[Rhodes22-list] Prosecuted homeowner blasts officials

Steve Alm salm at mn.rr.com
Sat Jan 24 15:56:04 EST 2004


Saroj,

I'm assuming you're talking about cruising in US waters only.  If you're
planning any international cruising, the firearm issue opens up a whole new
can of worms.  Other weapons that don't attract such scrutiny are flare guns
(not all that lethal, but you sure wouldn't want to get hit with one) pepper
spray, or underwater spear guns (very lethal).  That said, the biggest
concern will be keeping the gun clean and oiled to prevent rust and
corrosion in that damp environment.  Same problem with the ammunition.
Other than that, I would follow the same common sense that you would use
with a gun in your home.  If it were me, I'd keep it locked up in the cabin.
Some prefer to keep them more readily at hand.

I think Robert makes some good points about selecting the right gun but I'll
offer this caveat:  Never pin your hopes on that a big, nasty-looking, loud
gun with noisy action will simply frighten the intruder away.  Although
that's a real possibility, maybe common, the ONLY reason for drawing any
weapon is because you are ready and willing to shoot the person, so consider
a gun that's easy for you to use.  God forbid you'll ever be tested, but if
it did happen, the attacker will most likely be within ten or twelve feet.
Even if you're hyperventilating with fear and with trembling hands, with
good training, you should be able to easily hit the target at ten feet even
with a pistol.  And if your pistol is anything like mine, a govt. issue Colt
.45, even hitting him in the shoulder is going to stop him.

One more thought:  IMHO any good home defense or self defense training
should include at least some rudimentary hand-to-hand training.  Guns
sometimes jam and won't fire. A squirt in the face with some pepper spray
and a sharp kick to the groin would probably buy you enough time for you and
yours to get out of the house and run to the neighbors.  Or "boxing" the
ears--very easy to do and extremely painful because it breaks both ear
drums.

Slim

On 1/24/04 1:27 PM, "Saroj" <saroj at pathfind.net> wrote:

> Hey folks,
> 
> I would like to turn this conversation to ways and means of storing and
> using guns while cruising. We hope to do that extensively in the future.
> Want to know how to manage it.
> 
> Saroj
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robert Skinner" <robert at squirrelhaven.com>
> To: "Saroj" <saroj at pathfind.net>; "The Rhodes 22 mail list"
> <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 12:26 PM
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Prosecuted homeowner blasts officials
> 
> 
>> Saroj wrote:
>>> I'm with you on this one...
>>> For myself, I'm planning to learn to shoot
>>> a hand gun, rifle and shotgun...
>> 
>> May I offer a few words of advice?
>> 
>> I'd start with a pump scatter gun with the
>> shortest legal barrel and pistol grip rather
>> than shoulder stock.
>> 
>> Reasons?
>> 
>> If you use a pump, the sound of the action is
>>      generally enough to clear the area.
>> 
>> The configuration of short barrel and pistol
>>      grip looks quite ready for serious close
>>      action business...
>> 
>> The sight of a big hole in the end of a weapon
>>      tends to reduce the chance of an argument.
>> 
>> Shotguns (esp. short barrel) make a BIG noise.
>>      Your warning shot cannot be mistaken for
>>      a welcome.  And other than some damage to
>>      wallboard and siding, it is a cheap way
>>      to prevent legal consequences.
>> 
>> These factors may (hopefully) result in a
>>      bloodless and rapid retreat of the intruder,
>>      and no problems with paperwork and
>>      bureaucrats after the fact.
>> 
>> Otherwise:
>> 
>> Shotgun requires least accuracy under pressure.
>>      The decision to cause massive injury or
>>      death in another human is stressful, if
>>      not paralyzing.  Anyone would tend to be
>>      up tight defending their home.
>> 
>> Small to medium size shot generally doesn't
>>      penetrate walls and injure neighbors, etc.
>>      Minimal collateral damage is a good thing.
>> 
>> If you have trouble with the recoil from a 12
>>      gauge, a 16 or 20 gauge also works.  But
>>      generally, the bigger, the better -- more
>>      noise, bigger hole, and more pellets.
>> 
>> In any case, congratulations on your decision to
>> undertake a citizen's responsibility to learn how
>> to exercise your rights.
>> 
>> Very respectfully,
>> Robert Skinner



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