Since Trump’s election, gun groups catering to progressives and people of color report a surge in interest as they look to defend themselves in a country that, to them, feels increasingly unstable.
Since Trump’s election, gun groups catering to progressives and people of color report a surge in interest as they look to defend themselves in a country that, to them, feels increasingly unstable.
Unless you plan to carry concealed or get a concealed carry license skip the pistol for your first gun.
If you want something for home defense that sits by the bed get a 20-gauge pump shotgun. I’ve never met anyone man woman or child that couldn’t shoot one and #3 or #4 buckshot is hard to miss with within 20 or 30 yards. You can go to almost any sporting goods store and pick one up for about $250. I like the Maverick 88.
If you want something to hunt with or just have in case of “troubles” get yourself a decent bolt-action rifle with a 3x9 scope in a popular caliber such as 308 or 270. Rifles are easier to shoot and you can use them for hunting. Once you shoot the rifle a few times and are comfortable with it you can put it away for those “troubles.”
If the US gets ripe enough you need to stack bodies you are going to want a rifle more than a pistol and if you have a shotgun or a rifle you can pick up a pistol, there will be plenty on those bodies you are stacking.
That’s my extremely qualified opinion, but with that said opinions are like assholes, everyone has one.
Good luck out there, be safe.
When I thought about buying a shotgun I looked into rock salt and other non lethal ammo, it turns out it’s illegal to load shells with rock salt. Hard to believe
Wait you’re telling me the salt shotgun of Scrooge McDuck is real?
I got shot with salt by a farmer when I was a kid. It’s definitely real and scroogy old bastards seem to like it.
Yeah, https://www.bullseye-cartridge.com/12ga-2-3-4-rock-salt-5-pack.html it’s ammunition not the gun exactly, but it’s kinda the OG old school less than lethal round.
If you have the money just get an AR 15. There is a reason it’s so popular.
There could be a world ending apocalypse and you’ll still find parts and ammo. And it’s an incredibly well rounded platform that’s pretty easy to use.
5.56 rounds over penetrates less than 9mm and less than many different shot shells too. I like HD 9mm rounds but the AR platform for home defense is a smart choice.
And I’m not saying it’s ideal, but you’ll still take a deer down in some insane scenario where you’re hunting for food.
Ive heard even 9mm higher pressure rounds through a carbine length barrel can stop some bears. Im not saying I’d trust it to be my first choice in that situation but I’d wager if you get good enough with 5.56 there’s not much you wouldn’t be able to stop with a couple follow up shots or hunt with a good first shot.
As someone with many years experience, I second this and highly recommend shotguns for home defense.
If you’re ready to move up to mobile defense for whatever reasons, and you’re not someone who dedicates time and money to shooting regularly, I recommend a revolver like a .38, they are simple to operate, accurate, reliable in almost any conditions, almost impossible to jam, easy to see if it’s loaded and ready to fire, and generally much easier to manage and maintain than an automatic.
Very few times in all recorded personal defense situations has anyone ever had to reload, and most of these incidents are over after just a couple rounds are fired. (It’s amazing how people with bad intentions tend to forget about their grievances after just one hole, two will usually do the trick no matter where said holes are.)
I also highly recommend anyone who takes any of this remotely seriously to take some self-defense classes, any kind of martial art, don’t get sucked down any kind of pipeline of people screaming about what style is best for what, literally anything that gets you able to use your arms and legs as defense tools. You desperately need that muscle memory so your first line of defense isn’t the deadly weapon, and so you can survive if you lose your weapon for whatever reason, and not get mentally hung up on having a gun always.
I disagree on a shotgun for HD, pistols are more manueverable, easier to go through doorways, and harder to disarm. The only caveat is normal pistol rounds will over penetrate furthet than bird shot, but other types of shot can over penetrate as much as 9mm. 5.56 rounds actually overpentrate less than 9mm and some people use AR pistols, or full sized ARs, for HD because of this. You don’t want bullets flying through walls you can’t see through, and Id highly recommend agaist anything pump action especially for someone who isnt going to practice cycling the weapon.
For most people a shotgun for HD is the way to go.
For someone that knows a thing or two, I agree with you… pistol or SBR… I just don’t think that’s most people.
Most people who buy shotguns are gonna end up with a pump shotgun and that’s a big downside for anyone whos not practicing cycling the weapon because in terms of stopping power follow up shots outclass bigger bullet every time. A pump action is setting up beginners to fail at following up more than any other common HD weapon. Most semi auto shotguns cost at least double what pumps do and are more expensive than comprable pistols and even solid budget rifles. I stand by my recommendations, if someone really wants a shotgun and they’re new, insist on a semi auto, but that’s the minority.
This! The over penetration is why Shotgun is better especially for more dense areas such as apartments.
i dunno, i just call the cops but mabye thats just me.
Clearly, you are not in the US.
why, is there no cops in the US?
Because they almost always make the situation worse.
Big difference between having cops, and having cops that you can trust to protect you.
Also, even if for argument’s sake we assume that the police will act in your best interest when they show up, not everyone lives in a large city where you’re never more than five minutes away from a cop. The US is huge, and the vast majority of it is rural and isolated. If you live in one of those places help from police might be hours away rather than minutes. You’re on your own until they show up. If they show up at all.
Cops in the US are a whole different breed of fucked up
But what if I’m not feeling suicidal?
i dont know what that has to do with cops
Because in numerous cases, the cops have attacked the victims when responding to a call. If you are a minority it’s even more likely. Combine that with a white attacker, even more likely.
oh never seen that before that much, ive seen some cops do some stupid shit, but it doesnt seem like a widespread issue.
Are you familiar with the expression “[the thin blue line](Are you familiar with the expression “the thin blue line” and mindset that it reinforces?)” and the mindset that it reinforces?
Are you familiar with the “warrior” training so many police go through, where they are trained to see threats from everywhere and to prioritize their own lives above others?
Are you aware that, legally, cops aren’t obligated to protect you if you aren’t in their custody?
Did you see the footage from the Uvalde school shooting?
All of these combine together to result in so many instances of police escalating tense situations instead of de-escalating those situations. It results in police shooting innocent people because they thought they saw a gun. Like I said, if you are a minority things tend to be much worse. You’re likely guilty of something in their eyes, even if the cop is a minority.
And that’s what makes it clear you’re not American.
You’re very fortunate. I live in a place in the US where it’s a toss up on whether the cops will even show up. I’ve called an ambulance for it to never show up before. Unfortunately we’re on our own and have to take matters into our own hands if we expect to survive. Guns are a plague but there’s not much that can be done at this point. We must protect our families.
Following up on your comment, there’s plenty of places in the US where you don’t call the cops as a non-white person at all; since the cops have gone out and shot the brown person that called them… since you know, the cops commonly assume the brown person is the perpetrator.
Fun way to tell everyone that you’re white, or not living in America.
actually im southern Italian/Lebanese so my skin is tanned and have been in trouble with the police before. Stop making everything about race.
Oh, so there was a comma in my comment. My assumption was right.
When seconds count, the cops are minutes away. You do you though and good luck.
So then you get to deal with armed fascist thugs in addition to whatever problem you were trying to solve by calling the cops. And guess what, if a fascist attacks you and you call the cops, you’re likely calling their buddies, who won’t be happy with you. At least, in my experience in the US.