“The three men who broke into a house Wednesday evening and assaulted the 66-year-old homeowner were intent on stealing his guns, according to police. Police Chief John R. Desmarais said the three suspects had targeted the house at 124 Overhill Road because they’d learned that the homeowner had an array of guns.” Did you catch that? The good folks at newsblog.projo.com published the street address of a guy who just got robbed because someone knew where he lived, and the fact that he had guns. I’m repeating this mistake for one simple reason: in the Internet Age, the idea that you’re invisible is a dangerous fantasy. If you have something somebody wants to steal it’s easy enough for them to find out where you live. Here’s what happend in nearby Cumberland, RI . . .
The suspects had gotten into a locked cabinet where the weapons were kept, when they were discovered in the basement by the homeowner, Desmarais said.
The man struggled with the intruders, one of whom had a gun and another who had a knife, Desmarais said.
The man was grazed in the head, whether by a gun firing or the knife blade, the chief said. The three suspects fled with some of the guns, stealing the homeowner’s gray 2000 Jeep Cherokee in their escape.
The stolen Jeep was later found a street away. Police are investigating how the intruders arrived at the house in the first place, and how they knew about the guns in the house, Desmarais said. They are also determining how many guns were taken, he said.
I’ve written before about the need to keep stum about your guns. Yes, this advice is coming from a guy who writes about guns for a living. And has very few weapons in his house. And tells people to practice home carry. And has an alarm system. And and and. But even if you keep a lower than low profile and tool up from toaster time to twilight, don’t kid yourself: there are bad people out there who want what you have. Guns. Be ready.
And if you hear someone in your house, if there’s no one to defend leave and call the cops. No gun is worth a human life. Especially yours and your loved ones’.