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Night Bag

Night Bag

12/3/2012

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.

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  • Mack Missiletoe

    12/9/2012 4:22:21 AM

    It is very wise to practice your emergency firearm plan in your home. Test how long it takes to arm yourself, with gun unloaded of course, and be ready in case you hear a bump in the night. Or someone comes crashing through your window! There are many scenarios. You'd be surprised to find out what works and what doesn't, especially if you have to wake up in the middle of the night. I realized my pajamas don't make a good weapon retention system--with a holster! They droop too low with all the weight of my chosen firearm LOL Be very careful and practice proper gun safety! If you are unsure about proper gun safety, ruger.com has a safety link on their main page.

  • BigFoot

    12/7/2012 5:28:41 PM

    The Denver Post just reported that the average response time for a high priority 911 call is now 15.75 minutes. And that didn't include last month's nearly 6 1/2-hour delay between a 911 call reporting a violent domestic dispute and the discovery of a woman's body in her home. So you have to expect that you will be on your own for quite a while and everything you will need to win the fight must be at hand. When I commented in your Conducting Drills Blog, I envisioned something portable that could hold a lot of stuff, say a small golf bag on a light-weight pull cart. A shotgun and/or rifle in the bag along with a well-thought-out selection of accoutrements packed in the pockets or attached to the bag would definitely raise your confidence level as you awaited the unknown while hunkered down at the top of the stairs. I can understand why you wouldn't want your wife to be your assistant so just bring the "TacCart" yourself. Always remember that if you bring a handgun to the fight and the bad guy brings a handgun to the fight, you would have a fair fight. And that's the last thing you want.

  • Nick

    12/7/2012 11:24:48 AM

    Having just had someone break-in my door at 1 a.m. on Monday, this article really hits home. I keep a handgun by the bed with 16 in the mag. I also now have a 12 gauge loaded with #4 steel duck shot. I did not have a flashlight in the room or on my firearm at the time. I have ordered a Streamlight with a strobe function. Several people have mentioned keeping a spare key tied to a glow stick to throw to the police. However, I don't really see how this would work unless your windows were broken or did not have a screen on them. Having a plan is the most important part and practicing it is even more important!

  • Tim

    12/4/2012 7:07:46 PM

    I place these items in my hat at the end of the day, then place my hat on the nightstand at bedtime- wallet, keys, cell phone, Steamlight 2L flashlight (with stobe), Kershaw pocket knife, Ruger LCR, watch. The bedroom also houses a Rem 870 with extra bandolier, and a Sig 226 with extra clip. Both have a strobe-capable light.

  • Big Fan

    12/4/2012 2:38:28 PM

    Any chance you will publish the Rack Attack in book form?

  • Scott

    12/4/2012 1:22:32 PM

    I have rail light on the weapon and a small Stinger flashlight. Besides two mags, I also carry a fixed blade knife which can be used as a blunt force hammer. I use a small neoprene bag [(]silent when moving[)] with a sling across the body. Considering a Gerber Go Bag. Lots to consider. Know your place cold in total darkness. Hidden but secure weapons throughout might help, but kids are a HUGE issue.

  • Stephen Bradley

    12/4/2012 1:12:46 PM

    I don't have a Bag that I carry around with me 24/7 but I do have spare keys & both have a light so can be found @nite. 1 Clip 10 rounds If I can't hit with that I suck then. Also the wife has multi-clips & Guns so I have no worrying for her in our w/in/closet. 2 small dogs help better than 1 big one.

  • Chris

    12/4/2012 12:52:53 PM

    We have an emergency kit sitting on our bathroom counter. It is an inconspicuous toiletry bag that blends in. Inside is our defense pistol, one spare mag, small LED flashlight, and an old iPhone constantly on a charger. The cellphone to us is the most important. Even without paid service, cell towers are required by law to still allow 911 calls [(]all it needs is juice and a SIM card[)]. A big advantage to keeping this in our bathroom is 1 door in with good defensive corners