dyck@alberta.UUCP (Terry Dyck) (06/03/85)
re: Home defence weapons I am a longtime shooter and gun collector and I feel that I am qualified to make some comments on this subject. 1: There is no such thimg as the best home defence gun. If you have small children you shouldn't even have such a thing. A gun that is secure from the kids is secure enough that you won't be able to get at it in a reasonable amount of time. If you have kids get good locks on your doors and a noisey dog. 2: A rifle, even one as low powered as a .22 will penetrate walls and windows. This is only acceptable if you are the only one home and the house is on an acreage. A bullet passing through a wall casn still kill. And the person it kills will probably be family. 3: There is no sound more frightening then hearing the double 'snick' of a pump shotgun being worked and a voice saying "I have a gun!" In fact it is so frightening that if the hood is armed he'll probably start shooting at that point, and he isn't concerned if his bullets are penetrating walls and getting the kids. This brings up another modus operandi. You take your gun, cock it quietly, and whip around the corner and blow the burgler straight to hell. Great method, if it WAS a burgler. And if it was you now have to explain to the cops why you shot and killed an unarmed person. The statistics show very few house breakers are armed. 4: If you still feel that a gun is the only answer, the only reasonable choice is between a pistol and a shotgun. As a home defence weapon the pistol is best (in my opinion). It's small, accurate, and is easily stored in a night table drawer. It's one major drawback is that it takes considerable practice to be safe and proficient with it. I feel this is outwieghed by the fact that excellent home defence loads are available for most calibers of pistol. These loads are developed to give very high stopping power with poor penetration. In other words, they can cause a severe wound while minimizing their ability to pass through a normal wall. A shotgun has the advantage that little practice is needed to be both safe and accurate at close range. This is offset by being fairly large and awkward to store. In a tight space, an assailant can take it away from you. Remember, you just woke up and are still a little groggy. 5: So you went down to local gun shop and bought weapon. You are now at home and someone breaks in. At this point you have to very seriously consider if you are capable of killing another human being. A gun is only an effective threat if you are prepared to use it. The only hood that is likely to be a threat to you and your family is one that is prone to violence. Most B&E artists are not interested in hurting anyone. The few that are will probably not be stopped by simply pointing a gun at them and hollering "halt". You're going to have to back up your threat by shooting him. If you don't he'll take the gun from you and probably use it on you. In a case like that you are better of not displaying any aggresive behavior. It is probably obvious that I dont't approve of home defence guns. There are simply too many accidents, and too many incedents of guns being used in family disputes. All my guns are kept locked in a steel cabinet and my home is defended by good locks and an alarm. The shooting fraternity does not need more inexpierenced people having accidents and adding fuel to the gun control fire. Paranoia and guns do not mix. Terry Dyck ihnp4!alberta!dyck