From: "Jim Doyle"


"B2431" wrote in message

snip

I don't think a person should HAVE to fight with an intruder so I truly
believe
a law abiding citizen should be allowed to keep and carry loaded fire
arms.
Consideration must be given to the safety of children in the home.

Do you not fear that your children could be hurt by the very gun that is in
your hands to protect them?


If you can teach a child to not touch a stove burner you can teach him to leave
a fire arm alone. The firearm has to be available, not in plain sight. When
asked what the best type of home defense gun is I say double barrel shotgun
with the barrels sawn off at 18 inches. 18 inches is legal, 17.9 is not. You
don't need a 24 inch barrel in the house since the extra 6 inches will only
make things more difficult. The load should be 6 or 7 bird shot. This is going
to be stopped by drywall and glass. Yes, the window and wall will be ruined,
but all the energy of the shot will be expended in doing so. If the shot misses
the bad guy and goes out an open door or window it will have very little effect
across the street. At ranges you can expect inside a typical home the badguy
will get most of the shot between thigh and head if you point at center of
mass. Note I said "point" rather than aim. It's quicker. The second shot is
incase the badguy doesn't get the hint. No third shot is required since you can
tap the badguy with the barrels.

If you must use handgun ammunition you should use "prefragmented" ammunition
such as Mag-Safe or Glaser Safety Slugs since neither will ricochet and tend to
not penetrate walls.

The shotgun is best for someone with little or no training. If you aren't going
to the range avery few months the pistol isn't good because you need to be able
to handle it reflexively.

Above all treat all fireams as loaded. This tends to reduce accidents.

Bear in mind when the gun makers make an idiot proof gun someone will come up
with an improved idiot.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired