Not Zinn, but I'll take a shot:
Why do you feel you need a 12 gauge?
Why not? Someone can die from a .22 bullet. Someone may not fall down when struck by a load of 00 Buck. Lots of variety in between and we don't get to specify what kind of gun fight we want to have.
Personally, I'd bet on a 20 ga being just
dandy for home defense. But, if the reasons to choose one over a 12 don't apply to me, why not toss another few shot?
Pistol grips on shorguns are considered by most to hamper accuracy, not enhance it. Of course, I understand it's all about works for the individual...but sometimes I believe people just don't give stock guns their chance. Just practice with a stock shottie...to me, a pistol grip is completely unnecessary...
No argument there. You'll find that you don't need to argue all that forcefully on that point 'round here. Your opinion is shared by
many.
If you become disabled in a home invasion...can your 12 year old daughter shoot the 12 gauge? A 20 gauge can be shot by almost all members of your family...and isn't that important?
Everyone's family is different. That may be important to some and not to others. Some 12 ga. guns are lighter recoiling with the same ammo than are some 20 ga. guns.
As for a light...I understand..........you want to see what's up, and who it is, before you shoot. I appreciate that sensibility...but it has one major drawback. You just advertised your exact location to a BG...who might just start shooting at the light, and therefore at you.
We discuss this one a lot here. Proper use of a white light is NOT to turn it on and run around with it. That's certainly a bullet-magnet.
Proper use is something like,
"flash, move, ... flash, move ... flash, SHOOT, move ..." etc. The dazzling effect of a very bright weapon light also can also momentarily disable the attacker allowing you a critical second or so to make that shot count. But, no it isn't a good idea to stand there like a lighthouse in the fog.
IF my home gets invaded - heaven forbid for any of us - we have a safe room...thats where we all go. Steel door, reinforced yadda yadda...cell phones etc...my wife calls 911, and we all hunker down and wait...me, my son, and my little girl have 20 gauges...this ain't the movies...it's real....why would I wander around the house if BGs are there? NFW, man. we retreat to our safe place, close the door, and work the slides...
Certainly a very sound strategy. Make sure the stuff that
matters is inside the perimeter and don't risk your life for the stuff that can be replaced.
