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From: emery@gypsy.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.misc
Subject: Re: re: home defense
Message-ID: <27200001@gypsy.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 30-May-85 13:27:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: gypsy.27200001
Posted: Thu May 30 13:27:00 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 31-May-85 04:16:26 EDT
References: <1178@hound.UUCP>
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Nf-ID: #R:hound:-117800:gypsy:27200001:000:2177
Nf-From: gypsy!emery    May 30 13:27:00 1985



(into the fray...)

If I were buying a weapon for myself, I'd agree with a pump shotgun.  But,
for my wife (5'2, somewhere around 100 lbs, she won't tell me), I think I'd
go with a M-1 Carbine or an AR-15 (civilian M-16).

First, I doubt my wife could hold a .45, let alone fire one.  Secondly, it is
easier to shoot yourself with any pistol than a rifle/shotgun. Third, a rifle
in the house is not considered as threatening as a rifle.  (This may be good
or bad, but it is best if no one knows you have any weapon in the house.)

For a smaller person, particularly one who is scared #@$%^&*less, a shotgun's
recoil would be too hard to handle.  Remember, you have to be ready for a
12 guage; in the dark with some father raper/mother stabber on the loose,
you probably are not as composed as you should be.  Therefore, despite
the 6 round magazine, you would probably not get off more than one good shot.

This brings up the argument of: is one shot sufficient?  Your intruder, 
having been shot at, hopefully will leave the house.  Well, I for one do
not want to bet ALL my cookies on this one hope.  Therefore, although I
hope he leaves after the first shot, I want to be ready in case he isn't
cooperating.

So, why an M-1 Carbine or AR-15?  Several reasons.  They are small and light,
and therefore easy for a small female to handle.  Although they kick, 
it's nowhere near as bad as a shotgun.  Being rifles, they are easier to
hold with two hands, also useful as clubs and maybe a bit harder to turn
on their owners.  There is one more reason.  If I decide to shoot at
an intruder, then I figure if the first 5 or 6 shots don't get him, the next
10 will.  In other words, you can shoot (almost) forever.  30 rounds of
ammunition can last a Long Time.  This is important especially if there is
more than one bad guy.  

Between the two rifles, I'd rather have the M-1.  The primary reason is
cost; an M-1 Carbine is much cheaper than an AR-15.  However, I suspect
that a ballistics expert might argue for the AR-15 in an enclosed area.

				Dave Emery
			{princeton|ihnp4}!siemens!emery

p.s. I do NOT have a weapon in the house, but my wife and I have talked
about it.