In this background piece on the AR-15 over at TPM, I was shocked to read this sentence:
Advocates say semi-automatic rifles are also becoming more popular for home defense. A recent article in Guns & Ammo, titled “Long Guns, Short Yardage: Is .223 the Best Home Defense Caliber?,” said sales of AR-15 type rifles “skyrocketed” after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The same article pointed to a 2010 National Shooting Sports Foundation survey which found that the second most popular reason for owning a “modern sporting rifle” — the polite term for semi-automatic rifles like the AR-15 types — was home defense.
Jesus FUCK what a terrible idea. The AR shoots a tiny bullet, sure, but it throws it downrange at absurd velocities — enough to puncture a helmet at 500 yards. If Tommy Tactical locks and loads his AR when the hypothetical crackhead busts down his door, yes, it’s very likely the intruder will end up in the morgue. Sure. I’ll grant that. But the other thing that’s CERTAIN to happen is that our wannabe Rambo’s bullets will pass right through the bad guy, right through sheetrock, and out of his house into the rest of the world. This is called overpenetration, and it’s a serious problem for anyone shooting in a populated area.
A much better choice would be some lumbering slow-moving round like a .45ACP pistol, or even a shotgun loaded with buckshot. Your home is not going to be invaded by barbarian hordes; keep that .223 in the safe and shoot it at the range, for crying out loud.
Best home defense is 12 Guage w 3 In shells with buck shot interspersed with slugs. I do have a laser on my AR for the home and some red tip hornaday 55 gram which expand and frag on impact. I doubt I would pull the AR in the city short of War, however it is the first thing I grab on the ranch. 30-30 Winchester a close second. Carbines are gun laws are not the issue. We don’t treat crazy here. Until that changes shit like this happens. This shit Happened in N Europe last year. Gun laws there did not prevent, and neither did the ones out in Conn. and for the record having once spent the night in Bridgeport Conn I can tell you everyone there should carry. I saw at least 5 drug deals in 1 hour with some pretty nasty looking fellas.