Apartment broken into, need advice

[Dexterity]

Paying $1,500 for a shotgun is all most as dumb as buying PSLs.

[Dexterity]

If you want to go firearm get a shotgun.

He wants something she can carry in her purse.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

If I ever feel so unsafe in my own neighborhood that I need a gun for home defense then my solution would be to move.

[PandaPancake]

You guys are confusing safety for Republican tactics of getting what I want. My girlfriend is scared of guns.

But to update, I'm very sure this is one of the most inept management of an apartment complex I've ever seen. I have to come to their office on Monday and tell them what happened. I guess that police report and drunkard sitting in jail isn't enough. I couldn't tell them today because the manager isn't here. I guess residents doing home invasions isn't enough of an emergency to come in.

[Cary Kollins]

Just start dosing her with Xanax.

[Lemory]

If she doesn't like guns, get her a big can of Bear spray.

[JJman]

Valium helps

But seriously nothing is better for a chick to carry around then a .38 special. They might not be the best around, but it'll sure as hell protect the carrier unless he/she is going against the Taliban. Really though, what more do you need then an alarm, a working phone and a gun?

[rayzor]

glad you all are ok.

 

for in home protection....http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/7-G50485

 

small and lightweight for a shotgun, but still a whole lot more powerful than a handgun. you want a pump action because even the sound of it from the other side of the door can be a deterrent.

 

as an option for your GF if she is skittish about the shotgun (which you should give her lessons on how to use it so she knows what to expect and get familiar/comfortable with it) i would recommend this: http://www.amazon.com/SABRE-Police-Strength-Pepper-Spray/dp/B002368VJ6/ref=sr_1_13?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1417310070&sr=1-13

 

for carry...http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/7-G5401 or http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/7-G162810

good brands. price isn't bad. both are very compact and lightweight, but still a good caliber with decent stopping power. both are double action and neither have an exposed hammer, which make them easier to pull out without getting snagged. single action is really a wasted effort if you are just interested in self defense. find her a good concealed carry course and get her lessons. that will probably help with the fear.

 

if she just can't bring herself to own or carry a gun, there are still a couple decent options.

http://www.amazon.com/Mace-Brand-Pepper-Spray-Pink/dp/B0012SXXK8/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1417309521&sr=1-1&keywords=Mace+Brand+Pepper+Spray+Pepper+Gun (of course use the huddle link to buy it). super powerful, has multiple shots, and has a range of up to 20'. there are water cartriges available which i recommend having a couple to practice with).

 

 

i would also make sure she has something for close encounters in which she might not have the time or space to work with pulling out a gun or too close to spray pepper spray without effecting herself.

 

i would recommend a necklace knife like this http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-Tanto-Serrated-Knife/dp/B006YBWXM2/ref=sr_1_37?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1417310928&sr=1-37&keywords=necklace+knife or this http://www.amazon.com/Bud-K-KB1480-Enforcement-Knife/dp/B003IXYW3M/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_text_y that can be worn discretely on the belt or other places. just like with a gun, you need to get her self defense classes that will also teach her how to use a knife.

 

at the very least (and probably in addition to anything else you get her) get this tiny stun gun: http://www.amazon.com/Hornet-Keychain-Stun-Gun-Flashlight/dp/B00EUSX7JE/ref=sr_1_9?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1417311399&sr=1-9&keywords=self+protection+keychain not the mos powerful stun gun out there, but one of the smallest. she could easily carry this around with her in her hand attached to her keys. it has a very nice flashlight on it. like i said, the stun gun might not be the most powerful out there, but it is definitely enough to stop whatever the assailant is trying and give your girlfriend the chance to get away, which is essentially all she needs.

 

also just try to get her self defense classes and make sure that the classes will incorporate whatever mode of self defense you purchase for her. for some people, self defense classes will bring out a sense of paranoia, but in your girlfriend's case, she's already had the thing that would bring about a mild paranoia and self defense classes will help alleviate any sense of fea and bring about some needed self confidence.

 

wouldn't be bad for you to do some of the same things for yourself.

[Captroop]

I love that people are advising guns for a story that is ultimately about a confused drunk. If he'd had a gun, the poor fool would probably be dead. Does anyone really think he deserved to die? This is why I am 100% against guns for home defense. 99 times out of 100 it's someone with no intention to harm you, so the solution should be for that probability, not the extremely unlikely scenario in which you will have to kill someone to stay alive.

Panda, you did the right thing calling the cops and letting them handle it, and ultimately letting this drunk sleep it off. For home defense, just look for more non lethal and defensive options. Door frames, alarms, etc. And a good baseball bat never hurts.

[PandaPancake]

Panda, you did the right thing calling the cops and letting them handle it, and ultimately letting this drunk sleep it off. For home defense, just look for more non lethal and defensive options. Door frames, alarms, etc. And a good baseball bat never hurts.

Guess you missed the part of doing my best Chuck Liddell impression. I was doing my best to beat him to death. He's lucky my girlfriend called 911. I was still bashing his head into the floor when they got here

[Guest]

a .38 revolver is a good choice.  I'd also second the opinion of the guy who suggested a 9mm as ammo is readily available.  For CC in a purse I'd suggest a S&W Shield.  They eat any kind of ammo and are very easy to shoot.

 

For the home a 20 ga shotgun.  The sound of the slide rack may or may not scare anyone off but make sure she knows how to use it so that she doesn't slide it half back and get a jam.  We have a 20 ga semi-auto.  

 

[Anybodyhome]

Paying $1,500 for a shotgun is all most as dumb as buying PSLs.

 

Maybe for some, but I have a lot of money and no kids to spend it on.

 

Therefore, more disposable income to buy things I want that are of good quality.

 

[cookinbrak]

Guess you missed the part of doing my best Chuck Liddell impression. I was doing my best to beat him to death. He's lucky my girlfriend called 911. I was still bashing his head into the floor when they got here

 

So it was all Ferguson in your apartment? You might still have charges pressed against you if 1/10th of what you say is true.