- Messages
- 341
- Reactions
- 177
Well, not me, but anyone who might be reading this thread.
We live in downtown Bellevue, population 122-something thousand. Not a big city, not a rural village in the woods. Number of murders in 2010: zero. Number of murders in 2011: one. Green and landscaped.
We own multiple pistols and a shotgun. We started with a shotgun because this is arguably the best "home artillery" (when the family is barricaded behind a door). However, it turned out to be quite heavy for my spouse (yes, even a 20ga 870 can be too heavy - petite females do exist), so I bought her a full-size M&P 9. A one-handed weapon is useful when you need to open doors, grab kids, etc.
We also carry two absolutely-identical 9mm S&W Shields, concealed. We shoot every week, having fun and getting better over time.
I know, rifles are cool, awesome and all that. Daniel Defense V7 (lightweight barrel middy) looks mean and sexy enough for me to buy - if I had a good reason. The problem is: I am not sure I have a good reason. Maybe I am missing one?
1. Home defense. Why would you shoot a rifle indoors, which will inflict *huge* (assuming no silencer) hearing damage and won't be any more effective vs. a shotgun? Lower over-penetration of 5.56 bullets?
2. A riot / zombie invasion situation? Very unlikely.
3. Revolution in the U.S., police storming my apartment? Very unlikely.
So what is an AR-15 (or any semi-auto rifle, even Tavor) good for, apart from the sheer fun, for a city dweller? Intimidation? Coolness? I get it and agree with it, but are there any practical advantages? Why do I *need* an AR-15? What could I possibly do with one?
Important disclaimer: this is not a discussion about whether AR-15 should be legal. It is about utility in specific circumstances.
We live in downtown Bellevue, population 122-something thousand. Not a big city, not a rural village in the woods. Number of murders in 2010: zero. Number of murders in 2011: one. Green and landscaped.
We own multiple pistols and a shotgun. We started with a shotgun because this is arguably the best "home artillery" (when the family is barricaded behind a door). However, it turned out to be quite heavy for my spouse (yes, even a 20ga 870 can be too heavy - petite females do exist), so I bought her a full-size M&P 9. A one-handed weapon is useful when you need to open doors, grab kids, etc.
We also carry two absolutely-identical 9mm S&W Shields, concealed. We shoot every week, having fun and getting better over time.
I know, rifles are cool, awesome and all that. Daniel Defense V7 (lightweight barrel middy) looks mean and sexy enough for me to buy - if I had a good reason. The problem is: I am not sure I have a good reason. Maybe I am missing one?
1. Home defense. Why would you shoot a rifle indoors, which will inflict *huge* (assuming no silencer) hearing damage and won't be any more effective vs. a shotgun? Lower over-penetration of 5.56 bullets?
2. A riot / zombie invasion situation? Very unlikely.
3. Revolution in the U.S., police storming my apartment? Very unlikely.
So what is an AR-15 (or any semi-auto rifle, even Tavor) good for, apart from the sheer fun, for a city dweller? Intimidation? Coolness? I get it and agree with it, but are there any practical advantages? Why do I *need* an AR-15? What could I possibly do with one?
Important disclaimer: this is not a discussion about whether AR-15 should be legal. It is about utility in specific circumstances.