Home Defense - The weapon in your own four walls

Almost everyone wants to defend their home. Strangely, interest in Home Defense has skyrocketed recently. Andrea Micheli is a security specialist and author. In his new book "Home Defense - Firearms Use in Case of Emergency," he delves into the armed defense within one's own four walls in a well-founded manner.

SPARTANAT: Andrea, you have written a new book that deals with the last line of defense: at home. Do you believe it is necessary to address this topic?

Andrea Micheli: For legal gun owners, defense at home has always been a topic. The presence of a weapon in one's own home has always led to discussions regarding a possible use for defense purposes. This discussion has intensified rapidly with the geopolitical developments in Europe. The future does not look very bright, and the number of burglaries is steadily increasing. From my point of view, it is a topic that one should address sooner or later - even if only as a preventive measure.

SPARTANAT: Before self-defense, God has set forth the right to bear arms. Or in other words, the defender is subject to rules. What should be considered?

Andrea Micheli: On the one hand, it is advantageous to know this "rule" - before something happens. On the other hand, it is important to analyze the situation in which one finds oneself in terms of what is at stake: is it about material values that could be lost (but are replaceable) or is it about my integrity (life) and that of my relatives? Applicable laws should definitely be observed because even then the use of a weapon is always morally and legally questioned.

SPARTANAT: Violence is the ultima ratio. At what point is it legitimate and how should one proceed?

Andrea Micheli: I am not a lawyer, so I have left the legal part in my book to an expert. In the case of self-defense and aiding self-defense, violence within the framework of proportionality is allowed. Otherwise, there is no instruction on how to proceed because every situation is different and there are several answers to a problem. By the way, "retreat" is always the best solution - as long as the situation allows it.

SPARTANAT: In your book, you also see semi-automatic weapons in Home Defense. Isn't that overkill?

Andrea Micheli: Of course, but it could be that someone only owns a semi-automatic weapon and therefore it is important to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the weapon and to make the best of it. Incidentally, I also write that large-caliber weapons are rather unsuitable for this purpose due to possible collateral damage.

SPARTANAT: Have you personally ever been in that situation?

Andrea Micheli: Thank God no. However, I have read my book and am accordingly prepared 🙂

ANDREA MICHELI (born in 1967) is a former security specialist of the Swiss Army, works as a shooting instructor and specialized journalist. He has been dealing intensively with the topics of defense and combat shooting for over a decade.