According to a study, being at home is the third strongest burglar deterrent factor, topped only by security cameras and alarm systems. This means that criminals will less likely attack a house with people inside. However, it’s also more likely they escape when being spotted during the break-in: unlike petty thugs, thieves mostly target empty or abandoned buildings, and they tend to abort the scene when surprised. Although there are several methods to startle an intruder, like shooting a gun, if you really wish to use the element of surprise to your advantage, the tool you actually need is a flashlight. A weak little light won’t do when the burglar is in the far end corner of your garden, thus you need a strong beam of light to expose the burglar. Furthermore, a powerful flashlight may temporarily blind the burglar, further slimming his chances of getting away with your belongings.
“Bringing a flashlight to a fight against a presumably armed criminal? Are you out of your mind?” you may ask. But let us dissipate your doubts: we aren’t speaking about regular household flashlights, but tactical flashlights, used by the army and the police. They are light, compact, have extra strong batteries powering a high-pressure xenon-filled bulb, which produces such a powerful light it is enough to completely blind an unsuspecting criminal, whose eye got accustomed to the darkness. Furthermore, the sudden burst of light makes it hard for the opponent to identify your position, contrary to a normal light that instantly gives your location away.
Tactical lights come in many shapes and forms, but the two basic models are the handheld light and the type that can be mounted on specific guns.
Handheld lights use a momentary switch that can be pushed with your thumb, allowing convenient, one-hand use. Weapon lights, on the other hand, may be handheld as well, but their true powers shine when attached to a rail mount on the top half of a gun. Said mount is either part of the weapon, or it needs to be purchased separately. In case you already have a gun, we recommend duel wielding it with a handheld light, but if you purchase the two together, then go for the weapon light instead.
Speaking of purchases, don’t let yourself be fooled by the “tactical” label: always check whether the device is capable of producing more than 60 lumens, is made of sturdy material, and uses strong AA batteries.
There are quite a lot of tactical flashlights out there, but choosing the right one can be kind of tricky. So to make sure you pick the right flashlight, let us introduce you three quality picks.
The idea behind tactical flashlights is that you momentarily blind burglars to gain the upper hand. However, the trick is basically useless if it isn’t followed by another action. Professionals recommend using the lights first, then giving a warning shot with your gun. Alternatively, the flashlight can be also used as some sort of bludgeon. Several police reports indicated that victims successfully subdued their attackers with a few vicious hits on the head with a sturdy flashlight.
Even though this could make a good story, we advise you to keep some distance. If you managed to call the police in advance, shining the flashlight on the intruder also makes the arrest smoother.
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