Warning Signs

[jdowdle]

Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions about putting warning signs on your house or windows stating that the household is armed and will shoot intruders?

I have looked for these and can't find any. I am looking for something professional that is more of a warning type message instead of some of the "Protected by Smith and Wesson" type signs.

Any opinions out there?

[HankB]

1. A warning sign that the homeowners are armed and will shoot intruders may be used to establish intent after the fact, e.g., an opposition attorney may say "See! See! He was PLANNING to kill someone! He WANTED to shoot someone! The sign proves it!" (YOUR attorney can defuse this, but why give the other side a potential opening?)

2. A warning sign may influence an intruder to come in shooting, since it gives him an idea of what he'll be facing. It seems better to me that he receive an . . . unpleasant surprise . . . after he breaks in.

3. A warning sign may suggest "good pickings" are to be had once the homeowner leaves the home unoccupied.

A sign from an alarm company is, IMHO, a better alternative.

[Syntax360]

3. A warning sign may suggest "good pickings" are to be had once the homeowner leaves the home unoccupied.

I agree with HankB on all points, but the 3rd would be my greatest concern. Not a good idea, IMHO. Get a dog if you want a real deterrent.

[txinvestigator]

Such a sign also tells burglars that there are guns in the house.

I think it is a bad idea.

[txinvestigator]

3. A warning sign may suggest "good pickings" are to be had once the homeowner leaves the home unoccupied.

I agree with HankB on all points, but the 3rd would be my greatest concern. Not a good idea, IMHO. Get a dog if you want a real deterrent.

Although dogs can be somewhat of a deterrent, my experience shows that burglars will enter even with a dog. I can't tel you how many burglary reports I took from people who are amazed their "watch dog" did not protect their home.

Good locks, proper lighting and a good alarm system are the best protections. FBI stats show that a house with an alarm is 5 times less likely to be burglarized than one without.

[propellerhead]

I wish we could ask this question on a burglar forum and hear it from their point of view.

[jdowdle]

I think everyone is making good points. Thanks for the feedback.

[txinvestigator]

I wish we could ask this question on a burglar forum and hear it from their point of view.

[Paladin]

I've heard it from both police and burglars that a house with an alarm(you gotta have alarm signs) and a large, loud barking dog is quite secure. It's not absolutely invulnerable, but unattractive enough that burglars will go somewhere else.

From observation, I personally put more faith in my Great Dane than my alarm... as I've seen how my Great Dane barking tends to distress people... but the alarm is good too. Because a determined attacker may be able to take out the dog, but it would take time and effort and if they trigger the alarm in the meantime... there's not much(or any) time for them to steal stuff and make their getaway.

[nitrogen]

Signs advertising a security systems are usually effective, moreso than a sign saying, in effect, "we'll shoot intruders".

a "we'll shoot intruders" sign, as far as burglars go, is usually thought of as some type of political statement, much like an NRA sticker.

An alarm sign is a much better deterrant. Alarms are on and on guard even when you're not home. You've got to be home to shoot an intruder, and it's a great notice to a theif that there are guns to steal when you're away for the day.

[txinvestigator]

I'll end my involvement in this thread with this;

In 10 years as a cop I made one residential burglary call where there was an alarm. The back door was kicked open and the alarm immediately sounded. The only thing missing was the microwave that was sitting on a cart next to the door that was kicked open.

I took too many reports to count from homes where there were "watchdogs".

[G.C.Montgomery]

On the watch dogs, I know several people who actually lost their dogs to burglars. In one case, two dogs were actually killed onsite. So in addition to finding their home wrecked, there was the bloody scene of murdered pets and the trauma that went with it because those dogs were much like children to the owners. In the other cases, fences were left open or the dog was actually taken by the burglar.

[GrillKing]

Such a sign also tells burglars that there are guns in the house.

I think it is a bad idea.

I agree. Unfortunately, that sign says "steal from me" IMHO. As do TSRA, NRA, etc., stickers on your rear windshield. Unfortunately.

[Paladin]

On the watch dogs, I know several people who actually lost their dogs to burglars. In one case, two dogs were actually killed onsite. So in addition to finding their home wrecked, there was the bloody scene of murdered pets and the trauma that went with it because those dogs were much like children to the owners. In the other cases, fences were left open or the dog was actually taken by the burglar.

I absoultely agree that a dog alone isn't 100% effective. And not all dogs are equal. But plenty of houses with alarm systems have also been broken into to. My parents, who have an alarm system, got broken into twice.

But the combo of a large, loud barking dog and alarm system is a good one, more effective than either one on their own.

[j1132s]

Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions about putting warning signs on your house or windows stating that the household is armed and will shoot intruders?

I thought that's already assumed in Texas :)