We have been putting off getting a gun for a while. Debating the issue. Neither of us have really ever handled a gun before. We know nothing about the subject and are quite intimidated by it. We do plan on getting one real soon, but have been so busy with moving, starting new jobs, registering kids in school, etc. I am afraid the SHTF scenario may go down before we get around to buying one and learning how to use it.

What are other effective ways of protecting ourselves and our belongings? Assuming a shelter in place situation. I plan on getting pepper spray and a good survival knife. What are some other things I should consider?

Also, what if I'm caught totally off guard? What are the best makeshift weapons and methods of protection, using common household items?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Look around your garage, there could be weapons galore in there.

Things do not have to move at hundreds of feet per second in order to defend yourself.

But guns do equalize things rather well. In your busy schedule try to find time to take some firearms classes to start learning the rules for safe gun handling and other important information regarding them.

Best two alternatives

1) Brain - Don't get into the situation in the first place (gob and ego is the culpret here)
2) Feet - walk away rather than confrontation.

anything can be a weapon when used correctly...a well trained dog will probably be the best thing since it will obey on demand and will even defend the pack without command should it be needed

but the best thing is to not get into the situation where conflict is needed so look at your property and where people can get in and make it as uninviting as possible as crawling through a 2 foot holly hedge for example will put off alot of the lesser idiots

No offense but from what you've stated you don't sound like someone who will survive this type of desperate situation. If you even need to ask this question than you are going to be over-run quite quickly I fear by the militaristic gangs that start forming up.

Your best chance is to try to get you and your family into a group of people you trust where hopefully they have people who are more knowledgable in this type of stuff. Focus on things you can trade for protection such as liquor and smokes and hope they are nice enough not to just kill you and take it.

Well, if you have NOTHING else handy, you might use wasp spray. No studies on its effectiveness, and there is a warning on the label that it is illegal to use it in a "manner inconsistent with its labeling." But if there's a choice between wasp spray and your bare hands, it would be wasp spray hands down (no pun intended.)

A nice baseball bat could work, too!

A dog or two will do a lot of good when it comes to protecting your house and family.
A gsd or rottie will also make a nice pet especially if you have kids.

Originally posted by SprocketUK
A dog or two will do a lot of good when it comes to protecting your house and family.
A gsd or rottie will also make a nice pet especially if you have kids.

And a meal if things get really bad.

shotgun.

period.

No one fks around looking down the barrel of a 12-guage.

They're cheap, and require little training on the part of the shotgunner, much to the chagrin of the shotgunee.

I have a Mossberg 590. Holds 8+1. get 00 buck for home defense (9 steel balls comin at you at 475 m/s are a helluva deterrent).