Bad weather and no power at home caused a day with no blog for me yesterday, but we're back today. (Well, no power at home yet, but I'm at work). Let me take a moment to recommend to EVERYONE to have a kit prepared for such emergencies. Blankets, flashlights, emergency radio, even some 'meal in a kit' type meals that don't require any water or heating. Also, It may be wise to get a few of those hand warming packets that you break and heat your gloves for a few hours. Now, on to the topic:
Today's story of self-defense is from Dibol, TX. Tad Wheeler Jr. shot his father in what is being ruled "Self-Defense" by the authorities, pending an investigation by a Grand Jury. Apparently there was an arguement of sorts and there must have been a scuffle. Tad Jr. had to use his .22 caliber pistol to shoot his father in self defense.
The details are vague in this story, but I linked to it for another reason.
"Tad Wheeler Sr., 45, died after being shot multiple times.." The son used a .22 caliber handgun to defend himself from his dad. He had to use multiple shots, as the rounds are so small. Our first thought when we hear that someone was shot 'multiple times' is that it was unnecessary, and that the person might have ventured from self-defense into murder... But that is not always the case.
When you use a small caliber round, you can often find yourself needing more than one round to stop an attacker. This is why many recommend to never carry or use anything smaller than a 9mm pistol for self-defense.
Remember that and, next time you hear about someone being shot multiple times in self-defense, see if you can find the type of firearm used. I would wager that it is a very small caliber.
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Multiple shots aren't uncommon, yeah. Especially with small-caliber firearms. People often forget that most GSWs aren't really lethal, especially your smaller-caliber rounds.
I'm aiming to get me a .38 and some hollow-point ammo. Shouldn't need more than one or two rounds of that to neutralize any threats, and best of all it's perfectly legal to defend yourself where I live now. Ah, Florida: Land of the Castle Doctrine!
(if you can't see the fnords they won't eat you)
9mm ammunition is generally less expensive. Though, in your home, I would never use a handgun. The odds are too high of the round goung through walls and into neighbor's homes if you miss. (and no matter how good we think we are, we'll still get the shakes when the emergency hits)
Get a shotgun, 12 ga. I use a pump because the sound is VERY recognizable and will hopefully scare people off without needing to shoot them.
You can USE birdshot, but it isn't always lethal... use a little heavier shot. (don't use 00 shot, as it may be big enough to go through walls... primarily interior walls).