Do You Keep a Firearm for Home Defence?
Over the last few years, it seems everyone and their brother wants an AR-15 or one of the many clones available.
Many state they want one for "Home Defence".
This is a tragedy waiting to happen.
Before you get all Cognitive Dissonance-y on me, hear me out.
I'm not a gun hater, in fact, based on some of the reading I've done here on Steemit recently, I'd probably describe myself more as a Libertarian-Anarchist now (you should be following @kafkanarchy84).
I've been a shooter all my life and I'd love to own a Class III firearm or two, but I can't afford the oppressive taxes imposed on them.
What I am saying is that a high-velocity firearm, regardless of caliber, is just as likely to kill your 4 year old sleeping just a wall or two away, as it is some home invader.
Look around your house, how many walls can you punch through with a hammer?
Now imagine a .22 to .30 (5.56mm to 7.62mm for all you Metric people) caliber bullet travelling at 2500-3200 feet per second.
Do you think that sheetrock is going to do anything other than redirect that projectile in an unpredictable direction?
Unless you completely ignore the news, you've seen the stories about a 3 year old sleeping in their crib who was wounded or killed when some gang members started shooting at some rival gang members in the street outside their house.
A shotgun is a marginally better choice depending on what you choose to feed it with.
I don't remember where but at some point I read that #4 shot has the best short range "effectiveness" while not suffering from the over-penetration that slugs or buckshot can have.
But, have you ever discharged a firearm in a closed room?
It's LOUD, I mean disorientingly loud and that sword cuts both ways.
Chances are you will not be prepared for the effect those pressure waves, bouncing off of walls back at you, are going to have on you.
Enter, some rather ancient options.
These are the Cold-Steel brand Trail Hawk and Gladius "machete".
Neither of these tools will shoot through walls (well, you could probably stick the Gladius through a door or wall).
Neither of these tools causes a disorienting flash or thunderous report.
Neither of these tools can be "accidentally" discharged (although the Gladius is scarily sharp, right out of the box).
Neither of these tools requires a license or permit to purchase (for the most part, I can't vouch for NYC, LA or Chi-town).
Both of these tools are actually a great idea to carry in your car along with a saw and a shovel, maybe a few space blankets, some rope, a couple of cheap poly-tarps, water, disposable handwarmers , some gallon freezer ziplock bags...
Both of these tools are formidable weapons in the event you need to "defend" your home.
The Roman Legions were the deadliest fighting force for what, 500 years?
Guess what their main close quarter personal weapons were?
Do you think the Native Americans were effective with a Tomahawk?
Recent "terror" attacks have included hammer-wielding assailants, guess why?
They're effective.
In addition, you don't have to risk a trip to the emergency room trying to learn how to use them.
These are the Peace Keeper and Gladius trainers.
Both are made of polypropylene and have the heft and feel of the real thing.
There is also a Tomahawk version available; although I chose to purchase a sheath for mine which fastens over the sharp edge, making it "safe" to train with.
Most people who say they want a gun, if they haven't grown up involved in shooting sports or haven't had military training, would probably be a lot "safer" in their homes with one or both of these options.
Feel free to upvote and resteem.
I'm open for comments or suggestions.
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Cold Steel Trail Hawk
Cold Steel Trail Hawk Sheath
Cold Steel Gladius Machete
Cold Steel Gladius Trainer
Cold Steel Trench Hawk Trainer
You make a valid point sir! I do like that sword much better... I have fond memories of single handing a broadsword when I was a teenager lol. Heck I could probably wear one in New York because it would look so exotic no one would think it was real!
I'm not sure which would be more conspicuous in New York, a sword or a Trump hat.
Just don't try and buy a large soda there, it's against the law.
lol I know a guy...
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Living in the Netherlands, I don't have much of a choice. Getting a permit involves a shooting club membership, a gun safe at home and a lot of red tape. I carry a knife since a robber pointed a handgun at me in a supermarket. Probably a fake gun, but I wasn't going to test that.
Wait, our media says how safe and happy the Netherlands are.
Crime and violence only exist here in the US, wherever there are guns. ;-)
Well, to be honest, the mainstream idea that we have a lot less violent crime here is true. The total number of murders is comparable to the number of people killed by police in one US state with a lower population.
That doesn't mean there is no crime. I live in the city and when I hear trouble, my instinct is to run towards it.
My son and I prefer machetes for just about everything. We keep one in the truck for when we're out fixing fences. We are always running into poisonous snakes! I also have a stun gun which sounds lame, but it can drop a big guy right quick. Last but not least, I have a whip. Unconventional, but I can take it anywhere. It delivers a smackdown for sure. Great post!
Thanks.
I've seen 6' bullwhips for sale and considered getting one, but we don't have venomous snakes here and I've already got enough scars.
I believe Cold Steel actually markets the Gladius as a machete for PR purposes. I can't think of a reason why you'd need such a serious point on a machete.
I haven't used one on a snake yet, but there's always tomorrow. We have been helping to search for an elderly lady with dementia whose gone missing. Tomorrow we search swamp and I'll be taking just about everything I've got. And hey, if you get a whip, just practice with a baseball helmet and goggles on Lol. Have a great night squirrel!
Thanks you too and good luck with the search.
For myself, the idea of using an axe on someone would be more difficult for me to do than use a shotgun. For me, a shotgun with the first two shells being bean bags and then nexr few being buckshot is ideal. Youve been stunned or warned, the next will mame or kill. My main preference would be a .410 Judge pistol, but illegal in california. CA likes to pretend it controls gun violence, but they make the more non-lethal weapons like a .410 pistol or pepperball guns illegal, but allow the hardcore stuff as long as it does not have scary looking plastic enhancements.
The problem with non-lethal "warning" shots is that The State reserves the right to apply that kind of violence for itself and you may very well end up either being charged for discharging a firearm within city limits or, even worse sued in civil court for maiming the poor "victim" who kicked in your front door.
Firearms have also been known to "spontaneously discharge" when the person holding it, whose heart rate is already 200 beats a minute, is startled.
I'd be willing to bet that any intruder who saw some homeowner standing there with a tomahawk or a 24" long sword would get the hell out of there just as fast as there little legs could carry them.