book rant: "Idiot's Guide to Home Security"

CopperKnight · August 22nd, 2007, 11:43 PM

A book caught my eye today at the library. I picked it up off the shelf, browsed through it for a couple minutes, then put it back on the shelf. It was one of those "Idiots" guides (you know, the take off on the Dummies books?). It was the "Idiots Guide to Home Security".

Thinking perhaps it would be something I might want to look through, I decided the first thing to do was see if it was serious and had a section discussing firearms. Hmmm, nothing in the table of contents. Also nothing in the index under "firearm", "gun", "handgun" or "rifle".

So I started looking around and found two references to guns in the "liability" chapter. One paragraph said you can't shoot someone running out of your house because it wouldn't be considered self defense. The next paragraph told the story of the British farmer that used a shotgun to shoot the burglar and got a long sentence for it. It didn't even explain why.

That's it. That's the entire text I could find regarding firearms in what was supposed to be a comprehensive, learning guide to "security". Two paragraphs. One saying don't shoot someone running away and the other saying a British guy got a long jail term for shooting someone.

How can an honest person say this is a "guide" if it leaves such a glaring hole in things you need to know.

It's not like I was expecting to find an epiphany about guns in a book with "Idiots" in the title, but I'm always on the look out for little nuggets of wisdom or information that gives something a new light or angle.

As I already said, I put it back on the shelf and moved along. <sigh>

P95Carry · August 22nd, 2007, 11:52 PM

Amazing what gets published!! Sounds like a UK author too.

Sad thing is - there are folks who are nieve enough to read and digest about anything - if it's in a book, in a media article or on the ''web'' - it must be fact! Great - let's follow this creedo!

I am cynically amused when I read the promo blurb for some security companies - they claim to alarm your house and so - make you safe and invulnerable. They leave out tho the chaotic and sudden home invasion - where no viable response time will be available to do other than go count the bodies!

Seems ''the gun'' is as usual either left out of the equation or villified out of existence! I'll stick to logic and common sense, with my appraisal of home security

mtnfreak · August 23rd, 2007, 12:07 AM

Pick up the "Idiot's Guide to Home Inavasion". I bet all that changed was the title.

retsupt99 · August 23rd, 2007, 12:30 AM

Title: Idiots Guide to Self Defense"

Author: Kilme Kwickly

Wiggy · August 23rd, 2007, 01:50 AM

I guess if you're an "idiot" you don't need to have a gun in the first place

. These books have their place, but they are for people who have no idea on the subject in question. They are meant to give enough knowledge to let the reader know how to expand and elaborate on the subject. Which makes it a shame that they said nothing of the positive benifits of proper education and training of firearms use and their place in home security.

CopperKnight · August 23rd, 2007, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retsupt99

Title: Idiots Guide to Self Defense"

Author: Kilme Kwickly

That's good. I like it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiggy

I guess if you're an "idiot" you don't need to have a gun in the first place

. These books have their place, but they are for people who have no idea on the subject in question. They are meant to give enough knowledge to let the reader know how to expand and elaborate on the subject. Which makes it a shame that they said nothing of the positive benifits of proper education and training of firearms use and their place in home security.

That's what I was thinking. You'd think there would be at least part of a chapter that talked about getting a gun and learning how to use it. But who am I?

Deacon51 · August 24th, 2007, 09:14 AM

Quote:

In today's world of gated communities, security is more sought after than ever. Most new home owners think about installing a home security system shortly after moving in, but are confused by the maze of choices available. This guide tells you all you need to know about keeping your home and family safe. The author, a former FBI agent and security expert, gives you the skinny on everything from basic systems to inexpensive measures you can install yourself. He also tells parents what's legal and what's not in the area of nanny-cams and monitoring.

I have heard very few "Security Experts" publicly suggest using a Firearm. The NYC cop on NBC that does all the crime stuff, like breaking in to houses to show how easy it is... is the only guy I have ever seen on national TV say anything about firearms, and that was only in response to a direct question. He's reply was good... something like, "Firearms in the hands of a trained user are a great last resort, the trick is to do everything possible to make sure you never will need to use a firearm..."

What's that guys name?

He also did a thing where he was kidnapping a little girl on the street in NYC. She was screaming "Leave me alone, your not my dad, help" and all the people where just walking on by... not even looking.

ghost tracker · August 24th, 2007, 09:26 AM

What do y'all expect? The author was quite honest & upfront about being an IDIOT! It sez so right there on the book's cover.

Colin · August 24th, 2007, 10:47 PM

It was meant for idiots, do you really want idiots to carry guns? Look what happens when you elect them!! In fact they should also get only safety sccisors and plastic knives.

CopperKnight · August 25th, 2007, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin

It was meant for idiots, do you really want idiots to carry guns? Look what happens when you elect them!! In fact they should also get only safety sccisors and plastic knives.

Colin, sometimes I wonder about even those tools. Somehow we need to find something with which they can only hurt themselves. But I guess if you can hurt yourself, you can hurt someone else. Maybe we could only let them play with Kenny G cassette tapes. Those can't hurt much...unless you are driving at the time of use.

August 22nd, 2007, 11:43 PM	#1
CopperKnight Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Spokane area, WA Posts: 4,218	book rant: "Idiot's Guide to Home Security" A book caught my eye today at the library. I picked it up off the shelf, browsed through it for a couple minutes, then put it back on the shelf. It was one of those "Idiots" guides (you know, the take off on the Dummies books?). It was the "Idiots Guide to Home Security". Thinking perhaps it would be something I might want to look through, I decided the first thing to do was see if it was serious and had a section discussing firearms. Hmmm, nothing in the table of contents. Also nothing in the index under "firearm", "gun", "handgun" or "rifle". So I started looking around and found two references to guns in the "liability" chapter. One paragraph said you can't shoot someone running out of your house because it wouldn't be considered self defense. The next paragraph told the story of the British farmer that used a shotgun to shoot the burglar and got a long sentence for it. It didn't even explain why. That's it. That's the entire text I could find regarding firearms in what was supposed to be a comprehensive, learning guide to "security". Two paragraphs. One saying don't shoot someone running away and the other saying a British guy got a long jail term for shooting someone. How can an honest person say this is a "guide" if it leaves such a glaring hole in things you need to know. It's not like I was expecting to find an epiphany about guns in a book with "Idiots" in the title, but I'm always on the look out for little nuggets of wisdom or information that gives something a new light or angle. As I already said, I put it back on the shelf and moved along. <sigh> __________________ Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, but that you've decided to see beyond the imperfections. The only thing that stops bad guys with guns is good guys with guns. SgtD

August 22nd, 2007, 11:52 PM	#2
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,339	Amazing what gets published!! Sounds like a UK author too. Sad thing is - there are folks who are nieve enough to read and digest about anything - if it's in a book, in a media article or on the ''web'' - it must be fact! Great - let's follow this creedo! I am cynically amused when I read the promo blurb for some security companies - they claim to alarm your house and so - make you safe and invulnerable. They leave out tho the chaotic and sudden home invasion - where no viable response time will be available to do other than go count the bodies! Seems ''the gun'' is as usual either left out of the equation or villified out of existence! I'll stick to logic and common sense, with my appraisal of home security __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

August 23rd, 2007, 12:07 AM	#3
mtnfreak Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: In a place you've only dreamed of where your soul is always free... Posts: 133	Pick up the "Idiot's Guide to Home Inavasion". I bet all that changed was the title. __________________ Law without force is impotent. Blaise Pascal

August 23rd, 2007, 12:30 AM	#4
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 12,549	Title: Idiots Guide to Self Defense" Author: Kilme Kwickly __________________ ‘‘Four out of five politicians surveyed prefered unarmed, ignorant peasants.’’ — Unknown Liberals are as American as 'dog dodo' pie...

August 23rd, 2007, 01:50 AM	#5
Wiggy Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 87	I guess if you're an "idiot" you don't need to have a gun in the first place. These books have their place, but they are for people who have no idea on the subject in question. They are meant to give enough knowledge to let the reader know how to expand and elaborate on the subject. Which makes it a shame that they said nothing of the positive benifits of proper education and training of firearms use and their place in home security. __________________ Eat a moose... 50,000 wolves can't be wrong.

August 24th, 2007, 09:26 AM	#8
ghost tracker Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ky Backwoods Posts: 615	What do y'all expect? The author was quite honest & upfront about being an IDIOT! It sez so right there on the book's cover. __________________ There are only *TWO* kinds of people in this world; those that describe the world as filled with two kinds of people...and those who don't.

August 24th, 2007, 10:47 PM	#9
Colin Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,245	It was meant for idiots, do you really want idiots to carry guns? Look what happens when you elect them!! In fact they should also get only safety sccisors and plastic knives.

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