94Gt5.0;4735012; said:
I would stray away from a handgun, as youll need a permit, and they just arent as practical sometimes as a shotgun. There is nothing more intimidating than the sound of pumping a shotgun, and often enough the sound alone will make the perp think otherwise about sticking around.
I agree that a bad guy may **** his pants over the sound of operating the action of a pump gun. But...I'm not always sure you want a bad guy to know you are there. What if he is armed? What if his weapon is carried at the ready? I may want the advantage of stealth. He may not see me knelt beside the bed with a load of 00 buck pointed at his chest. This may be a good thing.
I disagree that handgun is less practical as a shotgun at times. The only time I would choose a shotgun over a pistol is if I was bird hunting. But...thats just my preference. I served 10 years in the military. I have some CQB training. If I had to choose one or the other, it would be a pistol. A 45ACP...with frangible ammo if you worried about over penetration. I prefer JHP's. If i decide to shoot an intuder, I want him dead. Not injured. Never point a firearm at something you don't intend to destroy.
Somebody mentioned earlier that a responsible gun owner will store his firearms locked and unloaded. That an intruder will be on you, or already be gone with your things by the time you are condition 1 and ready to go. I also disagree with this. I keep my home defense pistol with a full magazine and one in the pipe, on my night stand, locked in a small pistol safe with a cipher lock. It only takes a few seconds for me to have my weapon at the ready. If someone were to break in, I have plenty of time to get my weapon, and meet them at the stairs before they can get to my family. Again, I think this is preference based on what one is comfortable with.
Really, it comes down to personal preference. Educate yourself. Don't rush into a decision. Research you local laws, both city and state. I feel fortunate that my state allows for the use of deadly force for home defense. Yours may not.
If you decide to purchase a firearm for home/personal defense, take some classes, spend some time at the range. Always remember, safety is paramount.
Firearm ownership may not be the answer for you. Ultimately, that is for you to decide.
I hope I did not step on any ones toes. These are purely my opinions, and I am in no way saying that my way is the right way. Hell, my way might be the wrong way, but...it is my way.
Take care, and enjoy the holidays.