1. Retrieve firearm (and phone or flashlight if possible or relevant). If an alternative weapon is used, you may need to alter the defense plan to a surprise-attack from behind a chokepoint as you may not be able to hold a defensive position otherwise.
2. Announce you are armed and that police have been called.
3. Identify entry points and number of invaders if possible while ensuring all members of the family have egressed to a safe room beyond a chokepoint. An ideal (realistic) saferoom would be an upstairs walk-in closet (with a lock added) inside a bedroom that locks. An ideal chokepoint (defensive position) would be a staircase.
4. Your pre-planning should assign your spouse to gather the family in saferoom and call 911 during step 1. Family should barricade (you may opt not to barricade if a decision is made that you will also fallback to the room) themselves in and away from door. Have a safe word or request for when you ask family to allow you in to ensure you are not under duress. If your saferoom has a window and the invaders could not be stopped and/or you do not have lethal force protection, egress out window. (training drills should occur regularly)
5. Defend chokepoint until a retreat is required. Keep falling back in increments until you are at the saferoom. Use force required to stop the threat from advancing (lethal) and provide time for a police response.
This article was originally written by the Grayman Briefing. Stay in the know, sign up for Intel and Situational Awareness alerts pushed to your phone on emerging threats and preparedness warnings. Click HERE to subscribe to the Grayman Briefing.