The best home protection is found in a barking dog
Last weekend I was at the local laundromat washing some items and while my stuff was drying, I overheard several of the guys discussing weapons and their use for home defense. One gentleman said he kept a 9mm pistol beside his bed, another one said he had a 38-caliber pistol , and the last man said he had a 45-caliber pistol, all agreed these weapons were excellent weapons for home defense.
Being a retired sergeant major from the Army and a former Sandpoint police officer, I know how destructive a bullet can be to the interior of a home and how easily it penetrates building materials. I know in the movies the bad guy uses the wall as cover when in a gun fight. The good guy shoots at the bad guy and the bad guy gets away because he used the wall as a shield. The truth of the matter is, today's weapons will penetrate several walls before the bullet runs out of energy. Anyone behind that wall that is in the line of sight of that gun will be hit by that bullet.
In my view the shotgun is an excellent weapon for home defense. I know Hollywood puts out very misleading information, e.g., the shotgun pattern will cover en entire wall, or the impact will lift a grown man off his feet if hit by a shotgun, or stop cars in their tracks. All not true and you can easily miss with a shotgun.
Shotguns have a long history of being used in combat. They have proven their effectiveness in that they launch multiple projectiles. When the homeowner triggers a shotgun at an armed home intruder, he/she is trying for terminal effectiveness - stopping power. My point is simple - with the proper weapon and training; gives the defensive shooter one of the most devastating firearms possible in short distances, generally 10 to 12 yards.
Shotguns come in several gauges, e.g. 10, 12, 16, and 20 gauges - all of which have some form of buckshot loads available. In my view, the best choice by a wide margin is the 12 gauge, which has dozens of different buckshot choices.
The 10-gauge is usually large and heavy; the recoil tends to intimidate the shooter. The 16 and 20 gauge is fine; however, ammunition choices are limited.
Twelve-gauge shotgun rounds start at No. 12 all the way up to 000 buckshot. For defensive combat, my choice is 00 buck. Double-ought pellets are about. 33 caliber and weigh between 52 and 54 grains per pellet. Using standard and low recoil loads, each round has either eight or nine pellets per round.
Inside of most homes, 10 to 12 yards is a long way, shot size isn't critical. Using No. 8 birdshot will pattern into six to eight inch circles. It will do plenty of damage to the armed intruder.
In my view, the best home defense system is the barking dog for early warning and a well oiled shotgun to defend my home and family from armed intruders.
If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), email them to madan@nwees.com or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church street, Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed do? For more information about Ed, and his new handyman services, check him out at NWEES.COM.
Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection & remediation/restoration contractor. Ed is the president of Northwest Environmental Services, Inc.