Surviving a Home Invasion

How would you respond if someone broke into your home? Do you keep your everyday carry firearm accessible when you’re at home, or have you thought through your defense plan? For many people, the answer is no.

According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, in 2019 a burglary involving forced or attempted forced entry occurred roughly every 56 seconds in the United States. If you include unlawful entry, that jumps to one burglary every 35 seconds. These crimes don’t just bring financial loss they leave lasting emotional effects on victims and families.

At Mountaineer Dynamics Institute, we’ve trained thousands of students across multiple states, and one thing we’ve learned is this: most people don’t think about home defense until it’s too late. This guide is designed to give you actionable steps now—so you and your family are ready before danger ever arrives.

Preventing Break-Ins

Fred Mastison, president of Force Options Tactical Training Solutions, has trained thousands of people in firearms and combatives. He sees a common mistake: people purchase a firearm but never pursue proper training.

“They buy a gun and have someone show them how to load it, but they don’t really know how to use it,” Mastison explains.

Adrenaline, fear, and chaos in a break-in make defensive firearm use far more challenging than a static range session. Yet despite the rise in gun ownership, many new owners are not following up with the training they need.

At Mountaineer Dynamics Institute, our courses bridge this gap. We don’t just teach you how to shoot—we teach you how to fight with a firearm under stress, in real-world scenarios that mirror the chaos of a home invasion.

Lighting

Lighting inside and outside can play a huge role in deterring intruders.

Mastison recommends not only mounting a light on your firearm but also keeping handheld flashlights in key areas of your home. A 750–1,000 lumen flashlight works well for scanning dark spaces and identifying threats.

As for exterior lights, too many homeowners turn them off at night. Mastison advises the opposite: “Criminals don’t like to work in bright light. A well-lit perimeter makes your home less attractive as a target.”

Motion-sensor lights add another layer of defense, startling intruders and alerting you to activity.

Training tip: In our defensive handgun classes, we cover low-light shooting and flashlight techniques—skills that make all the difference in a real break-in scenario.

Fortifying Entry Points

Doors and windows are the most obvious weak spots. Steel door jamb reinforcement plates make it much harder for an intruder to kick down a door.

Other upgrades include adding bars or dowels in sliding windows, trimming back bushes near windows, and removing any cover that could hide an invader.

These changes are simple, affordable, and drastically increase your security.

Security Systems

Wireless security cameras are now affordable and user-friendly, yet surveys show only about one in four Americans uses them. Modern systems run on Wi-Fi and long-lasting lithium batteries, sending alerts straight to your phone or tablet when motion is detected.

Even DIY setups can significantly improve your awareness and deterrence.

But remember—technology is only one layer. At Mountaineer Dynamics Institute, we emphasize that your best defense is always you—trained, alert, and prepared.

Fight or Hide?

No possession is worth your life. If you’re home alone during a break-in, escaping and calling police is often the safest choice.

But when your family is at risk, things change. Do you know how to move safely through your home? Do you have a rally point? Have you walked your family through a plan?

These are the scenarios we rehearse with students in our Home Defense Fundamentals training, giving them confidence instead of hesitation when seconds count.

Concealment vs. Cover

Most household materials won’t stop bullets. Drywall, couches, and furniture only provide concealment, not protection. True cover comes from concrete, brick, or heavy, filled objects.

In training, we show students how to use their environment effectively—understanding angles, cover, and concealment so they can position themselves to survive.

Training and Shot Placement

In a defensive shooting, accuracy matters. Stress will cut your fine motor skills in half. That’s why practice and professional guidance are essential.

At Mountaineer Dynamics Institute, we train students to manage recoil, fight from awkward positions, and even shoot from cover. We also focus on decision-making—knowing when to shoot, not just how.

Essential Gear

Whether you use your EDC handgun or a dedicated home-defense firearm, accessibility is critical. Secure storage that allows rapid access is a must, especially with children at home.

Other essentials include:

• Cell phone – to call law enforcement immediately.

• Medical kit – a trauma kit designed for life-threatening injuries.

And of course, gear is useless without training. That’s why every one of our students learns not just how to use their firearm, but also how to stop bleeding and provide life-saving aid until help arrives.

After the Invasion

Surviving the break-in is only step one. Once police arrive, clear communication and cooperation are vital. Identify yourself, follow commands, and avoid actions that could be mistaken as threatening.

We cover these post-incident considerations in our training, because how you handle the aftermath can be just as important as the encounter itself.

Prevention Comes First

The best defense is layered: lighting, reinforced entry points, cameras, and smart planning. But no matter how secure your home is, you must prepare for the possibility of direct confrontation.

At Mountaineer Dynamics Institute, we give you the tools, training, and mindset to protect yourself and your loved ones. Don’t wait until a break-in forces the issue,

prepare now, and carry the confidence of knowing you’re ready.

👉 Ready to build your home defense plan? Explore our upcoming courses today.