Night Bag

posted on December 3, 2012
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
rackley2015_fs.jpg

A few weeks ago, my security system went off around midnight. My home-defense plan worked smoothly, as I quickly obtained my home gun, along with a flashlight, and took up post at the top of the stairs, while my wife grabbed our daughter and retreated to our bedroom and took up her gun. The incident ended up being nothing, thankfully, but it started me dissecting my plan for flaws.

Overall, as I said, the plan worked, and would have been very effective against the standard break in. I did, however, realize that if the incident had turned into a prolonged fight, I wasn’t as prepared as I could have been. When I went in search of the problem, I didn’t have a spare magazine in case the round count went above eight, a spare flashlight in case of battery failure nor did I have a spare key to thrown down to police so they could enter the premises.

This made me realize that I needed a night bag to have everything needed in one place in case of a home invasion. While I was prepared for the most part, there is always a way to be more prepared for disaster, and my next step to build a night bag. I’m considering my options, and am interested in discovering what you use, and would recommend.

Latest

Benelli M4 EXT shotgun
Benelli M4 EXT shotgun

Gun of the Week: Benelli M4 EXT Tactical Shotgun

Benelli's semi-automatic workhorse shotgun continues to evolve and improve.

The Armed Citizen® Feb. 6, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

New for 2026: Tool Collections from Real Avid

Real Avid just released some new tool collections to help with cleaning, optics mounting and other firearm-related chores.

Review: Bersa M2XI Pistol

The M2XI represents a new area for Argentinian firearm manufacturer Bersa, and this budget 2011 shoots above its price point.

Great American Outdoor Show Opens Feb. 7

America's largest gathering of outdoor enthusiasts opens Feb. 7 and runs through Feb. 15.

New for 2026: CCI Blazer Brass Clean-Fire Ammunition

With the huge boom in suppressor sales, CCI has ammo designed for suppressed firearms.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.