Really admire the posters that know their weapons. Both my wife and I are proficient at hitting paper targets, deer, bunnies and other fauna. Niether she or I have ever been in a position requiring us to shoot another person - I doubt many of you have either. We live very close to Oklahoma City, and fully understand the dangers of crimes, gangs, drugs, etc and have decided to leave our weapons locked away in a closet. Bottom line - if we are attacked during the night I can't guarantee hitting the perpetrator over my wife. My boxer/mix on the other hand looked alot like a pit bull and would have no problem letting us or a burgler know she wasn't thrilled about an unannounced visitor. She's in puppy heaven now - but will be replaced by a full blood boxer this Thanksgiving. Really think getting a weapon for home defense over carefully.

 

Many States require a certifiction class for ccw permits. You might be able to find one that will let you sit in even though you don't want a permit. It would still be smart to get the training on levels of force for self defense even if you get a shotgun. If you get a handgun, style should be your last consideration. Shop for the most stopping power in a frame that will fit in your hand perfectly. If you are unlucky enuff to get into a situation where you actually need the presence of a gun, you need a gun that will be on sight right from the draw, not hunting around for the sight.<br><br>Pepper spray is also considered a level of force. Police have to be trained and certified with it to carry it on duty (at least in Michigan). If somebody you spray has a bad reaction and a jury determines you were premature with it (scared or not), you can be found liable. Although the stuff is very potent, there are those that it does not affect (God made all kinds), particularly if they are on some drugs or alcohol. It may also attract some dangerous animals when you go camping. <br><br>Just some food for thought, and if you do get something, get something you will enjoy, so you will practice, just like everybody else said. Even a shotgun. Don't need to be short- shucking a round wondering why it won't fire. Yes, a slide action can be fired quicker than an auto will let you fire it.

 

As one that has defended myself and others with deadly force, (3 shootings -with 1 death) I can tell for sure that it is no picnic before-during-or after the fact. I have had extensive training and was very well prepared. Although I no longer am involved in LE, I would not hesitate again. Should you decide to put a weapon in you home, GET TO KNOW AND MAKE LOVE TO IT!!!! I used to shoot at least 1 brick (500 rounds) of 22 cal every week to stay sharp with my service weapons. I still shoot about 1000 rounds a month. <br>Next, ask yourself if you can look another man in the eye and kill him, all in less than 1.7 seconds? Are you hard and determined enough to live and kill someone that would kill you? You don't have long to make up your mind. If someone has entered your home by breaking, it is not a question of shoot or don't shoot. Consider it to be &quot;kill or be killed&quot;!!! Think very carefully about it.<br><br><br>

 

I am 19 years old and live about 4 hours from my parents home. I have grown up around guns and have hunted since I could remember. Here is my advise, (along with all the other GREAT advise here). If you want a dog, get a dog. They are awesome to have around the house. Home security works when you are not home, the gun works only if you make it work. This is something to think about. Buy a cheap break action single barrel 12 or 20 guage shotgun. If you have a safe to put it in, store it in the safe with a trigger lock. This is what I personally do. I break the shotgun down during the day time, and store different parts in different locations. You can put the barrel in a file cabinet, locked in a computer desk etc. At night put the gun back together. Break actions are VERY easy to use, put a shell in, pull the hammer back and it is ready. You shouldnt need 8 or 9 rounds for security. (unless there was more than one burglar). My football coach always told me to look someone in the stomache to tackle, so if you are going to shoot, shoot for the stomache, one shot will keep you safe. If you miss at close range with 7 1/2 or 8 shot then you didn't practice enough. It will only take you 5 seconds in the morning to break the gun apart and lock one key component somewhere. Just an idea, some probably will not agree with this, but I am 19, and it is not legal for me to own a handgun, even though my father and I shoot often. This allows me to stay legal and feel safe.

 

Having spent 25 years in law enforcement and thank God, never had to pull the trigger have a few thoughts.<br><br>#1. Chances of you ever having to use your gun in your house is soooooooo slim, you would not believe. A gun may give you peace of mind is about all, not real security.<br>If you don't use it all the time, and practice practice practice you will not be effective when the time comes to have to use it. Many times the gun owner is found shot with his own gun by the bad guy, whom may not have entered with a gun of his own. Even in police shootings most shootings occcur within I believe 7 yards (mind is the first thing to go it seems ) or is it 7' and even fully trained shooters under those stressful conditions seldom connect to the target. Lots of adrenalin and lots of things going on in a short short time.<br><br>#2. The use of force. You may only use as much as needed to protect yourself or others from injury up to and including serious physical injury/death. A jury will decide if you used more than necessary. If you intend to buy a gun and use it, you have to make a conscious decision that if you are going to use it, you are going to shoot to stop the invasion upon you or whomever, this entails maybe having to use such force as necessary, up to and including killing someone. Are you up to that?<br><br>#3. Kids, mine grew up with guns, of all kinds, they were taught early how to use them, to respect them and never did abuse them, as they were fully aware of the dangers of guns etc.<br><br>#4. Calibers and types, whatever works best for you. I have all kinds, brands etc. Some will work for you, and won't for your wife etc. You might have to have two, doubling the problems.<br><br>#5. Pepper spray, will work as good or better than any gun made. If an intruder is close enough for you to shoot, he is close enough to pepper spray. If you don't believe it works, buy a good quality can from a Law Enforcement supplier and have someone spray you. Or even spray close to you. I know it works as we trained on it, and when I got sprayed I was instantly on my hands and knees crawling around blindly. I had to take my partner by the hand to his room during training and he would not even stop to take his boots, gun belt or anything else off, I had to lead him straight to the shower, turn it on, put him in and let him &quot;undose&quot;<br><br>6. Legal implications. After reading the above you might get to thinking about some of the legal aspects of gun ownership etc. and if it is for you or not. Out here in the West, I personally do not know a person that does not own at least one gun. It is just a way of life. Most are for hunting etc.<br><br>7. My recommendation. Pepper spray, the highest concentrate you can get, easy to use, wife can easily disable the biggest attacker known to mankind. Word of caution, sometimes it will not work on someone high on PCP.<br><br>8. Recommenation #2. Dog that barks and alerts you to a potential intruder etc. Small, large, don't matter as long as he/she barks when something strange is up.<br><br>9. Recommendation #3. Alarm system<br><br>All the above is my opinion and based upon laws etc. in my state, which may differ (they do, trust me) from state to state.<br><br>Sorry to be so long, could go on for days on this one ;D ;D ;D<br><br>Hunter<br><br><br><br><br>