The increased awareness of violence in our society has been the impetus for citizens taking measures for protection whether it’s on the street, in a public venue, or in the safety of one’s home. Self-defense is the act of protecting oneself from harm. This generally means an act of aggression on the part of another. There are various forms of self-defense from calling law enforcement to avoidance, confrontation, and at times, the use of a weapon. Each has its benefit, but you should use the utmost care and intention. The decision of which method of self-defense to use is vital and depends upon the situation and the individuals.

Law Enforcement

In many cases, calling law enforcement is the best form of self-defense. Officers can deal with most situations in an effective manner. This may be the wisest choice if someone is prowling outside the home or following you on the street. There are times, however, when calling law enforcement may not be the best option. This is especially true if someone confronts you with violent conflict or police are not immediately available in your area.

Self-defense Techniques

Self-defense techniques vary widely from carrying a personal alarm to verbal de-escalation, although most people think of martial arts when it comes to physical self-defense. Most communities have programs wherein basic self-defense classes are offered. Gyms, martial arts schools, and community centers are good places to start when looking for training classes. Programs typically combine forms of martial arts to teach students how to avoid dangerous situations, get out of choke holds, or disarm a perpetrator. When considering a class, be sure that the instructor is qualified to teach and can offer the best instruction based on your physical health and situation. Once the class is over, don’t file away the information and forget it. Practice with family and friends to stay prepared.

Armed

Armed self-defense is common, particularly in a person’s home environment. However, with weapons there’s a chance that someone can get hurt. The most common form of armed self-defense is the use of a handgun. While it may be the most effective, the user needs to know how and when to use the weapon. An untrained person is far more dangerous than a criminal and more often than not will cause unnecessary damage.

Before choosing a handgun, do your homework. Research popular calibers and brands to learn which might be the best fit and then visit a reputable dealer who can give professional advice. Obviously, you will want to take safety training classes and practice on a regular basis even after you feel comfortable handling a weapon. Lastly, when it comes to using a weapon for self-defense, don’t ever pull it unless you intend to use it. And if you use it, make it count because you might not get another shot.

If you carry concealed, consider Wednesday, December 6, 2017, a good day. The United States House of Representatives voted in favor of H.R. 38 – Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, voting 231 to 198. The vote went almost straight through party lines, with only 14 republicans voting nay and six democrats voting in favor of the second amendment supporting bill.

But what does H.R. 38 (and its Senate partner S. 446) do and what does it mean for those who carry concealed?

What to Know About the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act

It Protects the 2nd Amendment

Perhaps the most important aspect of H.R. 38, this bill protects the second amendment right to bear arms. Without this bill, law-abiding, CC-permit-carrying gun owners were limited in their ability to provide personal self defense when crossing some state lines. While some states already offered reciprocity, many did not. This lack of reciprocity means that even after going through the process to get a CC license or permit, you could break the law just by crossing state lines. Yet with the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, if you have a valid permit or license from one state, it’s valid across all state lines. This holds true even when entering a “May-Issue” state, which have stricter gun laws, such as California and New York.

It Strengthens Federal Background Checks

While gun-control supporters may see H.R. 38 as loosening gun restrictions, that’s not quite the case. The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act includes the Fix NICS Act, which strengthens federal background checks completed on the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The bipartisan bill penalizes agencies that fail to report criminal records to the FBI and gives incentives for those who improve reporting. It also uses federal funds to ensure those charged with domestic violence get reported.

It Makes CC Permits More Like Driver’s Licenses

When you become licensed to drive in Pennsylvania, you can drive in any state within the US, as long as you have your license on you and abide by the laws in the state you’re currently in. With the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, your CC license or permit will have similar rights and regulations. Those who have already completed the process of getting a CC permit in their own state can cross state lines with their concealed carry weapon as long as they follow the rules of the state they’re in, have their valid CC permit or license on their person, and carry a valid form of identification.

Things H.R. 38 Doesn’t Do

Regardless of how someone spins it, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 does:

• NOT make it easier for someone to purchase a gun
• NOT give those who shouldn’t carry access to guns
• NOT provide criminals with guns
• NOT increase gun violence*

*Research shows that, as a whole, people who obtain their concealed carry permits tend to be more law-abiding than the general public, and even the police.

When it comes to self defense weapons, there’s more out there than mace and oversized flashlights. Maybe you don’t think you’re at risk, so protecting yourself doesn’t seem necessary. Perhaps you think carrying one weapon, say a mini revolver, is enough to protect you, regardless of what happens.

But what if an attacker comes from behind? What happens if he kicks your gun out of your hand?

Don’t leave yourself vulnerable. These four self defense weapons can keep you safe in a variety of situations.

Concealed Carry Firearm

While you shouldn’t solely relay on a pistol for self defense, don’t leave home without one. If you’re unsure what’s the best self defense gun for women, choose one you can control, but still has stopping power. And always use self defense ammunition.

Tactical Knife

If you need a self defense weapon in close range, you may not have time to draw your handgun. In these cases, go for a good quality tactical knife. Find one that’s lightweight and has at least a three inch blade for self defense. Chances are you won’t kill someone with a knife, but in a tight situation, you can cut and run, getting out of the situation as fast as you can.

Pepper Spray

In some cases, you may not want to use your firearm, or even your knife. Maybe you don’t have your gun on you or maybe you know your perpetrator. Over 80% of rape victims know their assailant. Pepper spray is easy, quick, and more effective than you may think. It works just as good on dogs as it does people, and you can spray it behind you as you run away. But remember, pepper spray doesn’t stop your attacker. It only slows them.

Kubaton

A keychain weapon, a kubaton (sometimes kubotan) is made from a hard plastic or metal, no more than 5.5 inches long, and about a half inch in diameter. You can use it strike an attacker or to apply extreme leverage or pressure. These self defense weapons blend in with your keys and others rarely notice them as a striker. What’s more, when your kubaton’s on your key ring, you always have it nearby.

When it comes to self defense, you spent a lot of time deciding what gun to choose. Whether you opted for a snubnose revolver or 1911 pistol, a 9mm or .45, you researched which would be best for you and your needs and, ideally, even tried a few out before deciding. But did you do the same with your self defense ammo? Or did you just pull some off the shelf and fill your clip? Worse yet, are you walking around with range shells?

What You Need in Self Defense Ammo

When you have a self defense weapon, you have it to protect yourself. And to protect yourself, you need to be able to stop a threat, as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

Frankly, some bullets can’t make those kinds of promises.

That’s why you need good self defense ammunition, it has what range ammo doesn’t. Stopping power.

Full Metal Jacket vs. Hollow Points

When you’re looking at handgun bullets, you have two options: full metal jacket (FMJ) or hollow point.

The lead bullet in a FMJ is totally encased in a hard metal, forcing it to keep its form as it propels towards its target. Upon impact, a FMJ bullet mostly holds its shape and penetrates deeply.

The lead bullet in a hollow point is only partially covered in metal. When shot, these bullets hold their shape while travelling. Once they impact their target, the lead expands, causing the bullet to both slow down and grow in diameter. This leads to a larger impact area and less penetration.

Which is exactly what you want in a self defense situation. The hollow point solves two problems. First, it increases your bullet’s stopping power, making a 9mm and even a .380, powerful enough for self defense.

Second, self defense ammunition expands on impact, significantly slowing its penetration. In a confined or public setting, where self defense situations are likely to occur, this is a big deal. FMJ bullets like to travel, strong and fast, and sometimes pass through their target, potentially putting others in harm’s way. With hollow point bullets, over penetration isn’t an issue.

If have a self defense weapon, carry self defense ammo. You’re not protecting yourself if you don’t.

We live in the world of great uncertainties. Anyone can observe this fact. Danger could be lurking anywhere and it is easy to see why so many people feel unsafe. Since the beginning of the 21st century, a multitude of new problems has appeared. In many regions of the world, conflicts are spawning terrorism and global insecurity. This also creates a huge overflow of illegal weapons.

At the same time, economic hardship and financial insecurity are a factor. People are continually pushed into a life of crime, where they often get their hands on those illegal weapons. These are then used in scenarios like robberies, carjackings, muggings and most frighteningly, home invasions and residential attacks.

These are especially gruesome and terrifying because they take place in and around the victim’s home. This is the place where they and their families should feel most secure. This is the exact reason where there is a need for an effective home self defense tool that could save lives if residents of any home should face an imminent threat or some other serious danger. These tools are handguns and with one of these, everyone could sleep tight and not worry about their safety.

Advantages to Handguns

Handguns have many advantages when it comes to being a reliable self-defense ally. With a minimal amount of training, anyone can learn how to handle and used them, even in the case of an emergency. On the other hand, all handguns present a formidable force in any enclosed space like a house or an apartment. In this kind of an environment, any single attacker or even multiple intruders that would come across a person with a loaded handgun can be stopped right in their tracks.

At the same time, getting everything needed for this defensive tool was never easier. There are many options for choosing the most suitable handgun. The market for handguns is huge and many of these have different characteristics when it comes to performance, magazine size, weight and so forth, but all of them are more than effective in a home self-defense role.

Handgun Ammo

The same fact is also true for their ammo. Today, everyone can find ammo online and purchase the amount and type they need while the same is true for classes and training on using and handling guns. Because of these factors, getting a handgun and learning how to use it was never more accessible.

Looking at all of these advantages of owning a handgun and using it as a home self defense tool, it is clear that with one of them, every individual or family can feel much safer in their place of residence.

The number of people that own guns all over the world has been increasing over the years because of rampant insecurity. Most hunters have also moved from the use of arrows and spears to using guns because guns are more accurate and effective. There are some families that own more than one gun but it is always a good idea to acquire it legally. Other people think that gun ownership is impractical and unnecessary, but that is not necessarily the case. Although a gun is important when it comes to self defense, it’s important to acknowledge the fact that guns can also bring harm. This article will highlight some of the major advantages and disadvantages of gun ownership.

Gun Storage

Some people store guns in their homes while others always carry them around but it is advisable to use the gun in a responsible manner. You can always defend yourself against attackers and criminals when you have a very effective weapon like a gun. It is always advisable to go for gun ownership when you really need it instead of buying it for the sake of buying. A gun offers quite a number of security benefits despite the fact that it can be quite a frightening thing. It is always advisable to use your gun safely and properly if you do not want to be deregistered.

Is Gun Ownership a Good Idea?

You never know when you will be attacked across the street or at home and that is why gun ownership is always a good idea. Most hunters agree that it is easy to kill a large animal because of the enormous force provided by a handgun compared to when they use other weapons. Hunters do not need to run around chasing their game but only need to shoot from a distance.

Disadvantages of Guns

It is good to know that guns have a great deal of disadvantages despite their good aspects. To begin with, the risk of violence and accidents is very high when the wrong people have access guns. Kids can get hold of a gun and accidentally shoot others or themselves out of curiosity. There are many instances where people that own guns have shot someone accidentally thinking that they’re intruders. People often commit suicide with guns. It’s important that a gun be in the hands of someone responsible. There are some designated places where one can buy guns and ammunition and a perfect example is Winchester ammo.

Handguns are the most popular self defense weapons in the world. However, with so many models, caliber options, and styles available, selecting the perfect handgun can prove to be a daunting task. Let’s first talk about why we choose a handgun in the first place.

Why Choose a Handgun

Handguns lack the range and stopping power of rifles but are also portable and are perfect as concealed weapons. Therefore, if you want a weapon that’s small enough to fit inside a briefcase or a glove compartment and provide decent level of protection, handguns are your best bet. Here’s our list of 3 things you need to check that will ensure you select the best handgun every time.

Selecting a Size

The size of the handgun totally depends on the way you are going to carry it around. If you are looking for a gun that will always be concealed you might want to go for a smaller frame. There is a wide range of 9mm compact pistols and .380 super light pistols available in the market. Anything heavier and bigger might make it uncomfortable to carry it for long hours in a pocket or a bag.

However, if you are selecting a gun for your home and have no intention of concealing it, then it’s advisable to go for the larger framed models. Select ones that can fire larger caliber rounds and have longer barrel length. This will make sure your gun has more stopping power and accuracy.

Selecting A Caliber

This is one of the most crucial decisions when selecting any gun. To be sure, go to the firing range and fire handguns with different calibers. You might be tempted to go for the larger calibers but be sure you are comfortable holding and firing the handgun you select.

There is no point in selecting a hand-cannon if you fail to hit the target when you need it the most. The 9mm and .380 pistols are easier to control as they have less recoil and barrel jumps when fired. Once considered to be large calibers the 357 Sig ammo or the 357 magnum is now considered to be intermediate calibers. They have more stopping power but has slightly more recoil than the 9mm and .380 pistols. The large caliber handguns which fire .45 rounds and more have the best stopping power. However, a shooter needs to train himself or herself to deal with the recoils and barrel jumps.

Reliability

A reliability of a handgun is a matter of life and death. You need to be sure that every time you take it out of the holster and pull the trigger the gun is going to do what it’s meant to do. Unfortunately there is no set parameter to measure reliability. Therefore, it’s best to avoid experimentation and go for reputed brands. You can also read user reviews before deciding on a particular model. There are plenty of review videos available on YouTube so check them out before making that final call.

We live in the world of great uncertainties. This fact can be seen around every corner. Danger could be lurking anywhere and it is easy to see why so many people feel this way. Since the beginning of the 21st century, a multitude of new problems has appeared. In many regions of the world, conflicts are spawning terrorism and global insecurity, but also creating a huge overflow of illegal weapons.

At the same time, economic hardship and financial insecurity are a factor. People are continuously pushed into a life of crime, where they often get their hands on those illegal weapons. These are then used in scenarios like robberies, carjackings, muggings and most frighteningly, home invasions and residential attacks.

These are especially gruesome and terrifying because they take place in and around a person’s house. This is the place where you and your family should feel most secure. This is the exact reason why there is a need for an effective self defense tool. These tools are handguns and with one of these, everyone could sleep tight and not worry about their safety.

What Make Handguns the Best Home Self Defense Tool

Handguns have many advantages when it comes to being a reliable self defense ally. With a minimal amount of training, anyone can learn how to handle and used them, even in the case of an emergency. On the other hand, all handguns present a formidable force in any enclosed space like a house or an apartment. A loaded handgun can be stopped right in their tracks.

At the same time, getting everything needed for this defensive tool was never easier. There are many options for choosing the most suitable handgun. The market for handguns is huge and many of these have different characteristics when it comes to performance, magazine size, weight and so forth, but all of them are more than effective in a home self defense role.

Handgun Ammo

The same fact is also true for their ammo. Today, everyone can find ammo online and purchase the amount and type they need while the same is true for classes and training on using and handling guns. Because of these factors, getting a handgun and learning how to use it was never more accessible.

Looking at all of these advantages of owning a handgun and using it as a home self defense tool, it is clear that with one of them, every individual or family can feel much safer in their place of residence.

Selecting a cartridge/handgun combination can be a formidable decision. Should you choose the optimum gun and settle for its chambering? Or would it be better to begin with a fight stopping, proven cartridge and wrap a gun around it? A century ago, there weren’t many choices available. Today, a plethora of popular handgun platforms are available in a wide array of trigger actions, sizes and chambering.

38 Special Ammo

38 special ammo is considered to be one of the most versatile handguns. It represents three distinct power levels using the same bullets and any Magnum gun  can fire all three cartridges. These have been popular for decades, and are more popular now than ever. A decent defensive load is a balancing act between controllable recoil, bullet weight, gun durability and good velocity from a short barrel. The 38 special has all of these qualities and more.

It represents a step up in versatility and power. Bullet weight varies from 120 to 200 grains, with 159 grain lead bullets and 125 to 129 grain jacketed bullets being the most popular choices. No matter what pressure load you choose, it will always provide minimum blast.

The 38 special load is an effective self defense ammunition. It is a good reduced recoil option for anyone looking to curtail the felt recoil of their compact, lightweight personal protection handgun. It offers 100% reliability in self defense situations. Even from a snub revolver, it can provide a good stopping power. It comes in two variants, the extra power +P and the regular pressure. Both types are easier to shoot and control in lightweight, small revolver.

What Makes 38 Special Good for Self Defense?

In self defense situations, a person is seeks to apply force to dispel a life threatening criminal, 38 special is ideally chambered for a round that is capable of penetrating at least 7 inches of bodily tissue. After two or three shots will incapacitate your attacker, and thus they will be unable to attack you or fire back.

It is a fairly cheap cartridge and when bought in bulk, it is even cheaper. The 38 special has a mild coil and is also easy to conceal in a small frame handgun. You can also readily find it available in online stores and many sports stores.

It is a top quality, welcome relief that provides utmost quality to deliver the best value to the customers. Many people believe that this is the best tool in self defense situations.