| I have been called, e-mailed and stopped on the | | | | two most common sizes are 12 gauge and 20 |
| street, questioned in my office, at a couple of | | | | gauge, there are many other sizes but for home |
| places where I shop, and at the post office. I do | | | | defense we'll stick to the more common 12 or 20. |
| radio ads for Steele's Gun Shop and I'm known to | | | | Ordinarily the shotgun is less expensive, easier to |
| be familiar with firearms to some degree. I have | | | | use, and better for defense than a pistol by |
| been asked about what kind of gun or ammo to | | | | far.Many people think that shotguns have shot |
| purchase for home defense and about concealed | | | | that spreads, to send out a wall of lead, and that |
| carry of guns and knives. Some of these | | | | you can't miss with a shotgun. That is BULL.. The |
| questions were from people who have never | | | | longest distance most of us will be able to shoot |
| owned guns before and some from those who | | | | in defense, inside our homes, is about 20 feet. At |
| "hate" guns and even hate gun owners as well to | | | | that distance the size of the circle of shot from a |
| some degree.One of my friends has interest in a | | | | shotgun is about two and a half inches in diameter |
| business near the World Trade Center site. One | | | | or less. It's easy to miss with a shotgun, but not |
| close friend was the one who first reported the | | | | as easy as it is to miss with a pistol. Some people |
| plane that hit the Pentagon, about three windows | | | | want to get all sorts of specialty ammo for a |
| from his office window. Another friend of mine | | | | shotgun to use in home defense. That is not |
| lives on Long Island and works in the building | | | | needed. The cheapest "bird shot" is the best for |
| industry and at a huge lumber store there; so she | | | | home defense and the least likely to go through |
| is in constant contact with workers and | | | | wall after wall after wall through your house and |
| contractors connected to the New York City | | | | into the sleeping rooms of the rest of your family |
| area. Several of my friends are military, National | | | | and the neighbors up and down the street.By the |
| Guard, and police. I am no authority, in my mind, | | | | way, most pistol ammo will go through three or |
| nor compared to some that I know, but I am | | | | four walls, perhaps more, before it stops if you |
| very open in my communications on anything. So, | | | | miss the person you are shooting at in self |
| I am asked about a lot of things. I have been | | | | defense. Where are the kids? Think about it |
| around guns, gun shops, police, military, and | | | | before you get a gun. In fact thinking is far |
| worked as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer, as | | | | superior to shooting, regarding self defense. In |
| a Security Policeman in the U. S. Coast Guard, and | | | | modern homes, made of foam insulation, wall |
| as a Security and Public Relations person at FEMA | | | | board and vinyl siding; a pistol bullet can easily |
| for a while in disaster preparedness and as an | | | | penetrate both sides of five or six homes before |
| on-site disaster center worker.I do have some | | | | stopping.Guns are expensive and good guns are |
| opinions and some are quite strong. They are | | | | very expensive. There are some ways to beat |
| based on knowledge and experience and | | | | the system however. There are lots of used |
| information from those who know better than I. | | | | guns on the market, especially police guns, |
| So here is some data in the form of;Frequently | | | | because everyone, especially the police, want to |
| Asked Questions and My Answers.Q: WHY HAVE | | | | have the coolest and most awesome and most |
| A GUN IN THE FIRST PLACE?For the same | | | | new gun that is being advertised. So they trade in |
| reasons we have smoke detectors, first aid kits, | | | | the old guns and often the older guns are the |
| fire extinguishers; life, health, dental and home | | | | better guns although less cool. Silly aren't they? |
| insurance. Because planning, preparation and | | | | There are lots of good used pistols, revolvers and |
| investment in proper tools and devices -- give us | | | | shotguns in the gun shops of America and many |
| more control over ourselves and our destiny and | | | | of them are superior to the new stuff in reliability |
| well being in any arena. And, having better control | | | | and accuracy. Go figure! J Or you can purchase a |
| of our lives and future is a native concern and | | | | new gun.No matter what you get, make certain |
| need for most of us.I think, and most of us think, | | | | that you learn how to use the gun correctly and |
| that any life worth living is worth defending. We | | | | get some training from someone who really |
| have dedicated 40, 50, 60, or 100 hours a week | | | | knows guns and safe handling. Most men think |
| to providing for our families so that they may live | | | | they are genetically endowed with gun smarts |
| life without major interruptions or inconveniences | | | | and they are not. In fact most men who are first |
| and death or injury at the hand of a "Bad Person". | | | | time or infrequent users of guns are far more |
| Disaster is certainly not part of our plan for | | | | stupid and far more dangerous than women and |
| optimum survival for us and our family.Because | | | | no more likely to hit what they aim for either. As |
| people are neither natively brave nor courageous | | | | a matter of fact, women are usually better shots |
| and because people are natively more | | | | than men atfirst, according to my experience. I |
| comfortable, less fearful, having something to | | | | have taught several hundred people how to shoot |
| hand for self and family defense; having a | | | | for the first time and have helped a few dozen |
| weapon to hand or a method of defense and | | | | others shoot better. By the way I'm not a |
| protection is an internal instinct that is intrinsic and | | | | professional firearms instructor, just a willing friend |
| native. That can include decisions to lock the | | | | and neighbor who has shot a lot and owned a lot |
| doors, live in safer areas and staying alert to | | | | of guns over a lot of years.IF you do get a gun, |
| news and current events. Even those who hate | | | | and I'm not at all certain that you should; keep |
| guns and want all of them gone, always seem to | | | | your defensive firearm handy but secure and |
| have a kitchen knife, a baseball bat or a sword | | | | practice, practice, practice. Practice often enough |
| (Ha) to defend themselves with. The Bad Person, | | | | to be dangerous to the Bad Persons and often |
| BP laughs as such implements in the hands of | | | | enough to NOT be dangerous to yourself and |
| someone not used to fighting for their lives and it | | | | your family. At a minimum that will be weekly for |
| is in fact laughable if you've ever seen a street | | | | a few months and then monthly for several |
| thug fight or attack someone.Those who decry | | | | months and then at least every two or three |
| guns are the first to call 911 and beg someone, a | | | | months thereafter. Even those who hunted all the |
| policeman, with a gun to come and defend them - | | | | time 30 or 40 years ago but not much in the last |
| the police can not and WILL NOT ARRIVE IN | | | | 10 years, are not to be trusted to be safe and |
| TIME. In fact the police are not even expected to | | | | accurate with a firearm now.Q: WHAT IS THE |
| arrive to defend you. They are expected only, by | | | | BEST KIND OF AMMO FOR MY GUN AND FOR |
| law, to come and mark chalk lines around your | | | | SELF DEFENSE? IS IT BEST TO USE THE |
| dead body and that of your family - and to write | | | | BULLETS THAT COST 2 OR 3 OR 4 OR EVEN |
| up the reports, take pictures of the blood | | | | UP TO 12 DOLLARS PER SHOT?The silly news |
| splattered walls and floor, and file them away | | | | shows, the major media evening news is fond of |
| along with a report on what they find at the | | | | showing off all sorts of buzz saw bullets and |
| scene of your murder. Check it out; even the | | | | bullets that will penetrate bullet proof vests and all |
| Supreme Court of the United States had made a | | | | manner of other nonsense. Almost anything on |
| written decision to that extent.Q: FOR A NON | | | | the evening news about guns, ammo, self |
| SHOOTER, WHAT GUNS ARE RECOMMENDED | | | | defense, etc. is a lie or at best BULL. Now, |
| FOR DEFENSE?None. A non shooter should not | | | | regarding ammunition; you don't need a lot of |
| have any gun. Having a gun without taking the | | | | ammo for self defense. In a defensive situation if |
| time and effort to learn how to USE it correctly | | | | you need more than ten or twenty shots, you |
| and safely hit what is aimed at is not only silly but | | | | are likely going to die anyway as there are either |
| it's dangerous. Here, I agree with the anti-gun | | | | too many people for you to defend against or |
| people. THEY shouldn't have a gun because they | | | | you are too bad a shot to defend yourself. |
| wouldn't use the gun and would likely shoot | | | | However, under the stress of self defense, it is |
| someone for nothing, or miss and hit someone | | | | not unusual for police to miss every single shot |
| else. Non-Shooters should not own guns, period. | | | | from a 15 shotpistol when shooting at a Bad |
| Anti-gunners are more likely to become | | | | Person that is only 15 or 20 feet away. In shoot |
| murderers or accidental killers with a gun than | | | | outs where trained police are shooting at BPs who |
| without. It is a cinch that if they don't trust others | | | | also have guns, it is not unusual for several |
| with a gun, they certainly are not worthy of trust | | | | hundred shots to be fired for each person that is |
| with one themselves, and that's certain.Q: FOR AN | | | | killed. Think about it. They need to practice a LOT |
| INEXPERIENCED, NEW SHOOTER, WHAT DO I | | | | more don't they. Luckily BPs don't practice much, |
| RECOMMEND?First of all, don't buy a gun if you | | | | if any, either. What you need lots of ammo for is |
| are not going to become proficient with it and | | | | practice.How about all these wonderful and special |
| that takes some time, repetition and training. My | | | | self defense bullets? There are bullets that cost |
| first suggestion is the .38 caliber/.357 caliber | | | | $6 each or more that are supposed to work |
| revolvers. These are inexpensive and easy to find | | | | better and faster for self defense. The real truth |
| new or used. The .357 revolver and can be used | | | | is that it doesn't matter a HOOT how expensive |
| with low power .38 caliber ammunition for practice | | | | the bullet is, if you miss a vital spot in the |
| and for defense the same gun will allow the use | | | | attacker. What you need is practice, practice, |
| of extremely powerful .357 ammunition. They are | | | | practice, so that you can certainly hit what you |
| made to hold 5 or 6 cartridges and that should be | | | | are aiming at and STOP an attacker. REAL |
| fine for home defense. They are quite accurate | | | | experts say: It is better to shoot the attacker 6 |
| and fairly easy to learn. They have no "safety" | | | | times quickly and accurately when you need to |
| lever so under tension and in the terror of having | | | | stop the attack than it is to hit them with one |
| to use one for self defense, there is no safety to | | | | super-duper-Cowabunga-pooper bullet. So practice. |
| remember about changing to the fire position | | | | It is bullet placement that will save the life of you |
| from the safe position. Many, many people have | | | | and your family; bullet placement that STOPS the |
| died as a result of trying to defend themselves | | | | Bad Person fast enough to stop that BP from |
| with a gun that was still on safe when they | | | | hurting you or a loved one.Q: GUNS ARE NO HELP |
| needed to fire it to stop someone from killing | | | | AGAINST AN AIRPLANE AIMED AT YOU, OR |
| them. The Bad Person won't wait for you to | | | | SOME ANTHRAX SPORES. WHY ARE YOU SO |
| remember the safety. I'm not in favor of safeties | | | | SET ON HAVING GUNS?Some folks are |
| at all. Every person in the home that has access | | | | concerned about potential social turmoil, rogue |
| to the gun MUST be trained in safe handling. No | | | | bands of harmful burglars, perhaps dangerous |
| safety switch, lock or chain will make a gun safe | | | | riots, and there is a certainty that, for the first |
| in the hands of an idiot or an unsafe gun handler - | | | | time, this war is happening here and there are no |
| same thing.A revolver is the gun that cowboys | | | | safe zones, at least no certain safe zones. As |
| used. The cylinder holds six shots, and revolves | | | | members of a community, we seek to support |
| as it's shot, hence it's called a six shooter or | | | | our community with personal and community |
| revolver, and after each shot the cylinder | | | | commitment -- a price others are and have been |
| revolves to put another cartridge in back of the | | | | willing to pay. Now it MAY be our turn. I'm not |
| barrel ready to fire when the trigger is pulled to | | | | saying this is correct or right or even necessary; |
| slam the hammer down and fire the bullet out the | | | | I'm just saying that is what some people feel and |
| barrel to what is aimed or pointed at.Once a | | | | think.Owning a weapon is a personal decision. |
| person has fired several revolvers or several | | | | Some people have swords, canes, baseball bats, |
| handguns, many of them choose a pistol. A pistol | | | | pepper spray, potato mashers and even hornet |
| is a semi-automatic handgun that does not have a | | | | spray or a water pistol full of vinegar for self |
| cylinder but has a magazine to hold several | | | | defense. Years ago almost all women carried a |
| cartridges instead. It is called a semi-automatic | | | | few long hat pins for defense and almost all men |
| because it moves a new cartridge in place to | | | | carried a stout umbrella or a walking stick. In |
| befired each time the trigger is pulled, just like a | | | | many countries, even today, it is considered |
| revolver. Some pistols hold 15 or 20 shots or | | | | sensible to carry a dagger, a dirk, or even a pistol |
| rounds as we call it. Modern pistols are only | | | | (such as in Israel) or a rifle all the time for self |
| allowed to have 10 rounds in America as a result | | | | defense. I don't take a position either way for |
| of some idiotic laws passed by people who should | | | | whether or not YOU have a weapon or decide to |
| not be allowed to have guns themselves. I prefer | | | | defend yourself against those who would rob or |
| pistols to revolvers myself but advise revolvers | | | | harm you and those near you.I do take one |
| for first timers to learn on.By the way, an | | | | position however. I think that those who say guns |
| "automatic" is a gun that fires all of the shots, in | | | | are bad and no one should have a gun and no one |
| machine gun rapid fire fashion with ONE pull of the | | | | should protect themselves with a gun should have |
| trigger. Few people own and even fewer can | | | | signs on their clothing, their cars and around their |
| effectively use an automatic weapon. They are | | | | homes and businesses. That sign should say "I do |
| better for noise than for hitting something. The | | | | not believe in guns or other weapons, and I do |
| real best choice for home defense is a shotgun. | | | | not have any weapons, and I will not defend |
| But most people want a pistol as it's easier to | | | | myself, and I do not believe in anyone protecting |
| have next to the bed and to get ready. The | | | | themselves against an assailant." If you are really |
| shotgun however is easier to aim under stress | | | | against self defense and against guns - prove it |
| and is more likely to stop an attacker faster. | | | | and post the signs!Otherwise, for those of |
| Shotguns come in many configurations and sizes. | | | | intelligence; Take care, prepare, practice and be |
| They come in several cartridge sizes too. The | | | | safe. |