The latest tactic for "protestors" is to show up at a person's house and create an uncomfortable situation for the occupants and their neighbors. Whether you are a cop, a politician, or you were involved in a shooting defending yourself, it can happen to just about anyone. There's even a web site tracking who donated to President Trump so that ANTIFA and others can find their homes.
In some cases, "protestors" have shot at police officers houses or have vandalized other people's homes because they disagree with the homeowner. These incidents can involve a few people or hundreds. Local law enforcement can be quickly overwhelmed and it will be up to the occupants of the home to have a swift action plan to protect themselves. The most important part of this strategy is to plan ahead.
Use Neighbors as an Early Warning and for Recon
I live in an area that can be easily protected. All of my neighbors know that I am heavily involved In politics and that I am a retired police officer. One of my neighbors is a state senator and is a lightning rod for angry people. We know that because of our work, it is possible for protestors to show up at either of our doors.
Once people start showing up, we can text every neighbor in a group text. While one person calls 911, other neighbors can start delivering real time intelligence to the whole neighborhood. A neighbor across the street from you can send you real time video of the front of your house and what is going on via Facetime or other video apps (we recommend Signal).
I have a drone that I can send up and send real time aerial surveillance to social media. From there, my neighbors can tune in to social media while we scan routes of ingress and egress from our neighborhood. I've also trained some of my neighbors on firearms and tactics.
These action plans can be set in motion before police even arrive on scene. Before police arrive, you can use neighbors to come out and intimidate those that show up. If more neighbors come out than there are protestors, you can "convince" them to move on.
In my state, open carry is completely legal. What do you think protestors would do if enough neighbors armed with long guns surrounded them?
Have Weapons and Options
This goes for you AND your neighbors. You should have a solid self defense firearm and everyone in the house should be trained to use it. In my house, I have body armor for everyone, a rifle of their choice and a secondary weapon (pistol). Make sure they are comfortable with it. My son rocks a suppressed SCAR while I have a silenced PWS MK111. My wife is more comfortable with an MP5. Is it overkill? Not when people are shooting at your house. It's a different world right now. If you are a target, make yourself hard to kill. One on duty shooting will bring danger to your door.
You should also have less lethal options. I have MK9's available as well as bean bags for my shotgun. If lethal options aren't able to be used, you certainly may be able to fall back on less lethal options.
Know the Law
You need to know what you can and can't do so that you can act morally, ethically and within the law. If protestors are picketing the front of your house, you don't have many options except to let them spew their rhetoric. However, if they are on your property and are advancing, can you legally use that MK9 pepper spray dispenser? If they are advancing with rifles on your home, what force options will your state allow? There are 50 states, so it is impossible for me to say what you can and what you can't do. Suffice it to say, know the law and have a plan up front so you can impose your will upon evil doers when the time comes.
If they are shooting at your house, you need to make sure that you are in a position to defend yourself. What is behind the protestors? Your neighbor? Maybe your neighbor is in a better position to ambush your attackers. All of this needs to be pre planned. This is why I like training my neighbors. You can make sure you are all on the same page.
Have a Fall Back Location(s)
You need fall back locations. If they are at your front door and caught you by surprise, can you get out of your house and fall back to a neighbors home so you can regroup? Do your kids know what to do if you are gone and it happens?
If you have advanced notice, you'll need a location you can go to that is in another geographical location. A friend's cabin would be best. A family cabin wouldn't because they can track you down. For me, I do have a location hours away I can go to that no one can find me at. If they did find me, there's no way that someone can approach without being seen. Set this up ahead of time with friends and neighbors.
Make a Safe Room
You'll need to make a safe room in your house. This is a last ditch place to go to that you can hold up in until the calvary gets there. It is better to maneuver and deal with a threat, but it is a good place to go when you are out of options. Here is just one of many videos on YouTube on how to construct a safe room.
Use Confidentiality Laws to Avoid Protestors
Many states allow certain people to have their DMV records, property records and voting records confidentialised. Take advantage of this. You should also use a drop box for mail for all other matters. I use a UPS store on most everything. I know I'm still easy to find, but I'll make it as difficult as possible. There are also services that can scrub your info from the internet. Sign up and use it.
Train, Train, Train
You need to train with your family when you can. Go shooting and pre plan with them. I belong to a rod and gun club that has a rudimentary shoot house. It is good enough that I can live fire with my family and get them used to shooting in a structure.
Times have changed. This story came about because a reader asked for us to address it based on issues in their jurisdiction. I live in a peaceful city in a free state and protestors are still showing up at police officers houses to protest. Even if you aren't in politics or in law enforcement, you can be involved in an incident (like breaking through an ANTIFA/BLM road block) that brings them to your door. Be ready and be prepared.