Gun control advocates consistently try to paint gun owners into a corner by framing one’s right to keep and bear arms in terms of “needs.”
A perfect example:
“Why does any American need one of these AR-15s? What possible protection can that kind of thing offer them? It’s a military rifle,” said former CNN host Piers Morgan back in 2012 — when he was still on television.
Aside from being wrong, an AR-15 is not a “military rifle,” Morgan simply doesn’t understand that not every self-defense situation is created equally. There is no “normal scenario” when it comes to protecting oneself from the criminal element.
In the video above, a Georgia resident had to protect his home from two armed home invaders who kicked own his door. During the encounter, an eyewitness said as many as “30 to 40 shots” were fired.
Here’s a play by play courtesy of a neighbor who wished to remain anonymous.
“He said a lady knocked first,” said the neighbor, who spoke to the homeowner shortly after the incident.
“Then after he didn’t go to the door, they kicked the door in,” she said. “They came in his house.”
That neighbor told WSB-TV that she was trying to take a nap when she heard the shots.
“As soon as I laid down, I heard about 30 to 40 shots,” she said.
While it’s not clear what type of gun the resident used to repel the attack, I believe that the firearm I would need to survive that encounter is a semiautomatic rifle capable of accepting a magazine with a capacity of at least 30 rounds of ammunition.
Allow me to explain. As I mentioned, not all self-defense situations are the same. Just like not all shooters are the same. At the tranquil setting of indoor gun range, I’m not a great shot with a handgun. I can only imagine how much worse I’d be under the extreme duress of a home invasion that quickly escalates to an all out gunfight. So, a handgun wouldn’t suffice. What about a pump-action shotgun or a bolt-action rifle? I’m a much better shot with both. But I believe that the slower rate of fire, the limited capacity and the time it takes to reload either gun makes me vulnerable. Continuing to go by the example in the video, it’s already two against one; I’m outgunned as it is. I need a weapon that will come close to leveling the playing field.
So, for me, the only firearm that I would feel confident shooting during a home invasion scenario with multiple attackers would be an AR-15 with a 30 round mag. Could I get by with another gun? Maybe. Maybe not. I say that because along with preparedness, confidence is key. And with my life on the line, I want to be as confident as I can possibly be. In short, I need an AR-15.
I accept that there are different strokes for different folks. Not everyone agrees with me because not everyone shoots like me. Some gun owners need handguns, others shotguns or larger caliber rifles for home defense. Thankfully, we have a Second Amendment that protects our right to keep and bear arms for traditionally lawful purposes like self-defense within the home. Implicit in that right is the freedom to choose which firearm fits our needs.
I need and AR-15 for home defense. But even if I didn’t need an AR-15, it’s still my right via the Constitution to own one.
I can’t imagine why I would need more than my Pump Shot and 911 for any Burglar. Buckshot does wonder to deter any Criminal. If they need more 45ACP does not hurt. Plus next door won’t get any bullets ventilation. Yes I do have AR15, it’s for the Pocket Gophers. One charged me last year after receiving several rounds. Stupid thing headed toward me. Not enough stopping power and it suffered. If they would just read the sign “No Gophers Allowed”. But No. I found .243 overkill, mess to clean up 2 parts of them. I got 23 last year still with my Ruger 10/22 and Who Know how many with Giant Destroyers. More than 23 I bet. GD is Smoke sort of like big M80. Light the fuze and shove down the hole and cover up. They can’t breath Carbon Monoxide. Problem Solved. But I am losing out to them. They breed faster than I can deter them. Anyone Know Gopher?
My first ‘tactical’ semiauto rifle was an SKS loaded with soft points. I bought it in 1996 when I feared Rodney King -style rioting would come our rural WV county because a pro-outlaw sheriff won the primary. I have since acquired WASR-10 pimped with Vortex Strike Fire Green dot , flash hider and synthetic stocks, too. I hope eventually to add an AR-15 build to my collection, too. Here’s why a capacity semiauto rifle is the best for home defense:
A. Rural thugs, fear not the belt, grounding, community service, jail, prison, the death penalty, revolvers, shotguns, lever actions, and hunting rifles. Their New Age nature worship means they have to personally see it to believe it. Faith to them is dead. Ferguson is proof of what I speak. Even both the legendary 1911 .45 automatic and Wonder 9 pistols were not enough to deter rioters. But when the ARs, AKs, Mini-14s, 10-22s, and M1 carbines came out; that calmed them down royally. Their TV-addled minds thought they were facing machineguns with they saw the ‘so-called banana clips’ protruding from bellies of these same rifles, too. It’s the old time state troopers always took the tommy guns with them, but so as to deter violence, too.
B.Anybody over five years old can be taught to safely use one of these same rifles, too. Their reduced kick mean that elderly and disabled can safely uses these weapons, too.
C. Pump action shotguns jam, due to the disconnect. mandated by the 1968 Gun Control Act. A semiauto rifle is more reliable, too.
D. These same rifles, when loaded with expanding-type ammunition will not over penetrate, too.
E. The average home invasion crew is at least four people. They mainly carry pistols and melee’ weapons. A high capacity magazine weapon gives the home defender an edge that could save his life, too.
F. If called to assist Law officers, then it is prudent to have a high capacity magazine fed rifle, too.
G. There are multiple cases in which a rampaging bear or like deadly wild life was successfully by somebody armed with a high capacity magazine fed rifle.
H. Read the Second Amendment. Since no technological cut-off date is listed, every federal gun law is de facto illegal. To phrase it in terms the left can understand, the first amendment also has no technological cut-off date. To use the gun control controller’s way, the media should only be allowed manually operated printing presses. No motorized presses, word processors, typewriters, TV, computer, or radio–based media would be allowed, too. Furthermore, newspapers could only be delivered by wagon, horseback, foot, row boat, or sailing ship, also. No trains, cars, trucks, streetcars, airplanes, bicycles, helicopters, airships, jets skis, motorboats, motor scooters, motorized ships, motor cycles, or 4-wheelers would be allowed for this same task, also. Isn’t that silly?! Now you should see the danger of restricting the Second Amendment, too.
I got a bolt action with a 15 round mag and i can empty it in about 6 seconds sooo kind of irrelevant what type of platform you’r e shooting with
Yall sound like A bunch of boys playing cowboy and Indians. As I new them they were m-16’s jammed often, should only put 18 to A clip or jams were possible. With the knock down you either put more than one in or risk getting shot. Only A fool thinks that you stand up and aim. Close in like our house and A pistol is the best fire from concealment weapon. Seems like the better part of gun owners should stick to tin cans.
If someone or someones, come in my house I want to have the best fire power I can get my hands on, I would go for the AR first then my Ithica home defencepump shotgun with the first shell a double ott buck followed with a
Me too
Miller Vs. The United States 1939 Supreme court ruling states:
They did not think that the sawed off shotgun Miller was caught with was a useful militia weapon. The second amendment protects weapons that are useful as a militia weapon. That would be an AR-15. Why is this never brought up?
They are missing the biggest problem with banning something…IT DOESN’T WORK.
Doesn’t work with drugs, didn’t work with liquor, and it won’t work with guns.
So WHY would ANYONE need a AR type weapon?
Remember the Watts riots? Remember the LA Riots? Mobs of people looting & killing. Or more recently Katrina, again with mobs looting & killing. People said that they managed to keep looters away, only because they had semi auto’s with large magazines.
Also we have had the Haymarket massacre, Lattimer Massacre, Ludlow Massacre, Bay View Massacre, and the Battle of Athens. Examples go on & on where people needed to defend themselves.
Sure there’s always going to be a few that will make it look bad, but there is no need to punish the majority of honest gun owners, or pass laws that will make them criminals too.
It is my right and being military I am under orders till to old to fight. I am trained and I have multiple weapons and they are not where you will find them. And yes most are semi auto or hunting caliber rifles.
I actaully prefer the 20 round magazines. It’s all I ever had for my M16 in Vietnam when the government forced me to carry one for them. I’d rather have an M16 now but somehow we have let some legislators talk us out of those since it would only for our own good, not for the government’s. That’s just the way legislators are, they force you went they want it, and deny you when you want it. I guess my AR15’s will have to do. I’d like to buy a big fat drum for my Thompson, but they are priced out the ball park for now.
I recently built a 9mm carbine on an AR platform from Palmetto State Armory. I have 4 – 32 round Colt mags, a red dot, and a laser that is mounted on the fore grip. I wanted to have a carbine that uses 9mm to compliment my Sig 226. I like the 9mm for use indoors as the sound should not be quite as deafening as a 5.56. Also I just like having long guns that use hand gun ammo. I have two Henry Big Boys, one in 44 mag and one in 357 mag. They pair with my S&W 357 and 44 mag. I just wish I had a 3 shot burst set up for my AR-9!
The 2A main intent was to make “We the People . . . ” equal to – & thus defensible – the possibility of oppressive government.
Main problem I see today is we have a 2 position safety instead of 3.
Ya, It’s a joke isn’t it?
We the people hired the government, police, military—-They work for us!
We should have the best and anything we want.
Not even just equal, but nothing less.
WHY YOU NEED AN AR-15 WITH A 30 ROUND MAGAZINE!
To have a fair chance of taking out a gang of 10 determined criminals home invading you.
I’ ld really rather have a 50 to 100 round drum actually.
Hi cap mags are so you can shoot and not waste time loading in all applications! Why the fuck else, libtards?
I’m a liberal, but all for equal armaments in the hands of law abiding citizens. Stock them, keep them safe, and pray we never have to use them. Our rights need to be used to be secured. Just like how our government navigates international waters with destroyers near China to exercise peaceful passage. Liberals should appreciate the security our republican friends bring our nation and recognize tens of millions of Americans are both supporters of the 2nd amendment, and law abiding.
Holy shite !! A liberal who “gets it”. My hats off to you ,sir. I am a conservative Constitutionalist and would be proud and willing to protect and defend you, if ever necessary ! I wish all liberals could comprehend the situation with your integrity.
Numerous shop owners from the Ferguson riots reported wishing they had more high-capacity magazines for the rifles they used to repel the thugs, criminals and two-legged bullet traps that tried to burn down the entire city. Think of an angry, violent, out-of-control mob and THAT is why the hell you need as much capacity as you want.
Remember the hard-working Korean store owners on their roof tops of their stores with rifles to repel the pond scum that rioted during the Rodney King trials in LA?
You can never have a big enough mag but you should never be told how much you “need”.
this is a non issue, if you have an ar, why would you have a magazine less then 30 rnds? in vietnam, with the 101st airborne, we had 20rnd magazines, the ak’s had 30. and we were shooting boy scout .223 at them. thanks MacNamara and your wizz kids. we had a perfectly good .308. all we had to do was to put it on a lighter frame and have real fire power. 7.62 vs 5.56?
Steve Weiss, What you said, may just be the perfect answer. Well said.
So conclusion here is if you can’t shoot for beans buy a gun with a bigger magazine so your chances are better while you spray and pray? I guess we all need SAW’s for home defense now.
Yessir, a saw and a case of frags. It’s all just a case of judicious force application really. Now there’s an app that we all can get behind.
I would rather have a M-60 .
I like 30 round clips because when you go to an indoor gun range,at $10.00 an hour, your not spending 1/2 hour reloading 10 round clips
My 9mm Marlin Camp Rifle and S&W 5906 9mm both use the same magazines. 10, 15, 25 or 30s. The rifle equipped with a holographic red dot / cross hair sight. Great fun at the indoor ranges.
Useful info Bill. Thanks.
Folks, you are missing the point. The second amendment is in place to give the citizen the ability to protect him/her from the government, that is, to overthrow tyranny. Many of the citizens in the Revolutionary army had the best equipment money could buy, rifled barrels. Today for us to have the same capability the 30 round clip or armor piercing bullets are just the tip of the iceberg. We have been conned into giving away rights to much more armament that will be needed. We need to regain those rights.
Advancements in arms technology shouldn’t be a primer for government to tyrannically take away a citizens freedoms and the 2nd Amendment is only an adjunct to the natural law of self-defense regardless of what weapon is used in that defense. I haven’t been conned other than thinking someone else has my self-defense interests at heart other than myself. They don’t and neither should you.
My idea of a home defense weapon are the Beretta CX-4 carbine with a steamlight/laser and a Beretta pistol 92-96 or PX-4 using the same high capacity magazine in either the 9mm or 40 calibers.
10 round clips here in california with a bullet button to make it even worse. I may barely stand a chance against something mentioned in the article. Maybe. California has found numerous way to hobble law abiding citizens while criminals don’t really care about the law hence their criminality. Duh. Government doesn’t want you defending yourself, they hate the competition.
AR platform is great, as long as you have a kill house to practice clear fire technique. 30 round mags are fine…how to clear a threat without hitting family members is another deal…I own one and disagree.
A glock 19 15 mag should be fine provided you train with it. Ar15 is not a good home defense weapon for average Joe who is at the range 3 times a year. Take the hand gun 9 mm and dial it in. Knkw your house in the dark and act accordingly. Outside sure ar will be fine…inside nope. Soup sandwich
Why I need any firearm and magazine is personal and how I choose to exercise my right to do so. I don’t need to explain why to anyone other than myself. That is a fact the left just can’t seem to accept.
Well, Said!!! AND THERE YOU HAVE FOUND THE SEED BEHIND THIS UGLY POISONOUS CREEPING VINE OF LEFTIST/LIBERALISM!!! There are those who just can’t stand the fact that you have a freedom that they don’t like or disagree with. And are CONVINCED that EVERYONE MUST believe as THEY do. If not, you don’t matter, you are in the minority, and because you don’t agree with them, you have no rights at all. Or so they would have you think.
Why do I need an AR-15 with a 30 round mag? Why do the police need them? Do we, the public, not encounter the criminal element before police do? My life, and my families lives are just as valuable as any law enforcement officer’s.
Amin to that . I have 6 30 round clips mine .
Each to his own. If you are worried about rate of fire with a pump shotgun, use a semi auto. Pumps are usually recommended because they have bullet proof reliability and can have a fairly hefty capacity. Then look at the distances in your house. In mine, the greatest straight line distance is about 35 feet, and I can guarantee that 00 buck or even No.4 shot will completely clear any hallway at that distance no matter how bad your aim. I would take a shotty over an AR, separate and apart from the fact that California bans 30 round mags for most of us.
Mark, until about a decade ago I’d be right there with you. Unfortunately, where I live the last decade or so has seen a long string of home invasions where multiple bad guys essentially take the family hostage, live the home for several days while abusing the family (in various heinous manners), then often killing one or more family members before they decide to finally leave. In a number of these cases they would take one member and threaten them so the rest of the family would comply.
While I would prefer a shotgun for normal home defense, against multiple invaders, who may be holding a member of my family to gain compliance, I want as much accuracy as I can get and even with a slug I am not going to trust myself in the heat of the moment to take the shot. Aimpoint RDS on whatever portion of anatomy the bad guy is exposing, I have enough trigger and drill time to be confident that is where I am going to hit.
As such, my in-wall quick access box has both a pump-action shotgun and an AR with a trusty Aimpoint mounted.
As I said, each to his own. For people who can’t shoot straight, have poor or poorer eyesight, night blindness, etc., a shotgun will get the job done. The original point and click interface. I personally don’t own a shotgun any more, and even if I did, I really doubt that my hoplophobic wife would approve of me keeping it under the bed. She acceded to the black powder pistol only because it wasn’t a “real” gun, a notion of which I did not disabuse her. Now instead there is a pocket 9 mm in my pants that I don’t tell her is there.
Inside ten feet, with buck shot, aim for the ear of a hostage holder, that’s a head shot. I’ll agree though. an ak is a lot more surgical.
35 feet huh?
When’s the last time you patterned 00BK or #4?
Last time I tried, it didn’t clear a hallway, both shot tight groups at 2/3rds that distance, from several open bore scatterguns. It’s a big myth, that you can take these common defensive loads in a typical shorter – than – average – barrel shotgun, and “I don’t even have to aim! And it’ll clear out the room!”
Why do people not realize, that there is a reason for them coming with rifle sights.
The new shotgun cartridges are designed to not spread out immediately, you need to buy some self defense rounds for that shot gun as they do.
When you read accounts of police shooting incidents, and see how many times police officers, who are supposed to be trained with their duty pistols, miss the person they’re shooting at, it makes you wonder why anyone feels they should depend on a handgun for home defense.
A carbine has an awful lot of advantages over a handgun for depending your home. There’s no need for concealment. A carbine is going to be short enough to maneuver in smallish spaces. Most important, you’re much less likely to miss with it, and way more likely to get center mass hits with it than you would be with a handgun.
I don’t completely agree with you. The issue is not whether a person has a weapon in their home, rather whether they actually know how to use it. You’re right about one thing, when adrenaline kicks in and everything is coming down so fast you can only react rather than think it through, there’s no guarantee of the outcome. Handling a gun, like any tool, requires practice. People own guns, but just don’t practice to make as perfect as humanly possible.
Please tell Trenton! My 30 round clip is neutered.
I prefer a 300 BLK AR pistol on a single point sling. The weapon is short, light weight, and compact and has four times the take down power of a standard AR. If you can afford it, the AAC flash hider and mini suppressor keeps the length shorter than a standard AR carbine and allows no ear plug firing. The 220 gr SIE or 208 gr Hornady Subsonic rounds will really get the job done whether you are up against one or more intruders. Of course if it becomes a protracted fire fight then you reload with your real Beta C-Mag and continue the work. There are still places in this country where can own and operate quality equipment.
It was a good thing that he had a AR 15 with 30 round mag! Like most people are not use to firing in there homes a lot more bang and you are under dorest at the time. Some people have a indoor gun range close to home where they can sharpin there skils. But there they use ear covers to keep the bang down. WAY to go Sir
I agree, nothing beats a pistol-grip sawed=off 12 gauge shotgun… even the women are feared with a 12 gauge…
In terms of trained police officers being able to use their weapons, you may be a bit off-base here. YES, they do shoot and miss quite often. But that has nothing to do with weapons training. The issue is that with that massive rush of adrenaline going through their system as they themselves are being shot at. In situations such as those, their hands turn into the equivalent of oven mitts. It has nothing to do with training, its just simple human physiology. Basically, it’s really tough to maintain composure and manual dexterity with bullets flying by your ears when that happens only once or twice in most officers entire careers. I really doubt many civilians can match their ability under similar circumstances. As such, more bullets through the use of an AR style weapon, or a shotgun with several rounds would probably be best for civilians in these situations.
Shall not be infringed!