November 23, 2024
Would you shoot an unarmed home invader that was robbing your house when you surprise him by arriving home?
Would you shoot an unarmed home invader that was robbing your house when you surprise him by arriving home?
What Would You DO?
First of all, he’s a burglar, not a home invader. Home invasion implies someone at home when the intruder gets inside. But that’s a minor point.
Let’s assume he’s entered from the back yard and nothing seems amiss when I pull into the driveway.
If he bolts out the front door and runs away, there is no threat to my life, so no reason to shoot him.
However, if I enter the house to find him inside, things will get interesting. Once again, if what I’m seeing is his backside exiting the house, he’s no threat to me.
Just because he is “unarmed” does not mean he doesn’t pose a threat to my life or the lives of others in the home. Prison inmates have killed other inmates with one of those stubby golf pencils so the term “unarmed” is somewhat relative.
Burglar Quick Facts
A study by the University of North Carolina (UNC) of convicted burglars revealed:
• 51% of burglars are in need of money for drugs
• 41% suggested it was most often a “spur of the moment” event/offense
• 73% of the sample indicated that they had used drugs and/or alcohol while engaged in a burglary
• Crack or powder cocaine and heroin were the drugs most often reportedly used.
• 79% reported an interest in acquiring cash during their burglaries, followed by jewelry (68%), illegal drugs (58%), electronics (56%) and prescription drugs (44%).
From the above, the burglar you encounter likely has a drug problem and 3/4 of them may have consumed cocaine or heroin before committing the crime. This does not bode well for the average person defending their home.
Confrontation
On the other hand, if I enter the house and he’s visible to me, he’s going to be looking at a the business end of a big bore handgun and hearing me telling him to show me his hands and/or get on the ground. Movement towards me will be considered a grave threat (it indicates he thinks he can disarm/overwhelm me) and loud noises will ensue. If he cooperates he’s going to jail instead of the hospital or morgue.
If I enter the house and he’s in the kitchen, any furtive movements on his part will be interpreted as hostile and threatening. That’s because I know many burglars will arm themselves with a kitchen knife during the crime and then leave it behind before exiting. That way they’re armed inside, but if police catch them outside it doesn’t appear they were armed during the crime.
If I arrive home and hear him in a bedroom or another room of the house, I may retreat back out of the house and call 911. This is because I’ve only heard, not seen him and he may not be alone. It’s safer if the burglar is outnumbered when the confrontation occurs.
Special Circumstances
All of the above makes a big assumption — that none of my family is in the house.
If I return to the house, having left a family member or two there, my concern is for their safety. If they are not present or visible when confronted with an intruder, he does not leave regardless of being passive or not. Not until I can ascertain the safety and well-being of family members or guests.
I didn’t normally worry about it too much in earlier times, however. Most of the women I’ve known were quite capable of defending themselves. If someone were breaking into the house I’d expect her to react appropriately.
The intruder had best pray that he didn’t break in during her “special week” or try to steal her ice cream.
Some years ago, the house was never empty. Even if no one was home, it was still occupied by a “family member.” And I would take as much offense at someone hurting my dogs as I would a human family member.
If I were to enter the house and not be greeted by my dog and confront an intruder, there are very high odds he would not leave the house vertically. Anyone who was capable of incapacitating or killing a dog the size of a Doberman is a lethal threat.
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Being Prepared for the 2026 Hurricane Season By Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training & Firearms The 2026 Hurricane Season is shaping up to be another year where preparation isn’t optional it’s essential. Florida has seen record heat, rising insurance pressures, rapid population growth, and increasingly unpredictable storm behavior. None of that is meant to create fear. It’s meant to reinforce a simple truth: preparedness gives you control, confidence, and options when the weather turns. Whether you’re protecting a home, a business, or a family, the goal is the same build layers of readiness before the first storm forms. Start With Awareness and a Plan Storms don’t give you time to “figure it out later.” Your plan should be written, practiced, and known by everyone in the household or workplace. Key elements of a solid plan: Where will you go if evacuation becomes necessary Multiple routes out of your area A communication plan if cell networks fail A designated out‑of‑state contact A plan for pets, elderly family members, and anyone with medical needs For businesses, include: Who secures the building Who handles digital backups Who communicates closures and reopening A plan removes panic. It replaces it with action. Strengthen Your Home or Business Before the First Storm Florida structures take a beating every year. Small improvements now prevent major losses later. Exterior protection: Inspect your roof for loose shingles or soft spots Clear gutters and drainage paths Trim trees and remove dead limbs Install or test shutters Reinforce garage doors—one of the most common failure points Interior protection: Surge protection for critical electronics Elevate valuables and important documents Know how to shut off water, power, and gas If you own a business, walk your property as if you were a storm: What can break? What can blow away? What can flood? Fix those points now. Build a Realistic, Usable Supply Kit For Your Home or Business A hurricane kit isn’t about stockpiling, it’s about independence. After a major storm, help may take hours or days to reach your area. For homes and families: Water: 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3–7 days) Non‑perishable food Medications and medical supplies Flashlights, headlamps, and batteries Battery bank for phones First aid kit Copies of important documents Cash in small bills Tools, gloves, tarps, duct tape For businesses: Backup power for essential systems Printed employee contact lists Hard copies of insurance documents A plan for securing inventory and equipment Preparedness isn’t about fear it’s about not being dependent on luck. Protect Your Digital Life In 2026, digital readiness is just as important as physical readiness. Back up important files to the cloud and an external drive Photograph your home, business, and valuables for insurance Store digital copies of IDs, insurance policies, and receipts Keep chargers, power banks, and a small solar panel if possible When the power goes out, your digital preparation keeps you moving. Understand Post‑Storm Safety Most injuries happen after the storm, not during it. Be cautious with: Downed power lines Flooded roads Carbon monoxide from generators Unstable structures Contaminated water If you evacuated, don’t rush home. Wait for official clearance. Your safety comes first. Mindset: Prepared, Not Paranoid Preparedness is a discipline, not a reaction. It’s the same mindset we teach in every Tactical K class awareness, planning, and responsible action. A hurricane is a natural event. Your response is a choice. When you prepare early, you protect: Your family Your property Your business Your peace of mind And you set an example for your community. Kielma’s Parting Shot The 2026 Hurricane Season will bring challenges, just like every season. But Floridians are resilient, and preparation is part of our way of life. Start now. Strengthen your home, your business, and your plan. Build your layers of safety before the first storm forms. If you need help building a plan, creating a checklist, or preparing your family or business, Tactical K Training is here to support you with practical, real‑world guidance.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking Nine Firearms, Including to Buyer Who Said He Was ‘At War’ Thursday, April 30, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia WASHINGTON - Brandon Smith, 34, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 87 months in prison for conspiring to traffic at least nine firearms to a prohibited buyer over the course of six months, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Brandon Smith was already on supervised probation for a violent felony when he chose to traffic firearms, and he continued even after being told the buyer intended to use them for violence,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Over the course of six months, he arranged the sale of at least nine guns—including one with an obliterated serial number—to a prohibited individual. This was not a momentary lapse in judgment, but a sustained and deliberate effort to arm someone who could not legally possess firearms. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who endanger our communities by trafficking illegal guns.” On Jan. 9, 2026, Smith pleaded guilty before Judge Howell to conspiracy to commit trafficking in firearms. In addition to the 87-month prison term, Judge Howell ordered Smith to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 108-month prison term. According to court papers, beginning in November 2023, ATF opened an investigation after a confidential source reported that Smith, then on supervised probation for a violent felony, was actively advertising firearms for sale by texting photographs of guns to prospective buyers, including individuals with prior felony convictions. During the next six months, Smith sold or arranged the sale of nine firearms to a buyer on six separate occasions. During the transactions, Smith sold his own personal carry firearm on multiple occasions when a supplier failed to deliver, then purchased a replacement for himself afterward. In early January 2024, as Smith and the buyer discussed an upcoming transaction, the buyer told Smith he needed the firearms because he was “at war” after his cousin had been killed. Smith proceeded with the sale. The buyer had also told Smith he was serving a criminal justice sentence at the time of the transactions. Smith acknowledged that he, too, was “on papers.” Smith arranged a total of six transactions from Nov. 30, 2023, through May 30, 2024, resulting in the sale of nine firearms. At least one of the firearms had its serial number obliterated. On Oct. 26, 2024, MPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the 1600 block of 16th Street SE and found Smith in the front passenger seat of a parked vehicle. Officers observed open containers of alcohol and discovered a satchel at his feet. Inside the satchel, in plain view, was a loaded Glock Model 19X 9mm handgun with a round in the chamber and 16 additional rounds in the magazine. The bag also contained a bank card and government-issued identification in Smith’s name. Smith has prior convictions for Simple Assault (2011), Attempted Robbery (2013), and Robbery and Possession of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (2016), for which he was sentenced to five years in prison. He was serving a term of supervised probation from the 2016 conviction at the time of the firearms trafficking conspiracy. This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department. The matter was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan. Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking
