So the young child stolen by a monster who murdered her parents has been found alive. I heard that the perp blew out the door to their home with a shotgun. So I would like to know what kind of door would survive a shotgun blast and give me time to get my six shooter out. Next time a property door needs replacing I will get one that is shotgun proof and might replace one soon as there is a custody issue at one of the units.

The left wants to limit magazine size to five shots. When I heard about this perp's method of entry I felt that everyone needs a weapon either on them or on a wall where they can grab it quickly.

It would be much easier to simply kick a door in. Most residential door frames won't stand a chance against being kicked in unless they're reinforced.

If you replace your lock's striker plate with a reinforced striker plate, that will go a long way towards preventing a kick in.

Here's an example:

www.amazon.com/Prime-Line-Products-10385-Spacings-Deadbolt/dp/B00D2K33NG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1547345131&sr=8-3&keywords=reinforced+strike+plate

Or you could even reinforce every portion of the door's weaknesses:

//www.amazon.com/Door-Armor-MAX-Complete-Reinforcement/dp/B00E9ZGWNQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1547345171&sr=8-4&keywords=reinforced+strike+plate

At the end of the day you can worry all you want about somebody gaining entry through your front door, but there are only a few 1/8" panes of glass between you and the outside.

Another vote for early warning system with soft ears, wet nose. And, you have one, if I recall. Perhaps a buddy for your furry friend?

search "tactical door"

look at gibraltdoor spelled just like that

We purposely allow and even praise our dog when she barks at walkers on the street. Everybody knows we have a dog with a big bark.

Sounds like this guy was off his rocker so I wonder if anything would have prevented this.

In my opinion, if someone really wants in, they will get in. Only guarantee security might be to live in a giant cinderblock. And then the moment you step outside you become vulnerable.

If someone really wants to get in, taking a shotgun to the door is probably down the list. It has wow factor but isn't the most efficient way. Even if you have a shotgun proof door, are you going to get bullet proof windows. I certainly don't think the tenants are going to care if they have a shotgun proof door. If you advertise such, then it will make them wonder what the neighborhood is really like.

Ally, if you consider the odds, you are right to worry.

Get yourself a metal exterior door with reinforced strike plates. It might not keep them out, but they will make enough noise to wake you up so you can prepare yourself.

Although if you are talking about making your rentals burglar proof, you can't allow your tenants to have large image dogs. They will have to settle for a miniature poodle...which happens to be a good alarm dog, even if no one is afraid of it.

A personal defense for women class that I took recommends a pair of large, muddy, male work boots left outside the front door. They said to buy a well worn pair at a thrift store, and keep the mud fresh.

Ally, relax and save your money. You'd be better off putting the money into a shotgun, rather than a shotgun proof door. It is rare for the average crook to attack with a shotgun. Even better, put the money into a good defensive training class with a reputable instructor and learn to run your pistol even better.

A shotgun slug is hands down the most powerful legal round in the US for the average person w/o an ATF license. Roughly a 460 grain (1 oz vs say a .22 at 36 grain) round traveling over 3,000 fps. They will go clear through a house, and maybe the one next door. Anyone willing to knock the door down, will just drive a truck through the wall!

Unless you have some external threat or are a high risk target you are at extremely low risk of a home invasion attack. This guy was targeting the girl. I don't know of any cases where an angry or crazy tenant kicked down the LL's door. They might shoot you when you answer the door, but most won't blow the jamb. Such home invasions usually involve domestic violence, drug sales, jewelry salesmen, etc. Though random violence certainly does occur.

We mitigate our risk with walls, a 200' cliff in back, real alarms (not toys like ADT or SimplySafe) cameras, lights and insurance - both 12 guage and paper. We don't have a ballistic door, but we do use door armor - that just means they will have to pry twice with a crowbar - or just break the window.

PS - Rathdrumgirl - no. Save your money on the boots. Old wives tale by moronic instructors w/o real world experience.

Most break ins are by neighbors or druggies. They may watch your activities and hit when gone. Others just take advantage of opportunity. Garage left open, etc.

The BEST security is a "busy-body" neighbor. I am blessed with two at my house and one across from our office. Folks who are mostly home and "log" all your activities. "Who was that man who came to visit you girls last night?" "I noticed your trash can wasn't out at 4:30 am, is everything ok?" (Truck comes around noon...) LOL

As an add to reinforcing the striker plate:

So thanks for all the input. I have three little rescues and they do alert me. The smallest one is the most alert. His previous owner told me that if he starts barking at night, go look or grab your gun. So I would. I have a No Trespassing sign right above my alarm company sign right at the fence. I actually have one of those dummies that people used so they could drive in the car pool lane. He sits right at the front window and with the desk light on he looks really real.

Now that there is a big story about blowing out a door with a shotgun, there will be copy cats. No one in this neighborhood thinks I have any money because I dress like I don't and the house needs paint. The big super duper car is in the garage and the lesser one is in the drive.

There is a lot of talk about dogs in this thread, but I',m not sure most people here are aware that in the Jayme Closs case, they DID have a dog. In fact, the DOG is what warned them that someone was coming to the door in the first place.

They were asleep and the dog started barking. They went to look and saw the man coming up to the door -- and he then used the shotgun to open it.

They already had the dog. :)

- John...