solowandslow
Inactive
I purchased my first shotgun yesterday. The reason why is not a happy one: I have a 27 yr old son who is "off the reservation". I would not wish this situation on my greatest enemy: arming myself to protect myself, my loved ones and my home against one person, my own son. To all you young fathers out there, I have a sober and poignant piece of advice: know your children as well as you can. Intrude upon their lives as much as you can while society and the law permit and encourage you to do so. Do you know their pain and frustrations as well as their joys and accomplishments? What are their hobbies and interests? What are their activities when you are not around, and who do they hang with? This knowledge, and the depth of relationship you share with them, is vitally important as they reach puberty/adolescence and start gaining some independence. My son has told us that he started using at 13, and we had no clue. Be warned. 'Nuff said.
With the above being stipulated, if my son breaks into my home, again, I want to bring him down and stop him, NOT kill him. My home is not large, and the ranges at which I would be engaging him at various points within it are frighteningly short- most under 15 feet. I have purchased and 870 tactical 20ga with an 18" barrel, pump action. I plan on equipping it with a strong strobe light as well. Even loaded with birdshot, I've been told this is a lethal combination at close range.
I am looking for suggestions and wisdom in the categories of:
1. General Home Defense Strategies and Tactics, taking my specific situation in mind, and
2. Alternative Ammunition ideas to reduce likelihood of a lethal encounter at such close range.
If you have anything to contribute, I thank you in advance for taking the time to bring me up to speed.
With the above being stipulated, if my son breaks into my home, again, I want to bring him down and stop him, NOT kill him. My home is not large, and the ranges at which I would be engaging him at various points within it are frighteningly short- most under 15 feet. I have purchased and 870 tactical 20ga with an 18" barrel, pump action. I plan on equipping it with a strong strobe light as well. Even loaded with birdshot, I've been told this is a lethal combination at close range.
I am looking for suggestions and wisdom in the categories of:
1. General Home Defense Strategies and Tactics, taking my specific situation in mind, and
2. Alternative Ammunition ideas to reduce likelihood of a lethal encounter at such close range.
If you have anything to contribute, I thank you in advance for taking the time to bring me up to speed.