Time to get a gun?

Chicago Tribune ^ | 09/06/2005 | Eric Zorn

[Jack Wilson]

Time to get a gun? Along with our powerlessness against nature and the fecklessness of the government's response to a crisis, a third frightening aspect to the tragedy of New Orleans has been the breakdown of civilization in the disaster zone that accompanied the snapping of the so-called thin blue line.

Among the questions it prompts in my mind is one that is old and unresolved: Should I own a firearm?.

Thirteen years ago, when Los Angeles was up for grabs during the rioting that followed the acquittal of police officers charged in the Rodney King beating, the images of shopkeepers unprotected by police staving off looters with rifles knocked me off my comfortable anti-gun perch. Who wouldn't want a firearm under those circumstances? And who knows where such circumstances will occur next? .

It's hard to bring this up again without sounding like one of those cackling vigilantes who would gladly shoot someone swiping a bicycle out of his carport, or one of those basement-bunker survivalists besotted by paranoia..

I resisted back in 1992 and still rely on 9-1-1 and a pitching wedge under the bed to protect my family. But the rapid descent from crisis to chaos to anarchy in New Orleans was another reminder that paranoia can come to look like prudence in hindsight.

[Balding_Eagle]

Try this: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1478747/posts

[Eaker]

I ain't good lookin', smart or rich, so I need something............

[mylife]

12ga is ok depending on the load, # 7 shot isnt so ruff even with a pistol grip, and I prefer a pistolgrip in close confines, but Holy Jesus 3" 00 buck shells will rock yer world in that configuration L0L

Im new to shotguns and the biggest thing I have learned is know your loads.

[Squantos]

These a mouse joke in there I'll save fer later......:o)

[mylife]

Hey, Im a dumbass, and dumbasses must learn :)

[Eaker]

I agree with everything except that sheet rock is "air".

It stops next to nothing. Do not depend on this concept when picking a shot package or round to fire.

[papertyger]

It's hard to bring this up again without sounding like one of those cackling vigilantes who would gladly shoot someone swiping a bicycle out of his carport, or one of those basement-bunker survivalists besotted by paranoia..

It's so much more comforting to ridicule straw-men than real ones, and if you're very very lucky, no one will notice you tacitly admitting they were right, and you were wrong from the start.

[mystery-ak]

Thanks for the link and thank you all for the advice...I put this off for far too long..and since Im alone a lot, I will feel safer...my 22 is just not enough..

[isthisnickcool]

No! Do not get A gun! Get GUNS, lot's of guns!

[mylife]

I was to worked up to chatter with anyone. Another day

It was the same on my end L0L and Lord it was HOT out.

Still it was a pleasure

[SauronOfMordor]

Anyone who does not own at least one firearm, and at least 1,000 rounds of ammo, is a fool

When it hits the fan, you will NOT get 911 response, as Katrina demonstrated

[wtc911]

Shotgun? No LEO types (including yrs trly) I know rely on shotguns. The last thing I want to do is find myself wrestling with a guy twenty years younger and thirty pounds heavier at three a.m. in my darkened living room over a long gun. I used to run workshops in home defense. Every time someone offered that sliding rack on a shotgun bit I'd hand him a broomstick, turn off the lights and tell him to come down the stairs or around the corner holding the stick like a weapon. Got it away from them every time. You don't have to lead with a handgun.

If you want to stand on the porch and scare folks the shotgun will do it but inside the house...not for me.

[brazzaville]

Good evening.
"...if you're small or frail, get a 20ga. Mossberg makes a nice one..."

That Mossberg 500 in 20ga. is perfect for young ones and other smaller people. I prefer the Remington 870 in 12ga. for a defense weapon but the Mossberg makes my wife happy.

Michael Frazier

[jerry639]

A Model 870 Remington is nice. Don't forget a couple boxes of 00 while you are at it.

[Eaker]

"Either way, you will dissuade most malefactors with a shotgun" The sound of a shotgun being racked is a sure attention getter.

It is my opinion, if someone hears the racking of a shotgun shell, they are the next to die!

No.

The shotgun should be charged when you engage. You ain't there to scare them, you are there to stop the threat. This ain't a movie. You do not want to be sleepy, nervous and scared talking to a tuned up goblin. You will need to make a split second decision to shoot them. Guessing whether or not you are locked and loaded shouldn't be part of that decision. Screwing around with your weapon will get you killed.

[Crooked Constituent]

The only firearm I own is a small ruger .22

What kind of multi purpose firearem would you suggest I add to the collection?

I would like to have one for protection at home or in a catostrophic event like the hurricane, and/or survival situations, like needing to kill a varmint for food.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Yep.

Another little tip is that you can't hit jack when you shoot shot with a slug barrel.

I have no idea why that is.

[Eaker]

Bingo!

My main home defense weapon is a semiauto handgun for that reason.

My shotgun is duel piston grips and is as short as the law allows, but I agree with you.

Thanks!

[Squantos]

You are correct Eaker !

My Benelli M1 is on safe w/ one in the chamber and the magazine tube full. It gets exercised once a week rain or shine.

Racking a slide may scare one but it'll let three know where ya are.....

[mylife]

Ive a question for ya Mom.

What do you recommend for a woman? I was teaching Laurenmarlowe and I Like a shotgun for the gals cuz they dont have to aim (I like that idea too in the pitchdark) but recoil is a problem if gals dont think of mass/ inertia.

Im actually leaning toward recommending a carbine for home defense, though she was proficient with a 9MM semi auto