Best handgun for home protection?

[T_Raven]

The authors of this site have some good perspective on all of this http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/propertycrime.html The whole site has good info, it's totally changed how I think about self defense.

I love guns and even have a conceiled carry permit, but this has been a much debated topic for me and my friends and coworkers. I think everyone should have guns and be trained to use them, BUT if you want to keep your family safe, using a gun in the middle of the night should be a last resort.

I don't yet own a house (4 years in Iraq and counting) but when I do, making the house secure will be a top priority. I know too many people that think they are bad a$$es because they sleep with a gun by the bed and think everything will be just like the movies if they actually have to use it. Sure if someone wants in they'll get in, but would you rather spend a couple grand on a security system and make most criminals choose an easier target, or have blood and bullet holes all over your house, a tramatized family, and possible go to prison?

Don't forget intruders aren't the only dangers at home. Got fire extinguishters and a plan in case of a fire? Got a good first aid kit? Are emergency numbers posted by the phone?

[CreepinDeth]

Originally Posted by T_Raven

I know too many people that think they are bad a$$es because they sleep with a gun by the bed and think everything will be just like the movies if they actually have to use it. Sure if someone wants in they'll get in, but would you rather spend a couple grand on a security system and make most criminals choose an easier target, or have blood and bullet holes all over your house, a tramatized family, and possible go to prison?

So true. So very very true.
A home security system is definitely a great deterrent if you can afford it.
I myself believe in a LARGE canine security system, but even those aren't foolproof.

My pit is my 1st line of defense, if I hear him barking, that's my queue
Living in IL , a very anti-gun state we had the Hale DeMar case which was pretty intense.
Almost made us feel like we were victims on standby......if you defend yourself you go to jail.

I hope I never have to experience a break in while my family is home or not.

[70rs]

My gun is my LAST resort. 1st is a security system, then two dogs, then the maze it is to get to the sleeping area of the house. If they (an intruder) decide they want to make it that far, well so be it. The last thing I want is "blood and bullets" all over my house or to have my family subjected to anything of the sort.
Tha last thing I ever want to do in this life is to shoot another person.

BUT...when all else fails and it is us or them I will not let my family be victims.

I really do think anyone who owns a gun for protection should be fully trained in the use of that gun. Safety is the biggest factor. Anyone who does not take it serious is just asking for major problems and is better off not having a gun in the home in the first place.

Be safe!!

[GregWeld]

Wouldn't you rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6?

[T_Raven]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Wouldn't you rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6?

When ever I hear this stupid saying I picture someone chanting it to themself while they put on all their gear and camo face paint so they can go out and LOOK for a situation where they need to shoot someone, and then claim it was self defense.

I'd rather avoid both situations at all costs, but if it comes right down to it, I won't hesitate to kill someone that's trying to kill me no matter how I have to do it. I also expect I'll be spending a lot of time locked up if I ever do have to kill someone. But really, why would anyone be trying to kill me? Anyone breaking into my house to rob me would probably wait till I'm not there. If not I'll have a security system and a dog or two, if those don't scare them off then the shot gun will be waiting, but shooting it will be a last resort. Any mugger on the street is either going to kill me before I even know he's there, or he'll probably just take my money and run.

I just think the chances of ever needing to shoot at someone are VERY slim if you take a few precautions. I always hear people tell me that in such and such state you can shoot someone on your property for any reason and it's totally legal. Well not a dang one of them had ever done any research on that, and even if the written law seems to agree, you never know for sure until you're in the court room for killing an intruder.

[T_Raven]

I know I got an email saying there was a response to what I'm assuming was my post lol. But it's not here now. I don't want to sound anti gun, I didn't mean my posts to sound that way. I love guns. I know the original question was which gun, but nothing else was said about the OP's security measures. I just want anyone that wants to keep a gun by the bed to REALLY think everything through. Shooting someone in the middle of the night is going to turn into a nightmare no matter how it plays out. So it's best to try to prevent ever needing to in the first place

[70rs]

Originally Posted by T_Raven

I know I got an email saying there was a response to what I'm assuming was my post lol. But it's not here now. I don't want to sound anti gun, I didn't mean my posts to sound that way. I love guns. I know the original question was which gun, but nothing else was said about the OP's security measures. I just want anyone that wants to keep a gun by the bed to REALLY think everything through. Shooting someone in the middle of the night is going to turn into a nightmare no matter how it plays out. So it's best to try to prevent ever needing to in the first place

Your last line in the above post really says it all.

The whole gun issue is a tough one. There are a lot of different opinions on them. But like politics and religion, leave me out of it and let me live my life without your opinion and I will do the same for you. (meaning the general public and no one specific here )