How to Choose the Right Gun for Home Defense

By:Karen Hunter

Choosing the right gun for home defense is typically based on two things for most individuals, financial budget and aesthetic preferences. Most people will ask what kind of gun they should buy and based on the advice received, purchase one they like within their budget. Budget and preference are essential aspects but there is far more that needs to be considered. It’s not as simple as merely picking between a handgun, shotgun, or rifle. There are many factors to consider like proper fit, caliber, ammunition, and experience level.  This article isn’t about what gun to choose, it’s about how to choose the right gun

The right home defense gun will differ from person to person as it is completely based on the individual, their experience level, and their home. Here are some starting points that need to be considered when choosing a firearm for home defense.  

Type of Home 

The firearm you are choosing is for home defense, so the first thing that needs to be evaluated is what type of home you live in. An apartment or any dwelling that shares walls with neighbors will need to consider the caliber and type of ammunition carefully due to overpenetration. The last thing anyone wants is for a round to travel through a wall into a neighbor’s home. A shotgun is a great consideration for these circumstances. Also, choosing defensive ammunition is a good option as it drastically fragments reducing the risk of over-penetration.  

Layout of Home

The layout of your home plays a large part in the length of the gun you choose. For example, you may want an AR-15 with a 16″ barrel. This is a fantastic choice, but if you have narrow hallways, walls, and corners to navigate it will end up proving difficult to wield. It isn’t recommended to search your home for the threat, but you may have to navigate it armed to reach your children or other family members. Depending on your home’s physical layout you may need to opt for a shorter barrel length.

Additional things to consider would include the size of your home and how many levels it has. In these cases, you should consider choosing more than one firearm. Safely storing firearms in strategic locations throughout your home provides you with fast access at a moment’s notice. 

Firearm Training and Experience

This is the most important part of choosing a firearm for home defense. You may have the perfect firearm that meets the needs your home presents, but if you cannot shoot it or manipulate it well, it’s the wrong gun. The firearm you should choose ultimately comes down to being the one you can shoot and handle proficiently. Your home defense firearm not only needs to fit your home, but it also needs to provide the proper fit physically for you as well. Additionally, you should not have a firearm that exceeds your skill level unless you are actively training with a professional instructor to become confident with the needed gun manipulation and shooting skill sets required. 

An important side note I must add is that your home defense firearm budget should incorporate additional funds to invest in professional instruction and to purchase coverage to protect yourself if you must utilize a firearm. 

Putting it all Together

One article is not enough to provide all the information needed on choosing a home defense firearm. We live in a society where we have become used to instant and concise answers. We prefer to be told versus doing research and becoming educated to discover the most accurate answer for ourselves. This article provides a strong foundation for anyone to begin their journey in finding the right gun for home defense.  I encourage anyone looking for a home defense firearm to consider these points and visit a gun range that rents different types of guns. Physical testing different guns is a great way to see what works and what doesn’t, especially when you’re keeping these key points regarding the needs of your home in mind.