Brandon D. lives in Española, New Mexico in an apartment with friends.
One morning, around 3 a.m., one of the friends in the apartment called 911.
Two men were kicking the door trying to get in, and the caller told dispatchers someone was trying to break into the apartment.
The men at the door said they were with the FBI Drug Task Force, but the caller told the dispatcher that she didn’t believe the men were law enforcement.
One of the men pounding on the door was armed with a rifle pellet gun and had taped a red laser pointer to the barrel of the rifle.
However, the two intruders weren’t the only ones armed.
Brandon D. was armed with a pistol and told the intruders several times that he was armed.
As the two men kicked the door open, Brandon could see the rifle barrel.
When the intruders stepped into the living room, Brandon fired his pistol.
The man with the rifle was shot and dropped to the ground.
After shooting the intruder, Brandon used a tourniquet to try to help the man he had shot while the other intruder ran from the scene.
“You do have the right to protect yourself and your family, and being that this person was armed, he pretty much took the appropriate actions from my understanding,” a police official said.
“He announced that he was armed, he announced not to come into his house, and he still came in with a weapon,” added the official.
The suspect who broke in with the rifle was transported to a hospital where he later died.
Brandon didn’t face any charges for the shooting.
Brandon did everything by the book: He believed his life was in danger, defended himself, and even rendered aid to the man who broke in.
Thankfully, Brandon wasn’t fooled by the steps the intruders made to appear like they were police – even adding a laser to the gun barrel.
Now, lasers can be a good accessory for some shooters…
But, as technology has improved, some shooters opt for red dot sights instead of lasers for their pistols.
And while red dots have become more popular, lasers are still a good option.
So, here are a few factors when comparing a laser versus a red dot for your pistol:
Laser:
The major benefit of a laser sight is that it provides an instant indication of the impact point.
This is beneficial in low light conditions or if you are shooting from behind cover.
Plus, a laser is easy to use. Simply put the dot on the target and you are good to go.
This would be useful in high-stress situations where you might not get perfectly lined up to fire your gun.
The huge drawback to a laser is that it’s visible to everyone and could give away your position in a home defense scenario.
Also, lasers can be hard to see in daylight.
So, if you rely too much on using the laser for shooting and not on the fundamentals, you could be at a disadvantage in a firefight.
Red dot sights:
A red dot sight will help you acquire a target faster than traditional sights.
The advantage of a red dot over a laser is that the red dot will be more accurate for longer distances, because the dot won’t obscure like it can with a laser.
Also, it’s easier to shoot with both eyes open when using a red dot.
So, if you are dealing with multiple threats, it can allow you to keep both eyes open and still be able to shoot accurately.
The drawback to a red dot for a pistol is that it can take time to learn how to use it.
A red dot is bulkier and harder to conceal than a laser.
Plus, a red dot is going to be more expensive than a laser.
As you can see, both lasers and red dots have benefits and limitations.
Just keep in mind that they both require batteries, which can fail, so you’ll need both back up batteries and back up sights for each.
In the end, the best choice comes down to personal preference and what you are comfortable shooting with.
So, if you are looking for a laser, check out Crimson Trace or Viridian.
For red dot sights, look at Holosun or Trijicon.
As with any accessory, try it out at the gun range or with a friend who already has it to ensure you like it.
