Posted on 01/30/2003 4:49:20 AM PST by condi2008
In order to buy a gun one must first be persuaded that gun ownership is both reasonable and responsible. Let us then first establish that Matthew 5:38,39 does not mean that, if someone breaks into your home intending to harm your family, you must submissively point the way to your children's playroom as you sheath the criminal's knife with your belly. Jesus here explains to us that God allows no room for personal vengeance. Leave that to the Lord and the temporal responsibility for punishing evil doers to the civil magistrate (Romans 13:4).
God immutable says, "If the thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguiltiness on his account. But if the sun has risen on him, there will be bloodguiltiness on his account. He shall surely make restitution; if he owns nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft" (Exodus 22:2,3). In other words if you, unable to discern his intentions, kill a night-time home invader, you bear no guilt before God for his death.
Even if you are with me thus far, you may still be asking, "But why a gun?" In case you haven't noticed, not only do we have military foes abroad but there are plenty of fiends domestic: thugs across town, thieves down the road, and murderers at the rest area by the interstate (and possibly a terrorist cell downstate). If one is to defend himself and his family against the black hats, it is best to have the most practical and efficient means for doing so at your disposal. For an Army Ranger that might be a grenade launcher. For an individual in Jesus' day it was a sword. Since the "weapons of our warfare are not carnal" (II Corinthians 10:4), why else would Christ have commanded His disciples to barter their cloaks for swords (Luke 22:36) if not for self-defense? For us civilians, the most practical and efficient means is a personal firearm.
By the way, if you insist on statistical evidence for the benefits of gun ownership, I encourage you to find a copy of Dr. John Lott's book More Guns, Less Crime or any number of articles by him available on the internet. The gun-control crowd has certainly tried to discredit his findings, but the best they have been able to offer is "if it really is the case that the results aren't good then he's really peddling a false message."
Let us consider how to go about purchasing a firearm. First decide what you need. Looking for something suited to home defense? A 12-gauge shotgun with a short barrel will do nicely. A shotgun is preferable because if it is aimed in the general direction of the criminal you will hit your target. Actually just racking a pump-action shotgun might be enough to scare him away. Mossberg and Remington offer shotguns designed specifically for home defense (the HS 410 and the 870 Home Defense models respectively) as do other manufacturers.
Handguns are a little more particular (as far as the need to aim carefully goes), but if you intend to keep your firearm with you, let's face it, the greeter at Stuff Mart might be a wee bit intimidated if you walk in toting a 12-gauge. There are many options available to you so I am just going to offer some general guidance. Handguns are available as revolvers and semi-automatics. I prefer a semi-automatic simply because in my humble, unprofessional opinion they are marginally safer. I say marginally only because I do not consider firearms unsafe when handled, maintained, and stored properly. Frankly, the tiller in my shed causes me more concern than my pistol does.
Ladies might consider a .38-caliber revolver (such as the fairly compact Smith & Wesson model 60 or its cousin the Lady Smith) or 9mm semi-automatic. As for the gentlemen, the aforementioned will do, but I encourage you to think about something with more stopping power such as a .40- or .45-caliber semi-automatic. Glocks are nice if you have no qualms about the safety being part of the trigger mechanism. My pistol, however, has a safety that decocks the hammer, disengages the trigger, and blocks the firing pin. Having children around, those are features that I appreciate. Those on a tight budget might consider various Ruger models. If you have more cash to spend, take a look at Beretta, H&K, SIG Arms, and Walther models to name a few. There are also the ever-popular Colt 1911 and Browning Hi-Power.
Once you have decided between a shotgun and a handgun (not that you can't have both), it is time to go shopping. Visit a gun shop and handle as many different guns as you can. Take note of which ones feel most comfortable in your hands and which ones have easily disengaged safeties and engaged slides and magazines. Gun shows are wonderful places to see and handle lots of guns at one time. Whether you are at a shop or a show, however, do not buy anything there (unless you buy from a private individual at the show). Better to buy from a friend or neighbor, than to have to go through the background-check rigmarole and risk losing your weapon should Uncle Sam come asking for it. Also, if you know a gun enthusiast, ask if he or she will take you out shooting so you can get a better feel for a few different guns before you buy.
My final suggestions are 1) familiarize yourself with state and federal laws governing the bearing of arms and their use in self-defense. Constitutional guarantee notwithstanding, laws vary considerably from state to state. The National Rifle Association is a good source for such information. 2) Don't obtain a concealed-carry permit. I am not encouraging you to break the law; I am saying there are legal ways to at least transport firearms (dependent upon your state of residence). Look up the Firearm Owner's Protection Act (18 USC §926A). 3) Practice as often as possible once you obtain the gun. The best gun available will not be of much benefit if you aren't prepared to use it in the tension-filled moments of an assault.
You are absolutely correct, but this isn't the first class III I have and I figure I'm already on all of their lists anyway. The ma deuce probably put me somewhere near the top of the hit list a long time ago :-(
This would imply that I would do something as blatantly illegal as shooting out the window at a coyote on my lawn at night. I would certaintly never consider admittting to doing something like that :-)
Kidding aside, the Uzi on single fire is reasonably accurate to 50 yards which is the max distance I've fired it at silhouette targets. I can usually keep it in the 6 or higher, and almost always in the black at 50 yards. Of course at indoor distances accuracy isn't a problem
Actually just racking a pump-action shotgun might be enough to scare him away.
Getting ready to confront a home invader is not the time to chamber a round. I notice they never seem to mention doing this with any other gun. It must be something they saw in a movie.
The next thing I noticed was this:
Don't obtain a concealed-carry permit.
The goal of every person who fought for a Concealed Weapons license is a "Vermont Law". By increasing our numbers, that goal becomes closer. If this writer is so frightened about being on a list, they probably don't support any gun group.
Getting ready to confront a home invader is not the time to chamber a round. I notice they never seem to mention doing this with any other gun. It must be something they saw in a movie
I agree and
The goal of every person who fought for a Concealed Weapons license is a "Vermont Law". By increasing our numbers, that goal becomes closer. If this writer is so frightened about being on a list, they probably don't support any gun group.
If you're going to carry you ought to do it legally. It avoids all sorts of legal problems.
My husband is the first aid officer for his plant (somebody found out that he was a BSA troop leader and took the first aid course). One morning one of the guys from the back of the plant came strolling in with a .25 bullet lodged under the skin of his skull right between the eyes. He said that his common-law wife had had a quarrel with him and shot him the night before. Hubby referred him on to the industrial clinic; he came back in about an hour with a bandaid over the spot where they cut it out.
He went home after work and threw her out.
There is a postscript . . . about six months later we heard through the grapevine that this rather short-tempered lady had taken up with another man and . . . somewhat predictably . . . had a quarrel with him too. Only this time she used a kitchen knife, and the object of her affections was Tango Uniform before the police got there.
The employee's only comment: "She was a d@mn mean woman, but she sure could cook."
Wow. That sounds a little better than the average 'lawn aerator' . . .
You'd probably be able to hit a running coyote before the average bolt-rifle shooter . . .
Would 22 long rifle hollow points.... in a Ruger semi...Each tip filled with mercury, do a nice job if four or five of these hit the target in extremely rapid succession?....Kind of a poor man's dum-dum?
I like the 12 gauge pump best but think the latter is a nice (probably illegal)more friendly alternative for a lady.
Would 22 long rifle hollow points.... in a Ruger semi...Each tip filled with mercury, do a nice job if four or five of these hit the target in extremely rapid succession?....Kind of a poor man's dum-dum?
I like the 12 gauge pump best but think the latter is a nice (probably illegal)more friendly alternative for a lady.
I have seen this work. I was walking home late one night and heard the sound of my neighbor's pump 12 being racked. Immediately a man ran out from behind his house and ran down the block faster than I am used to seeing people run. A minute later a policeman saw him running and made an arrest. The fellow was carrying a 380. A couple of years ago I was staying with my family at my father-in-law's cabin when we and the next dooe neighbors were getting harrassed by local area teenagers throwing rocks at our windows. Yelling at them and trying to confront them was not doing any good at all. Pop had a 12 guage that he had not used in years and no ammo. He dug it out and when the pests came back he pumped it while standing by the open window. A voice outside yelled OGDMF! and everything got quiet outside. There was no further trouble. That sound must reach some sort of genetic trigger.People seem to understand it even if they have never heard it before.
Inside your home at the normal ranges afforded a 1200 to 2000 square ft dwelling this statement is so incorrect that it invalidates the authors "knowledge" of the subject matter presented IMO .
At the ranges inside your home you will miss if you just use a compass to aim a scattergun . At those ranges consider the impact pattern of a 12 gauge ,even with an 18 inch barrel, about the size of a silver dollar versus the dime and nickel size holes a handgun or rifle will make.
With no knowledge of your personal experience or background with regards to firearms and physical abilities I will suggest .....If you have but one single firearm for your families defense in a suburban home a simple pump shotgun from either Remington or Mossburg with an 18 inch barrel might be a primary choice for you to consider.
If you plan on going with your CHL/CCW permit with your single choice of a firearm then I will suggest a small light (all good mfgrs make the titanium series ) snub nosed or 3 inch barrel 357/38 revolver. Loaded with modern , well designed ammunition , speciality ammo such as Glaser Safety slugs or Magsafe or just simple jacketed hollow points makes a small, conceilable handgun such as I have described is a viable choice for a first time buyer.
If you follow the basic rule of a handgun guru named "Cooper" then nothing less than a caliber that begins with a four (4) will do. With this information at hand Charter Arms makes an excellant , cheap and reliable revolver called the "Bulldog Pug" with a 3 inch barrel in .44 special. NOT .44 magnum but .44 "special" that closely mimicks the performance of the 45 ACP in velocity and diameter. Very accurate and easy to carry, light and available for around 250 to 300 dollars.
If you are well schooled or intend on taking the time and training and "practice" to master a semi-auto handgun then the possibilities are too vast to even discuss in one post. Weight, size, reliability, availability of spare parts, caliber, finish, ability to function all the possible bells and whistles (less is more in this case) that come as standard on some versions safely are considerations that "must" be addressed before you choose.
Most "good" firearms dealers that have a range attached to their business will have a selection that you can fire on the premises called range guns. This is a good thing as for the price of ammo, range time and rental you can try before you buy. With this in mind you'll learn early that the latest and greatest is not always the answer. KISS principal applies with regards to self defense.
You will also see in most cases the firearm of your liking in it's advanced stages of use and with lots of rounds through it. How well did it survive this hard use as a range gun. It was shot a whole lot, by different people. How well is it holding up to such extensive use. Finish worn ? Rattles like two bolts in a coffee can ? Accuracy ? Jams ? Failure to fire ??.....all that great information and data is free when collected from your use of a range version of the gun you intend to buy and take home.
If (initially) the "only" handgun you can hit the target with is a .22 caliber handgun then by all means that is or should be your first choice for developing skills and self defense. Whole lot of folks have died from the little .22 caliber rimfire to dismiss it . By all means not a suggested caliber but as a criminal or agressor I'd rather be missed with a 45 than hit with a .22 if you catch my drift.
Just my back alley suggestions per my experience..........Stay Safe !
The rig was light and saltwater didn't even hurt the little rig before I could rinse it and clean it properly. The gun ya have is the best gun in the world when ya need it :o)
Stay Safe Joe !!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.