BigPoppa

jackdm3, I was thinking the same way - plenty of actors on that list who don't mind guns in their "action" films to make a buck. Sylvester Stallone being the prime example - what a hypocrite !

well dammit......I never knew any of this about Levi's. I guess I'll try me some of them Diamond Gusset jeans.

I submit that these things are not mutually exclusive. People seem even to learn better with a slightly more relaxed (but never unsafe) environment. A good instructor knows when to let things be loose and light for a while, and when to tighten the reins back in to get some work done, and students will usually follow that lead. Having said that, I have had good experiences with both Range USA and Rangemaster.

Who at MSNBC can I e-mail to hasten that process ?

He ain't bashful.....he's from East Nashvull !! Welcome aboard Ben

No finals on a Saturday I'm messin' with ya - I understand. I would encourage you, however, at your first chance to get in on a quality Defensive Shotgun course somewhere. A common myth is "I don't need any training - it's just a shotgun" and I totally reject that style of thinking. Good luck and let me know if I can help.

To address your specific questions, the Mossberg 500 you link is a fine example of a Home Defense shotgun. I, and many other shotgun fans and trainers, frown upon pistol-grip only (PGO) shotguns. PGO shotguns look hella cool in Terminator movies, but in real life, they are not a pleasure to shoot, and if it hurts, you won't practice with it. As for HD ammunition, the spectrum can range from birdshot to 000 buck to possibly even slugs, depending on a variety of circumstances. Look around here for pictures and reviews of our General Defensive Shotgun course.

Erik, This is a repost of my reply to a similar question a while back. It should get you started. Also, we're running a General Defensive Shotgun course on May 1st if that might be of interest to you. You're right, Sarah....this is a wide open area of discussion. There are a range of issues you'll need to narrow down as you go - manufacturer, pump or semi-auto, gauge, size of the gun's stock and its length of pull (are you short or tall ?), and what kind of ammunition you will stoke the gun with for Home Defense. First of all, Remington and Mossberg are far and away the most popular Home Defense shotgun makers. The Remington 870 is the "Coke" of the HD shotgun world and the Mossberg 500/590 is the "Pepsi". Both are reliable, and will do the job you need. They are very similar - the primary difference being the location of the safety. Other, less pricy guns you could consider are Charles Daly, and Maverick (made by Mossberg). Generally, semi-automatic shotguns offer less recoil, but may have trouble cycling some loads. Semi's are also more finicky about maintenance and cleaning. Pump guns, on the other hand, will push you a little more but will usually run any ammunition you put in it. The size of your gun's stock and it's length of pull are crucial. If your gun doesn't fit you, it will hurt you and you won't practice with it. If you're shorter of stature, you may want to consider youth stocks. Both Remington and Mossberg make 20 gauge, downsized shotguns for youth and small female shooters. These are capable of performing well in a Home Defense role. As far as ammunition.........? Much of that depends on if you live on a farm or in an apartment building. 00 buck is considered the "gold standard" of 12 gauge HD ammunition, but again there are a tremendous amount of variables, and this is an area where there is less than a unanimous opinion. This should get you started. If you're near Middle Tennessee, we're offering a class called General Defensive Shotgun on April 19. That might be of interest to you. Hope this helps............good luck.

a. Olbermann consistently makes me throw up in my mouth a little bit. b. The "HELLO !?!?" girl was cute.

Take a look at our Defensive Handgun Workshop coming up in April: DEFENSIVE HANDGUN WORKSHOP ($165.00) April 17-18 (Smyrna) 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m This is a two day, intermediate level skill builder course emphasizing firearms safety, marksmanship, and basic tactics. Defensive Handgun Workshop is designed as the first follow-up course for those who have recently completed a Carry Permit course or Armed Security course, or as a refresher course for those with previous handgun experience. DHW topics include "The Combat Triad", presentation from a holster, movement, scanning and threat assessment, malfunction drills, failure to stop drills, concealed carry methods, tactical and emergency reloads, addressing multiple threats, shooting from cover, and police-type qualification courses of fire. A Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit, or other acceptable previous firearms training is a prerequisite..

Odd....and, at times, slightly creepy. My guess is that's from some mid-70's Russian or Eastern European TV programming.

38.â€To prohibit a citizen from wearing or carrying a war arm . . . is an unwarranted restriction upon the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of constitutional privilege.†~Wilson v. State 44.â€The philosophy of gun control: Teenagers are roaring through town at 90MPH, where the speed limit is 25. Your solution is to lower the speed limit to 20.†~Sam Cohen (inventor of the neutron bomb) 89.â€An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it.†~Col. Jeff Cooper and (not on the list) my signature line quote from Theodore Roosevelt. Thanks for the link clarky07

There is no gun registration in Tennessee. I'd recommend you and the buyer complete and exchange a bill of sale, and exchange photocopies of your DL or HCP. That should square you away.

Civilian, Police, Military Firearms Training - Dodd and Associates Firearms Training is near Chattanooga A.P.P.S Target Shooting versus Street Survival Shooting and Academy Of Self Protection are both in the Nashville area. Can't say good or bad for any of them re: Security Guard training programs -

104-5 The Zone: THE Sports Station who's going ? I may.

IMHO, lasers and laser accessories look tacticool, and have some limited practicality in certain circumstances. Having said that, I believe for most defensive minded shooters and HCP carriers, the money used for lasers would be better spent on quality training, a top shelf holster, or, and probably more importantly, ammunition for frequent marksmanship practice.

yeah but he hates Mazis !!!! those damn Mazis !

There are a variety of paper targets available that are somewhat more realistic photograph based rather than just silhouette targets. You can purchase these, or the instructor wherever you choose to train may have them on hand.

Ward told his crew "This thing is wunnin' like a Wolls Woyce !!"

Welcome Jane

600 rounds and at least 3 magazines or speed loaders/speed strips

You win, magoo !

BOOGIETY, BOOGIETY, BOOGIETY..........LET'S GO RACIN' BOYS !!!! C'mon Smoke !

Nancy, take a look at our Defensive Handgun Workshop, which is next offered in April. Courses Offered - Murfreesboro Hand gun training

You just can't beat Crimson Tide and chemprof beat me to Destination Tokyo