The Glade 4.0

I agree that a shotgun is a good idea. One day when I have a more permanent home of my own, I'll buy one. But right now it's just too much of a hassle. I don't have much money to spare. I don't have much time to spare on learning how to use it. My living situation is far from permanent and it's likely I'll be moving to a different state in the next year or two and having a gun would just be another hassle while I'm moving. And most importantly, I live in a safe neighborhood and I'm really not concerned about people breaking in and trying to hurt me. If I was, I'd go with the shotgun.

If you're not interested in a gun then your best choices would be a dog that's actually trained as a guard dog (a dog that is just a pet is often going to be pretty worthless) or good running shoes, a cell phone, and a rope ladder you can go out your bedroom window with if you're not on the first floor...

Pepper spray is unreliable (it doesn't affect everyone the same and some people it just doesn't affect at all) and you just might end up missing with it or spraying yourself, it's really hard to swing a bat in most houses and you're probably going to do more damage to yourself with a knife than you do to an attacker unless you're trained.

Really your best choice is a 20 guage pump shotgun loaded with birdshot (buckshot has serious overpenetration issues). I'm not a big fan of the Mossberg 500, but the Remington 870 is pretty nice...

I am not a gun owner. But after I bought a house, I seriously gave some thought to becoming one. And I believe I eventually will.

I was looking at the Taurus Judge when considering options for home defense. I was also looking into a gun safe (which no gun owner should be without) and one that could easily be opened in pitch-black darkness as well as quietly (they have some you slide your fingers over and punch in numbers with taps). But, any safe you get I believe should be one that is immobilized (whether too heavy to move or one that is bolted to the wall or floor from the inside).

Some people may say it doesn't have enough stopping power, but usually those same people feel that they will be eventually defending their home from SWAT. I am pretty sure that the Judge will ruin most intruders' day.

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Les Zombis et les Loups-Garous!

The judge is ok. Honestly anything that makes a loud bang, a flash, and projects a dense piece of matter at high speeds is better than nothing. The guy on the other end even during the day isn't going to tell you're throwing down with .410 shotgun, 9mm, 38,22, or 45 with your pistol. He will know he is being shot at and should get the hell out of dodge though and thats what you want ideally. If you have to/do hit him in order to stop violence thats when the stuff gets technical.

The average violence related shooting happens at an average distance of 3-7 feet. The judge is fine for that.

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"...but there exists also in the human heart a depraved taste for equality, which impels the weak to attempt to lower the powerful to their own level and reduces men to prefer equality in slavery to inequality with freedom." - De Tocqueville

That's an interesting weapon, that Judge. Funny, because I was going to chime in and suggest a revolver. For simple reliability and usability in a home defense situation, I've read that revolvers are not a bad choice. Not prone to jamming, etc.

Of course, you're lacking that "racking" sound of a shotgun that's said to inspire fear and usually be sufficient.

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This cold and dark tormented hell
Is all I`ll ever know
So when you get to heaven
May the devil be the judge