I was just told tonight of an incident that occurred over the Christmas Break at one of my relative's home.
.......down in our hometown for the holidays, kids all sleeping on the living room floor and the rest of the rooms in the house were full of sleeping adults.
At about 0300, there is a loud noise, chain link fence rattles and the front living-room door is kicked in. One adult sleeping in the middle of the house pops out of bed and rushes the front room to grab a shotgun out of the cabinet and confront the problem. The thugs that kicked int he door were already retreating up the block by the time the shotgun was out and ready.
Nobody was hurt, don't even think the cops were called but my point is......lock your doors first of all and secondly, get a gun safe folks. This particular residence has never had their doors locked , cause the man of the house grew up in the neighborhood and therefore feels it is unnecessary to do such things. He also keeps a full gun cabinet, unlocked & in the front room , that is easily seen thru the front bay window ....by any and all who walk the sidewalk in front of his home. stupid, Stupid, Stupid!!! I don't care how much you want to believe it can't happen to you, it can and eventually will.
I'm trying to offer my two cents worth to this stubborn relative of mine. I've offered free gun locks, helping move the guns and gun cabinet to a room in the rear of the home, out of sight..... and installing a deadbolt or two on the exterior doors. What it boils down to is that I will most likely have to bite the bullet and get this old fart a gun safe at the very least. This ain't the place we all want it to be but not locking your doors or securing your guns is asking for trouble.