BackgroundWife and I live in a travel trailer, are friends with the owners of a popular RV park in Washington State; they had let us stay on their property just up the hill and nested behind some trees from the rest of the park. It is a family-friendly area which certainly feels safe, with a high-traffic road just a few hundred feet away and visible neighboring houses all around, within earshot. I rarely hear/see crime reported in the area on the local police radio and blotter. The area we're staying in is well lit at night and there are several other trailers next to ours, though they are typically unoccupied on the weekend.Nevertheless, I have my CCW and we have several Firearms in the house for self-defense use only. The previous day (Saturday), I had spent several hours at the range practicing with my pistol, determined to improve my grip and sight alignment. I must have gone through several hundred rounds at least and the pistol was due for a thorough cleaning when I'd brought it home. I did just that, then loaded up a magazine with snap caps to check functionality and practice dry firing. I wiped the pistol and stored it in a Pelican case, where it's normally kept in the home, thinking I would continue to practice dry firing later in the day, which I never did.ScenarioAt approximately 0200, I awoke to the sound of footsteps, or more exactly, the sound of them skidding across the outside walls of our trailer, and also what sounded like someone trying the door handle. I thought it was the wind, or maybe a small animal climbing, and got up out of bed to investigate. Wind and animal noises are really audible inside a travel trailer, unlike a typical home, so I was not yet alarmed, but curious. When I looked outside the window, I saw my truck bed tailgate door was open, which immediately set about a nervous panic feeling - I always secure the doors and lock at night. I looked out of the side window and saw a figure on top of one of the neighboring trailers, smashing through the roof vent to force his way inside.In retrospect, at this moment I guess you could say I got "tunnel vision" and I could feel adrenaline kicking in - there was clearly a threat, albeit not directed at me, no more than 15 yards away. I told my wife to get on the phone with 911, but she couldn't find her phone in the dark. So, I reached for mine and right away told the dispatcher my location, and that there is a man attempting to enter someone else's trailer. My wife and I both heard a man yelling and scream. I could no longer see the person on top of the trailer and assumed he had infiltrated the trailer, but was still not entirely sure of what was happening.It was only at this point, almost a whole minute later (with it feeling like ten minutes!), that it even occurred to me to check my own door's lock and also ready my Firearm. It wasn't even a thought on my mind, because I had just barely woken up from a deep sleep and it just felt like I was in shock, in disbelief of the reality, really. I went for my pistol, quickly remembering it was loaded with practice ammunition, ejected the magazine and inserted one already loaded with my carry ammunition, 124 Grain Federal Hollow Point in 9mm. I told the dispatcher I have a Firearm in the house and will stay indoors until the all clear.Just minutes later, one peace officer had showed up, then another, followed by a K-9 unit and unit sergeant. I watched the action from my window as they looked around the area, ultimately circling the other trailer over the course of about 15 minutes. The dog was going nuts and at this point, the police had started shouting on the PA system for whomever is in the trailer to exit peacefully, or their safety could not be guaranteed. They repeated that statement 4-5 times, then walked up to the door, with others surrounding the windows, with weapons drawn - including an AR pattern rifle and what looked like some sort of bean bag gun. One of the officers tried to rake the lock, but failed. Then they came over to ask if I had a crowbar. I said no, but offered to pick the lock, which I am able to by profession (a stupid offer on my part, in retrospect). They said they'd think about it, but some short while later pried the door by other means. The dog went in, then moments later, the cops, then yelling of all sorts could be indistinctly heard.Out of the trailer then came a complete nude man, in handcuffs, escorted by those same officers. They sat him down - well, tried to - but he was clearly on drugs by his erratic behavior, gibberish screams, and pupils so dilated, I could see into his soul from afar. He was covered in blood and proudly showed off his nude self in spite of the down-pouring rain as he sat in handcuffs waiting for the medics to arrive. Thankfully, the trailer was otherwise unoccupied and no one was injured.The police were exuberant, having made the arrest, and loudly celebrated their victory throughout the night. I am incredibly grateful for their bravery and service, and gladly took part in their joy as I filled out a witness report and chatted with the officers. They said the suspect was led on a high speed chase some from some other town, ultimately abandoned his vehicle and ended up here on foot, seemingly without intention. They had also speculated the suspect to be on drugs. They reassured me that this sort of episode was rare, but one officer remarked that since joining the police team, his outlook about personal security had certainly changed for the worse. They also encouraged my wife to take up an interest in Firearms and self-defense, which I explained she previously had no interest in.This morning after, I clearly saw muddy shoe prints on the side of my trailer from the suspect's original, multiple attempts to first enter my trailer through the roof, even despite the fact I was clearly home - with truck parked out front, night lights inside, etc. I hosed off the mud and gratefully meditated on the fortunate outcome of last night, but all the while remembering a much worse one could have taken place - and I was not prepared.Lessons learnedMy carry Firearm must be loaded with live ammunition and ready for use as soon as it is holstered or stored. And stored it must be near where I am physically present, even when I'm resting or asleep.Drug users are irrational, unpredictable, perhaps even violent, and are a depressing, but undeniable part of my every day live, even in "safe" places. Not all threats are clear, premeditated, or even make sense.Locks exist for a reason; thus check twice or even thrice all doors are secured - as mine were not. Better yet, develop a verifiable way to enforce locking behavior (give the door handle a tug before taking off my shoes, etc.)Personal safety can only be guaranteed by the individual. Even in my fortunate circumstance with police arriving on scene so quickly, there were still several minutes during which the unthinkable could have happened. This is one important reason to care about and vehemently defend our Constitutional right to bear Arms.I was on the other side of the trailer from my wife, when we should have been closer together, especially as we did not know the number of perpetrators nor their intention at that moment in time. We need concrete, rehearsed plans for emergencies.My dashcam caught the perpetrator in action, but additional video surveillance - especially with infrared capability for nighttime viewing - is something to research and invest in.It is really difficult to think straight after waking up in the middle of the night. Though I guess it may have been even more difficult for the suspect suffering from his drug-fueled episode to think, also. I told my wife that once a year, at a date unbeknownst to her, I would simulate an emergency situation during the middle of a night to test her reaction; and in turn she would do the same for me to see about my own prowess. I think it would be pretty fun!TLDRLate at night, hear sound of someone breaking into trailer. Look outside, see person breaking into another trailer next to mine. Get nervous and forget to mentally and physically prepare myself for a potential deadly encounter. Do remember to call 911 and everything went better than expected in the end. Learned about importance of keeping my Firearm ready and on me at all times. via /r/CCW http://ift.tt/2zGALgK
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