I believe it is OK to own a gun, but there is a line that should not be crossed. That line is the line between "Self Defense/Hunting" and "Paramilitary" The difference between a Pistol and an Assault Rifle. The difference between a Hunting Rifle and a Sub-Machine Gun. Oh, you want to protect yourselves? First of all, I say either a tazer or peperspray. Both are nonlethal. OK, so you insist on a gun. OK, here's a pistol. You want something bigger? You're protecting yourself from a burglar, not trying capture Town Hall. Anything above a Hunting Rifle, I consider Overkill. It's just not necessary. (First post. Lets see who pounces on the new guy )
Do you wish to be pounced on? A handgun would work for self defense. That is why I have one. However, the double-barreled shotgun in the bedroom closet is the preferred choice. I sleep with the door locked and a cell phone nearby. IF someone tried to get thru that door, Id be behind the bed with the gun pointed at the door. Im not going to experiment with toys to see if they might work. BTW, "above a hunting rifle"? A big-game hunting rifle is a very very powerful weapon that would shoot right thru the house and go visit the neighbours. The person who fired it indoors would be deafened. Oh and sub-machine guns are illegal. Do you know what an assault rifle is? You may well have a sensible idea, lets see if we can find out what it is.
What is an assualt rifle? What is a sub machine gun? Are you aware that both are restricted Class III items? Are you aware the rifle I use for hunting is more than three times more powerful than what the military uses in the M16? So does than mean, on your premise of power, than everything under hunting rifles is alright? Keep in mind that includes all assualt rifles and sub machine guns.
I bear in mind that you are expressing your own personal opinion. I have no problem with your opinion as it applies to you. Own what you want, keep it safe and keep it clean. Don't want to own? Let no one convince you to buy. If you do own, let none persuade you to give them up.
An Assault Rifle fires an intermediate cartridge. This means it is between a pistol round and a rifle round in power. In fact, the 9mm round for the Glock pistol is heavier than the 5.56mm round for the M16. Anyway, this means a lot of hunting rifles fires bullets that have a lot more power than any military Assault Rifle. They are also more accurate, have longer range, hit harder, etc. Assault Rifles were developed because powerful weapons weren't needed by most soldiers in combat.
Assault rifles and similar weapons were designed with the intent of killing lots of people in a short time from a short distance. A "sawed off" shotgun is the most effective "personal defense" weapon both because of its knockdown power and the fact you need be only "relatively" accurate to use it effectively. It is illegal for the same reason.
I believe you must have a minimum of 18 inches of barrel or more for a sawed-off. I've got a 20" for bush hunting rabbits and have had it checked by local DNR. They had no problem with it.
I have seen men get knocked off their feet when taking 12 ga. 0/0 in the center mass. Of course the further away, the less likely, but, man, does it leave a mess.
No, you haven't as according to the laws of physics if they were knocked off their feet by being hit so was the shooter.
Woot-Woot!! I love that OP. I think the 30 cal magnums and my daughters .270 would be great for home defense and the 9-mm and 38 can stay in the cabinet along with my short barrel AK. Screw that 300Gr in my 454 at ~1700 FPS would do great!
I used a 12 while in-country during Viet Nam. Do not propose to me what I have witnessed or not. Handiest weapon of close quarters combat and my preferred weapon. I am here, so it was effective.
Sorry, the laws of physics say you misunderstood what you saw. They were not knocked off their feet. End of story.
A guy, therefore, swings a baseball bat at another fellow's chest and knocks him off his feet. Physics, therefore at your explaination, would demand the swinger fall also. or a batter hits a 100 mph ball and hits the shortstop in the chest. The shortstop dies from congestive heart failure after being knocked to the ground. A slug will go through and just simply put you down. Getting hit with 0/0 is like getting hit with with a baseball bat. I am talking about a distance of 15 to 25 feet.
I am not sure I know what the difference is between an assault rifle and a revolver. Both can kill, easily. I would venture to say that a person with more experience handling a gun will be more deadly with a pistol than an inexperienced fool with an assault rifle. So what is the difference? Why should the government be allowed to decide what weapon is more deadly or has a intent other than hunting or home defense? I can say that most folks prefer a shot gun for defense, and you can get a Remington 870 with an extended tube for less than $300. Works for bird hunting and it works for home protection. That being said, what is the difference between a home defense gun and an offensive weapon? I keep a loaded Glock 21 in the house and readily available. One could argue that with a large clip that is a very deadly weapon capable of killing many people. I think what most people tend to ignore when it comes to guns is that they do not load, aim, and fire themselves. A lunatic with a single shot Rossi piece of crap will kill more people than a responsible home owner with an AK 47.
That's funny! You sleep with your door locked and a phone close at hand. . .with a hand gun and a shotgun in the closet! I sleep without worrying whether the door is locked or not, with my windows open (even in Wnter) and with NO GUN in the house and NO PHONE in my room. . . I have done so for 62 years, in 3 different countries and 4 different states. . .and I sleep like a baby. . .always have. So. . .I dare say that it is not so much the danger that surrounds you and whether or not you are "armed to the teeth," it is about the PERCEPTION of danger and whether or not you give in to fear and fear mongering.
Well, I have to admit that deer love my yard too. . .but I find that a deer repellent works just fine to keep them away from my favorite flowers. . .if I don't forget to spray once a week at least! But it's a LOT less dangerous than having a gun in my home. . .or in my life!
With all due respect TFM there is research that suggests that the greatest danger is actually having an unsecured firearm in the house - particularly in relation to children http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/research/hicrc/firearms-research/gun-carrying/index.html http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/18/us-usa-health-firearms-idUSBRE89H1F420121018
