if you need… I know of several officers who hesitated and paid with injury… Criminals lie and lie all the time it’s sad the local district attorney actually take their side but it’s real. I was caught at home in a situation where I did not have my gun and physical responded in kind to the felon… He had the audacity to say I beat him up when he attacked me… Fortunately the responding officers didn’t believe this fool. God bless

Thanks for your explanations. This gave me a different perspective on things in the event of a home invasion.

thank you for just dropping the points from the start. thumbs up for the directness so not to bait ppl in.

As a Marine Veteran, it’s kinda hard for me to stay locked away in a safe room. Locate, close with, destroy.

#1 DO NOT leave the intruder alive. #2 Say you were afraid for your life. #3 Don't talk to the police, call a lawyer immediately!

If someone breaks into my home, I am not letting them know where I am. The element of surprise could be the deciding factor whether or not you live or die.

#1. If you do not stop the intruder(s), they will do it again to you, or another person or family. #2. Use the most efficient means to take down the intruder(s). #3. Never talk to the police after the incident. Call a lawyer. The incident would not have happened had the intruder(s) not started it. Most likely they will have a criminal history, and most likely you will not have a criminal history. If the family sues you and wins, break into their home and steal enough stuff to get back what you lost.

Can't wait for the day where bad people are the ones thinking "I'm not gonna break into this home because I might not make it out alive "

If you have to use deadly force on an intruder, NEVER tell the police or ANYONE that you intended to kill the person. "I knew I had to stop him because he was endangering my family." You STOP him but you never say that you intended to kill. That can change everything.

You are absolutely right about having a plan. You need to decide today, before an incident happens what is important to you. I have no kids. That is not an issue. So my wife come first. I am second. Property is third. However, if I think based on my knowledge, training and experience, I can gain a better tactical advantage I will take it. I live in Texas. Nuff said.

Enjoy comments from both of you very informative, keep it up look forward to more of your insight, as you know there are two sides to every Story and you seem to cover them both. Thank you guys

Generally people only break into your dwelling for two reasons at two specific times. 1. During the day, they want your stuff. 2. During the night, they want you.

"Don't clear your house." I have an issue with this. If you KNOW someone is in your home, I totally agree. If you wake up at 0300 hearing glass break, you have the question of, "is it a burglar or just the cat?" In those cases, you aren't going to call the cops and barricade yourself in your safe room. In such a case (and I have been through this), I hand the phone to my wife and carefully go check out my home. For the record, it was the cat who knocked a glass bowl into the sink. As for announcing yourself, Massad Ayoob said to call the police, give them your details, then, while still on the phone, holler through the house, "You are in my house, I have called the police, and I have a gun." Massad's reasoning behind this was, (1) "You are in my house," this helps keep the guy from giving the story about how he thought he was in his buddy's house (which, incidentally, is in a completely different state or town), (2) "I have called the police" many people are actually afraid to call the police, and criminals know this. It also lets them know the cavalry is on the way, and (3) "I have a gun" this lets the bad guy know you are willing and able to defend yourself. In and of itself, this may lead the the bad guy leaving the premises. If it doesn't, it gives a good and reasonable argument for the homeowner to fire on the assailant. After all, it is reasonable to believe the assailant is armed and wanting to do you grave bodily harm if, even after your telling him you are armed, he still seeks you out. This info from Massad Ayood is found in his book, "The Truth About Self Protection."

My father was a professional boxer. He always taught us that the ONLY person who wins a fight is the person who talks their way out of it. After that, it's just different levels of losing.

This is really good advice and I understand his point about regret. The problem I have is when do you know the bad guy has actually left and how many? Getting your weapon, calling 911 and getting behind something is a lot to do out of a dead sleep. I sure as hell am not announcing to the perp that I am armed and to leave the wife and I alone. With kids that's a tough call. Not macho at all, but pretty sure it's better to be aggressive and not passive in that case and be over one way or the other.

Why do law abiding citizens, have to fight the law system, harder then the bad guys? Why do bad guys have more protection under the law, than good guys?

"If it wasn't for lawyers, we wouldn't need lawyers!" We have lost the path when someone protecting their family and home is the suspect. SMH....we have lost the way.

For our work continuing education…it’s advised to fight for all you’ve got when you feel you are in danger and no other option or escape.

There's only one thing to do during a home invasion DON'T LET THEM LIVE NO SURVIVORS 🤬

Security Cameras around the outside and a couple inside solves most questions of home defense and the story of the person entering without permission tells later. It worked for me. My answer to the Police was, "I do not care what he said, Lets Go To The Video". Thank You sir. You are welcome.

I appreciate Mr. Grieve's comments about the effects of a legal shooting. An acquaintance of mine in California sat in jail for a year after he shot someone in self defense. When he finally went to trial, not guilty. But he lost his job, house, all his money and more than a year of his life.

really good points that I've never thought about. Thanks!

Thank you guys so very much. Thank you Tom for sharing.

I’ll say this once. Everyone should be able to defend their loved ones INCLUDING PETS, and possessions in their home, on their property or where there is imminent threat without being legally destroyed for doing so. I’m in Texas. Someone breaks into my house, it’s either a shotgun to the head or a bullet to the lungs or spine. Makes no difference to me. The outcome remains the same: perp is taking a dirt nap.

It depends greatly on your location, where you reside, and what the laws are there. I'm in NC. We are a "Stand your ground" and a "Castle doctrine" state. If a home invader is busting down my door, I'm not obligated to allow him to enter my residence before I can use deadly force. I will meet the said invader with deadly force before this invader has the option to harm my family.

Thank you both. Very helpful

I dated this antigun lady for a time, and once she asked me "if you're gonna carry, are you mentally ready to take another person's life, even if it is to save yours?", and to this day I say NO, obviously NO ONE is prepared for it, she argued that -somehow- the police and military were the only ones "trained" for that… Dang! There is no training in this world that will get you ready to take someone's life, even if you're military or police. It is like a stain that cannot be removed, like a wound that would never heal.

The door to my "safe room" is the front door to my house. So if you cross that threshold you are leaving your right to live in my front yard, period.

My whole home is my safe room. If I am not safe in my own home there's a huge issue

Never shot at a shadow, target identification is a MUST

We’ve had 2 break ins in my condo complex where this guy took nothing but spray painted walls and pursued a female inside one home. He isn’t after stuff, he is out to harm people. It took police 20 minutes to arrive after her call. We live 10 minutes from the police station. Guy was never caught. In fact he attempted to break in 2 doors away from her same time next night. And he didn’t pick the easiest access or garages, but occupied residences that were harder to get to and back doors instead of front so no camera footage.

“There’s gonna be a lot of slow singing & flower bringing, if my burglar alarm starts ringing” - the notorious B.I.G.

Ridiculous that we have to research the laws to protect ourselves from criminals trying to hurt us and our family.

Very well grounded discussion thanks guys 🤙

When our daughter was approached by a mugger she said go away I have a knife. The police told her never to say that, just use it if she needed to.

This may ruffle some feathers, but so be it. Firearms training is one of those few areas in life where EVERYONE (who has the capacity to do so) should be striving to be ambidextrous as much as possible. I am ambidextrous in nearly all that I do, including firearms. I never believed in "weak side, strong side" and I trained accordingly in all things. When I heard Kevin say "I have a left handed shot so I need to get across the hall" that blew my mind a little. Why cross into the path of an intruder, rather than just training up your left side? Next time you all go to the range, or dry fire with the Mantis, everything you do one way, do the other. Itll pay life saving dividends for you one day.

This discussion is so nuanced, no one could really use this information to know what to do. If someone is in my home and is obviously there unlawfully to do some kind of harm, then, not knowing the intended level of harm that could be done to me or family, the intruder, if armed, would be shot....period. Any other action leaves me in potential physical danger.

Tom makes good points. My theft deductible is very minimal and that fact alone could cause me challenges, even in my state of Texas. I would be a fool to try to do anything but stay in a safe location until police arrived while making it known to the intruder(s) the police are on their way. The aftermath of a defensive shooting is indeed a whole bucket full of BS.

I was told from a sheriff some years ago.. if someone is trying to get into your house.. he said shoot first and call after.. because it takes a while for them to get from one end of the county to where we are.. I live in a trailer.. sleep right across from the front door.. .. these things don't have a safe room.. so some one walks in.. they will be taken out in a bag..

Almost 3 years ago, around mid 2019, I walked in on 2 guys robbing my place of business. (I am former US Army, '99-'04). At the time, (0 dark 30) I was doing maintenance and security. During the day I worked sales. The robbers broke in (around 05:30am-05:45am) to the business next door ((didn't trigger our alarms, but they were on our cameras when they entered our store)(the 2 stores were enter connected in the back), I was outside in my truck having a smoke break when I saw lights dancing around behind the registers (the lights were off in the store, and I had a straight line of sight into the store), I put my cigarette out, grabbed my rifle and walked in on them (loot in hand), my rifle (British .303) pointed at the robbers (they were close to each other). I called the police and the business owner. One officer asked me, "Why didn't you shoot them?" He then said, "You had every right." I didn't say a word until after I pulled my dog tags out from under my shirt, I told him I already have enough PTSD from OIF '03, I didn't need to add to it. I told the officer(s), they (the robbers) didn't appear to be armed, they already had their hands full, and they didn't approach me. The robbers were arrested and were taken straight to jail, evidence was collected, and I went to the VA for another PTSD evaluation. Once I returned to work, I received 2 letters from the court (one on each robber) stating that my statement + video and evidence was enough to charge them, and that my presence wasn't needed in court. No action taken against me, as I was simply doing my job and no one got hurt. The business was saved, which would have gone under if the robbers had gotten away with the tens of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise and cash they had in their hands and on the floor by the door they had broken into. 3 registers, 2 safes and many valuable items recovered. I live in a small town with a high burglary rate, in an open carry state (now a constitutional carry state). I'm glad I was ready, and I'm also glad I didn't have to pull the trigger. Keep your head on a swivel guy and gals, pay attention to your surroundings, evaluate your situation, and keep yourself protected. But most importantly, don't pull that trigger unless you have to.

I love that he defines what winning is to him. Most people have that "I wish someone would" mentality and not the "I hope I never have to deal with that but I am ready if it ever happens"

Seen this attorney before. _He is well spoken and gives what to me seems to be awesome practical and legal advice._ I'm just sayin'... ...

"Safe room question" - you have to do Close Quarters Battle (CQB), it is clean up your house from hostiles. Because you have to keep the ability to maneuver and initiative.

Main thing to remember in a home invasion is to not leave the safety on.

Its a shame we live in a society that allows someone to sue that willfully broke into your home and you had to to protect your family. Whether you know they have a weapon or not shouldnt matter. Better to be judged by 6 vs carried by 6.

The increase in break ins and home invasions isn't as scary as what will happen to you legally if you end up using deadly force to protect your family. It's like the criminal's right to steal or kill your family is protected by the justice system. They want you to curl up into the fetal position and let the criminal have their way with you and your family.

Good advice from two credible sources. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

4) Don’t post what you would do if someone broke into your residence in the comments section of a RU-vid video. It’s discoverable and may be used against you in the future should you find yourself in court. Just a thought…

The truth is you don't know what a home invader's intentions are when he enters your home. You damn well better treat it as a threat to your life and act accordingly until you absolutely know differently.

Very wise and sound advice from this Attorney.

I didn’t know a burglar had rights while burglarizing your home.

Here in Liberal Canada, A criminal has more rights in MY home, than I do....

If I could add one more thing to the conversation. It's important to distinguish between a burglar and a home invader entering for reasons other than theft of property. People should prepare for both. Most burglars try and break in when nobody's home for obvious reasons but the home invader that breaks in at night when the family is likely to be home is a different kind of criminal and you should treat them as a dangerous killer until you know otherwise. Somebody has to be pretty bold to break in when the family is home especially if they're by themself.

Great video! Nothing in an engagement is going to be etched in stone and makes it more important to plan for any and all contingencies. Having a good relationship with local law enforcement is a added plus although most people don’t know any of these people. You should give information concerning the officers safety in his approach to your scene and if the bad guy is gone or incapacitated you should have already holstered and called your attorney. Keep your flashlight, firearm and communication device (cell phone) right next to your bed or on your person even when lounging in your home or yard and nobody will take you by surprise. Avoid at all costs meeting a police officer with a firearm in your hand when they’re responding to a home invasion call.

thank you very much for all the information.

We used to live in a society that believed in what comes around goes around. Now, criminals seem to have more rights than the people that they terrorize and get shot by. If a person CHOOSES to break into a home, they forfeit the rights to life and liberty by committing that crime. The fact that this is even remotely controversial is absolutely ridiculous

You missed, "You should never fire a warning shot." If you are within city-limits, you are guilty of Discharge Within City-Limits. You fire to do violence, in self-defense, or don't fire at all.

I have 40 years living under this dome and I've never think or try to breaking into nobody's house, cause i know is wrong i got no right to do so, and i was raised with values....

Very sobering advice ... can't be easy, when a criminal invades your home space, to think of a nice, clean safe strategy.

Letting a burglar know where you are allows him to use deadly force against you. You don't want to regret that decision. God, I'm glad I live in Arizona.

Wise words from my cc instructor: a dead burglar can’t lie but if you’re going to talk to the police you should always tell the truth because the cops WILL find out eventually.

You want to place yourself in the best tactical position to repel the invader(s), you know your house, the bad guys don't. NEVER give away your position...once you do, the bad guy can very easily start spraying lead in your direction. Gun fights are not about being fair, they are all about surviving. Make the statement to the police, that you had to fire to defend your life, then ask to be taken to the hospital, and contact an attorney before any conversation with the police.

Thanks again for everything!

Anyone comes into my house without my permission, My families life and mine is in danger. Nobody is safe until the intruder has been eliminated. I’m not assuming they don’t intend my family any harm. That would be ignorant.

Relying on law enforcement for me isn't a good option. I live out in the county and it would take them 15-20 min to get to my house if they were available. In this day and age depending on the government for safety or protection is not a good idea and creates a false sense of security for many people. People need to train and have a solid plan for when the police never show up.

Great video, thanks

Anyway, this video has a massive number of comments, but the general tone of almost every single one is A) the criminal gets what's coming, and B) people are terrified of the legal repercussions for defending themselves, their families and their property. So, looks like the criminals are winning for now.

It is a sad deal when someone breaks into your house and you have to be concerned about there Rights.

Wow...We are afraid of protecting ourselves from the criminal because we fear that the scumbag has more rights that we do...

what is the recommendation for those times when you aren't certain there's someone in your home but you have heard noises and need to clear the home to comfort your family and so forth? Or you come home and your door is open etc.

It seems the laws are more i favour of the criminals than those trying to protect their families from harm

I heard from a security professional to sleep with your car keys handy and if you hear something suspicious, set off the panic/alarm. Of course that would be while you're getting your other home defense ready. Sounds like a good idea.

From what I've read, MOST burglars, who "want your stuff", strike during the day, when people are at work and the house is empty. The night time intruders AREN'T always looking for valuables and not usually drug addicts. They're more likely to be the more violent types who are out for doing physical harm, for victims on their "to do" list.

My home is my safe room.