Home Defense Weapons

What is the best firearm for home defense?

This is an ongoing topic of discussion (and argument) around the country. Frankly, there is no one correct answer. To help determine an appropriate firearm for home defense the following must be considered:

1.      Who is the weapon for?

• Is the weapon for a male or female?
• What is their age?
• Do they have firearm experience?

2.      Where do you live?

• Do you live in Texas, California, New Jersey, etc…?
• Are you in the city, suburbs, or boonies?
• What are the local laws concerning firearms, if any?

3.      Are children living in the home?

• Weapons must be secured at all times yet be quickly accessible

4.      How much are you willing to spend?

• Firearms range from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars and exotic caliber ammo can be very expensive (think $3-4 per round or more).

Having worked at a gun store & range for several years, I dealt with these questions daily and learned while there is no “one fits all” answer there are a few classes of firearms that can be excluded:

• AR15/M16/M4: these are “Homeland Defense” rather than home defense weapons.  Unless one lives way out in the country, the 223/5.56 cartridge has sufficient power to put neighbors in jeopardy.  Even in the country one must be careful with this round as it can carry as far as 3 miles.

• Hunting Rifles and Shotguns: While they will do in a pinch, many are too long and cumbersome for effective use inside a home.  Most big game caliber rifles (and shotguns loaded with slugs) are too powerful for general consideration in home defense.

So, what is the best weapon for you? I feel a 20 gauge pump shotgun with an 18” barrel, IC choke and 2¾” shells loaded with 3/4 – 1oz #4 shot is just about ideal. The short 18” barrel is maneuverable in-doors; the IC choke allows the shot pattern to expand quickly; and #4 shot is large enough to stop a threat yet does not have sufficient mass to defeat walls and doors with lethal power. Lastly, there is nothing that says “Get the hell out of here” more convincingly than racking a pump action shotgun.

Handguns have their place and are probably the overwhelming first choice for self-defense, but if you are looking for the best weapon for Home Defense look no farther than a shotgun.

Your comments/points of view are more than welcome as the foregoing is meant to develop a conversation of this controversial subject.