Off-topic: Something for home defense?

[cmac]

I have various handguns,and I have a permit to carry. I have a friend who is with SWAT,and when he was on regular patrol he worked a case where a gunman robbed a convient store clerk. The clerk had a loaded 44 magnum under the counter and was able to get the drop on the would be robber. He shot him point blank through hos chest. The gunman was able to run almost ten blocks before he fell over dead. The point is that a hand gun might buy you time,but they will not fall over dead like in the movies. I personally will use my Remington 870 pump gun. I also Leave the chamber empty so I can rack the shotgun. The first two rounds are slugs the rest isok buckshot. I would choose to fight with that over my 357mag,Barrett 9mm,my Glock 40s&w,or my Glock 357sig. If I had to choose between my family and a robber the robber is going to have a very bad day. I also recommend. Learning how to use it. I have had the fortune to shoot at the police academy training facility in north Houston and Rick learn how to shoot in stressful situations. From atone barrier. And in low light conditions. Nothing can prepare you for the real thing but it's better than going to the rang to shoot targets.

[whitrzac]

IRRC there are laws in place in most states that you can only use "lethal force" when someone's life is in danger... so if this burglar turns out to be unarmed, or you shoot them in the back, you go to prison for a loooong time...

[TexasSP]

Originally Posted by whitrzac

IRRC there are laws in place in most states that you can only use "lethal force" when someone's life is in danger... so if this burglar turns out to be unarmed, or you shoot them in the back, you go to prison for a loooong time...

Sorry, but one should be educated before making statements like you do.

Most states have castle laws which means if you are attempting to illegally enter or have illegally entered someone's property, they have the right to shoot and kill you. In Texas I can legally shoot you if you come over my fence.

I know very well what the laws are in my state as well as several others. Many concealed carry states also have reciprocal laws which allow you to carry concealed with your states license into their state.

To more directly address your first statement here it goes:

How do I know what the intentions are of the person breaking into my house? Should I be required to ask them first? Maybe they are only after my TV, or maybe they came to kidnap my children or rape my wife. You seem to think they have some intrinsic right to their life which supersedes my right to protect my family and my home. Sorry, I don't care what you broke into my house for, you will be shot and killed. The act of breaking into my house is illegal and you took your chances. If one doesn't want to be shot and killed, one shouldn't go breaking and entering.

As for cmac's comments about the robber running the person was either not shot in a vital area or was some type of narcotic. Maybe both. Either way, if you break into my house I will unload into you leaving no chance for you to live or run.

[cmac]

Originally Posted by TexasSP

Sorry, but one should be educated before making statements like you do.

Most states have castle laws which means if you are attempting to illegally enter or have illegally entered someone's property, they have the right to shoot and kill you. In Texas I can legally shoot you if you come over my fence.

I know very well what the laws are in my state as well as several others. Many concealed carry states also have reciprocal laws which allow you to carry concealed with your states license into their state.

To more directly address your first statement here it goes:

How do I know what the intentions are of the person breaking into my house? Should I be required to ask them first? Maybe they are only after my TV, or maybe they came to kidnap my children or rape my wife. You seem to think they have some intrinsic right to their life which supersedes my right to protect my family and my home. Sorry, I don't care what you broke into my house for, you will be shot and killed. The act of breaking into my house is illegal and you took your chances. If one doesn't want to be shot and killed, one shouldn't go breaking and entering.

As for cmac's comments about the robber running the person was either not shot in a vital area or was some type of narcotic. Maybe both. Either way, if you break into my house I will unload into you leaving no chance for you to live or run.

He was shot straight through the heart. I believe that he was on drugs though. It takes more time than you think to bleed out and if there is a mix of adrenalin and drugs they don't always go down, and yes you can defend your life anytime that you feel your life or your families life is in danger. It does not matter if you are at home or anywhere. I love living in TEXAS where law biding citizens are can defend themselves from people who don't follow the law.

[lincpimp]

Originally Posted by Arct1k

Read this first...

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/nati...-shotguns.html

Yes, good read. Short barreled shotguns and rifles require alot of paperwork, and a 200 dollar "tax stamp" for ownership. Not worth it, IMO.

Originally Posted by JThiessen

You can find relatively inexpensive Remington (or other makes) of pump action shot guns with a 16 in barrell. Look at the price of shells before you buy to see what makes the most sense for you. Since your not a hunter, you wont go through shells much - but just in case you decide to try skeet shooting - which I would highly recommmend for you (and your other half) to get comfortable with the gun. I dont think you need a magnum, but many will fire all shells (they vary by length also).

Also, something that actually gets high reviews is a can of wasp/hornet spray. Doesn't play as well with our movie inspired vision of chambering a round in the dark and taking out a can of whoop ass on the dirtbag, but in reality its a pretty good product.

I would not want to pull a can of wasp spray on a guy with a gun.

And shotguns have to legally have an 18" barrel with a 26" overall length. Rifles can have a 16" barrel, but still need to be 26" overall (with any folding stock unfolded.)

Originally Posted by whitrzac

Guns can make people do stupid things.... IE shoot someone that only wanted your TV...

Why should I not shoot someone who is stealing my stuff? I consider my $1k tv worth more than some crack addict. Plus we have enough criminals, shooting them when you are justified is doing society a service.

Originally Posted by E-Revonut

Remington 870, they're cheap, reliable, and the sound of a pump action even with no shells involved is enough to make most would be burglars $hit there pants. You could possibly never even buy shells, pump it if needed and if they come at you it's still a pretty good weapon as a bat. You can get a 16.5" barrell, I would opt for a smooth bore if you can find one and if you want to buy shells go for 00 buck shot. Buck shot won't go through several walls with deadly force like a slug would but will have more energy at 20' than basic birdshot will, however birdshot would be a less lethal force, if you where point blank or within 20' theres still a good chance it will be deadly. Although much more expensive, however if your only going to buy a couple and hope you never have to shoot them, you can also buy the bean bag rounds for a 12 gauge.

Personally I have a few hand guns and I have a carry permit so I usually already have one near me, the rest of my guns are in a steel security cabinet. If I had the opportunity to grab any of my guns in a situation where I needed one...I would grab my Remington 870 and leave the handguns alone.

Hope this helps

18" is the legal min for a shotgun. Alot of people get this wrong, and reading the gun laws and understanding all of them is like having a 2nd job. I am not even halfway thru myself.

And an unloaded gun is just useless. Buy a baseball bat, and practice "shotgun racking sounds" with your mouth if you want...

Originally Posted by suicideneil

Just make sure you keep it way out of reach of anyone who shouldn't get their hands on it- the number of children that shoot themselves or a sibling because their parents left a loaded gun lying around is terrifying. This shotgun comes highly recommended:

[youtube]WOoUVeyaY_8[/youtube]

This guy is great, watch all of his videos!

Originally Posted by whitrzac

IRRC there are laws in place in most states that you can only use "lethal force" when someone's life is in danger... so if this burglar turns out to be unarmed, or you shoot them in the back, you go to prison for a loooong time...

Make sure you get the guy to turn around. Then claim it was a "hate" crime. Dead people have a hard time telling their side.

Plus you never know who you will get breaking into your house in the middle of the night. Could be some kids, or a meth addict with a knife, or some sort of sex offender looking for your kids. A pump shotgun with an 18" barrel, and an 8 shot tube is a great home defense gun. Load it with 2 3/4" buck or #7 bird shot. A weapon mounted flashlight is also a requirement, so you do not shoot something you cannot see.