When I wrote Alive After Crisis, I encouraged my reader to put together their emergency plan, this also includes your home defense plan.
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After writing that book I was getting a lot of questions about guns, so I thought it would be a good idea to talk about using guns for home protection.
There is something I want to stress before I discuss your options, though…
If you don’t know anything about guns, you are more of a threat than a hero and your ignorance may actually put you and your family at risk. Please take responsibility to learn how to use a gun and teach your eligible family members to do the same.
There are three main categories of firearms and the one(s) you choose will depend on your particular needs and circumstances.
Shotguns are very versatile for both home defense and hunting. There are 2 types of shotguns available: pump action and semi-automatic. Shotguns are easy to point and to shoot, they’re reliable, and launch multiple projectiles. They’re also really intimidating. When intruders see a shotgun, they know you mean business and they do NOT want to mess with you!
One of the downsides of any shotgun is its size. Shotguns are larger and may be more difficult to store safely, especially with kids around. This is not a weapon you keep on your nightstand. Since you’ll likely have to lock it up, you won’t be able to grab it quickly. Another major downside is that shotguns are close range guns and their accuracy drops as the range lengthens. They can be difficult to use in close quarters.
Shotguns are best used as a scare tactic or as a short-range defense against an expected assault.
When choosing a shotgun for home defense, keep it simple. Your gun should be reliable, quick, and easy to use. I recommend the Remington 870 XCS Marine Magnum, as it’s one of the most common 12 gauge shotguns used for home defense.
Rifles are accurate at both close range and long range. They have a high ammo capacity, they’re easy to reload, and you can attach a scope to increase accuracy even further.
Because some rifles are very lethal, they’re desirable for defending yourself in riots and every-man-for-himself type situations. However, rifles may be difficult to use in close proximity and bear a high risk of causing collateral damage.
There are many different types of rifles on the market, but I recommend the Benelli MR1 as a good starting point.
Handguns, such as pistols and revolvers, are smaller, portable guns. There is a wide variety available and as with everything else, what you choose is a matter of preference.
You can fire a handgun with one hand, while using the other hand to open a door or hold something. They’re very easy to use in close quarters, and because you can grab them quickly, handguns are indispensable when an assault is unforeseen.
However, handguns require more training and are more difficult to be proficient with. These are short-range guns, so expect to experience a major decline in accuracy at long range.
For a handgun, you can choose a revolver, such as Smith & Wesson 686 .357 Mag 4″, or a pistol, such as Colt 1911 or Glock 21. In a SHTF scenario, I’d prefer a reolver since they’re more reliable and there’s less chance of one jamming on me at the instant I need it most.
When choosing defense weapons, keep in mind both the cost of the firearm itself and more importantly, the cost of ammo. I recommend owning multiple firearms to address a wide array of possible scenarios.
To your survival,
Richard Marshall
P.S. Here’s how to arm yourself NOW with the ultimate weapons plan to protect yourself and those you love during desperate times.
