Women Alone and RVing

[Izzyblueye]

Originally Posted by Gthree

I haven't seen too much commentary in this whole thread about some of the nasty nuances of actually USING a firearm in self-defense. Here's my $0.02:

1. VERY IMPORTANT - - Rifles and pistols fire solid slugs - - these will easily go through multiple RV walls. They will even go through people and THEN go through RV walls. If you are in a campground, you will put your fellow campers at risk while firing your weapon to defend yourself. For this reason alone, I feel that a shotgun is the only reasonable self-defense weapon. A shotgun fires easily-stopped pellets which won't hazard your neighbors (not counting buckshot, these penetrate nearly as well as pistol bullets).
2. "Drag them inside", or "put a knife in their hand" is really foolish advice. Investigators will detect this and you will be in the deepest of legal S###.
3. Firearms, wasp spray, etc., even if used in self-defense, will potentially get you into civil court for unlawful etc. Be sure you are really threatened and not just scared. Sad to say, they really have to BE inside your domicile for you to be "legally" threatened, and it's even better if they have a weapon. You may easily be free of criminal charges and still lose a fortune on civil litigation or judgements.
This is a sad era -- once upon a time, a bad guy could expect injury/death if he violated your personal space and threatened your property. Now, you have to consider, if the bad guys are really just trying to take your STUFF, there is nothing you own that's worth the nasty experiences of criminal or civil courts.

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I completely agree with this analogy. I just wish they would take the restrictions off sawed off shot guns. They make good sense for self defense.

[M2HB]

There are a few pistols that fire .410 shotgun shells. I own one, a Taurus Public Defender. I feel it has adequate capability to protect me without endangering bystanders. It's a bit of a handful but I'm used to shooting all types of heavy weapons up to fifty caliber machine guns.

[Vicap]

I have been traveling solo for a few years and do not let fear slow me down. I drive to AK every year from the SE part of the US; stay in Wal-Marts, Flying J's, casinos, rest stops etc...anything to keep from spending money! I do not do stupid stuff like answering the door, walking after dark, etc. At one point I had an old dog who needed to go outside almost every hour all night long so I would park with the door near a grassy area and let her out on a leash while I stayed behind the locked door as she did her business. I do not carry any weapons since it is too much of a hassle going over the border into Canada. Even bear spray/pepper spray is considered a weapon.

I plan to continue this lifestyle for many years to come - life is too short to stop living!

[ladyrvr66]

I guess I am from the old school. If I am threatened, I don't care whether or not whoever is threatening me has a weapon or not. At 73, his or her hands can be a weapon, which I will not take a chance. If the bad guy is trying to take my STUFF, including maybe my life, he better be willing to lose his or her life as I am willing to go to jail to protect my life and my STUFF!!!

[stepside454]

I won't use deadly force to protect stuff. If I feel human life is in danger, well now we have a differant story.

[ladyrvr66]

I would not use deadly force to ONLY protect my STUFF, but if your STUFF is threatened, how do you know your life is not threatened also???

[stepside454]

It can be a gray area. The bad guy may be only after your stuff. But, if he comes inside, & finds you there, he may threaten your life. Personally, if I feel my life, or family's lives are in danger, I'm protecting them. My intentions are to stop the threat, Whatever that may mean .

[ladyrvr66]

I feel anyone breaking into my home does not have my welfare in mind and he or she could care less about my welfare or my families welfare. Once in on my turf I will not be taking any chances.

[okmunky]

Originally Posted by M2HB

There are a few pistols that fire .410 shotgun shells. I own one, a Taurus Public Defender. I feel it has adequate capability to protect me without endangering bystanders. It's a bit of a handful but I'm used to shooting all types of heavy weapons up to fifty caliber machine guns.

Handful indeed! Almost 2 pounds unloaded. I never considered a gun of any sort until I heard about this type of handgun. Aimed at the knees (or crotch) I imagine it would stop any intruder without being instantly lethal. "

[texasdaisy]

Originally Posted by msparker505

Good story. I'm going to try and find a blinking red light worn on belt when walking (right) the next time I'm at good ole Wallyworld.

Bicycle shops sell small little clip on lights for night cycling. They are LED so they last a long time. I think I will try using those.

[texasdaisy]

If you are not able to own a dog, a good tape recording of one or two large, loud barking dogs would be a good idea also.

[Rick Long]

I have a sign at my door "Beware of Dog" ... Just in case they're not deterred I have a Cross Bow always ready... quiet and painful or even deadly.

[Kathryn]

It's been fun reading all these ... but gotta say ... DETERRENT is the key here. Whether it is a blinking red light or a barking dog, the point is to keep the "close encounter" from happening. That said, to cover all bases, there is nothing in the world quite as intimidating as the ratchet of a shotgun being chambered. They can hear that in the dark, and don't need to see it or wonder if you really DO have the gun you say you have, so I think that would be preferrable to a pistol that shoots shotgun shells. Then if the situation escalates you do have something that actually can protect you. With a shotgun you can shoot an intruder without killing them, which removes some of the reluctance users might feel, and a shotgun is definitely looked upon with more favor by law enforcement as a weapon of defense, and since it is in the dwelling and not being carried, it is legal almost everywhere.

I also thought the suggestion first round being bean-bag is GREAT! You are much more likely to actually shoot it, and they will now believe you are not afraid to shoot. But PLEASE, remember - no weapon can help you if it is NOT LOADED!!! Even if it is just bean-bag loads, 5 or 6 of those pumped in close range while an alarm siren goes off could do the job just as well as more serious loads, with the added advantage that no one should hesitate since they are non-lethal, and even if injured, the bad guy can't sue because bean-bags are DEFINITELY self-defense! LOL

[Izzyblueye]

Kathryn: Good thinking and well put. Now if they would just make one short enough to handle in tight spots.