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

SDS Arms MAC-5K
SDS Arms MAC-5K

Review: Military Armament Corporation MAC-5K

SDS Arms, under its Military Armament Corporation (MAC) brand, imports Turkish-made roller-delayed handguns of the H&K MP5 pattern called the MAC-5K.

8 New Revolvers for 2026

Despite the incredible array of polymer-frame, striker-fired, semi-automatic handguns on the market, the classic revolver not only refuses to die, it has seen something of a resurgence in recent years.

The Armed Citizen® May 18, 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.

8 New Semi-Auto Shotguns for 2026

For 2026, the semi-automatic shotgun market has seen even more growth, with some manufacturers expanding their current offerings and other makers entering the marketplace with novel designs.

SAAMI Celebrates 100th Anniversary

For the past 100 years, the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) has established the standards that ensure our safety when using modern shotshells, cartridges, firearms and more.

Shooting Is Fun: How I Rediscovered the Benefits of Rimfire

A recent event at Range Ready in Robert, La., reminded us how much fun the simple rimfire firearm can be, whether in handgun, carbine or rifle form.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.