If I wanted to get my hot little hands on a gun ASAP and stay within the law, I could always move back to South Carolina. Although I have other ways of protecting myself from would-be attackers (lethal ways, so don’t get any ideas, thugs), carrying a gun would make me feel even safer.
And I wouldn’t hesitate to use it when the time came.
But I can wait, since it looks like DC’s outrageously ineffective gun ban is destined to become an example of the most misguided and comically inept law ever written and allowed on the books, one that increased — rather than decreased — violent crime in the nation’s capital. It’s a thug’s paradise.
In March, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia declared D.C.’s ban against handguns unconstitutional. Yesterday, the full court refused to rehear the case. In essense, the court upheld the panel’s ruling. (Source)
Second Amendment opponents will try to push the case to the Supreme Court, naturally, and I’m hoping the court refuses to hear it. If that’s the case, I may become the proud owner of firearms (yes, plural) sooner than I think. 
(By the way, thank you so much for the gun recommendations!)
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La Shawn, there’s a great book available on the subject of self-defense, “In the Gravest Extreme” by firearms expert Massad F. Ayoob.
Technically, in terms of hardware, the book is 30 years out of date. And laws (like concealed carry) have changed markedly. But the book’s real focus, the reason to buy it, is on the moral, ethical, societal aspects of owning (and thereby potentially using) a firearm for self-defense.
This book is a must-own title. My wife is going for her concealed carry permit soon, and this will be a part of her course of study.
I bet there are a number of Washington, D.C. Residents who are waiting for that day to legally be able to have firearms. Maybe, just maybe, conceal carry will be next?????
Just remember, however, that you need a minimum of 1,000 rounds for each handgun. If you don’t have that, you are not serious about having a handgun. lol
Have you gone to the range yet to figure out with gun is best for you?
Now if I could get my wife to soften up on her anti-gun stance life would really be good.
Just remember, never bring a pistol to a gun fight.
I know you’ve gotten several bits of advice, but it’s free, so I’ll give you some too.
Every person should own at least 3 different kinds of guns. The first is a short-barreled 12 gauge shotgun with a large shell capacity (6-8). I love my Winchester 1300 for this. Load it with 00 buckshot, it’s the equivalent of 12 .38s shot at once.
The second is a pistol you can shoot. There’s people who love revolvers, and some who will give up their 1911 .45ACP pistol when you pry it out of their cold, dead hands… Me, my wrists are too weak to shoot .45s or .40s a lot (too much computing on bad terminals), but my Beretta 92FS points just like it’s a part of my hand.
Go to a gun range that has loaners, and shoot. If you can’t point the pistol and shoot a 100 bullets on target just like you shot with your finger playing Cowboys and Indians (ok, maybe that’s a boy thing…
, then you don’t want it.
Finally, buy a good .22 pistol or rifle. Put at least 2000 rounds through it a month. No way any of us can afford to do that with bigger calibers, but .22s are dirt cheap.
Once you’ve bought those three, start working on the rest of your collection.
If they can do this in our nation’s capital then let’s do this throughout the whole US of A let’s declare all gun conrol laws unconstitutional and let TED KENNEDY PULL OUT HIS HAIR.
Birdzilla,
Great idea but it only needs to be done in 49 states because the Vermont State Supreme Court became capable of reading a Constitution decades ago.
Good grief Kentucky Packrat, she can’t carry a 12.GA in her purse…
And for a woman, a 12GA is a bit much, man, you need to think about WHO you’re advising…
I don’t think you’re giving BAD advice either, just consider the person involved, I personally have all those and more, much more, but there’s a HUGE difference, I was raised with guns, my Dad was a gunsmith, and for almost 50 years I have been a shooter, La Shawn is a novice…
I want guns! I want guns! I want guns!
TexasFred, wouldn’t you agree that passion is 90% of becoming a shooter? In that case, La Shawn may be an intermediate, but certainly not a novice
As a very long-time DC resident and fairly recent firearm owner, the new laws, if they come into effect, won’t change THAT much. Curently, handguns are illegal, except those grand-fathered in before the 70’s gun ban. Shotguns and bolt-action rifles are legal. Also, semi-auto rifles with internal magazines with no more thant 13-round capacity are legal. (My Garand falls under this category). But, a semi-auto rifle with a detachible magazine is considered a “machine gun”. Thus, no Ruger 10/22s.
Firearms are to be registered and approved before taking ownership. A file of your fingerprints are on file with the FBI. All firearms are to be stores disassembled with child safety lock.
The repeal, if I understand correctly, would permit handguns, not “machine guns” like the Ruger 10/22 or assault rifles like the AR-15, and drop the disassembly and safety lock requirements. (I have never obeyed the latter.)
So, the big change is handguns, which would be nice. I would be interested in getting one down the road. But, what I’d really like is to be able to bring in my MAS-49/56 French assault rifle which is currently stored with a friend in Maryland. Someday, but I’ll have moved out of DC by then.
FK
Good grief Kentucky Packrat, she can’t carry a 12.GA in her purse…
Of COURSE she can’t. I can’t even fit my Winchester under my trenchcoat, and I’m big enough to where I should be able to do so ala Terminator. That’s why I said 3 guns.
The ease of use of a shotgun is why it’s the (IMHO) number 1 defense gun. You load it, you point it, and you make it go bang. One shell has almost the same firepower as entire magazine for my Beretta. And NOTHING has that “I just soiled my armour” effect as the business end of a 12 gauge.
I’ll modify my advice slightly: Your #1 gun is a home shotgun. The best choice here is a 12 Gauge pump-action with a 18″ straight barrel and 6-8 shell capacity. If you can’t manage the kick of a 12 Gauge, get an identically-configured 20 gauge. As a last resort, find a 18″ barrel 12 or 20 gauge double-barrel shotgun, or have a gunsmith make one for you.
Your home shotgun should use 2.75″ 00 (”double-aught”) buckshot. Practice aiming for the torso, and loading new shells at the shoulder.
Now, if you’re not happy because you think the pistol should be #1 and the shotgun #2, well, I don’t agree but I won’t argue much either. Buy both AND the .22 during the same trip.
K.P., I agree that for inside-the-home defense, a 12 ga. can’t be beat. But I’d recommend a load of #9 shot. At close range, and inside a room EVERYTHING is close range, it’s as deadly as 00 buck, but won’t penetrate walls as easily, limiting the chance of collateral damage.
A Remington 870 is my choice, because in a dark, quiet house there is nothing quite as intimidating (short of firing the weapon) as the sound of a pump action racking one into the chamber. Upon hearing that sound, most housebreakers will be diving out the nearest window.
Redbeard, ROFLOL
I just had visions of said perp in a dark, black as midnight on a moonless night house, trying to find a window, any window to dive out of while not soiling himself in the process.
Particularly in my neck of the woods, I get those sort of nights often enough, where the nearest sign of civilization and/or street light is at least 1/4 mile away. Compound that with those Euro-style thermo-pane & unbreakable glass windows, and said perp would likely knock himself out cold.
Nothing wrong with wanting “guns.” The more the merrier, except for those at the wrong end of one.
I have a few that I’ve bought recently and I discuss them on my blog. You’d have to look through the archives though. Might not be what you want but I have links to other gunbloggers as well.
Take a look at some gun forums too.
http://www.gunthing.com/
http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zeromain?id=5
LaShawn,
So many guns, so little time. Make sure it fits your hand/body, can be operated by you, and fires a cartridge you can control and hit with. After that, go for pretty.
Oy, you folks are really fortunate. Really really fortunate. In Malaysia there is a total gun ban in place (with, of course, any number of exemptions for ’special’ categories of people) so even looking for your smallest BB gun is a legal nightmare.
Illegally, however? That I won’t know, but armed robberies still happen… and the best part of it is, the compulsory draft (known as National Service) is a huge draw… not because you learn discipline, not for camaraderie, not even to get fit or build nationalism… oh no, the reason every young punk in the country is hot for it is because they teach you how to shoot guns! With live ammo! Though, presumably, not the rest of the responsibility that comes with it.
Personally, I believe in the right to carry firearms myself. But like any other right, I also believe that education and training should accompany it. Like driver’s licenses.
I am a NRA certified firearm instructor in Pistol,Rifle,and Shotgun. A RSO (Range Safety Officer,and a Maryland state certified pistol instructor.
If and when you decide to purchase a firearm depending on when mayor Fenty decides to allow residents of the district to exercise their constitional rights, which may not happen until SCOTUS decides not to hear the coming appeal, it would be my pleasure to invite you to take a NRA basic pistol class.
All aspects of firearm safety,handling,shooting,and storage would be covered.
Definitely check out some guns before you buy. Some important factors in buying a gun are finger, wrist, and arm strength. I know some people who can hold the 1911 models, rack back the slide, and shoot all day. I know some people who can shoot them, but can’t get the slide back properly. And some who don’t like the weight.
If you want the semi-auto pistol, make sure that you can properly pull the slide back. There is a great difference between models, so check them all out.
If you don’t like the weight of a gun or it’s too light or too heavy, you probably aren’t going to fire it well. Find one that fits nicely in your hand, that you can hold for a bit without shaking, and that has a good balance to it when loaded. It should feel like it’s a part of you rather than some foreign piece of metal in your hands.
Single or double action? Check out each type and see what you like. Each gun varies and has a different feel. Some guns are double action only and the trigger pull is like trying to squeeze a rock. Find the right trigger pull. And if you find a gun you like but has a bad trigger pull, then check out getting it modified by a smith.
Try revolvers. Some people fall in love with them. Reloading can actually be faster with a revolver, depending on the person. And no worry about policing up the brass.
Take some friends with you when you go looking. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Try to find a range where you can rent some guns to shoot.
Caliber. Too much stuff written about it to cover. I’ve talked to LEOs and there are too many things to factor. In the end, it’s your life on the line. Find the caliber you can handle while shooting, that gives a decent percentage for stopping someone, and practice, practice, practice for shot placement. You can kill a cow with a .22, not stop someone with a .45, and empty a gun without hitting anyone. The gun is a tool. Everyone is unique. So, make sure you find the best tool for you.
RedBeard’s Highly Subjective Handgun Caliber Rules:
.22 cal is for potting camp meat and target practice.
.25 cal is for being utterly useless.
.32 cal – see .25 cal above.
.380 is for creating a false sense of security.
9mm is for people who watch too much TV and buy into the myth.
.38 is for people who like obsolete weapons.
.357 mag is for feeling powerful without actually being so.
.40 cal is for people who need the latest “thing,” whether or not it’s all that wonderful.
.44 and .45 cal variants are for people who are serious about defensive pistols and revolvers.
LaShawn, my husband and I spent one Saturday taking the handgun safety course and testing out on the range. I’m a process server on my own time, so I sometimes get into neighborhoods and areas where I need the protection. I would encourage you to take a similar course if your Fraternal Order of Police lodge offers one. I think it was time and money well spent. We had to undergo backgrounds checks, fingerprinting, etc. The process is pretty thorough and it isn’t cheap either. The main thing I’ve had trouble with is remembering to keep my permit on me at all times in case I get stopped during a routine traffic roadblock or something.
Indeed! I plan to visit a firing range to practice shooting and enroll in a gun safety course before I buy my hardware. Can’t wait!
Redbeard, that should say
.44/.45 – For when you bring a pistol to a gun fight…
Caliber choices are quite subjective. If you were to ask a person who hunted big cats, deer, etc. if they’d want a .45 ACP, they’d think you were crazy. For man-sized animals, you hunt with high-powered rifle cartridges. Period.
Human beings are rather strange creatures. Because of our intellegence, we react strangely to being shot. Some people can go into shock and die with a minor wound, and others can be almost cut to ribbons and still function for a small period of time.
Even one “magical” .45ACP isn’t enough to stop a person both intent on killing you and capable of withstanding the pain of the wound. You plan on shooting a person multiple times (2 chest shots, 2 head shots, two hip shots, repeat as needed), no matter the caliber, and you make every shot hit.
I would tend to agree that .357 Magnum (or .38 with +P loading or higher) is the minimum carrying round unless you just can’t shoot it. I prefer the 9mm (no myth, simply weaker wrists), but if you can shoot it the .40 or .45 are better.
The best gun and best caliber is the gun you can shoot accurately under pressure. A .44 Magnum is no good if you can’t shoot 30-40 rounds without hand fatigue. OTOH, it only takes one .32 ACP in the brain pan, and if that’s all you can shoot, make it a really good shot.
You can’t go wrong with a compact model Glock. Glock is the gold standard for reliability and accuracy in automatics. Something in 9 mm or even .40 cal has a manageable recoil for the average woman. Practice, practice, practice. A gun you can’t hit anything with is worse than worthless. It is a liability that can be taken and used against you.
I would bet that the Sup Ct will refuse to hear the case.
I. Hope. So!
Very exciting…
K.P., I can’t disagree with anything you’ve said. The best defensive handgun is definitely the one with which the operator can hit the target.
Now about those .50 cal…….
hi lashawn. if you’re going to carry, for what it’s worth, i just got a new carry gun *today*. if weight matters to you at all, you might look into the keltec p11. it’s a 9mm – never mind what the cavemen say, a hollowpoint 9mm fired into the right parts will take the fight out of pretty much anyone – deemed ‘quite reliable’ by the web; aaaaand – takes deep breath…
it only weighs 14 ounces empty!
10 shots at *considerably* lighter weight than a 5-shot .38 revolver!
smaller than said revolver, but not *too* tiny for my large hand!
it has a *long*, *hard* trigger pull, so it’s very very difficult to accidently shoot yourself or others!
designed for CCW, i can get my finger *behind* the trigger for even safer handling/drawing!
again, 9mm (in hollowpoint) is plenty enough ooomph! and *10* of ‘em….!
aaaaaand…..maybe best of all….as opposed to the $1000 kimbers; and the $700 sigs, i paid $229 plus tax & fees for mine. today. cheaper than dirt! for something that you’ll probably never have to use, but will be there if you ever need to!
best of luck looking & shopping. try ‘em all. ask lots of questions. if the gun shop folks give you ’superior’ attitude, (most will not, BTW), walk out and find another gun shop. and – for the house – nothing like a 12-gauge shotgun: the kind that makes the scary noise when you chamber a shell. the noise will scare 99% of them off. what better weapon than the kind you don’t have to fire?
Gosh, if they allow regular citizens to own guns and carry them, the place will turn into Dodge City. Oops, isn’t that the argument used for every time concealed carry or the castle doctrine is brought up in places that don’t have them? And it never bears out.
Go for the firearms you like, that is, once hissoner decides that citizens have some rights under the Constitution. I’m not worried about X being the best for self-defense. I’m more worried about my ability to make the rounds go where I intend. That takes practice and more practice. If you visit a range, you might just find that most of us gun nuts are not the drooling neanderthals the anti-gun lobby would have you believe.
Hi, Bob. Caveman here.
I’m looking for a concealed carry holster for my Walker Colt, a 4-1/2 pound, 9″ barreled, .44 cal. hand cannon. Trouble is, if I wear it on one side, I’ll lean that way, and walk in circles. Maybe I should wear a pair of ‘em……
jeez, red. maybe a CCW briefcase?
don’t get me too wrong: i love my ruger .45 to death, and it’d be the gun of choice if i have time to pack. but – like all fullsize big caliber guns – it weighs a ton. toting it around all day every day would be like wearing a brick around my waist, and then trying to conceal it. (”officer, i saw a *brick* printing under that man’s shirt!!”)(and then i get to deal with a trigger-happy cop – i live in vegas – who’ll be even more amped up than usual. “face down on the 125 degree asphalt!!”. no thanks.)
keltec p11 + cargo pants/shorts = happy carry.
Just becuase their wealthy and influencial these WASHINGTON D.C. eletists think that no one in the place should have a gun except for themselves they think their so better then us what a bunch of wackos
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