I"m not at all sure I could shoot someone ?

originally posted by: horseplay
a reply to: reldra

hmm. funny I didn't even think about the cops. they are about 20 minutes away.
and I didn't say a word I was so scared.
I made a lot of mistakes in hindsight....

Even if no one is in the house or trying to get in the house, the police will not be upset. They would rather you call in any case. So, don't let the possibility of wasting their time stop you. It can be a big help in the end.

The dispatcher will have a long list of questions in front of him/her to ask, you don't have to stay on the phone for all that if it will put you in danger. Once they have your address and you state 'possible intruder', you can lay the phone down. They will come.

Don't worry about talking on the phone, if it is a real intruder, they likely know you are there anyway. You can keep your voice low, though. You can even be loud on the phone if you want, it may scare an intruder away. It may not though, so just get the basic info to the dispatcher.

I don't know the laws in Ohio, but that call could stop YOU from being charged, as silly as that may sound.

originally posted by: Vroomfondel


You need to have a deep heart to heart talk with yourself. Really look at the situation for what it is. If there was someone who had broken in and was standing there, would you defend yourself? You can make all kinds of arguments against using deadly force. Maybe he wont really hurt me. Maybe if he sees the gun he will run away. Maybe... Maybe...

wow, vroom. I had to read that all twice. it struck home.
I want to be a survivor. I don't want to kill, but if it's them or me I'd prefer to come out on top. And if it's my house/farm, well they crossed into my territory. especially my house. that would be bad.
I bought my first .22 about 35 years ago just for fun. target practice. next thing I knew I was shooting groundhogs with a 30/30. I didn't start off enjoying guns because I thought my life might depend on it someday.
but sadly, it might. someday.

I need to do some serious mental conditioning.

Death is a natural phenomenon, sending a bad person to an early death is a service to humanity.

Are you more afraid of killing or being killed? Once you establish your basis for that answer, you have determined if you are capable of killing. If you are as able with the 20gage and 38 as you say you will have no problem killing someone. What you really want to be able to do is control the situatuon so you don't have to kill. This is harder, takes training and is more risky. Take the 20gage point and shoot.

Ps... invest in a few cameras and trip sensors. Not smart to be out there by yourself and a treasure trove of fire arms if you have no forewarning of an intruder.

Good luck.

A shot gun can be good for self defense but there are some drawbacks and things to consider.

A 20 gauge is a good gun for self defense. But make sure you have the right load. I would not go as far as 00 shot, which is about a 1/4" in diameter. The smallest size shot will give you a bigger spread but will be less lethal, especially with distance. The other problem with a shotgun is that in tight spaces a 40-50 inch long gun can be unwieldy. At close range an intruder can get inside the muzzle range if you are caught off guard. That makes the weapon pretty much useless.

If you are at the top of a stairway or the end of a hallway a shotgun is a good bet provided you have time to ready yourself. I have revolvers, semi-auto, rifles, and shot guns. I would grab the 9mm every time.

I know a guy who was accidentally shot with a shotgun loaded with bird shot. He had a heavy rough leather coat on. A fair amount of the shot didn't penetrate the coat. He had some pellets in his legs though, and that was enough for him to call it a day. I think I would have done the same.

a reply to: Ghost147

aww sh#t ghost, I laughed all the way to the fridge to refill my beverage glass.

I did skydive once, I lost a shoe.



and I do ride motorcycles, or well I used to. now I just ride horses. not that they are safer...

a reply to: introvert

good point. but I keep the loaded 20 gauge by the back door which is like a million miles away from the bedroom.
BUT I would be more comfortable using it compared to the pistol. And like shamrock said it makes a lot of noise ahead of time if I make it. (it's over/under)
I think there is a 12 gauge in the closet maybe I should get familiar with it too. keep it upstairs....

Why go down the stairs, just stay at the top and wait if you see someone pump one bullet in the wall and they are gone. If they come up the stairs, point and shoot, don't think about it.

originally posted by: horseplay
a reply to: introvert

good point. but I keep the loaded 20 gauge by the back door which is like a million miles away from the bedroom.
BUT I would be more comfortable using it compared to the pistol. And like shamrock said it makes a lot of noise ahead of time if I make it. (it's over/under)
I think there is a 12 gauge in the closet maybe I should get familiar with it too. keep it upstairs....

You have to make the choice that makes you most comfortable.

My choice for home-defense is a Mossberg 12ga tactical shotgun. It has a shorter barrel and will shred anything within a certain range, whether you're using 8 shot or 4.

Considering the design of most homes, range is not an issue.

originally posted by: seagull
a reply to: horseplay

Anyone, who hasn't done it, who isn't wondering that exact thing is a liar.

I know my mind well, and while I'm fairly sure I could, I don't know that I could.

Hopefully you and I will never find out.

The only difference with the military is they are trained to not think about it. You just react correctly to the situation, so you are not thinking about bullets coming at you or who you are shooting at. Now later on it may hit you but well after the fighting has stopped.

originally posted by: Vroomfondel
The other problem with a shotgun is that in tight spaces a 40-50 inch long gun can be unwieldy. At close range an intruder can get inside the muzzle range if you are caught off guard. That makes the weapon pretty much useless.

I didn't know that. I prefer to keep my 20g at the back door with 7 or 8 shot, but there is a 12g I can easily get accustomed to and keep upstairs.
what kind of shot would I want to buy for it?

I agree that, perhaps the best defense is very loud weapon going off and perhaps few practiced jokes while reloading should scare off most of the invaders, unless they something professional assassins or ninjas that are paid big time to get you. Killing a man is another thing but sometimes i guess it is either your life or hes, so thats a quite decision to make in the moment.
Living in a country side, i would perhaps get even few guard dogs around, love them and they will defend you and house with their lifes!

originally posted by: horseplay

and I do ride motorcycles, or well I used to. now I just ride horses. not that they are safer...

Go out and have some fun in a tactical gun course. It will help you over come the fight or flight adrenaline rush that will serious reduce your abilities.

a reply to: Xtrozero

lol. I sat upstairs for like 20 minutes. dog still growling. I couldn't sit there all night. I don't know what had her all worked up. But I had to confront it sooner or later. I was hoping she would change her mind and say oops. sorry.
then she wanted to go outside. nope. just nope.

originally posted by: horseplay
a reply to: Xtrozero

lol. I sat upstairs for like 20 minutes. dog still growling. I couldn't sit there all night. I don't know what had her all worked up. But I had to confront it sooner or later. I was hoping she would change her mind and say oops. sorry.
then she wanted to go outside. nope. just nope.

20 mins is fine. Yell I have a gun and the police are called and then if you still do not hear anything then your good...hehe. I'm the highly trained military type but I still have an alarm system. It is sure nice at night if I'm in bed a sleep and my alarm says Front Door Open.

originally posted by: Xtrozero

originally posted by: horseplay


Go out and have some fun in a tactical gun course. It will help you over come the fight or flight adrenaline rush that will serious reduce your abilities.

I don't know what that is , but I will look into it for sure. thank you.

originally posted by: horseplay

I don't know what that is , but I will look into it for sure. thank you.

It's really fun. There are buildings and as you walk though the area bad guys targets pop up and you need to shoot them. Also good people can pop up too so you need to also decide if the target is good or bad. You have only so much time to do it and it puts you into a fight or flight situation that at first you might be just standing there shaking , but after awhile you will be smoking the bad guys like no big deal..lol

a reply to: Xtrozero

that sounds perfect !
just what I need to train my brain...

originally posted by: Shamrock6

Killing isn't easy for the vast majority of people. It's nothing to be ashamed of or sorry for. Killing is the ultimate taboo in society.

3) The first time you do, it's sort of going to mess with you, especially so if it's up close and personal. Still, it beats being dead.

4) The NEXT guy that breaks into your house after that, is in real trouble.

a reply to: horseplay

I live rural as well, it's a blessing on one hand with space and nature, and a curse if you need to dial 911...

weighing the options, I choose the blessing side of the deal, but it comes with a bit more personal responsibility, self reliance, as rescue or LEO response in my case is at least 30 minutes away... which isn't a bad thing at all if you accept that risk, and spend the time to take care of yourself should power be out for a week or more, or in your case, a suspected invasion scenario...

There is absolutely nothing wrong with you feeling hesitant from your account of the evening... It's a good question...

If anything, it may be an opportunity to seek training, to help you should there ever come a time that you feel at risk again.

No matter what route you take to help you handle a situation like this in the future, don't lose your compassion for your fellow man, you are not alone....

Horseplay, you did good. Now lets examine what should be done when something similar happens. You are awakened by your dog barking at something downstairs. First thing grab your phone and dial 911. DO NOT turn on any lights. Lights will back light your position and silhouette you. You should now be talking to the 911 operator. Most operators will tell you to lock the bedroom door and await law enforcement. If you chose to do that keep a weapon pointed at the door. If you believe that the situation should warrant you to investigate, keep the phone in your secondary hand and the weapon in your primary. Let the dog advance in front of you. Still do not turn on any lights as not to give away your position. Watch the dog's action to determine if there is someone in the house, if you can see the dog, or listen to the dogs tone if it changes.

Ohio, I believe, is a castle state, which means if someone is in your house, unannounced, he/she is in the wrong and can be shot. Never announce yourself to the stranger so as not to give yourself away. 99 times out of 100, there will be no one there. Lets say that now you are on the ground floor and see nothing and the dog is barking at the door. Don't stand in front of the door, and do not turn on any inside lights. Ready yourself and turn on an outside light to illuminate the porch or entrance. As long as the person is outside and doesn't look to be carrying a weapon, don't turn the light off, NEVER open the door, not even if you think you know the person. Wait for law enforcement, no matter what the person pleads with you like "my boy friend just beat the crap out of me" - she may be part of the people trying to get in. I have seen that before.

Keep waiting for the police and do keep the 911 operator appraised and involved.

Now, suppose the situation was that the person was in your house. After dark in in your house means this person has committed a felony. He/she is basically paid for. Coming down the stairs is the most difficult situation you will encounter. There are limited ways to shoot and you present a target to the person. Sending the dog down first would be the best choice. If the person fires at the dog, you will have to either see where the shots came from or retreat back up the stairs and barricade yourself in your bedroom until the cops get there. If not and the dog's bark changes tone, the decision is yours to make as to advance or retreat. If the dog does not alert and you continue on to the ground floor, stop at the bottom of the steps and appraise the situation. Slowly look at the surroundings as best you can, there should be ambient lighting enough to do this. If everything looks in place, and you feel the need to proceed on, carefully look around, do not say a thing as your voice could give your position away. You should be whispering to the 911 operator.

You determine someone is in your house and he/she is standing 10 feet in front of you by the open door. They are silhouetted by ambient light and you are not. Still do not say anything as they could be armed and in this case you will have to assume they ARE armed (who would be crazy enough to come into a house at 2 am unarmed?) Resist the urge to scream or gasp. Immediately drop down into a kneeling position on one knee, bring your weapon to sight and fire. Keep firing until the person goes down or exits the house. DO NOT CHASE THE PERSON. The cops are coming, let them do it. Retreat back up the stairs and immediately tell the 911 operator what happened. Lock the door and reload. The 911 operator will tell you when the police have arrived and when you can exit you bedroom.

If this seems like a lot to remember, practice. Put yourself through a drill at least once a week in the dark.