Wheelgunner

@ the OP - I like that you and your wife were both there to react. It seems like I see a lot of lone parents with more two or three kids at the store, grocery, etc. When I see that I wonder, "What would you do if something bad happened right now? How would you get both (or all three) kids under control/protect them/get them to the car quickly?" Doubt it could be done. Like herding cats! Obviously, as they get older, this is less of an issue. I think the right answer starts with not leaving the house with more kids than you can handle (or in this case, pick up). I'll remember your story for a long time. Thanks for posting.

I think that's a good combination. Be sure to post some pics when you start rounding them up. As far as speedloaders, take a look at speed strips, too. You might be able to use speed strips with the Marlin.

1. 4.2" Ruger SP101 in .357 Magnum ...... $600 2. 18.5" Marlin 1894 in .357 Magnum .........$600 3. 18" Marlin 795 in .22 LR .........................$140 4. Mosin Nagant in 7.62x54R ......................$150 5. 50 round box of Magtech .357 SJSP x 3..$ 60 6. 500 round box of CCI 22LR LRN x 2........$ 45 $1595 later you have a hunting/self defense carbine that shares ammo with your sidearm, which you can hunt with also if need be. You have a .22 for small game and practicing marksmanship, and a long range rifle. You could realistically carry all four at the same time, with the carbine and .22 slung, revolver in a holster, and carrying the Mosin. You could load .38 ammo in the carbine and revolver if you're worried about overpenetration in a small home. The .22 rifle will give you better self-defense performance from the small 22LR cartridge than you would get from a .22 handgun. IMHO these weapons are well suited for family use because, unlike an AR or other automatics, they do not require extensive training on failure to fire drills. Teach your family the basics of weapons maintenance and muzzle awareness and y'all will be good to go. If you bought either of the .357s used you would have enough money left to get some ammo for the Mosin and cleaning kits for everything.

I don't think we are at a higher risk of being the subject of a traffic stop, etc. simply by way of holding a TN HCP. On the other hand, I see no need to ever buy (or convert) a SBR, a fully automatic weapon, or do anything else that would get my name on the federal radar. It's not a matter of paranoia; it's just my take on keeping a [cringe] honest government honest. Personally, I don't think anything like a nationwide confiscation will ever be attempted, much less successfully implemented. And I don't think that's due to some Red Dawn citizen guerrilla reaction it might cause; I think there's just a LOT of voters who own firearms. However, I do believe it's important to be vigilant.

I forgot the best part: She told me not to shoot any snakes while hiking the trail!! Obviously had no idea that the law says it's illegal to fire in a park for any reason except defense of one's life. I guess it's become well known that we permit holders conduct our weekly snake-shooting jamborees in state parks on Saturday mornings...

I know this came up when the carry in state parks law was passed, but this was so weird I had to post. Went to Cedars of Lebanon State Park today for a hike. Saw a sign as I drove into the park stating that firearms are prohibited. First thing, I stopped at the park's main office to investigate. There, I found the official park flier, which contains basic info for all visitors. It had a map of the park, phone numbers for park rangers and emergency services, and the 11 park rules. Rule number 4 was (drumroll) "No firearms allowed." I asked the kind older lady behind the desk in the visitor center about all the "no firearms" language and its applicability to HCP holders. I thought her reply was particularly rich: "We know people with permits can carry their handguns in the park, but we left the language alone because we're hoping they change the law back." Luckily, as a Tennessean, I was familiar enough with the law in the first place to know that I was good to carry in the park despite the sign and "park rule." However, I have serious doubts as to whether an out-of-stater with a carry permit that Tennessee recognizes would feel confident in the legality of carrying his handgun in one of our state parks. Kinda sad.

Maybe I'm completely wrong, but it seems to me a lot of the list in post #4 is carry-prohibited by federal law, meaning that it wouldn't make any difference is state law said it was okay. Airports? Elementary schools? High schools? Colleges and universities? Does that mean that if you get the MS "enhanced permit" you can carry legally in an airport?

Two things. First, in regard to the OC target/deterrent conversation... I think there is a point to be made about the greater ease of access to your weapon when you OC. Personally, I normally only carry concealed. But if I know I'm going into a situation where I won't have much time to draw (like at a gas pump where somebody can walk up behind the pump and be 3 feet away before I see him) I make sure there's nothing to slow down my draw or cause me to fumble. Same goes for in the car, in a tight hallway, etc. Second, as for reaction to an approaching beggar, my technique is similar to analog_kid. While taking a step or two back I say in a loud voice, "I don't want any trouble! Leave me alone! I don't have anything for you!" I used to have a martial arts instructor who advised shouting that kind of phrase (e.g. "Don't hurt me!") regardless of whether you're scared. He saw it as as a sort of escalation of force that 1. frightens and embarrasses a BG 2. gets people (every potential witness within earshot) to look at you, backing away from BG and apparently really scared of him 3. helps you prove to a jury that you faced a determined assailant who couldn't be deterred save by force.

@ the OP - First, you should probably visit a range and rent some .357 revolvers. See how you like the feel of them. Second, decide on what the largest revolver is that you'd consider "compact." You said you want more firepower. The power of the .357 cartridge increases - significantly - with barrel length. If what I've read is true, at six inches of barrel it is a viable deer harvester. Third, go check out the following website: http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html . It's an easy to read chart that explains what I said about the cartridge being more powerful with a longer barrel. See what ballistic performance you want. Ruger has just put out a new 4.2" barreled SP101. Fourth, the price issue. I wholeheartedly endorse the Ruger wheelguns, but they go for around $550. The first revolver I bought and carried was a Taurus 605. It cost about $300, and did its job fine. I just prefer the over-engineered, brick sh!thouse feel of a Ruger. I carry a 2" SP101 and can tell you that the wheel is no hassle at all. Some guys are uncomfortable with a capacity of only 5 rounds. That's a valid concern. My stance on the matter is that A) I would only fire well aimed shots in self-defense, so I don't need a 15 or 20 round capacity in a carry gun; I don't go looking for trouble, so the odds of me being face with multiple lethal threats at the same time are slim and none; C) I really like the mechanical reliability and simplicity of revolvers; and D) If 5 rounds doesn't cut it, reloading is not the answer. You need to run away. Whatever you do, enjoy the process of finding what you want, and get something you really like.

In this order: Blood, Milk and Sky/White Zombie Everything Zen/Bush Somebody to Love/Jefferson Airplane The Adhan Rooster/Alice in Chains Shrine/Beats Antique WWIII/KMFDM Frontier Psychiatrist/The Avalanches Pop a Top (Again)/Jim Ed Brown N.W.O./Ministry Floater/Waldeck Pride/Saliva Walk/Pantera Bar/Sonia Leigh Them Bones/Alice in Chains This playlist is more than just theme-appropriate. I'm convinced it would actually increase my kill count in an epic zombattle. I don't just mean the songs would motivate me to kill more zombies; the music would actually inflict zombie casualties on its own.

I can't point you to a particular .44 mag because I've never owned one, but I've got a great little Ruger SP101 snub .357. It's the best handgun I've ever owned in terms of out of the box quality of the product. I don't think you can go wrong with a Ruger revolver.

Wow. After watching that video in the OP, I now not only have to get a new carry gun, but more importantly, I have to change my screen name. Thanks a lot, gregintenn.

Baron, thanks for taking the time to do the videos. The toolkit in the car was a nice touch and something I'll add to my own trunk gear.

@ chances R -- I think bklem18 and I are in complete agreement with you about more laws not being the answer. That's what we were getting at -- the sarcasm just didn't translate well into online text.

That's sheer brilliance! What state or federal statute did you pull that out of? Oh, wait...

It was just over three months for me. After about the first two weeks you should start calling the phone number on the .gov website to inquire about the status of your application. When I finally called to find out the reason for the delay they told me my application had been approved but had just gotten lost in the system. After that, got the permit in about a week.

I think it is absurd to believe that the segments of our population (military and police) that consist of our most highly trained gunfighters will be a meaningful source for ammunition based on: A. those highly trained gunfighters abandoning their most valuable commodities, or B. those highly trained gunfighters being magically killed off in astronomical numbers. Mechanics maintain accountability of their tools and know how to use them well. Why would the same not be true of soldiers? Personally, I'm betting on that particular demographic doing exceptionally well when civilization falls apart, and taking care of my future ammo needs myself.

What happened to this homeowner is terrible. However, there is an important distinction to be made here. I was taught that there are two means of addressing a potential threat: the appearance of security, and actual security means. The first has a goal of deterrence and involves stuff that would make a BG prefer a different, easier target (motion sensor floodlights, big loud dog, etc.). This is good most of the time, but if it's that's the full extent of your security program and the BG realizes it, you're toast. Putting a sign like the one in the OP outside your house definitely falls into this category. The second has a goal not of deterring a BG's assault but rather of overwhelming and defeating it. An actual security mentally presupposes that the worst will happen. Actual security involves (among other things) hardening a location, locating redoubts, training aggressively with your weapons, knowing everything that's going on in the neighborhood, and practicing a reaction plan for when bad things happen. Actual security means often go unobserved, but make it substantially more difficult for a BG to ruin your life. Witty 2A signs or motion activated lights will disappoint you every time when real-deal armed baddies show up. All of us here could post on our front door something proud and aggressive about being gun owners. So why don't we? RobertNashville's right on target. It's because -as one expert noted a couple thousand years ago - if you appear weak when you're actually strong, the BG won't know your capabilities until he is overwhelmed and defeated.

Government isn't much of a concern, since the Supreme Court recently decided that GPS tracking of a citizen by police is a violation of the Fourth Amendment. But that does nothing to mitigate the risk of bad guys stalking you... Thanks for the info.

As Threeeighty pointed out, one bad guy on the ground in no way means that you're out of danger. Furthermore, the OP pointed out that you don't have kids there to worry about. With those points in mind, I'd probably go with D. Quickly retreat to the bedroom with the wife, close the bedroom door, and cover that door until help arrives. That's not because of any ill will toward the guy, but rather out of ongoing concern for our safety. Truth is, I wouldn't leave the bedroom to begin with because that's where I have the greatest advantage (several weapons, additional ammo, a wife to communicate with 911 dispatcher, and a single well-covered enemy choke point - the bedroom door).

Thanks for the trigger info. Have you tried the Shooter's Ridge high capacity magazines yet for the 795?

@jmoe - I keep a "get home kit" in the trunk. It's got medical basics like OTC medicines, bandages, quickclot, and moleskin. Also land nav stuff, extra ammo, a Swiss Army knife, some granola bars, a couple bottles of water, flashlight, handkerchief, neck gaiter, long sleeve shirt, gloves, and an empty camelback. All that and some more fits inside a Camelback HAWG backpack. I keep a gortex jacket with it, and a pair of worn in boots. The idea is, if for some reason I can't travel by car, I can grab this kit and be all set to walk home. In a pinch it could serve as a bug out bag, although in reality there's some pretty important bug out type stuff that isn't in there. I think your Maxpedition is a good idea for a lot of reasons.

@ the OP: I used a Taurus 605 .357. Shot .38 SPL. I really appreciated the part where you do reloads. Before that, I hadn't ever considered stuff like which way the chambers turned, or the difference between reloading with a speedloader v. by hand. Like others have said, there's really not a wrong gun, and the standards are nothing to sweat.

I recently read the 2008 U.S. Supreme Court case mentioned in the title of this thread. Most of us are probably familiar with it; for those who aren't, it was the case that struck down the D.C. handgun ban as a violation of the Second Amendment, which reads thus: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." One thing the majority opinion points out is that the first two clauses - referring to the militia and its purpose - do not and never have defined or limited the right of Americans to keep firearms. Rather, those two clauses were merely the reason the Amendment was codified. This is a huge distinction. The court's opinion explains that there were and are today a variety of elements or purposes protected under "the right of the people to keep and bear arms," and the court specifically recognizes self-defense as one of those purposes. It's just that the particular thing that motivated the founders to include an amendment for the right to own firearms happened to be the resistance of government tyranny. Anyway, it was a good read and gave me some excellent points to bring up the next time I find myself in a Second Amendment debate with a hoplophobe. For those who are interested, you can read the court's opinion here: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/07pdf/07-290.pdf .

@ bayouvol -- I EDC an SP101. I only weigh 140 and the weight is no problem. It feels lightest when you put it in an IWB holster that keeps it high and tight against your body. It'll probably take a little while for you to get used to it, no matter how you carry it. If you're anything like me, you'll come to find that extra heftiness a little reassuring.