Joined this group because I read this post and wanted to comment. I am one of those XY's and hope nobody holds that against me. I live in the south and have a safe to keep my firearms in like most of the people around here. Now about the gun.
If you only want protection when in the house, there's nothing better than a shotgun. There are several reasons why this is true. First of all the sound of a pump shotgun chambering a shell is unmistakable and frightening. They teach the police that when they hear that sound, get out of the building. Second is that you don't have to aim a shotgun, all you have to do is point them and pull the trigger, kinda like point and click. Thirdly, and this is something very important, the lead from a shotgun isn't going to travel through several walls and possibly hit somebody you were trying to protect. A round from a pistol or rifle can travel through your house and into your neighbors house.
With all this being said you have to practice using whatever weapon you decide on. This is both learning how to use it and when to use it. You need to run different situations through your mind and have a plan for different scenarios that you may encounter. The worst thing you could do would be to hesitate or be unwilling to use deadly force when presenting a weapon. Some women. and men, wouldn't have what it takes to do something like this. If you don't think you would be willing to take another life to save you or yours, don't get a firearm. But if you do get a firearm, no matter what type, you have to practice to the point that the weapon is just an extension of you and you are able to use it without even thinking about it, of course this is after you have decided that you are going to use it.
Hope this helps, Elapid---<
If you only want protection when in the house, there's nothing better than a shotgun. There are several reasons why this is true. First of all the sound of a pump shotgun chambering a shell is unmistakable and frightening. They teach the police that when they hear that sound, get out of the building. Second is that you don't have to aim a shotgun, all you have to do is point them and pull the trigger, kinda like point and click. Thirdly, and this is something very important, the lead from a shotgun isn't going to travel through several walls and possibly hit somebody you were trying to protect. A round from a pistol or rifle can travel through your house and into your neighbors house.
With all this being said you have to practice using whatever weapon you decide on. This is both learning how to use it and when to use it. You need to run different situations through your mind and have a plan for different scenarios that you may encounter. The worst thing you could do would be to hesitate or be unwilling to use deadly force when presenting a weapon. Some women. and men, wouldn't have what it takes to do something like this. If you don't think you would be willing to take another life to save you or yours, don't get a firearm. But if you do get a firearm, no matter what type, you have to practice to the point that the weapon is just an extension of you and you are able to use it without even thinking about it, of course this is after you have decided that you are going to use it.
Hope this helps, Elapid---<
The advice about trying out various weapons is excellent...particularly if you have small hands like me!
