It was something 38 y.o. Leandro Peralta never expected at 5 o’clock in the morning…
One minute, he was sitting in the backyard of his Florida home, chatting it up with a friend over a cup of coffee.
The next, ambushed by three masked home invaders… and staring down the barrel of a 12-gauge shotgun!
There was no time to waste!
Unarmed, Outnumbered, And Ordered To The Ground, Peralta Decided He Wasn’t Going Without A Fight, And…
The Weapon This Florida Home-Owner Grabbed Next Shocked These 3 Home Invaders And Sent Them Running For Their Lives!
It was just before 5am on a hot summer Friday morning when Peralta heard the three gang members crash through his backyard gate – one of them armed with a 12 gauge shotgun, the two others with a crowbar and a machete.
With two more gang members waiting outside in the car, the thugs ordered the men to the ground.
Peralta took that as his chance as he sprung into action to protect himself – first grabbing the closest “weapon” he could find – the chair he was sitting on.
Thrusting and throwing the chair at the closest attacker, he then grabbed the next closest weapon – a 2×6 plank – and began waving it at the armed gunman to keep him at bay.
But as the shotgun-wielding assailant continued to advance on him, the man knew the board just wasn’t going to cut it.
His Friend Lying Face-Down On The Ground… His Wife Screaming For Help In The House…
Peralta Knew He Had To Change His Strategy Or They Would All “Die In Place”!
Quickly, he lunged back into his home – followed closely by the shotgun-wielding attacker – only to emerge mere seconds later, armed with the best weapon he could find to defeat the enemy in his home…
… and the reaction from the gang was immediate!
Just the sight of the large, razor-sharp machete Peralta grabbed from his home was all it took to send all 3 masked men scrambling for their lives – even jumping a 5′ fence like it wasn’t even there!
The shotgun-wielding attacker didn’t make it very far.
Peralta and his friend were able to grab him… disarm the shotgun… and hold him at bay with the machete until the cops arrived and put the gang member in cuffs.
Searching the neighborhood, the police eventually caught up to the other 4 thugs and took them into custody as well.
A quick search revealed their plan as they uncovered several sets of zip-ties to subdue the unsuspecting homeowners while they robbed their home (and did who knows what else to the family!)
The Odds Were Obviously Against Him And And His Family In This Brutal Ambush Attack, But…
Peralt Discovered The #1 Secret To Overcoming A Violent Attacker – Even When You’re Outflanked, Out-Armed, And Out-Numbered…
Ok, you’re probably asking the same question most people would…
Why would 3 attackers – who CLEARLY outnumbered and out-armed their victim – turn tail and run for their lives, right?
In one word: Commitment
The home invaders had the drop on Peralta and the other victims – and all any one of them had to do was pull the trigger as their victims fought back.
But pulling the trigger is not an easy thing to do if you’re not committed to going “all the way” with your attack.
The home invaders weren’t that committed.
Peralta was.
When no cops are on the way and you are the only thing standing between a gang of armed thugs and your family’s very lives, your thinking has to be on only ONE outcome…
… the complete destruction of the enemy in your home!
Of course, having a weapon to help even the odds against a group of armed attackers is a huge plus, eh?
And look… I’m not saying you should “bring a machete to a shotgun fight”... or even that it’s the “best” home defense weapon.
But it does go to show that – while firearms are undeniably “the great equalizer” against violent criminals and attackers – a machete has once again proven to be a powerful weapon that strikes instant fear into the enemy – even when you’re outnumbered and out-armed!
I keep a Loaded Rossi 38 Stainless Revolver in a Zip-Loc bag in my shower.
With 2 Speed-Reloads. For many years now. And a Waterproof, Neck-Knife hanging fm Shower Head. I also shoot Combat Competition every month for 10yr now. I don’t get “Scared” I get “Ready”.
I agree…..Don’t get scared….GET Ready ! Great reply !!!
I have used my cane for the neighbor’s dog that jumped the fence to threaten my dog and I. Didn’t have to hit it but the Rottweiler mix saw me raise the cane and head it’s way. It was convinced that I meant business ran out my gate and back home.
When I am at home the minimum is 7 rounds of 410 buckshot from my pistols. I always have my cane when I am outside in addition.
410 buckshot is a poor choice. It will not stop an attacker, especially one wearing clothes.
Gary, would you be willing to stand in front of the 410 to demonstrate your statement.?
That is precisely why, as a trained combat medic, I’ll aim for the head/ neck area!
either my Kukri knife or the tomahawk sitting by the bed
2 silent wolfdogs from the reservation raised from pups in our family
Either that kid with the shotgun didn’t have it loaded, didn’t know how to load it, didn’t have any ammo to load it with, didn’t know how to use the gun at all or because of any of that,
he was more afraid of being cut to pieces and dying. To me, he was just a little bully and would crumble if anyone resisted or fought back, especially with any type of weapon!
The mind is the only weapon.
Among my gardening tools are two sandbur removal shovels. A short and medium Russian pattern shovels sharpened on three sides. I use them often to dig sandburs from my yard the medium works best. Also useful as a battle axe. I usually carry a 44 special revolver around the house and yard, too.
I like the video to learn that a chair can be used as a weapon in a home invasion by swinging it at the attacker then throwing it at him to create distance. Then to get another weapon by grabbing a wood plank and getting it ready to swing at the gunman was a good example. He, then moved back into his house to get a machete which would at least scare the home invaders, yet Jason Hanson says to carry a weapon and hand and be ready and prepared to use it with deadly force because it would cost me my life if I don’t use it. As you say, Jeff, commitment to use the weapon is the reason to have it in the hand for self-defense, as the weapon was intended to be carried.
The reason your company’s motto is to prepare, train, and survive is the preparing is getting the tools, the train by practicing the skills on those tools everyday, then the result is to survive another day.
Jason Hanson said to me as a customer that he wants me as an American to grow old, which is kind of him because the reality of dying too young is a tragedy.
10 is the rating I’m giviing to the best website with 10 being the higest rating I’ve given a review.
Are geese used as guard dogs?
Guard goose – Wikipedia
A publication by the United States Department of Agriculture lists the African goose, Roman goose (Tufted Roman), Pomeranian goose (Saddleback Pomeranian), and Chinese goose as the best breeds for guard duty. Chinese geese are said to be loud, and African geese both loud and large.
Yes, geese are excellent “guard dogs” for at least alerting someone that there is an intruder. They are loud, protective, and will not hesitate to strike, though let’s face it–there’s a reason people have goose for Christmas dinner. They can provide an alarm and moderate protection, and a few good meals when needed.
Don’t know what kind of goose I had as a kid, but it was mean and would defend itself against bigger dogs. Yes they are mean. No one walked into our backyard.
5′ Connectable steel spear/ tomahawk/fire extinguisher/throwing rubbing alcohol at perps (?), pepper(?-if close to kitchen)
Steel spear works great!
Just having a mindset to defend yourself and family is the best courage and determination you have. Great job!
I like the saying: “The body won’t go where the mind hasn’t been!” I think jeff may have shared that as an adjunct to… Prepare, Train, Survive!
Hello Jeff, I have a lot of different weapons, but I purchased a few of those synthetic (plastic or nylon) Bokens. They sell them as Samurai or Ninja swords and there are a few different models or styles. Mine are like a Samurai sword.
I have the Cold Steel products, but other companies make them for martial arts training and light sparring. The damn things are very tough, durable, but inexpensive and the good things about them is that you can train with them like a sword, and they resemble swords, but if you really have to defend yourself and “go to town” on someone, they don’t cut, so it is like using a baton, broom handle or such.
While the inability to cut, stab or slash may feel like a disadvantage, legally in court some scumbag lawyer can’t claim you were trying to live out a fantasy as a sword fighter or try to claim excessive force or the desire to dismember or kill an intruder or attacker.
I have only read from one source one that the Boken was regarded as a weapon itself and not only as a practice weapon or training tool.
Hi Frank – friendly reminder that if a Prosecutor wants to go after a conviction, your choice of specific tool really won’t make that much of a difference. Remember that every comment you’ve ever posted MAY be resurrected to show intent (if you were in the lawn mowing business and ever suggested that a mower blade could be as a weapon, the “scum bag lawyer” you mention could argue that you had an unnatural desire to chop someone up with it!). Remember that the Prosecutor’s goal is to get a conviction, and they can pretty much say whatever the want to say to convince a jury to convict you. I’d humbly suggest that you select your defensive tools primarily on the basis of how effectively you can use them to defend yourself from an illegal attack that threatened you (or those you chose to protect) with death or serious bodily injury (preferably projecting defensive force at a distance that helps to keep you safe). If you haven’t already done so, I’d also suggest you check out Attorney Andrew Branca – Law of Self Defense web site (follow the tab under “Learn” to order this hard copy book). If you pay the shipping charges (about $9 at time of this comment), he will send you a free book (Amazon charges over $20) titled “The Law of Self Defense Principles” that teach how to satisfy each of up to five elements that will make you very hard to convict in a justified case of self-defense (Innocence, Imminence, Reasonableness, Proportionality, and Avoidance). It’s an invaluable guide that can save you from a lifetime in a jail cell. I sincerely hope all of this is academic, and that you and yours remain well and safe from harm.
You might want to look at a sjambok as an alternative as well, if you don’t want a lethal weapon. These will give punishing welts and cut skin, but are not necessarily lethal.
Any centrifugal force weapon. Clears space and prevents close range attack
Great outcome. Could have went sideways real quick. I bet he considers being armed in the dark for morning coffee, going forward
Dogs and geese!
Thanks Penny! (If I have nightmares tonight about being attacked by dogs and geese, I know where the seed got planted! hahahaha)
Just guessing that the shotgun guy wasn’t ready to commit MURDER during a robbery attempt, or, likely both the home owner and his bud would be DOA at the morgue. BTW, his pard was about as useless as tits on a boar hog! Also, a bit curious why the two were up at 4 a.m.? As an aside, I sit nowhere at any time UNARMED! I either have a gun on me, or within half an arms length.
Jeff. I think you nailed it, with “Commitment”. And Adam S, John F and Bruce nailed it, too. All of these boil down to the supreme weapon, THE HUMAN MIND. The attackers ran because of a fear reaction that controlled them and blinded them to the fact that could have easily won with their resources. The homeowner won because of a superior mental ability to observe, decide and to instantly act. All the other weapons are great, but useless without the ability to stay in present time and be the boss over irrational “commands” from their “Reactive Minds” (see the book, “Dianetics – The Modern Science of Mental Health.”)
I always have a fast opening knife in my pocket. But am thinking that a Darrenger with 2 shots of 410 buckshot might do even better.
Homeowner very lucky he didn’t get blasted with the shotgun,but who knows,thugs may have tied them all up,raped the wife,tortured or killed them all,etc.
Cutlass.
iT’S GREAT! NOW YOU SOLD OUT ALL OF YOURFLAWED GUARDIANS:
GOT MORE SOMEWHERE???
double plastic grocery bag with a can of vegetables inside, The same principal works in the shower, but you keep several new bars of soap in a dunk bag within reach but out of the water.
We do not own guns anymore. We heard about guns being used by attackers. We use machetes and common sense.
Proper training and practice with a firearm means I don’t need to allow a machete or other armed person to get up close and personal in a home invasion. Just my thoughts. ( retired police officer)
Honestly I sometimes violate this rule but the firearm witrhin reach or on the body is what we should be doing facing multiple attackers as well. At least an extendable baton is pockatable
100% Nate! Even if someone doesn’t have a concealed carry permit, you can (and should!) still carry the weapon legally on your person to always have it in reach.
Hands down, a baseball bat! That and “intent”.
The homeowner was a fool! He is lucky to be alive to try to fight with a machete against someone with a shotgun!!!
Definitely a lucky day for Peralta, John. At any moment, one pull of the trigger would have changed the outcome. But sometimes you have to use what you’ve got. Since the homeowner obviously isn’t carrying a firearm on his person (or apparently at home either), I gotta give him credit for grabbing weapons within reach to respond. In the moment, he did a pretty good job of using improvised weapons from his environment while his friend just stood there frozen. Ultimately, Peralta thought about needing a “better” weapon and the first one that seemed to come to his mind was his machete. I’ll take a dose of luck any day of the week… but never count on it!