From: boyd@gauss (Mickey Boyd)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: To buy or not to buy ?
Date: 22 Jan 93 14:08:02 GMT
Organization: fsu.edu

John Pettitt (jpp@StarConn.com) wrote:
#
# Buy a hand gun of some sort, advantage it's small and easy to store.
# Disadvantage lack of effective range.

Bad idea.  It seems obvious that you would stick it in a draw or box and leave 
it there until the bad guys come knocking (as you admit to not being "into" 
firearms).  This is a formula for disaster.  A handgun is a particularly 
poor choice due to the amount of practice needed to become and stay proficient,
their smaller controls, and their lack of visual "punch".  

# Buy a shotgun,  advantage - easy to use and good deterence value,
# disadvantage range and size.

Slightly better idea.  A shotgun has these other advantages:

	Simple operation, with a "big" motion needed to make it operational
	    (small hand movements are more difficult under high stress, and 
	    the relatively coarse action of tromboning a pump shotgun could 
	    be performed with a higher degree of reliability than fumbling 
	    with a magazine/speedloader/safety/hammer-dropper).

	More visual and auditory intimidation.  You probably want to scare 
	    folks away, not shoot them, and pointing a 3/4" tube at a person, 
	    followed by "ca-chunk" sure makes a definite statement.

	It is a long gun, and therefore free from much of the legal and social 
	    stigma associated with handguns (or even "assault handguns",
	    whatever the hell they are).  It also makes them easier to own in 
	    the Peoples Republic of CA.

IMHO, in an urban setting where concealment is not an issue, there is nothing 
better than a shotgun (for self defense).

# Buy a rifle, advantage range, disadvantage size, overpenetration.
# (a plus here is that I could get to enjoy using it on a range - I used
# to win prizes with an airgun as a kid).

Bad idea, due to the reasons you offer.  Instead, why not get a decent shotgun
and an extra barrel.  Cut the extra barrel down to 19" (legal limit + 1"), and 
keep it mounted as your defense arm.  When the mood hits you, put the other 
barrel on and shoot skeet, trap, or sporting clays.  All of these sports are 
very addictive and fun.

# Note: My wife is strongly anti any type of gun, she says that if it gets
# that bad then me with one gun won't help and that she does not want a
# gun in the house with our daughter (age 2).  All talk of safes etc goes
# down to female logic :-).

# So what to do and how to sell the choice to my SO ?

Ok, here comes my real answer:  Don't buy a gun for self defense.  You would
put your money to better use by installing good locks, or making one room of 
your house "secure", or having "panic button" police call buttons installed 
in your home.  Heck, buy a baseball bat.  It is obvious that you are unsure 
of the decision, and your SO is strongly against it.  This does not lead one 
to believe that you could "properly" own a gun for defense (I.E. practicing 
with it, and integrating the concept of being armed into your life).  Instead,
you might want to consider buying some good non-lethal chemical weapons. 
There are several brands of good "pepper gas" sprays on the market (which have
superceeded tear gas due to much greater effectiveness).  Get a couple of the 
big police sized units (not the little keychain toys, I'm talking Lysol 
sized).  Given that you and your SO will know that they are non-lethal, you 
would probably not hesitate to soak someone with the stuff.  Stick one in 
each car, and one by the door of your house.  If the going gets rough, spray 
the bastard.  If it gets rougher, brain him with the baseball bat :-).

You mention buying a rifle and perhaps taking it to the range to play with.
I suggest you do so, but don't consider it a defense arm.  After you and your 
family are more comfortable with the concept of firearms in general, you might
take another stab at aquiring a defense arm.  I would advise you to do this 
if only to teach your child or children sensible gun safety.  I personally 
consider failure to provide such knowledge to a child a grave injustice.  It 
could easily save a life.

The above is IMHO.  Direct flames elsewhere.

--
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