Katrina has hopefully made some folks realize that IF such an atrocity occurs in their town that even the police are helpless to protect themselves in some cases. This was just a act of nature. If an act of terrorism then who knows what it will bring.
Minimum for every US home IMHO is a 12 gauge shotgun w/ one 25 round box of ammunition of their choice, slugs, buck or bird shot etc etc ....minimum needs per se....
Totally concur.
If you know where the safety is, you should have no problem defending yourself, family, friends, property. I think a lot of people get put off by the Mossberg-type pump shotgun. The Remington is nicer looking, but costs more. They also take some learning, and awareness. Therefore...Muttly No. ONE suggestion for literally everyone is a 12ga. shotgun, either double or single barrel.
One should not feel particularly safe facing one.
Dr. Fackler recommends #1 (ONE) Buckshot for personal defense.
I think a person would be best served with either buckshot alone, even #4 BUCK, which I have actually hunted small game (rabbits) with, AND a box of medium sized field loads, say #6. Basic stuff, and should cover most needs. One may wish/need to dispatch small animals for many reasons. Save the buckshot for tougher varmints of various descriptions.
So...:
12ga. SHOTGUN, even Single or Double Barrel
(avoiding Side by Sides, which cock second barrel with recoil of first....grrrrr...what if...)
1 BOX - BUCKSHOT
1 Box - #6(5,4) High brass FIELD/HUNTING loads
Put a good flashlight and a couple of knives next to it.