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UPDATE: We visited Lonestar Boxer Rescue this afternoon, planning on looking for a Fawn Female, but fell in love with a Brindle Male (so much for planning!). His name is Stone (how tough huh?). I tried numerous times to get a shot of his face, but he really doesn't want to look at the camera, so this is the best I can do for his first day. He's a little underweight, so we'll be working on beefing him up.

Update: I have to admit to being a little lax around the house and so today was catch up day:

• - The front shrubs were all trimmed back and you now cannot hide behind them much at all.
  - I replaced the landscape lighting which has been out for about 6 months. That helps light up the front of the house.
  - I put a weatherproof padlock on the gate door since we are always checking to see if someone has opened it.

Things I still need to do:

• - Pin some windows that are rarely opened.
  - Continue researching cameras.
  - Secure the phone line in conduit.

We also had our "home visit" by the rescue organization today, so we are hoping to meet Alexandria (pictured above) within the next week or so. I'll let everyone know if she comes home with us.

Here you go:

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... php?t=1405

Wow Charles, I was tense just reading the story. Add that to your other story about you and your Dad, and you've got some good war stories.

I asked him if he felt he would have been able to hold fire until he identified his target and his answer was an honest, “I don’t know, I think so, but I was really scared.

That's the concern right there. Being scared out of your mind, would he have the knee-jerk reaction and shoot as soon as someone turned the door knob and it end up being his grandmother that didn't know he was home.

We are still looking into the Boxer and we will talk more about getting out of the house. Pepper spray would be an inexpensive and safe addition to the safety plan.

I appreciate everyone's input. It's great to have a place where you can get valuable input and not be flamed or ridiculed like other boards do.

At dinner last night I gave him a couple of "what if" scenarios and it was enlightening how badly this needed to be discussed. My wife and I have worked out what we would do in the case of an intruder, but apparently we didn't communicate to him well enough what we expected him to do. When asked "what would you do if the alarm went off in the middle of the nght", he responded he would run into our bedroom and protect his mom. We had to discuss my ambush point and how him running blindly into the bedroom and likely me with a gun in my hand was not a good idea. Also, she would be the one protecting him, not the other way around.

Once we settled those details, we then moved to the scenario of him being alone and someone breaks in. He said he would call the police and try to fight the guy if he came upstairs. Again, not the best answer. I told him how the alarm works and the police woul d be called and that his number one priority was to get away form the house. I explained to him how I didn't care what he had to break or damage to get out his window, to do it and get safely enough away.

Anyway, I am still going to look into the cameras as this would give him a way to see who's at the front door without being a doors thickness away form the potential intruder (peephole).

We put in an application with the local Boxer rescue and we'll see what becomes of that. This girl is beautiful.

They are very nice looking. I was thinking about a boxer. From what I've read, a good guard dog and good disposition. The short hair would be a plus.

I guess I need to clarify my original post. I understand that we (his mom and I) would have to make the call on whether or not he should have access to a firearm or not. He likes to go to the range with me and shoot handguns and I am HUGE on safety, so he has a good footing there, however, he is a teenager and the brain doesn't always work like it should. At this point, I'm not entertaining the idea of arming him.

What I'm looking for are other suggestions for an emergency plan for him in case of a break-in while he is at home. I agree with the safe room. He usually has our phone in his bedroom and he has a cell phone that works. I'm just trying to think of any options that might help him make it through the situation.

Ideas coming to mind are: front door camera which can be seen from his tv, emergency roll down ladder for his window, beefed up bedroom door with lock, monster sized bottle of pepper spray, protective dog (German Shepherd, etc.).

Any other suggestions along those lines?

I've been thinking about our home security and one aspect I'm not comfortable with is the fact that my son will be home by himself during the summer. I sold security systems for 3 years and know that a lot of burglaries happen during the daytime, and the rate increases during the summer due to teens being out of school.

To add urgency to the matter, I just spoke to our neighbor and found out that they were just burglarized about a week ago, so this is putting this subject on the front burner.

I'm just starting to work this over in my head and would appreciate any suggestions you may have. Here is some info that may help you help me.

- My son is 14 years old
- No dogs in the house
- We live in a 2-story house, all bedrooms on the second floor
- Burglar alarm system is monitored and on while he is here alone
- He never answers the door unless it is a relative
- I am thinking of putting in a few cameras due to blind spots outside of the house that cannot be seen through a window (ex. the driveway and front door)
- We are at least 45 minutes away in case of emergency


I'm comfortable with my plan if I was home at night, but I'm not sure about what my options are for him home alone at this age.

Any thoughts?