Clint Smith is still alive for a good reason. He's wise. That was some of the best home defense advice i've ever heard. Avoid the confrontation if you can.

Clint is a former Police Officer, and also served in the United States Marine Corps! If this guy says if possible to avoid, avoid, avoid, I am listening. I loved his comments regarding getting into his car, hitting the gas, and leaving: also, all of the brave men in the cemetery, which includes, one, George Armstrong Custer. Rock solid advice!

Clint calls himself a “regular person” yet teaches Special Forces and SWAT teams. I love it

I just watched this again. As a pistol instructor, I always tell my students, "The only gun fight you ever truly win, is the one you're not in".

"Good judgement must accompany a gun by the bedside." Insight from Thunder Ranch's Clint Smith on owning a firearm for the purpose of home security and personal protection.

Wise words. I remember coming home from college, circa 1980, and my Dad met me in the living room with a 44 magnum. Fortunately, even in his sleep addled brain, he had the presence of mind to observe the rules of gun safety. Never point a gun at something you don't intend to shoot, and know your target and what's beyond it. "Breaking into" my parents' house at midnight so I didn't wake them up was a bad idea, but teenagers are brimming with bad ideas. I'd also add that the best thing you can do for home security is to look at your home from the perspective of a home invader or burglar. Start with the easiest and cheapest improvements to your home's physical security and work your way up. For most people, this will start with a piece of pipe in the track of sliding glass doors and windows, or some way to lock the them to the track so they can't be easily pried open, and thin steel reinforcing plates for exterior door deadbolt locks and hinges. Those products are readily available online. Most residential doors can be kicked open in one or two kicks to break the pathetic little pieces of pine in the door jam. I replaced the little brass screws in the striker plate and door hinges with 3" decking screws (not drywall screws, as they're brittle) so the door security is tied into the double 2X4 headers and the three foot steel plates on the door jams spread the forces across a much larger volume of wood to make a door kick proof. Upgrade to a good quality deadbolt and locking door latch. The appearance of any serious security is usually enough to divert a random home invader to the next house. Like water, they follow the path of least resistance. They're looking for an easy score. This is a great way to avoid a fight you don't need to have. Too many guys won't spend $40 to beef up their doors and windows, but have thousands of dollars worth of guns for home protection. Too often, those guns are stolen in home invasions and are then in the hands of criminals. At that point, a petty burglar is upgraded to an armed home invader.

Great advice, but there's one scenario where this doesn't practically fly - a bump in the night that you really need to check out. It is probably nothing, but needs to be checked out before the wife and kids can feel safe. I probably clear my house with my German Shepherd a few times a year. If I called the sheriff every time I heard a bump, they would probably hang up on me. I recognize that it's probably nothing, but it's tense regardless and it would be greatly helpful to learn the best techniques to make it through clearing each room as safely as possible.

Home security system w/ motion detectors, cameras inside and out are a huge plus. You can monitor anything right from your phone.

I'm not commenting on this video, but the other one that Clint made that comments were disabled concerning, I guess the sale of Thunder Ranch. Clint is the old guy that young guys listen to. Compared to him I'm the young guy and I'm 63. Clint is getting old but he doesn't to stop. Wisdom can transcend years. It only needs an empty cup to be poured into. Most of us are holding those empty cups. Thank you, Clint.

I like the way your brain works. I agree with your approach and attitude. Fact -- How you practice, is how you will fight.!! Be advised this man knows his craft. Pay attention boys & girls!!! His training and wisdom could save your life..

Client, your common sense is so refreshing. You just make sense. Ever thing about running for President? :)

Wise advice from the voice of experience. Thanks, Clint.

This is good advice and is what the NRA teaches in the "Personal Protection Inside the Home" course.

Less than 5min of video/info that will probably save some lives, thanks!

This is truly excellent advise. I have kids though so I do need to train on clearing my home. One thing that I would add is that, other than for your safety and the safety of your children, nothing else is worth taking a life. If someone pulls a knife or a gun on you and demands your wallet or car, give it to them. You can replace either for very little but having to go to court to prove your innocence for shooting or killing someone will cost tens of thousands. It's not worth it, nor the fact that you took a life for something so petty.

Great advice - except for driving through the garage door. Maybe you should make a video demonstrating what happens when you do that.

As always, GREAT advice from a true master of the subject...

Clint and Heidi are an awesome team! Can't wait to return for another class.

Good advise coming from Clint, it means a lot. Thanks for the video.

Good advice. Thanks for posting. Anthony.

A voice of reason thank you !

Excellent. Thanks!

Spot on brother

Great information. Thank you

This is very rational sound advise. Though I worry a avoidance and retreat mindset only gets you shot in the back.

Best information !

Thank you Clint. Got this video in an email from Mossberg today.

Es un congruente forma de pensar. Muy bien

I was raised on shotguns and still love them and review this and all of his shotgun videos. Respond accordingly and accurately, y'all!

1400 sq ft home single story 3 bedroom. When I get home from work I have an hour or so before the wife and kids get home. I larp through the house and play different scenarios through my head.

Gold.

I protect my my home with a mossberg 500 I train with religiously. I can't express enough the effectiveness to prevent a home burglary with a large trained canine as first line of alert/defense. Reason I've always had a rott. Make sure to have a good recall for that shot tho.

Omg, what great advice. Leave and let police do the job. Change my entire outlook on my home protection. Thank you

Right on! No material possession in my house is worth my life. Practice practice practice.

amen!

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I agree with this 100% !! And as a 14 yr. Army Vet...I'm not about to go traipsing around my 3,000 sf home to "engage"...WHY? I'm perfectly fine in my bedroom, with my 100 lb labxrottie! Like he says...if they kick my door down? BLAM! BLAM! G'bye to the man....

Great advice and it only cost 4:30, if we use it, it just might save our life and our loved ones.

I have lived with family, friends and roommates, never once have I thought a noise inside the house was an intruder. I always keeps the outside and my bedroom doors and all windows locked so an intruder would have to break in. The advise is sound, if your positive your alone lock yourself in your bedroom get your gun if you have easy access to it then your cell phone then to your car and leave if possible. Else lock yourself in a bedroom or bathroom with your gun pointed at the door and call 911 and wait for the cops while shouting out loud that you "have a gun and have just called the police". Avoid shooting anyone especially a family member or roommate that you were not aware was home.

This guy sounds like DMX haha

This guy is like all of the Clint Eastwood roles combined into one

😂😂😂 o boi a month sounds like 😢😢 when it don't work that's all I have to say fr fr

Why engage a threat if you can isolate it?

Super advice. How do you win a gun fight? Don't be in one.

Ooda loop. Keep the advantage

Everything is replaceable except your family they are the only ones to protect!

Why would you Not want to warn the Intruder that you are armed? Isn't it better to let them know that you are, so they will hopefully leave?

I'm not as regular as Clint.

I think I'll pass on dialing 911.

Hard to do better than having a good GERMAN SHEPHERD and a Gun for the uninvited!!!!

I rather they come to me. Instead of looking for them.

I'm pretty sure burglars and home invaders would think his advice is solid. Breaking and entering should be extremely foolish, dangerous and deadly, not fun and friction free. I disagree with this man, regardless of his credentials.

Ok, let me get that.So, I gather my my car keys, my wallet, my wife, my kids and run for the back door or the garage to avoid a perpetrator in my own house? With all due respect Sir, you have lost my respect.