Questions about personal security options?

sheath

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Howdy, y'all.

I have lots and lots of questions about personal safety products. Pepper spray, stun guns, things like that.

Why am I coming here with this question? Besides practically living here? :)

Well. Strangely enough, when I contacted my local police department, I was told they could not discuss anything of that nature with me, beyond telling me it would be a good idea to get a carrier permit for a firearm of some kind. "We aren't even supposed to recommend that," the gentleman said. Hmmm.

Upon calling a few security firms, I was told the same thing...it isn't something they are supposed to discuss with private citizens. And then I learned that pepper spray is NOT available for sale in my area.

So, I'm considering ordering it over the internet. However, is this violating a law? I didn't even know it had been banned for sale in my area. And frankly, I wasn't about to ask the police officer...he seemed gung-ho to know exactly why I needed it, where I lived, who I might use it on, etc...all part of his job, I know, but without him giving me any pertinent information, I wasn't going to give HIM any, either.

Secondly...I'm wondering about the different options. What do you carry for personal protection? Does anyone have experience with stun guns used in an emergency? Personal alarms, like those ear-piercing keyring sirens? Pepper spray?

My home is very well-protected. My new vehicle has a sophisticated alarm system. But when it's just me, out and about in public, I don't have any protection to speak of. Given circumstances of late, I feel as though I need to have something. Right quick, as we say down here.

Thanks in advance for the advice and stories of pros/cons.

:)

S.
 
Pepper spray is legal in all 50 states so why it isn't available in your area is odd. So I would assume, ordering it over the internet shouldn't be violating any laws.

That's all the input I have for ya.

Lynne


Edited to say: It's legal in all 50 states but every juristiction may have specific regulations as to it's use. So I guess I'm no help at all.
 
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First off, I'm sorry to hear that you feel the need to carry such protection :( Now, I know some things that perhaps might help.

sheath said:

Well. Strangely enough, when I contacted my local police department, I was told they could not discuss anything of that nature with me, beyond telling me it would be a good idea to get a carrier permit for a firearm of some kind. "We aren't even supposed to recommend that," the gentleman said. Hmmm.

If you get a CCW for a firearm of any type..

Be sure to practice with the weapon

Don't be one of those folks that buy one, carry it around, and one day they draw it and end up having it used against you.

You have to ask yourself this question, too, if you want to carry:
If I had to use it, would I be ok with emptying it into my target and killing them?

Guns are not used to wound. They're used to kill, period. Make sure you have the fitness of mind to follow through if you're going to use it.

That said, a good pistol, used to good effect, makes a supreme method of self-defense. Where I live, that kinda thing isn't really needed (low crime, et al) but we do have a semi-automatic rifle here for the house. It's good to know it's there.

Consider a firearm as a last resort if you have any qualms about the above.

sheath said:
Upon calling a few security firms, I was told the same thing...it isn't something they are supposed to discuss with private citizens. And then I learned that pepper spray is NOT available for sale in my area.

For sale, or for use? Find that out.

Pepper spray is effective, one of the most effective things. But people in an altered state of mind (blazingly drunk, high, et al) will still keep coming. It is better than nothing though, and fairly cheap. For most folks, it'll stop them long enough for you to get away.

sheath said:
Secondly...I'm wondering about the different options. What do you carry for personal protection? Does anyone have experience with stun guns used in an emergency? Personal alarms, like those ear-piercing keyring sirens? Pepper spray?

Stun guns are good, but require you to be real close to your 'target'.

There are a new type of electronic weapons out there though - tazers with stun gun probes on the front. The idea is that you could shoot it at them from a distance, and if you miss you can use the probes on the front to subdue them. Tazers will drop anybody, period.

You missed the biggest, and best, option. A cell phone. Get one if you don't have one, even if it's just a cheapie pre-paid one at a gas station. You don't even need to activate it or anything to dial 911 usually. If you do get attacked, it's important that you be able to dial the police quickly and efficiently.

Good luck.
 
Because of parking issues my mom has to walk about a block to her car every morning around 4am for work. For Christmas one of the things my brothers got her was pepper spray. She hasn't had to use it yet, thank God, but she carries it in her purse every where she goes. Really nothing useful in any of that I guess, just thought I'd thow it out there.

When we moved from Florida to Colorado hubby bought me a whistle. I took it with me every time we stopped at a rest stop. Again, thank God I didn't have to use it, but I felt a bit safer knowing I had it. You might consider buying one that goes on a key chain...sure, they look kinda stupid and are a bit bulky for keys, but hey, rather safe than sorry.
 
Pepper spray is very effective, because you can use it at a distance and it won't cause any irreversible harm, however 10 percent of the general population experiences limited effects from pepper spray, meaning it won't hurt them that bad and you have to get it in the persons eyes for it to be effective.

Stun Guns are good also, because it will totally debilitate anyone if you zap them anywhere and won't kill them, just paralyze them for about 30 seconds.

I perfer a real Gun. Sig Sauer, Smith and Wesson and Glock all make small compact .380 caliber handguns. They shoot small nine millimeter bullets. If you can get registered for a concealed weapon do it and get a real gun and carry it in your purse, if your state doesn't give concealed weapon permits, so get a gun anyway and keep it in you purse, better to be judged by 12 than carried by six. A shot gun is good protection for the house, inexpensive and you can buy a good one at Walmart.
 
Thank you for the advice. :)

I think the point of 'for sale or for use' when it comes to pepper spray is likely the cause of the problem I have run into. I can imagine it is not available for sale, but surely they cannot prohibit me from using it?

I have questions about pepper spray...I've heard there are different forms of it, such as a foam-based spray...and that some are better than others, simply because there is less chance of it blowing back onto me when it is used. Anybody know anything about that?

You are absolutely right about the cell phone. However...my town is very spacious, a true rural area, and it is possible to be out in the middle of nowhere while simply on the way to the grocery store. The response time of local law enforcement isn't great, truth be told, even in the best of situations. I do have a cell phone in my car but I feel as though I need have my own kind of back-up plan, just in case.

Guns. Well, I would have no problem emptying a gun into a target. None whatsoever. I have two children to live for, and when it comes down to a question of whether I would shoot to kill, to protect my own life? I have no qualms about that. At all.

However, I do have qualms about keeping a firearm in the house, especially a small handgun...simply because of those children. It's a huge gray area, I know, with proponents on either side of the issue. My personal feeling is that I would rather not have to worry about the question of my kids ever finding a firearm, period. So that is an option, yes. But I would like to explore other options first.

I like the suggestion of a tazer. I will definitely do some research into that one.

Carrying a whistle seems to make sense...but it seems it would have to be something more than just a conventional whistle. If you were approached from behind and your breath was cut off, let's say, you couldn't blow a whistle. But the hand-operated whistles and sirens would be a good option then?

Thanks for all the help. :)

S.
 
Pepper spray is legal in TN.

THe concealed carry law works but be aware that even with a carry permit, there are lots of places where a gun is off-limits, from the obvious to the not-so-obvious (some laws apply only to Tennessee):

-Airports
-Most court facilities
-Federal parks (includes Land Between the Lakes)
-Public facilities, including city parks and greenways.
-School grounds, including public schools, private schools, and colleges. There's an exception when dropping off students, as long as the gun stays in the car and isn't handled.

-Any private property where a notice is posted. This includes most malls. It used to include Wal-Mart, until a lady was raped in the parking lot on the way back to her car and sucessfully sued because they did not provide for her protection when they took away her right to defend herself legally.

-Anywhere alcohol is served. In addition, you can't carry while you're drinking. In Tennessee, there's no threshold or blood alcohol level. No drinking whatsoever is allowed while carrying.

Violating any of these laws can result in criminal proceedings and/or the loss of your permit.

-With all of those restrictions, most of us will keep our guns in the car or nightstand most of the time, and only occasionally carry them.

Carrying pepper spray is still a good idea for all of the places where guns aren't allowed. Even when carrying a gun, pepper spray is a good idea, as it's sometimes a more appropriate response to lower levels of conflict.

The TCA code in Tennessee states that no one with exception to law enforcement officers in comission of their duties and permit holders may carry any weapon( firearm or otherwise) with "intent to go armed". This means no open or concealed carry of a gun, knife or club without a carrying permit. Mace and pepper spray are exempt as they are considered a "chemical restraint" and not a weapon. This is the STATE law. Local laws and ordnances may differ.
 
TNRkitect2b said:
The TCA code in Tennessee states that no one with exception to law enforcement officers in comission of their duties and permit holders may carry any weapon( firearm or otherwise) with "intent to go armed". This means no open or concealed carry of a gun, knife or club without a carrying permit. Mace and pepper spray are exempt as they are considered a "chemical restraint" and not a weapon. This is the STATE law. Local laws and ordnances may differ.

Wow...thank you for such detailed information! :)

I suppose either my local laws conflict in some way, or the officers I spoke with simply didn't know what they were talking about. :confused: I know the local police have been cracking down hard on the meth problem in the area, and that might have something to do with local jurisdiction handling things differently.

But hey, I'm just guessing, being the private citizen I am. :)

So, how does this law pertain to things like stun guns?

And does this mean I cannot carry a knife in my vehicle? Do I have to get some sort of permit in order to do that?

S.
 
sheath said:
Thank you for the advice. :)

I think the point of 'for sale or for use' when it comes to pepper spray is likely the cause of the problem I have run into. I can imagine it is not available for sale, but surely they cannot prohibit me from using it?

That'd be my guess, but you'd have to confirm it with the local authorities.

sheath said:
I have questions about pepper spray...I've heard there are different forms of it, such as a foam-based spray...and that some are better than others, simply because there is less chance of it blowing back onto me when it is used. Anybody know anything about that?

The other types I've heard of are the sticky foam, and a powder type that you're supposed to aim at the attackers feet (it rises up and gets carried by the wind, gets drawn into their eyes and into their throat and nose).

However, both of those above that I've heard of are more law-enforcement types of things, and require some other delivery methods that probably wouldn't work so well (paintball-lookin pistols, et al). I don't know if that's changed.

Typical, personal pepper spray types will shoot a 'stream' of juice. Kinda like a can of raid - it's not really a mist, but a straight spray.

If you get this, remember to test it out occasionally (shoot the grass for a second) as instructed on the package. Also note that it loses its potency over time, so keep an eye on that too.

sheath said:
You are absolutely right about the cell phone. However...my town is very spacious, a true rural area, and it is possible to be out in the middle of nowhere while simply on the way to the grocery store.

Ah, that's too bad.

sheath said:
Guns. Well, I would have no problem emptying a gun into a target. None whatsoever. I have two children to live for, and when it comes down to a question of whether I would shoot to kill, to protect my own life? I have no qualms about that. At all.

However, I do have qualms about keeping a firearm in the house, especially a small handgun...simply because of those children. It's a huge gray area, I know, with proponents on either side of the issue. My personal feeling is that I would rather not have to worry about the question of my kids ever finding a firearm, period. So that is an option, yes. But I would like to explore other options first.

Then certainly explore that option. With a proper trigger-lock and a gun safe, and proper handling practices, your kids won't have a chance to get to the gun.

Involving kids in shooting sports, if you choose to have guns in the house, is a great idea (depending on age of course). It gives you the opportunity to teach them proper gun handling and use, and that they're *not* a toy. A .22 rifle can be had very cheaply, is easy to handle for kids (little to no kickback) and is a good choice. It's what I did as a kid, and learned all about safe handling and such.

sheath said:
I like the suggestion of a tazer. I will definitely do some research into that one.

Good idea - most of the ones that I've seen are co-2 operated (like a bb gun) so you'll need to use the lil (cheap) co2 cartridges, but other than that and a battery it's good to go.
 
sheath said:
Wow...thank you for such detailed information! :)

I suppose either my local laws conflict in some way, or the officers I spoke with simply didn't know what they were talking about. :confused: I know the local police have been cracking down hard on the meth problem in the area, and that might have something to do with local jurisdiction handling things differently.

But hey, I'm just guessing, being the private citizen I am. :)

So, how does this law pertain to things like stun guns?

And does this mean I cannot carry a knife in my vehicle? Do I have to get some sort of permit in order to do that?

S.

Yes, it could be a local, city or county law, or they may not wish to divulge that information over the phone.

Stun guns I believe require state sanctioned training to be used legaly in TN.

Tehnically, yes, you require a permit for carrying a knife in the car. There are organizations dealing with self defense that offer certified training courses. However, unless it is used , brandished or visible, an officer will not charge you for having it in your car, unless you are being charged with other items. Then they will cite you for all infractions possible.
 
Thank you for all the good responses!

You've all given me a lot to work with. :) Thank you.

S.
 
Nothing replaces a good self defense course Sheath. Taking one can take as little as 4 hours. Contact your local YMCA or YWCA. If that fails, contact your local dojo and see if they teach something like basic self defense.
 
incognito989 said:
<snip>

Then certainly explore that option. With a proper trigger-lock and a gun safe, and proper handling practices, your kids won't have a chance to get to the gun.

Involving kids in shooting sports, if you choose to have guns in the house, is a great idea (depending on age of course). It gives you the opportunity to teach them proper gun handling and use, and that they're *not* a toy. A .22 rifle can be had very cheaply, is easy to handle for kids (little to no kickback) and is a good choice. It's what I did as a kid, and learned all about safe

I too support this view. By teaching kids that a gun is not a toy, and having them learn proper use of them in a controlled environment, you avoid them "playing" with your pistol should they find it in the house. Teach them respect for the firearm and you avoid all the hassle.
 
My husband and I have constantly gone back and forth on the gun issue for over 4 years. I don't want one. He grew up with them. Now that we've moved to a bigger city, one that isn't so safe, I've actually considered allowing one. The main thing that changed my mind was a man getting arrested outside one of the bedroom windows at 2 in the morning. A time when it's usually just me and the kids. He was arrested for stealing a car, and it's possible he was armed. The cops searched the area for hours looking for the gun. My biggest problem is our children. Our 4 year old son has a huge thing for guns. The thought of one of them getting their little hands on it is enough to make me not want one. My husband thinks we should get a shotgun, if I had to have one I'd prefer a handgun. Something I felt comfortable handling. We can't agree.

So, I'm going to get a bat. A nice wood one. Sure, maybe not as effective, but if they got close enough for one swing I'd have them sprawled on the floor.
 
Hotred911 said:
My husband and I have constantly gone back and forth on the gun issue for over 4 years. I don't want one. He grew up with them. Now that we've moved to a bigger city, one that isn't so safe, I've actually considered allowing one. The main thing that changed my mind was a man getting arrested outside one of the bedroom windows at 2 in the morning. A time when it's usually just me and the kids. He was arrested for stealing a car, and it's possible he was armed. The cops searched the area for hours looking for the gun.

I have a similar story.

I live in a slightly small town, about 40k population.

Anyway, a couple of blocks from my parents house (across town) there were three murders in one night. Apparently, a few blocks away from where they occured there's a public facilities place that helps mental health patients. Not the ones that need to necessarily be locked up, mind you, but ones that are out on their own.

This guy went to the mental health place and they denied him medication that he felt he needed. So he walked on over to the subdivision, broke into homes, and slit peoples throats.

It didn't make very big news. My town has a habit of 'covering up' these types of things. But the police did hold some meetings regarding the safety of that facility near them. The parents went to them.

Guess the point is, there's a lot of sick fucks out there in the world. The guy who breaks in might not be after your vcr. He might be there to slit your throat, to rape your kids, whatever.

So yeah, I have a gun.. And I'll treat any intruder as armed and a potential threat to life.



Hotred911 said:
My husband thinks we should get a shotgun, if I had to have one I'd prefer a handgun. Something I felt comfortable handling. We can't agree.

A shotgun, while it'll produce more 'kick' and seems more substantial, is actually a lot easier to fire than a pistol, especially for home defense purposes. Have you fired one? If not, try it out sometime. They're not so bad.
 
Hello, it is very responsible of you to research self defense methods.

I am originally from Alaska and have law enforcement, military and master hunters in my close family. I lived 10 minutes outside town in Alaska, that 10 minutes translated to 15 to 20 minute police response time, 15 to 20 minutes is enough time for someone to do pretty much anything they want, so quite a few people were armed.

Handguns have saved the life of my immediate family members several times and deterred several crimes against myself.

One thing to keep in mind about any type of pepper spray is that it is almost impossible to use it on someone without also getting yourself at least somewhat (this is one reason a lot of military and police are intentionally exposed to it).

Also keep in mind that no matter what type of weapon you get you must be prepared to use it, a high percentage of people who carry pepper spray get it used against them because they hesitate to use it.

I'd recommend Counter Assault (http://www.counterassault.com), in Alaska we carry it to use against bears, it is designed to stop a charing bear and is a 18% Capsaicin spray, it is very effective against animals and therefor humans, quite a few police offers in Alaska do not carry issued mace and go for counter assault instead.

The personal varation of Counter Assault is slightly lower in 18% Capsaicin content but still very potent. Someone in Alaska did a brief spray in their shop in a mall and it resulted in both floors of the mall being evacuated.

That said I'd also recommend you take a womens self defense course, being able to defind yourself with your hands and feet is very good. A good self defense course will also teach you how to fall and escape from common holds, avoid common attacks, etc.

I'm also a big advocate of the CCW program, I'd highly recommend researching your caliber throughly before going into a gun store. .357, and .40 are popular calibers that have very high stop rates (above 95%).

If you have limited hand strength or are uncomfortable working a slide you should opt for a revolver instead.

self defense and a handgun or other weapon is an ideal combination.

At the end of the day you must be comfortable and ready and willing to use the solution you pick, do not hesitate to use it or it will be used against you.

My point of view is when someone attempts to violate the safety or rights of my family or friends or myself they have already made the decision on my response and it is out of my hands.

I will not hesitate to defind myself or my family and I hope that others feel the same way.

There has been really good advice and I'm sure more to come.

If you go for a firearm get some formal training (it will probably be required for CCW) they can explain the local laws and restrictions about when you can use lethal force. Also be aware that if you are in a situation where lethal force was used you should be very careful of what you say and immediatly obtain an attorney, it is rarely as black and white as he broke in my house and I shot or attacked him.

Most states allow you to carry a weapon in your vehicle as long as it is in plain sight, if you do not have a CCW permit and have a weapon be careful not to obscure it.

In Alaska a friend of the family who happend to be the fire marshal went hunting and had his hunting knife on his belt. He didn't think about stopping at a bar on the way home and got a drink, his hunter's vest obscured the knife and he was given a pretty big fine when another police officer say it (had no choice).

And lastly if you are in a situation where for your safety you must use lethal force follow the training you receive, once you are committed to using lethal force there is no aiming for the leg.
 
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Ballistically, a shotgun loaded with bird shot (bunches of small pellets) is safer for home protection than a pistol. A Pistol will fire a bullet which will easily punch through walls in a house. Bird shot from a shotgun will be stopped by typical interior walls in a house. What this means to you as a parent is that you do not have to worry about the bullet that you fire going through the intruder, through the wall behind him and endangering the life of your children in the room next to you. The birdshot is stopped by the drywall and never endangers them.

Plus, a pistol fires 1 projectile. A typical load of birdshot will have over a hundred projectiles, which spread out after leaving the end of the barrel. There is less chance of missing your target.

A baseball bat is good as well, just remember to train with it as you would any other weapon.

some points to consider.
 
Excellent point, also birdshot is not a precision weapon which is the benefit and also the drawback.

There are quite a few really good resources on the Internet and gun safety trainers can provide insight into the best weapon in your situation.

The great thing about USA is the wide range of self defense products available to protect us as citizens.

An excellent gun safety aid is the Gun Vault, it is a hand-gun safe that has a spring loaded door and easy to operate combination entry device in both low and no light situations.

It holds the gun inside the safe for rapid retrieval, it can be left stand alone or mounted to the floor, nightstand, etc.

Safe gun ownership is common sense, and something I wish more people would practice.
 
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When I was going to college (1992-1993), I carried pepper spray. It was in a heavy nylon case attached to my key ring. When I bought it, the clerk suggested that I practice using it at the local park (making sure no one was close enough to cause them injury). He said if I’d emptied the canister in practice, he’d replace it free and he did. With enough practice, it became very easy to flip off the cover, flip up the safety on the canister and depress the trigger.

A few things I didn’t know when I bought it, but should have! Most of these seem like no brainers, but I never thought about it until after I’d bought it. You can’t take pepper spray into an airport (especially now!). You can’t take it into any federal buildings, schools (college campuses can be different, but you should check with campus security to be sure) or bars.

Now, with the exception of the federal buildings, the others could simply be laws for my state. When I moved out to New York City, I used to carry it all the time. I walked into our local convenience store and was told by the cop who’d stopped by for his morning coffee that it was illegal to carry in NYC. Not illegal to HAVE, just to carry. It could be used for home protection, but not take outside.

Guns, pepper spray, tazers, and stun guns can all be taken away or used against you or your children. I am in no way “anti-gun”. I own a gun myself, though it’s not for protection, but for pleasure. However, I don’t carry it with me. If you decide to go this route, there are ways of securing a weapon to lessen the chance of your children getting hold of it. But if you do, please make sure that you know what you’re doing with your weapon. Take classes and practice often so that you become proficient with it. It won’t do you any good if you don’t know how to use it. Even something as mild as pepper spray.

If you’re looking to protect yourself when out and about, may I suggest a good self-defense course? They’re very informative, effective, and a lot of fun to boot. A good self-defense course will teach you how to use everything on your person (including yourself) for defense. Keys, phones, shoes, elbows and even your own voice can all be effective weapons. They can also help you learn to think defensively whenever you leave the house. Your local police department, sporting goods stores, martial arts academies, or community director could probably point you in the right direction for checking into these courses.

Best of luck!
~Alyx~
 
A couple things that I keep in mind when I'm feeling less than safe... 1) a spray-bottle with vinegar and pepper in it will work just as nicely as pepper-spray.

2) perfume or hairspray are just as damaging to the eyes, in the short-term.. they'll distract and allow you precious escape time.

3) when I'm walking alone, and feel insecure, I carry my keys spread out between my fingers... like Wolverine's claws, as it were... if someone wants to fuck with me, one good right hook is going to fuck up his or her face.

4) High heels are your best friend. THey disable feet beautifully.

5) SING. I mean it. Rent Miss COngeniality, and when she demonstrates S-I-N-G, pay attention. It works.

Solar-plexus
Instep
Nose
Groin.

If your attacker were to attack from behind, grabbing you, first, ram your elbow into his solar-plexus (his side). Then ram your foot on his instep. Use your elbow or joint hands (put them together) to bang his nose in and up, and then kick, punch, or whatever, him in the groin. If it's a woman, do the first three, and then turn around, and quickly hook your feet under their calves, pull, and run. It will cause them to call, on their tailbone, and you'll be okay.

6) Invest some time in self-defence classes.

7) Rape whistles don't work. When in need of help, scream FIRE. It's proven more effective in studies up here in BC. Sad, yes, but true.
 
Another tip, if someone is coming towards you agressively throw something towards their face, it is instinct to protect the eyes and they will momentarily block what is coming at them, this gives you the opportunity to duck away or launch an attack.

Martial arts are a lot of fun (especially Kick boxing, Shodokan and Aikido are all very good female martial arts. My shodokan instructor was very good at teaching how to overpower and disable an opponent much larger than yourself.

Possibly one of the biggest benefits of self defense courses is learning how to recognize dangerous situations and avoid them.

If we were involved in too many confrontations we would go under review to determine if we were abusing our training.

Some forms of martial arts are more geared towards martial arts competition than self defense, so I'd investigate before joining.

It is also an excellent self esteem booster to know that you can handle yourself in most situations and is a heck of a workout.
 
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I forgot to mention how I stay personally safe... well, I'm big, for one. Most people aren't going to mess with me.

Secondly, thanks to a brother who wouldn't let me NOT know how to throw a good punch, I have a right hook that has broken bones in the past. I am not afraid to throw it, to smash someone's head on the ground, or to throw their body over mine if I have to. As I was a weight-lifter in my younger years, I have rather a lot of strength in my pudgy body, and again, am not afraid to use it. I used to pick up 130 pound girls, throw them into the air, and catch them, as a cheerleader... I have no problems grabbing someone up to about 300 lbs and throwing them down. And I will step on any sensitive bits that will buy me time.

I used to carry a hunting knife with me. After my brutal rape, I always had it strapped around my waist, in the small of my back. The curve of my butt hid it nicely (it was always sheathed), and it allowed quick, easy access if I needed it. Thankfully, I never did, and have since stopped carrying.

I have a good set of lungs. I used to train for opera.. and I can scream with the best of them.

And I have my man... if for whatever reason I couldn't defend myself, he would be there for me... and if he wasn't there, then he would do all he could to help me survive the after-effects.
 
TNRkitect2b said:
Ballistically, a shotgun loaded with bird shot (bunches of small pellets) is safer for home protection than a pistol. A Pistol will fire a bullet which will easily punch through walls in a house. Bird shot from a shotgun will be stopped by typical interior walls in a house. What this means to you as a parent is that you do not have to worry about the bullet that you fire going through the intruder, through the wall behind him and endangering the life of your children in the room next to you. The birdshot is stopped by the drywall and never endangers them.

Plus, a pistol fires 1 projectile. A typical load of birdshot will have over a hundred projectiles, which spread out after leaving the end of the barrel. There is less chance of missing your target.

A baseball bat is good as well, just remember to train with it as you would any other weapon.

some points to consider.

I had never thought of this. Yes, I had thought of the bullet going through the wall or a window and hurting someone other than the attacker, but I'd never thought of other types of bullets. My other concern with a shotgun is loading time. Although I know with practice the loading time would decrease. If we were to ever get a gun in the house it would remain unloaded, with the gun and bullets hidden at different spots in the house. That way if either of the kids ever found it, they'd only find one half of it. So I figured a handgun with a clip would be easier to load in a short amount of time.

Any ideas on a good way to practice with a baseball bat? I was thinking along the lines of a punching bag, but am open to better suggestions.

By the way, great thread Sheath. I'm learning so much here.
 
What an absolutely amazing education this thread is turning out to be!

Thank you all so much for posting. I'm going to have to go through this one several times, read over each post more than once...I agree with you, hotred, the amount of information here is wonderful.

:)

S.
 
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