Stop The Threat
Folks,
Stopping the threat begins multiple stages before one gets to the stage where a firearm and loadings for a firearm becomes part of the tool of the toolbox.
There is no one tool in that toolbox, or shouldn't be just one tool in that toolbox.
Because in a court of law one will hear over and over again - What a prudent person would do in such a situation.
Jury of one's peers does not mean all 12 persons on that jury and alternates will be exactly like you.
Once a trigger is tripped, one cannot call "do overs", one will have to live the rest of their life, with the consequences of what happened, when that trigger tripped , no matter what kind of firearm , no matter what kind of loading.
One might survive, one might be found not guilty, still this comes with a huge price tag, and not just a monetary one.
One may still be subject to civil penalties , and again these have huge price tags , and not just monetary ones.
Employers may choose to not need the services of a employee with all the Public Relations.
Relationships get strained, and with the loss of job, and nobody else wanting the PR , there goes the insurance, and the kid/kids need insurance.
So the spouses divorce, perhaps distancing from each other will allow the wife to get a job, with health insurance and benefits for her and the kids...
Atta-boys and free beer do not make mortgage payments, car payments, credit card payments...
In time, the free beer, pack of smokes and atta-boys are only a memory.
Prevention.
Don't go where trouble is.
Evade when trouble show up
Deal with trouble effectively to stop that threat.
Get motion detectors, better locks, alarm systems, cameras, clean up the yard and do not look like easy prey.
Get training, and lessons, with the family, and geared to include the youngest/smallest/least physically able.
Practice these plans, put into motion using the cameras, intercoms, and codewords used to communicate.
Just like "Stop" "Drop" "Roll" there should be practiced things for everyone to do in situations.
Get that sheet of Steel, put in that wall, That good used toy chest filled with brick and sand, and show that child to Stop, Drop, Roll behind that cover if child cannot get to parents or vice versa.
Arrange Furniture to Protect, screw the interior decorating idea of the week, that bookcase goes "there" to provide cover and the Buffet in the dining room is a backstop to stop your projectiles.
Zones of Fire, Paths of Cover, Avenues of Survival.
Air horns, pay as go cell phones, , emergency lighting, ...
When these things are done, find a good used pump shotgun for less than $150 - if that is what has been determined for you from lessons and training, and then get the 5 packs and pattern.
Continue lessons on that shotgun until it is a body part.
Screw this $1200 tactical shotgun BS with expensive ammo until one gets educated and trained.
One may find out in assessment and training for their environment and setting that the Good Used .38spl revolver, kept on person, by both husband, and wife, is the best defensive tool for that abode.
Handguns for both husband and wife, worn about the home, CCW, entering and leaving the home, and answering the door means the ability to have a tool.
A couple of good used revolvers lets say $600 tops, they ain't gotta be pretty, just internally pristine, fit and work.
One cannot sling a long gun out and about, and what if the alarm is turned off as you enter and trouble shows up?
A lot of damn good that shotgun inside is going to do you.
What a prudent person would do in this situation.
Jury is going to hear about and see pictures of the dogs, motion lights, alarm, well maintained yard and property, certifications of taking home safety classes, the kids going to the fire station and learning about safety and...
Better hope like hell Lady Luck is in court that day too, because what you really want to hear is.
"They did everything a prudent person would do in that situation and being in fear of life they had to shoot to stop a threat - Not Guilty!"
