Do you keep a weapon in your bedroom to use incase of a night time intrusion?

Question

I'm just wondering because I'v kept a baseball bat under my bed for about 2 months now, since I saw someone or something in the garden at 3AM.
It occured to me today that it probably isn't the best choice of weapon to use in my home because of the narrow passages leading from some of the rooms I might not be able to get a good swing.
Also....A baseball bat to the face would more than likely cause permanent damage or death, in Britain, the burglar has more rights than the tennant/home owner in most cases.
I would get a guard dog, but I live in rented accomodation and I'm not allowed any pets.

DAVID F- Yes, A little paranoid maybe, but I live in a pretty bad area, lots of addicts around who would steal the fillings from your teeth if you let them, and being the only male in the house I see it as my duty to protect my mum and young sister if necessary.
"move to another part of town" he says, yes like its that easy you thick c*nt, maybe in a few years if I do well at school, but until then its not an option.

DRAKE-
And the case of Tony Martin?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Martin_%28farmer%29

Answer 1

Good question. I noticed my wife has a bat beside the bedroom door. I hope I'll never find out if the "freeloaders" (the dogs) would be helpful or if they'd just lick the intruder to death. I always figured I'd throw the cat at them. EDIT: Sir, I did not mean to be flippant, now that I have read your edits I understand your concern. Of course it's ridiculous to tell you to move and if you live in an area of addicts, you do have a real cause for fear. I praise your desire to protect your mother and sister in the most effective manner and since you are in the U.K. you cannot have a gun. Despite the problem you mentioned, I would suggest a wooden bat. If it is too long for your hallways, saw off a portion. You want a weapon that would act as both an attack weapon and a defensive weapon. Remember the old Robin Hood movies--how they would fight with poles/pikes? That's what you should strive for--long enough that you can swing it in attack and still block the intruder from getting too close and short enough that you can freely use it in the space available. I'm sorry I didn't realize how serious you were, so experiment with how much range of motion is available to you with a cardboard tube and them get one or more WOODEN bats and saw them down if necessary. You cannot live your life in fear and if you believe British law protects the intruder, you must simply accept there are some risks you cannot avoid. Which is better--the possiblity you may be charged with a crime when you defend your family or a violent assualt on the women of your home? Sometimes in life there are no perfect solution, so you have to choose what best fits your circumstances. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

I like the baseball bat under the bed. Or get yourself a bread knife. Something to wave about should the need arise. You won't need anything if you are securely locked up but a weapon of some kind will make you feel safer. Edit. If the need arises, I would urge you to use it. It would be self defence, especially if the intruder was male. Never mind 'they could sue you!' Better to be up in court than dead, injured, raped or anything else that could happen to a lone female!! Sorry, I did not want to scare you but some of the answers on here are scaring me!!!!

Answer 3

I doubt anyone will find out where I live from here, so I'll share my secret, hehe.

My dresser next to the side of my bed I sleep is special. The top of it can slide forward, showing a secret space to keep special things hidden for special situations. ^_^

There's a knife in there, along with pepper spray. It'd take me just two seconds to be armed and dangerous. Bring it on, man. Bring it.

*Smiles* Plus, my boxing gloves are two steps away, next to my dumbbells. I can throw a mean punch with those, too. =]

I've learned to protect myself in any situation ever since I was little and my parents attacked me. I'm usually quick to act now if I sense danger, but sometimes, I admit, I lack the strength and bravery to defend myself.

Answer 4

Yes, I keep an air rifle and a sword in the bedroom. Just remeber you can only use reasonable force (commensurate - i.e if they have a knife or firearm you CAN literally get away with murder)and not to shoot them when they're running away(As was the case with Tony Martin) and you're on the right side of the law.

Answer 5

The law states thay you can lawfully defend yourself and your property BUT this has to be proportionate to the threat.

You can use force to detain a person who is broken into your home but it would be deemed excessive if you deliberately paralised that person to prevent them from escaping.

Likewise you can use force to defend yourself but this has to be prortionate and use must stop if there is no further need to defend yourself.

An example of this, say, would be finding an intruder in your home and you hit that person witha baseball bat and falls to the floor unconscious. You must not hit him again otherwise that would be assault.

As with the police you must decide that if you are going to use force it must be necessary, legal and proportionate.

Personal advice would be don't challenge anyone in a situation like this as they may be armed themselves. Make yourself as safe as possible and call the police.
In a situation like this only use force if you are being attacked or to stop someone who is intent on attacking you.
Make sure your actions are justified.
That's the law.

Answer 6

That a burgler has more rights is a myth, you have a right to defend your home against intruders no matter what. Also you do not have to swing latterly if you use a vertical swing go from the top of your head down to their head it is more than enough force to cause damage or use butt them in the head with the fat end of the bat. I actually do not keep a bat conventietnly handy it my bat and Ice hockey stick stay in my closet with my other sports equipment, but like that one girl said any areasol can be just as effective and just as useful as any gun. Just unload a can of Axe on them it is not pretty in the eyes and will at least stun them to get a few good fists on their face. The element of surprise and resourcfulness is the best weapon you can have.

Answer 7

Hi there, in England we are allowed to act in self defence and can actually take the pre-emptive strike if one feels that violence or the threat of violence is going to be used. If you act in self defence the violence must be reasonable and like that used on yourself. In other words if someone was hitting out at me, I would not be allowed to shoot him, as the force is not like. Recently a man who was a farmer and a bit of a recluse was let out of prison for killing a young lad who had broken into his property. Although he shot at the intruder, he also shot at his back which suggests that the boy was running away at the time. All I can say is that if I knew there was someone in my house and my kids were asleep upstairs, I would do anything to stop an intruder from getting anywhere near my family. As you can see the law in the UK at present is a little unclear.

Answer 8

So you are a child of about 14 if you are not finishing school for a couple of years.
I think the only outcome of you going out to confront an intruder with your baseball bat is that they are going to take it off you and you will have armed them.

Answer 9

Yes i do, a metal baseball bat, but im a girl and probably wudnt be able to do much damage with it, but id have a bloody good go at them with it.....plus it makes me feel a little safer!!!

Answer 10

Doesn't really work. If someone breaks in, do you think if you ask "Mr. bugler, can you kindly wait until I fish out my baseball bat under the bed? Then you can rob me?"

It's possible most men keep the weapon of their wives in the bedroom, in case of trouble.