Unwelcome House Calls

by
posted on December 1, 2015
gsagi2015_fs-1.jpg

Rather than echo the sound advice to keep your carry gun on you and doors locked—even when you’re home and it’s broad daylight—I’ll let the criminals do the talking in this short list of home invasions in the last month. 

Indiana’s incident is sickening. The pastor left for the gym, but when he returned at 8:30 a.m. his 28-year-old bride—12 weeks pregnant—was unconscious on the floor. She had three bullet wounds, including one to the back of her head, execution style. To quote the ABC News headline, “Suspect stood over pastor’s pregnant wife after shooting her and watched her bleed, court documents say.”  The couple’s infant son, upstairs in a crib, was unharmed.  Despite the best efforts of doctors, she remained unresponsive and later died. Authorities arrested two who now face murder charges. A third allegedly violated parole in driving the getaway car.  An unlocked front door provided the criminals access for what began as a burglary.

I have to admit the pastor is a much bigger man than I could ever be. After the arrests, he’s still choosing “love over hate.”  

The 81-year-old California woman beaten during this broad daylight home invasion should make a full recovery. In Illinois, one criminal ended his lunch break (if they take one) and started shooting as he broke in. Here’s another post-brunch incident in Wisconsin.

It was 5:38 p.m. in Pennsylvania, about the time you expect Dominos to deliver, but it was four or five men making a house call. And, you just never know. An Ohio neighbor killed a couple and their 7-year-old son at sometime around 5 p.m.

Obviously, criminals usually prefer the work under cover of darkness, but some of the reports emphasize the fact they don’t care who they target. Duct tape was used to tie up a 91 year old in New York while the house was ransacked. The house was torched after an elderly man was killed in Michigan and the perpetrator(s) remains at large.  

With holiday school vacations quickly approaching, here’s another ominous safety reminder from Delaware. And if you want to read something really creepy, a baby monitor’s camera photographed a New York burglar crawling around the house while the family slept through most of the incident.  

There are a lot of criminals who view this time of year as one of opportunity, and precisely why lawful citizens should get training and own/carry a gun. The unthinkable can—and does—happen anytime, anywhere and to anyone. 

Latest

N Ssa 151St National Skirmish F
N Ssa 151St National Skirmish F

N-SSA Holds 151st National Competition

The North-South Skirmish Association held its 151st National Skirmish in May 2025, where 129 teams competed using authentic Civil War-era arms and artillery.

Gun Of The Week: CVA Cascade SR-80

For this episode of Gun Of The Week, we’re on the range with a scout-type bolt-action rifle from CVA. This is the SR-80.

The Armed Citizen® May 23, 2025

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

5 Simple Ways To Streamline Your Handloading Process

Consider adding these five simple efficiencies to your ammo-loading routine for more time to do the other things you love, such as punching bullseyes.

New Ammo For 2025

Without ammunition, what good are new guns? So, here are a few new ammo products to look out for in 2025...

Shell Shock’s Innovative 7.62 NATO Cartridge Case Passes Rigid Military Test

The Shell Shock Technologies 7.62 NATO Nickel-Alloy Shell (NAS3) cartridge cases have successfully completed rigorous testing at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.