1 00:00:11,156 --> 00:00:13,586 Andy: This is The Secure Family Podcast. 2 00:00:13,916 --> 00:00:14,516 Welcome friend. 3 00:00:14,516 --> 00:00:17,486 I'm Andy, the host, and I'm also the founder of The Secure Dad. 4 00:00:18,116 --> 00:00:22,106 This show is all about empowering parents to protect themselves and their family. 5 00:00:22,376 --> 00:00:25,706 I believe that security is the foundation of happiness, and I want 6 00:00:25,706 --> 00:00:27,866 your family to be safe and happy. 7 00:00:28,436 --> 00:00:31,076 The information that I share on this podcast is for general 8 00:00:31,076 --> 00:00:32,816 information purposes only. 9 00:00:33,296 --> 00:00:37,406 My goal is to empower you to make safer decisions for yourself and your family. 10 00:00:37,931 --> 00:00:43,781 Because our safety is our own responsibility Today I want to discuss the 11 00:00:43,781 --> 00:00:48,191 best firearms that we can use to defend our homes in the event of a break-in. 12 00:00:48,701 --> 00:00:52,211 All of that and more coming up on The Secure Family Podcast. 13 00:00:55,211 --> 00:00:59,092 Well, we almost had a big step towards data collection reform, 14 00:00:59,452 --> 00:01:00,982 but now that's not happening. 15 00:01:01,462 --> 00:01:05,542 The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was going to make data brokers 16 00:01:05,542 --> 00:01:10,792 ask our permission before they collected and sold our personal data. 17 00:01:11,422 --> 00:01:12,832 But now that's not going to happen. 18 00:01:13,552 --> 00:01:14,752 And honestly, that's a shame. 19 00:01:15,712 --> 00:01:19,312 So if you were waiting on legislation to protect your name, address, 20 00:01:19,312 --> 00:01:22,762 and even social security number, you'll have to do it on your own. 21 00:01:23,407 --> 00:01:26,497 And this is where DeleteMe stands ready to help. 22 00:01:27,367 --> 00:01:30,487 They'll remove your data from hundreds of data broker sites 23 00:01:30,667 --> 00:01:32,737 while you move on with your life. 24 00:01:33,277 --> 00:01:36,367 Right now you can get 20% off your DeleteMe Plan. 25 00:01:36,807 --> 00:01:42,337 Just go to JoinDeleteMe.com/Dad and use the promo code dad at checkout. 26 00:01:42,817 --> 00:01:46,837 That's JoinDeleteMe.com/Dad code Dad. 27 00:01:47,994 --> 00:01:52,314 There is no doubt that your kids are going to want to play video games this summer. 28 00:01:52,644 --> 00:01:55,674 With school being out, there's a lot more time for this and a lot 29 00:01:55,674 --> 00:01:57,984 more time begging for new games. 30 00:01:58,614 --> 00:02:01,704 If you don't know anything about online gaming, don't worry. 31 00:02:01,764 --> 00:02:02,934 I've got you covered. 32 00:02:03,564 --> 00:02:07,344 My ebook Level Up will teach you everything that you need to know about the 33 00:02:07,344 --> 00:02:10,374 world of online gaming in just 30 minutes. 34 00:02:11,304 --> 00:02:14,424 By the end, you'll have all the information that you need to decide if 35 00:02:14,424 --> 00:02:16,434 online gaming is right for your kids. 36 00:02:17,004 --> 00:02:20,374 Get your copy exclusively at TheSecureDad.com. 37 00:02:20,724 --> 00:02:22,404 There's a link in the show notes for you too. 38 00:02:32,108 --> 00:02:36,008 So I want to address the most common question that I get. 39 00:02:36,308 --> 00:02:40,208 And I get this question in person through email and online. 40 00:02:40,688 --> 00:02:46,478 The most common question I get is this, "What is the best gun for home 41 00:02:46,478 --> 00:02:50,888 defense?" Now, this is a great question and I'm happy to share my perspective. 42 00:02:51,218 --> 00:02:55,058 I really appreciate it when people want to ask this question because that 43 00:02:55,058 --> 00:02:58,478 means that they want to know more about how to defend themselves and their 44 00:02:58,478 --> 00:03:02,768 families before they just go out and buy what the salesman tells them to buy. 45 00:03:02,978 --> 00:03:04,223 I think it's a really good sign. 46 00:03:04,838 --> 00:03:07,628 And when somebody wants to know how to protect their family and their 47 00:03:07,628 --> 00:03:09,338 home, I'm always happy to help. 48 00:03:09,818 --> 00:03:14,978 But understand I am not a licensed firearm instructor or expert in this field. 49 00:03:15,338 --> 00:03:16,598 This is just my opinion. 50 00:03:17,018 --> 00:03:20,348 And you may not agree with the information that I give here, and that's fine. 51 00:03:20,828 --> 00:03:24,428 What we discuss next comes from my experience, my conversations 52 00:03:24,518 --> 00:03:28,088 with law enforcement, military personnel, and educated gun 53 00:03:28,088 --> 00:03:30,098 owners who I trust and respect. 54 00:03:31,100 --> 00:03:33,980 If you've been listening to this podcast, you know that I am all about 55 00:03:33,980 --> 00:03:36,020 a holistic approach to home security. 56 00:03:36,380 --> 00:03:40,340 Meaning that there is no single solution that is going to keep our 57 00:03:40,340 --> 00:03:43,010 home safe, including firearm ownership. 58 00:03:43,370 --> 00:03:47,240 There's not one single product that you can buy that will instantly make 59 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:49,220 your home the safest on the block. 60 00:03:49,610 --> 00:03:51,110 It's a combination of things. 61 00:03:51,110 --> 00:03:52,250 It's commitment. 62 00:03:52,820 --> 00:03:57,020 I call this combination the layered home defense strategy, and it breaks 63 00:03:57,020 --> 00:04:01,730 down into four parts, which is discipline, deter, fortify, and defend. 64 00:04:02,150 --> 00:04:05,600 I go in depth about this in my book, Home Security: The Secure Dad's 65 00:04:05,600 --> 00:04:08,360 Guide, which is available on Amazon. 66 00:04:09,170 --> 00:04:14,030 Now, another question that I get sometimes is if a gun is necessary for home defense. 67 00:04:14,530 --> 00:04:18,010 Does that mean that you must have a firearm in your home to feel safe? 68 00:04:18,550 --> 00:04:22,090 Well, if you're not comfortable around guns and they make you 69 00:04:22,090 --> 00:04:24,190 nervous, then please don't get one. 70 00:04:24,850 --> 00:04:29,200 There's nothing worse than someone who buys a gun and they're scared of it. 71 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:34,120 If you buy a firearm, make sure that you know how to use it and store it properly. 72 00:04:34,630 --> 00:04:36,580 So let's take a look at our original question. 73 00:04:36,820 --> 00:04:39,070 What's the best firearm for home defense? 74 00:04:39,770 --> 00:04:42,560 To get the best answer to this question, there are a few 75 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:43,940 things that we have to consider. 76 00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:46,610 First, let's consider where we live. 77 00:04:47,030 --> 00:04:50,480 The first principle to owning a firearm is to know the gun laws of your state. 78 00:04:50,750 --> 00:04:54,050 You need to know what type of ammunition that you can own, and if there is 79 00:04:54,050 --> 00:04:55,970 a restriction on magazine size. 80 00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:58,940 Plus, know what your state's castle doctrine and stand 81 00:04:58,940 --> 00:05:00,260 your ground laws look like. 82 00:05:00,905 --> 00:05:04,355 Another aspect of where we live in reference to home defense is what 83 00:05:04,355 --> 00:05:08,195 type of home that you have and where you can and cannot shoot. 84 00:05:08,795 --> 00:05:12,215 For simplicity's sake, let's say that you own a nine millimeter pistol. 85 00:05:12,305 --> 00:05:13,955 That's a very popular choice. 86 00:05:14,555 --> 00:05:18,425 If you are left with no other option but to fire around in defense of your 87 00:05:18,430 --> 00:05:22,895 yourself and your family, there's a good chance that you might miss your target. 88 00:05:23,435 --> 00:05:26,255 You may fire five rounds, two hit, and three miss. 89 00:05:26,860 --> 00:05:30,370 Being under that kind of pressure can affect your decision making and 90 00:05:30,370 --> 00:05:32,560 abilities of your fine motor skills. 91 00:05:32,980 --> 00:05:35,530 It won't be like shooting paper targets down at the range. 92 00:05:35,950 --> 00:05:40,120 So understand that you'll be under a lot of stress depending on your 93 00:05:40,120 --> 00:05:42,400 ammunition choice and shot placement. 94 00:05:42,580 --> 00:05:45,940 That nine millimeter round is going to penetrate the drywall vinyl 95 00:05:45,940 --> 00:05:49,975 siding and may leave your home at potentially a deadly velocity. 96 00:05:50,870 --> 00:05:54,500 If you live in an apartment, you may fire a round that penetrates several of your 97 00:05:54,500 --> 00:05:56,750 neighbor's rooms before it actually stops. 98 00:05:57,080 --> 00:06:00,770 So understanding our ammunition, the construction of our home 99 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:02,750 is extraordinarily vital. 100 00:06:03,500 --> 00:06:06,890 The best thing that you can do to avoid potentially hurting someone 101 00:06:06,890 --> 00:06:11,330 with over penetration is to know the defensive shooting angles of your home. 102 00:06:11,750 --> 00:06:15,650 For example, never fired towards a wall that is part of your safe room. 103 00:06:15,980 --> 00:06:17,660 Your family should be in there. 104 00:06:18,090 --> 00:06:22,200 So there are places in your home that you need to scout in advance to make 105 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:26,070 sure that in the event that you miss the chances of hurting someone who 106 00:06:26,070 --> 00:06:29,130 is innocent are absolutely minimized. 107 00:06:29,130 --> 00:06:33,090 And this is something that you can do during the day when everything is normal. 108 00:06:33,090 --> 00:06:36,570 Just kind of walk around your house and say, okay, I can't shoot here, can't 109 00:06:36,570 --> 00:06:38,220 shoot here, but this is a good place. 110 00:06:38,520 --> 00:06:41,910 Once you have those things in mind, it's gonna make things a whole lot easier 111 00:06:42,090 --> 00:06:43,710 when you're under a lot of stress. 112 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:48,550 I also suggest that you look at hollow point ammunition and defensive rounds. 113 00:06:48,730 --> 00:06:50,080 If they're legal in your state. 114 00:06:50,350 --> 00:06:53,740 This will help you with over penetration as well, but it's not 115 00:06:53,740 --> 00:06:56,920 a hundred percent foolproof either, so just have that understanding. 116 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:02,080 All right, so let's go over the three main types of firearms that are available 117 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:07,720 to most buyers, and that is shotguns, AR platform rifles, and handguns. 118 00:07:08,110 --> 00:07:09,550 So we'll start with shotguns. 119 00:07:09,910 --> 00:07:13,870 I feel the biggest advantage that a shotgun gives you is stopping power. 120 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:16,930 You can achieve more stopping power in a single shot of 12 121 00:07:16,930 --> 00:07:21,450 gauge shotgun than you can with multiple rounds of, say, .380 ACP. 122 00:07:21,910 --> 00:07:26,180 If you use something like Birdshot, placement is a bit more forgiving as 123 00:07:26,180 --> 00:07:28,130 the shot will spread over the distance. 124 00:07:28,460 --> 00:07:32,150 This will increase your chances of hitting the threat and stopping them. 125 00:07:32,450 --> 00:07:36,500 Some people think that it may be hard to maneuver the long barrel around in your 126 00:07:36,500 --> 00:07:42,890 home, and that is certainly true, so the shotgun isn't as effective, but there's 127 00:07:42,890 --> 00:07:47,360 actually home defense shotgun courses that you can take, and I highly suggest that. 128 00:07:47,410 --> 00:07:51,190 The barrels on those home defense models are around 18 inches and can hold about 129 00:07:51,190 --> 00:07:52,870 seven rounds, and that's pretty good. 130 00:07:53,260 --> 00:07:58,330 Please understand that there is a minimum barrel length involved here, and people 131 00:07:58,330 --> 00:08:02,860 will knock on your front door if they find out that, uh, you have a shotgun 132 00:08:02,860 --> 00:08:04,870 barrel shorter than what the law allows. 133 00:08:04,870 --> 00:08:06,610 So just use some common sense here. 134 00:08:07,177 --> 00:08:10,207 You might be wondering if it's okay to use your dad's Beretta Silver 135 00:08:10,207 --> 00:08:12,097 Pigeon as a home defense gun. 136 00:08:12,367 --> 00:08:16,597 Now, the Silver Pigeon, which is a phenomenal shotgun by the way, has a 137 00:08:16,597 --> 00:08:21,997 30 inch barrel that's more than a foot difference and barrel length between a 138 00:08:21,997 --> 00:08:26,467 shotgun that is used for competition and one that is designed for home defense. 139 00:08:26,767 --> 00:08:30,907 Plus an over under shotgun like that is only good to have the maximum of what, 140 00:08:30,927 --> 00:08:35,157 two rounds before you have to reload, so you might wanna rethink that option. 141 00:08:35,694 --> 00:08:39,054 You might wanna consider getting a youth model 20 gauge shotgun 142 00:08:39,114 --> 00:08:40,464 that is smaller and lighter. 143 00:08:40,794 --> 00:08:44,424 You can maneuver it a little bit easier and the 20 gauge will have less kick 144 00:08:44,424 --> 00:08:46,164 and still have plenty of stopping power. 145 00:08:46,464 --> 00:08:47,664 It's not a bad idea. 146 00:08:47,844 --> 00:08:50,214 I've heard this from other reliable sources as well. 147 00:08:50,889 --> 00:08:54,489 If you're looking at researching a home defense shotgun, I'd start with the 148 00:08:54,489 --> 00:09:00,759 Remington Model 870 Home Defense, or the Mossberg 510 Youth Mini Super Bantam. 149 00:09:00,939 --> 00:09:02,259 It's an all purpose shotgun. 150 00:09:03,009 --> 00:09:05,649 So now let's talk about AR platform rifles. 151 00:09:05,919 --> 00:09:09,639 These are very popular for hunting, competitive shooting, and home defense. 152 00:09:10,029 --> 00:09:14,739 At first glance, the two big advantages of these is the length of the barrel for 153 00:09:14,739 --> 00:09:17,199 accuracy and also the magazine capacity. 154 00:09:17,601 --> 00:09:20,841 They offer shooters better accuracy over handguns because of the length 155 00:09:20,841 --> 00:09:23,631 of the barrel and the butt stock is anchored to your shoulder. 156 00:09:23,991 --> 00:09:26,691 This gives you better control and a higher round count. 157 00:09:27,441 --> 00:09:30,951 Some can have considerable magazine capacity of 30 or more rounds. 158 00:09:31,866 --> 00:09:34,566 Another advantage to these is that they are modular and 159 00:09:34,566 --> 00:09:36,276 they can be easily customized. 160 00:09:36,516 --> 00:09:40,206 You can add rail mounts and equip things like tactical lights and even lasers. 161 00:09:40,476 --> 00:09:43,506 I think having a light on a home defense gun is a must. 162 00:09:43,746 --> 00:09:47,046 You need to be able to identify an intruder in your home. 163 00:09:47,296 --> 00:09:49,906 And honestly, the possibilities are really endless for what you 164 00:09:49,906 --> 00:09:51,496 can do with one of these rifles. 165 00:09:51,826 --> 00:09:55,576 Because of that, I hesitate to even try to tell you where to start your 166 00:09:55,576 --> 00:09:59,356 research on an AR because there's just so many options out there. 167 00:09:59,686 --> 00:10:03,286 You could spend a few hundred dollars or a few thousand dollars. 168 00:10:03,586 --> 00:10:07,226 I do suggest that you consider an AR chambered in .223, or 169 00:10:07,226 --> 00:10:11,806 .556 and you can argue all day long about which one is best. 170 00:10:11,806 --> 00:10:13,486 But both are great for home defense. 171 00:10:14,086 --> 00:10:17,476 As for manufacturers, you can go with Palmetto State Armory, 172 00:10:17,866 --> 00:10:19,636 Springfield, or Daniel Defense. 173 00:10:19,906 --> 00:10:21,556 Those are three good ones to start with. 174 00:10:22,271 --> 00:10:26,621 So now let's move on to a very popular option for home defense, the handgun. 175 00:10:26,921 --> 00:10:29,951 Now the handgun breaks down into two subcategories, which is 176 00:10:30,161 --> 00:10:32,231 semi-auto pistols and revolvers. 177 00:10:32,561 --> 00:10:33,791 No matter which you choose. 178 00:10:33,791 --> 00:10:37,571 Handguns are useful for their smaller size and their maneuverability. 179 00:10:38,074 --> 00:10:40,954 You don't need to be concerned with barrel length and moving through a home 180 00:10:40,954 --> 00:10:42,904 like you do with a shotgun or an AR. 181 00:10:43,744 --> 00:10:48,064 And most handguns can be operated with one hand, make it easier for you to open 182 00:10:48,064 --> 00:10:50,014 doors and move people outta harm's way. 183 00:10:50,344 --> 00:10:54,664 Also, the small size opens up many opportunities for safe, quick storage. 184 00:10:55,594 --> 00:10:59,554 Many companies make fast access safes that could be mounted on bedside tables 185 00:10:59,704 --> 00:11:03,424 or the underside of a bed for quick access to your handgun when you really need it. 186 00:11:03,754 --> 00:11:08,014 This is a great option for keeping the gun out of your kids' hands, but also 187 00:11:08,014 --> 00:11:09,664 able to get it during an emergency. 188 00:11:10,394 --> 00:11:14,504 With a semi-auto pistol, again, you have the option for a decent magazine 189 00:11:14,504 --> 00:11:16,424 size, depending on your caliber. 190 00:11:17,234 --> 00:11:19,274 Another advantage to the pistol is a mount. 191 00:11:19,544 --> 00:11:23,174 If your pistol is large enough, it may have an accessory rail where you can add 192 00:11:23,174 --> 00:11:25,514 a light or a laser, or a combo of both. 193 00:11:26,204 --> 00:11:29,924 And also depending on the model, you can upgrade the standard sites to night sites. 194 00:11:30,164 --> 00:11:34,124 This will assist you in shot placement in the dark and in high stress situations. 195 00:11:34,834 --> 00:11:39,124 If you want a handgun that is easy to use and own, then consider a revolver. 196 00:11:39,544 --> 00:11:42,724 What makes revolvers so easy is the minimal moving parts 197 00:11:42,724 --> 00:11:44,464 compared to a semi-auto pistol. 198 00:11:45,004 --> 00:11:49,144 Revolvers have a central cylinder that rotates with each trigger pull, and 199 00:11:49,144 --> 00:11:52,264 there's not much of an opportunity for a malfunction, which is really good. 200 00:11:52,774 --> 00:11:56,434 Revolvers come in all sorts of calibers and have great stopping power. 201 00:11:56,794 --> 00:12:01,534 However, the disadvantage to these is the set number of rounds and reloading is 202 00:12:01,534 --> 00:12:03,784 gonna take longer than a semi-auto pistol. 203 00:12:04,384 --> 00:12:07,204 And a disadvantage of all handguns is the size. 204 00:12:07,384 --> 00:12:10,624 The smaller the gun, the harder the recoil is to manage. 205 00:12:11,314 --> 00:12:14,764 To start your research on a pistol, I would look at the Glock 19. 206 00:12:15,064 --> 00:12:18,424 It has been the most popular gun in America for what seems like 207 00:12:18,424 --> 00:12:21,784 forever, and you can find lots of accessories to go with them. 208 00:12:22,264 --> 00:12:25,994 For a revolver, consider investigating the Smith and Wesson 462. 209 00:12:26,284 --> 00:12:30,214 And as an alternative, look at the Taurus Judge that can shoot 210 00:12:30,214 --> 00:12:33,634 a .45 and a .410 shot shell. 211 00:12:33,904 --> 00:12:36,424 It is massive though, but it's a great gun. 212 00:12:37,309 --> 00:12:41,329 Lastly, I wanna mention that no matter what type of firearm you choose for home 213 00:12:41,329 --> 00:12:44,599 defense, you have to store it safely. 214 00:12:44,929 --> 00:12:48,319 Make sure any gun you own is locked away so that children 215 00:12:48,319 --> 00:12:52,489 cannot get to it and potentially hurt themselves or someone else. 216 00:12:52,819 --> 00:12:54,589 And it goes for teenagers as well. 217 00:12:55,189 --> 00:12:58,039 Also make sure that they're stored securely so that if your home is 218 00:12:58,039 --> 00:13:01,939 burglarized while you're out, a safe might prevent the bad guys from walking 219 00:13:01,939 --> 00:13:04,279 out with your guns to hurt somebody else. 220 00:13:04,729 --> 00:13:09,964 So to answer our initial question, the best firearm for home defense 221 00:13:10,264 --> 00:13:15,304 is the one that you have researched, trained with, and can store safely. 222 00:13:15,604 --> 00:13:18,694 This goes back to there's no single product that is going to 223 00:13:18,964 --> 00:13:20,914 instantly make your home safer. 224 00:13:21,304 --> 00:13:26,494 You can't go out and buy a Mossberg 500 and believe that your family is now 100% 225 00:13:26,494 --> 00:13:28,894 safe at home because you bought one thing. 226 00:13:29,434 --> 00:13:30,754 I get that way of thinking. 227 00:13:30,844 --> 00:13:31,714 I really do. 228 00:13:32,111 --> 00:13:37,091 Security really begins with your mindset and a willingness to do what is necessary 229 00:13:37,301 --> 00:13:39,701 to keep yourself and your family safe. 230 00:13:40,391 --> 00:13:44,141 In the end, I think people ask what's the best firearm for home defense? 231 00:13:44,411 --> 00:13:48,491 Because they don't know the real question, which is, what do I really need to 232 00:13:48,491 --> 00:13:53,531 consider before I make a very personal firearm purchase for home defense? 233 00:13:54,161 --> 00:13:56,351 I hope what I said has been useful to you. 234 00:13:56,651 --> 00:13:59,471 If you're looking for a firearm for home defense, I have named a few 235 00:13:59,471 --> 00:14:01,811 models for you to start your research. 236 00:14:01,811 --> 00:14:03,041 I hope they work out for you. 237 00:14:03,311 --> 00:14:05,981 And if you already have a home defense gun, then I hope that 238 00:14:06,101 --> 00:14:09,461 what I said has affirmed the good decision that you've already made. 239 00:14:10,444 --> 00:14:14,254 As always, I encourage you to go get hands-on training with 240 00:14:14,254 --> 00:14:15,634 whatever firearms you own. 241 00:14:15,934 --> 00:14:17,919 You will learn a lot and have a lot of fun. 242 00:14:22,211 --> 00:14:25,511 Well, that concludes this episode of The Secure Family Podcast. 243 00:14:25,511 --> 00:14:26,831 Thank you, friend for listening. 244 00:14:27,401 --> 00:14:30,641 Take back your privacy and personal data with help from DeleteMe. 245 00:14:31,061 --> 00:14:34,961 Get 20% off a privacy plan when using the code Dad at checkout. 246 00:14:35,431 --> 00:14:39,101 DeleteMe is the official data removal service of The Secure Dad. 247 00:14:39,941 --> 00:14:43,241 Learn everything that you need to know as a parent about online 248 00:14:43,241 --> 00:14:45,011 gaming in just 30 minutes. 249 00:14:45,401 --> 00:14:48,791 My ebook Level Up is ready to download right now. 250 00:14:49,031 --> 00:14:51,281 Check out the link in the podcast show notes. 251 00:14:52,001 --> 00:14:56,501 I am Andy Murphy reminding you that our safety is our own responsibility.