Suggest a smaller weapon to wound but not kill

[whistlepig]

Mom, with extremely little gun experience, wants a weapon to guard against home intruders.

She's got my old .22 rifle right now, & we've shot it, loaded it, un-loaded, etc. but even that's dicey. I don't trust her with it, & it's probably too big for her to swing around & hit something in an emergency anyway.

How about something smaller (pistol sized?) that shoots something other bullets, that will injure but not kill somebody/ something (coyotes, etc). She's not convinced mace will do what might be needed.

In reality, if I could get .22 blanks that would probably work: She's prob never really gonna need it anyway, & may not even realize a bullet wasn't actually shot, if she ever even does fire at anything!

Nevertheless, shooting rice or something like that might be best ... Any ideas?

I will not allow my mother to have guns although she wants one. I have allowed here one of these. She is happy with it:

http://www.kimberamerica.com/shop/product.php?xProd=449&jssCart=f8260ac7e482064c52c3a843fbed71ce

 

[k0ua]

I will not allow my mother to have guns although she wants one. I have allowed here one of these. She is happy with it:

http://www.kimberamerica.com/shop/product.php?xProd=449&jssCart=f8260ac7e482064c52c3a843fbed71ce

Beppington, from what you have said, about your mothers, abilities, and mindset.. I would second the above choice. Looks like a good solution to me.

James K0UA

 

[The Haymaker]

So why exactly does she want to irritate an intruder? I just had to use a .22 on a stray cat that has had more than a few warnings over the past few years and I regretted that choice of weapon as I tracked the wounded critter in the snow with a larger caliber in hand.
As said before, you shoot to kill. If she is put into the position where she has to test your states castle laws, it is a kill or be killed situation. She needs to understand that. I have .22's and I have .40's. Can you guess which are in the safe and which are at bedside?

Or, if you don't want it to escalate to a kill, what is going to scare an intruder to the point of retreat more, my peashooter or the working end of a black rifle in tactical dress?

As for sprays, go cheap. CRC Brakleen or a dry chemical fire extinguisher. Anyone who has had either in their eyes/lungs will understand what I am talking about. In my safety trainings I mention the dry chem as a personal defense weapon because there is one in every truck.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I teach my kids if you pull something that looks like a gun you need to be willing to kill with it and know it and you can make that happen. If not keep their hands free of guns. :thumbsup:

 

[adjusterr]

If the Lady is not interested in taking a gun course and not really able to fire something bigger than a .22, consider this, have her buy a few cans of 20' wasp and hornet spray, keep them handy throughout the house. This stuff will shoot 20+ feet. Wasp spray in the face will discourage even the most aggressive bad guys plus you can buy it anywhere with no hassle. Google "Wasp spray for Self Defense", you will find all the info.

 

[cwrighttractors]

As a former police officer I can say pepper spray does work most of the time but it is an extremely close range deterent. I also must say the idea of shoot to wound is a lawyers dream. The guy trying to rob you will sue and in many of the more liberal states might win. If you are going to own a gun for self defence I would say anything smaller then a .380 is a complete wast of money. Lets remember the pope was shot i think like 9 times at close range with a 9mm. For a woman I would suggest a Ruger .380 LCP or a .38 caliber revolver. I would also suggest lots of range time to make sure the weapon is understood. The best weapon for home defence is of course a good ole fashioned 12g shotgun but many women are uncomfortable with the recoil. A civilian can purchase a Tazer much like what the police carry. Many gun dealers now keep the civilian model in stock.

 

[CurlyDave]

So most of you are suggesting I just let my mom use my Ruger 9?

I would probably buy her her own. You might need yours.

 

[two_bit_score]

"Shoot to stop not to kill". Tell her that as you had her a .20 ga shotgun.

Here is a nice little side by side coach gun in .20 ga that she could probably feel comfortable handling.

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger_coach_gun_supreme.php

 

[Mpking]

I like the shotgun idea myself. Seems more likely to score a hit when fired vs. a handgun. Plus, they can also be good deterrant. Any intruder who hears you rack a shotgun is going to think twice about what they are doing. There's no mistaking that sound. Of course, as others have mentioned, you have to be willing to use it.

 

[Elviscaretaker]

-Then why do cops carry it?

Mace/pepper spray and a CELL PHONE!

Cops here carry a military grade not available to the GP.