“Self-defense is not only our right; it is our duty.”-Ronald Reagan
“The essential thing is to bear always in mind that trouble can appear at any time.
Be aware.Be ready.Be alert.”-Jeff Cooper
“It is high time for society to stop worrying about the criminal, and to let the criminal start worrying about society. And by “society” I mean you.”-Jeff Cooper
Yesterday, I presented an argument that if you wanted to protect your home, you most certainly have the right to do so. I stressed the fact that before you decide to buy a firearm that you research the laws of where you live in regards to self defense. I can’t stress it any more than this: you have to make sure that you fully understand the laws of your state, town, municipality, or whatever, so if you are in a position where you have to use deadly force you are legally in the right.
With that out of the way, and you are familiar with the law, you have decided to purchase a firearm. What direction do you then go in? A pistol? Revolver? Long rifle? Shotgun? Bolt action? Semi automatic?
As a veteran of the USMC, I have a good working knowledge of many weapons and the potential that they have as to whether they can serve as an appropriate self defense weapon. Before I go any further, I am going to clarify that I am going to be talking about defending your home. Self defense if you are attacked in public is a topic for another day.
Some folks may disagree with my next statement, but I am not a believer in “shoot to wound.” Anyone that tells you that in a very stressful situation they expect you to shoot someone in the leg is just kidding themselves. If someone is breaking into your home and you feel as though your life is being threatened, go for center mass (upper chest). The object here is stopping power. You want to make sure that whatever firearm you purchase, it has enough power to stop the cretin (or cretins) from doing you harm once they enter your home.
Since I live in NYS, buying a pistol is a stretch for me. We have way too many hoops to jump through and for me personally, I like something with a little more stopping power, especially in the confines of my house. If the day ever comes where I have to use deadly force, I want to make sure that anyone that intends to do me harm are down with one shot. Now I know that a Glock could probably do that, but my comfort level isn’t as high as it is with let’s say a shotgun or rifle.
I am not going to review particular shotguns and rifles here. I would rather tell you why one would be a better choice than another. They all have positive and negative features, so my thought is go with what you know. If you don’t know, go to a pro and speak with them. They will lead you in the right direction.
So, if you are looking for a shotgun, Mossberg offers many reliable and easy to use ones that will perform well on the range and if need be, in an emergency situation. For those of you who are thinking of cost but still want a reliable firearm the Maverick 88 is an excellent choice. Just make sure that you get ammunition that has some good stopping power.
As I mentioned earlier, I was in the USMC so obviously I am intimately acquainted with the format of the AR-15. Unfortunately, because of the restrictions that NYS has put on them, it has been bastardized from its original design. With that said, even in its Frankenstein form it is still worth it if you need it.
I can’t tell you what the best option for you would be, but here are some things to look at:
- What do you feel comfortable with?
- Do you have any experience with firearms?
- Does your spouse/significant other have experience with firearms?
- Are you considering training your children how to use firearms?
- What is the layout of your house? How many points of entry are there?
- If you have neighbors, how close are they?
Another suggestion I might give you is that when you research as to what you may want, go to a gun shop and speak to them. They are always very knowledgeable and will answer all of your questions. You may walk into a shop fully committed to buying a Glock or an AR-15 and leave with a shotgun.
The bottom line is you need to do the research, so you don’t end up with something you don’t like or is not the right fit for you or your home.
If you are a novice, sign up for a class to properly learn how to use that firearm.
I will end this post by reiterating that I am fully committed to everyone having and using the option of a firearm to defend themselves. We live in a time where we have seen that the lawless and criminally minded do not have a healthy respect for the law and will do whatever they want. That is the only reason that I need to ensure my safety and that of my family.
What do you think? What is your thinking process when you go to purchase a firearm?
Be Smart and Be Safe!!!!!
Right On! 