Should I get a safety deposit box?

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but booby traps are illegal in some states.

Chris

 

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I've said it before.
A couple sentry type fireproof file boxes inside a larger safe.
Double the protection.

 

Sometimes a little imagination helps. Put one of these on the safe and stack some medical books or magazines you snitch from the waiting room and I doubt someone will try to smash it open.

 

While you're at it, smear some blood on the door and handle.

 

I love it!

 

I'm going to need to see a direct citation for this, and not from "International Man" or some other "black helicopters coming to take your PRIVATE PROPERTY" panic-monger blog.

 

First, I would not recommend a safety deposit box until you are an adult and can sign a contract and get your own. If you're a minor, I believe your parents must sign for the box and do you really want them unbridled access to your stuff? I know I didn't.

Second, and more importantly, I would only recommend you get an SDB if your collection is valued at $2K or greater. An SDB for anything less is a bit overkill.

Third, SDB's are mainly (imo) to protect stuff from theft, not damage or personal loss.

As someone else mentioned, if damage is your concern, get a fire proof sentry safe. Or, do what I did to store my Silver stash and slabbed key Mercs as a minor. Hollow out a book (an old crappy dictionary is ideal) or several, put in your collection, and throw it on the shelf with all your other books.

 

I like that! Probably effective, with a bit of twisted humor.

 

Entirely depends on what state you live in. Are you really going to flee your own home or let someone get away if they're coming in your house, just because the government says it's illegal? Somebody comes in my house, they're fair game.

"I'd rather be judged by twelve than carried by six."

"I'd rather go to my grave, never needing my sidearm than to go there wishing I had it."

 

Voltaire said: With great power comes great responsibility.

 

VERY true. I couldn't agree more.

 

Judge: "You're on trial for 2 counts of first degree murder and manslaughter. How do you plea?"

Defendant: "Not guilty, your honor."

Judge: "This man gained entry to your house, and you unloaded 15 rounds of 9 MM into him. In the state of California, your actions were unjustified. You were to call 911, hide, and wait for police to arrive. Instead, you killed him as he came through the door. How do you explain your actions?"

Defendant: "Well, what else did you want me to do your honor? Make him a sandwich
EDITED: Read Rules


Moral of the story: if someone is willing to break into your house, especially while you're home, they're willing to do a hell of a lot more too. Take no chances. It's you and your family, or him. End of story.

 

Yet again, that assumes you are at home. If you set booby traps to harm the burglar while you are not at home to protect yourself, that is illegal; you aren’t there so there is no need to use lethal force. Fighting off a burglar while you are still at home is a completely different story.

 

This advise hit home with me.

 

Don't give up looking! I got a Mosler locked filing cabinet like this one at an auction for $7.50 . A thief trying to pick this up would be one strong person. A crowbar on the other hand it wouldn't take long. Fire rating of 1 hour. Good luck

 

I agree. And there can be legitimate reasons for strangers, like first responders and utility workers, to enter your property when you're not there. And yes, they have been injured by anti-burglar booby traps. See links #1. If a cop or fireman experiences even a non-lethal booby trap that sprays paint or tear gas, don't expect city attorneys or DAs to ignore it. Even if you stay out of jail and win the civil suit, your legal fees will be enormous. And the next time they're asked to help at your address ... don't expect a rapid response. Biggest danger of booby traps is probably to yourself, family and friends. See links #2.

If you keep coins at home, shut-up about it and hide them and/or have a safe. No booby traps.

Cal

links #1.

https://www.ajc.com/news/crime--law...pot-growing-operation/SDfjPlunLcOfSzpx8RAwHK/

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...s-house-oregon-gregory-humboldt-a8564416.html

links #2.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/north-ca...f-with-booby-trapped-shotgun-911-call-reveals

https://www.gastongazette.com/news/20181015/man-shot-after-triggering-his-own-booby-trap

 

In my case, after my break in, the deputy said I should set up a shotgun. I can't believe he said that. I remember when I was young, a farmer in the area set one up in a vacant farm house he owned. They had to amputate the burglar's leg after being shot. The farmer went to prison.

I don't have to worry about first responders. If my place started to burn, it would be burnt completely to the ground before anyone noticed, let alone got there. I'm completely on my own. I told them about setting up the buglar bomb, and the sheriff said that was a great idea. The ramifications are greater in a more populated area though.

 

In my more rural area someone did set up such a booby trap( said it was common in Tenn.) and his abode had an electrical malfunction and a small burn started, and the first responders broke in to stop it and something ( probably the heat from the fire) ignited and it maimed 2 fire fighters. He will be in prison for several decades and they are now unable to work. Now the general rule is let it burn if suspicious of entrapment or appears unoccupied.

 

My "rural area" is all by myself at 12,000 ft. And nobody to respond.
With that said, yes, it is unwise to have something that can harm or ignite. What I use is a canister of high grade OC pepper spray that starts spraying after pin is pulled out via trip wire. It fills the room.

The place above is separate from my home, in which I just use security cameras with IPhone access, motion detectors, false safes, hidden room with large safes....and a big dog.

 

EDITED: Next political discussion and you will be gone. Read the Rules!

The farmer should've gotten a medal, not prison. One less punk thug breaking into people's houses. You really can't be a burglar very easily if you only have one leg.... I mean unless he has a peg leg or something.