Before anyone gets their panties all in a bunch, I want to make it clear once again that I do not intended to get in heated debate, not politics, nor inappropriate discussion which will offend anyone, But rather a friendly discussion on protecting ones family by means of a firearm or other means. There is more than one way to skin a cat, and more than one way to survive in the woods. As for this topic, there may be more than one way to protect ones family. I agree that shooting someone should be a absolute last resort. Should someone be in my garage steeling my lawnmower then I will secure my family and call the police to let them do their job, as I really don't need to shoot and possibly put a neighbour at risk unnecessarily for the sake of something I can easily replace. Someone on the inside of my house uninvited is a totally different matter. To answer your question, yes I have considered other means to prevent people from getting in such as window bars, alarm systems and the like. I also know that should someone want in bad enough then they will find a way. A firearm in the hands of a properly trained person can be the last resort between the police arriving too late to a crime scene and me protecting the ones I love. As for fortifying the old homestead to lessen the possibility of intrusion, I would really love to hear some ideas from the forum. I do not wish for the thread to go somewhere unintended, I simply realize that survival is survival, and in being equip to survive the preparations often start with the defending of your own home.

FYI To Answer a question on a previous post. It is perfectly legal for Canadians to own pistols, I have several. It is not legal under any circumstance that I am aware of to carry them on my person. I can only transport them to and from the range under lock and key, and only with express authorization to do so from the RCMP. As well a valid possession and acquisition licence is required. I am answering it here because I did not want to rudely hi-jack MicroAge 97's BOB post. I figured it best to simply start a new thread.