[size=large]I have talked about gun safety and shown my kids guns when they were toddlers. I took them out and showed them what devastating power a gun has by shooting water filled milk jugs. I told them when they were little to never touch daddy's guns or they would get the spanking of their life. But I also told them that when they were big enough I would teach them how to safely use them. I took them to NRA gun safety classes so they could hear other people tell them about guns and safety besides me. We still go out shooting different guns several times a year and they enjoy shooting at targets or down into the pond. I have loaded guns in several rooms of the house, they know where they are at and that they are loaded for self defense (all my guns are loaded but the chamber is empty until you cycle a round which takes about 1/2 second). I have learned that when you REALLY need a gun, you need it RIGHT NOW!... there's no time to run to a gun safe and spin dials or punch buttons... if someone breaks into your house, they will be on you like ape on ugly.
The reason I suggest a shotgun (it doesnt matter if it's a 20 gauge, 16 gauge or 12 gauge) for house protection is so that the pellets do not over-penetrate and go through a wall, for example, and into your neighbor's house or the apartment next door. A handgun or rifle in the house is too powerful, and can easily go through walls and injur or kill someone in the next room, the next house, or out on the street. .000 buckshot or #4 shot (usually used for turkey hunting) is a great defense round, will drop an attacker in his tracks and not over-penetrate the boundaries of your house or room near as much as a bullet would. Now be warned, a load of buckshot can go through a sheetrock wall at close range. The most important thing is to learn gun safety, teach your kids gun safety; the three basic rules are never point a gun loaded or unloaded at anything you can't replace or don't want to destroy. Treat all guns as if they're loaded even if you think they're not. Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot....once the charge leaves the barrel, it ain't coming back ~ be sure of your target![/size]
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