I hear you loud and clear. It's all about target identification as far as I am concerned. I am not out to try and blind the perpetrator either. I think it's a darn good idea to position night lights around the house also!...but.....
I once saw a training video in which the class was asked if they would automatically return fire if fired upon first. The majority said "yes." Then they had some guy downrange simulate firing at them from the dark. When the guy was later illuminated, it was revealed that he had a small child as a hostage in front of him while he was firing at the other victims.
Whatever means are used to ID a target -- that is fine, but NOT indentifing a target prior to shooting is simply not an option for me. You MUST know what you are shooting at. I'd rather take a hit myself, than accidently kill a loved one.
In a family home, you can never be 100% certain of the location of all family members during a crisis, AND if you add multiple perpetrators into the mix, then you've really gotta be sharp in the dark. You may wind up having to "clear" your own home before the police arrive and round up your loved ones at the same time.
Then there is the legal aspect to all this. IF you shoot an intruder in the dark, you are "still" going to be asked what you "saw" when you get questioned. Not only that, but "how" you saw it. Fortunately for us, dead criminals can't speak on their own behalf, but I'd still like have the means available to watch him breath his last breath.
The ARE some pretty good tactics out there for shooting in the dark while using a good flashlight. The "Harris" hold, the "Surefire/Rogers" hold and the "Chapman" hold come to mind right now. But the idea is to illuminate and move (behind cover if possible) as quickly as you are able. The light is never left on for more than a split second, and you are never going to be where the light beam "was" in time for the perp to shoot at it.
Having the "correct" type flashlight also becomes important. The main ingredient is that the light must have a "momentary ON" switch so that it does not accidently stay on and give away your position.
Yeah, it's alot more to learn and to practice, BUT I am convinced that acquiring the skills are very worthwhile should the day ever come when you may need them.
I am one who used to be a nay sayer on the whole tactical lighting concept, but after receiving further training and knowledge, I can no longer take that position. I've now got a "Tac-Star 2000" system on the end of my Mossberg 590 12 gauge shotgun, and I feel better knowing that it's there if the need should ever arise. I've also installed night sights on my defense pistol and my shotgun's front bead as well. The more prepared I am, the better I sleep at night.
