Best Firearm for Home Defense – 5 Things to Consider
Hi, I’m a retired Navy Seal, Chris Sajnog, and the author of Navy SEAL Shooting. One of the top 20 most frequently asked questions I get is, “What’s the best firearm for home defense.”
When it comes to home defense and having a firearm for home defense, this is really a tricky question. There’s really no answer I can give, but I can give you these five things to consider when deciding what’s right for you and your home.
#1 Ability To Train With Your Weapon
Alright, so point number one that you need to consider is what is your ability to train with that weapon system. If you think that you’re going to get an M4-type weapon, but you don’t have a range that you can shoot that at, then that’s not going to be a good choice for you.
If you don’t have any range that you can train at, well, then you need to think about maybe a firearm isn’t right for you. I’ve talked about that in other videos and posts, you need to consider your ability to train with that weapon system, because if you can’t train with it, then it’s not going to be able to help protect you or your family.
You may even be better off not even having a weapon in your home. Are you able to train with that weapon? Are you able to get to a firearms range where you can shoot that gun? So consider that your number one priority before thinking about any firearm.
#2 People Around You
Alright, point number two that you need to think about is whether there are other people in your home such as children. I have children in my house, I have two boys, and I have my wife. So I need to consider the firearm that I’m using and even the ammunition that I’m using when it comes to deciding what I’m going to use for home protection.
Certain firearms and certain ammunition are safer around people than others ones. So take that into consideration.
#3 Building Structure
The next thing you need to consider is the structure of the building that you’re in. Do you have adjoining walls with neighbors? What are the walls made out of the inside of your building?
For instance, I have my kids sleeping in another room, but I know what those walls are made out of. I know my firearm, and I know the penetration that the rounds I’m using will or will not make inside the house. You need to make sure you consider the same thing when deciding the best firearm for home defense.
#4 Knowing Distance
Alright, so number four is the interior and exterior distances that you plan on defending your home. If you have a very small home and there are only 500 square feet. Well, you probably do not need a long gun to protect yourself in your family in that situation.
Maybe you’re in a big mansion or on a farm, and you have a lot of distance that you need to protect. Then maybe a carbine or a shotgun might be better in that situation. The key thing is just to consider is: what distances will you be needing to shoot at and or what distances won’t you need to shoot.
#5 Storing The Firearm
Alright, number five. If you have kids, this is really one of the most important considerations to have when it comes to home defense. Where and how are you going to store that firearm?
I have two young boys at home, and I’ve taught them about firearm safety obviously, but still, I don’t want to risk it at all. My firearms are locked up. I had a plan for how I was going to store my firearms and you need to make sure you do the same thing before you even consider having a firearm for home defense.
Alright, so that is it for today’s FAQ. Remember to take those five items I shared with you into consideration before deciding on the best firearm for home defense. Please check out my other five and under five FAQ videos and posts to continue paving your path to perfection.
