From: drevik@utkvx2.utk.edu (Drevik, Steve)
Subject: Re: suggested weapons (was: Killing burglars.)
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: University of Tennessee Computing Center
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 18:07:00 GMT


My reccomendation for the truly inexperienced is a shotgun.  Why?

(1) It takes little training to load, holds about 7 shells, more than enough
to do the job.

(2) It takes NO training to hit someone in close quarters.  Just aim and
shoot.  Also very nice when you can't see your target very well (in
the dark.. if you're in the same neighborhood, you'll hit him).

(3) Small shot will tend not to penetrate the side of the house and 
kill your neighbor.  Not tru of rifle bullets (but true of low-power
pistols).

(4) You may note even have to fire it.  Flick on the lights, and when
the perpetrator sees a big inch-across barrel pointing at him, he'll\
likely soil himself.  A ruger .22 just doesn't have the same emotional
impact.  Same goes for the sound of chambering the first round.  Shotguns
make a nice, deep, metallic sound.

Recommended load:  first round would a hand-packed salt round (I'm
a liberal and my goal is to scare the guy off).  Second round is
run-of-the-mill birdshot.  Last five rounds are 00 buckshot (BIG pellets
and the guy won't get up).  Fire the first to scare.  If he comes at 
you, fire the second to stun him, the last five to finish him off
while he's stunned.  Drag perpetrator into house, if necessary.


<REMAINING IS REPEAT OF PREVIOUS ARTICLES>

In article <26AUG92233243@fnali.fnal.gov>, evad@fnali.fnal.gov writes...
>In article <mjc.714864001@NL.CS.CMU.EDU>, mjc+@cs.cmu.edu (Monica Cellio) writes...
>I would not shoot to kill, you shoot to stop. It just so happens
>that the best way to stop is a center of mass hit that will also
>kill. The killing is secondary. If you say in court that you shot
>to kill you are going to jail.
> 
>Actually many of the comments here have shown little knowledge
>of the law(in most places anyway). I have seen use EZ off.
>and other suggestions. These may just get you killed or in 
>a civil suit. If you shoot for the leg  you are using lethal
>force. It could be used against you that you felt that a wounding
>shot would be enough but you used lethal force to accomplish it. 
>In other words, you did feel justified in using lethal so you
>shot him in a non-vital area. But since you used a deadly weapon
>you are now the aggressor. 
>	
>If you are really interested in the general legalities and 
>advice. I would wander over to rec.guns or info.firearms.
>This topic is brought up quite often and many misinformed people
>are set straight.
>					dave
>>>1. shoot to kill to avoid lawsuits.
>>>2. use a calibre large enough to take out a big hunk of meat, but not too
>>>   large that a missed shot will pentrate walls and kill neighbors.
>>>3. keep club soda handy to clean up spilled blood and circumvent stains.
>> 
>>So, what specific weapons and ammo do you folks recommend for home 
>>protection?  Assume it's for an adult with no previous firearms experience
>>(bows and crossbows aside) and a willingness to learn.  (Of course, no weapon
>>gets into my house under *my* power before I've been properly trained with 
>>it.)  Goals are to maximize effectiveness (shooting to wound is stupid) while 
>>minimizing both risk to others (pass-through on walls) and property damage.
>> 
>>I would have sent email, but I suspect there are others who would like to
>>know.  I am not being sarcastic.