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mtsgsd · 08-08-2003, 02:58 PM

First thing you should do is sign up for firearms instruction. I know you said you've used guns before, but you should be able to find an instructor who'll give you instruction in other userfull things like the legalities of home defense, how to use a gun in that situation etc. He/she will also be able to help you decide on what type of gun to buy.

I remember being in a gun store and listening to a man look at shotguns for home defense. He was very uncertain, and had never used a gun before. He said he was nervous about owning a gun and that it would probably remain in the closet unless it was ever needed. The salesman told him "that's all right. Most of the time just cycling the action will make them run away, so you don't have to be an expert". WTF? No questions regarding kids in the house first of all, and all I could think of was that this poor shmuck would probably kill himself or his wife if there was ever a problem because he'd have no idea what he was doing.

Greg700 is right about hiding the gun. Kids excel and finding things you don't want to be found. I remember when I was a kid I learned how to pick the lock on the gun rack and play with the shotgun and rifle. There was a drawer in the rack with all the ammo I could want too. Luckily for me and my dad, I had more sense than to go that far. I don't remember my age then, but I wasn't even in high school yet.

Another thing to keep in mind is that shotgun buckshot and slugs will go through your house and into the next one. Bigger is not better at the range you'd be using it.

Greg700: I used to have a link to a research article done by an FBI ballistics authority. They tested the penetration of various weapons according to how many interior and exterior walls they would penetrate, along with a neighboring house's walls. The best and safest weapon was found to be a .223 ala the M4 or steyr bullpup! The same fragmentation that causes the .223's awfull wounds also causes it to break up and be trapped inside the walls of a house, and rarely does the round leave the house.
Pretty surprising, to me anyway. If you're interested I'll see if I can find it.
uh, that's not a suggestion for pezking4.

08-08-2003, 02:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
mtsgsd Addict Location: Wisconsin, USA	First thing you should do is sign up for firearms instruction. I know you said you've used guns before, but you should be able to find an instructor who'll give you instruction in other userfull things like the legalities of home defense, how to use a gun in that situation etc. He/she will also be able to help you decide on what type of gun to buy. I remember being in a gun store and listening to a man look at shotguns for home defense. He was very uncertain, and had never used a gun before. He said he was nervous about owning a gun and that it would probably remain in the closet unless it was ever needed. The salesman told him "that's all right. Most of the time just cycling the action will make them run away, so you don't have to be an expert". WTF? No questions regarding kids in the house first of all, and all I could think of was that this poor shmuck would probably kill himself or his wife if there was ever a problem because he'd have no idea what he was doing. Greg700 is right about hiding the gun. Kids excel and finding things you don't want to be found. I remember when I was a kid I learned how to pick the lock on the gun rack and play with the shotgun and rifle. There was a drawer in the rack with all the ammo I could want too. Luckily for me and my dad, I had more sense than to go that far. I don't remember my age then, but I wasn't even in high school yet. Another thing to keep in mind is that shotgun buckshot and slugs will go through your house and into the next one. Bigger is not better at the range you'd be using it. Greg700: I used to have a link to a research article done by an FBI ballistics authority. They tested the penetration of various weapons according to how many interior and exterior walls they would penetrate, along with a neighboring house's walls. The best and safest weapon was found to be a .223 ala the M4 or steyr bullpup! The same fragmentation that causes the .223's awfull wounds also causes it to break up and be trapped inside the walls of a house, and rarely does the round leave the house. Pretty surprising, to me anyway. If you're interested I'll see if I can find it. uh, that's not a suggestion for pezking4.