In this week’s mailbag we’ll cover…
My opinion on the Winchester Defender 12-gauge shotgun…
Purchasing ammo and staying untraceable…
Using an above ground pool as a water source…
Whether or not to make eye contact with a potential threat…
Knife suggestions for your go bag…
And how to protect your family if you don’t own a gun.
Let’s dive in…
What’s your opinion of the Winchester Defender 12-gauge shotgun?
– Daniel F
Answer: The Winchester Defender is a basic, entry-level shotgun, but one that I would have no problem relying on for home defense. The shotgun has a flat black finish to protect the steel and keep light from reflecting off of it.
The barrel is a typical 18-inch design with a solid lug that attaches it to the magazine tube. With one round in the chamber, the gun will hold five 3-inch shells.
This is solid home defense gun, with easy-to-use controls, but none of the bells and whistles you’ll find on more expensive shotguns.
You mention building an untraceable AK-47, which I fully support due to the way the anti-gun movement seems to be heading, but I doubt that they will stop with just the weapons.
I’m guessing they know that they won’t get every one of them, so they will track the ammunition and ammunition supplies purchases. Do you have an idea on that piece of it?
– Barry T
Answer: You bring up a great point. No matter how many guns you own, you won’t be able to protect your family if you don’t have ammo. California recently enacted a new law that requires anyone purchasing ammunition to undergo a background check with every purchase.
Those who don’t already have their information in the Department of Justice’s system for these point-of-sale screenings will have to pay up to $20 for an initial screening.
In addition, the law requires that all ammo purchases take place in person. Even online orders must be delivered to a licensed vendor for customer pick-up.
My point is, I wouldn’t be surprised if more states try to create laws similar to California. This is one of the many reasons I recommend stockpiling ammo.
If you really want to get serious about stockpiling, I would have 10,000 rounds for the major calibers you own. For me, this is .223 and 9mm. You can also get into reloading your own ammo and buy a lot of the components now.
What is the feasibility of using an above ground swimming pool as a water source? This stores 5,700 gallons outside, covered, and not taking up our bathtub.
– Kent B
Answer: You could potentially use your pool for drinking water, but there are a lot of different variables to take into consideration.
For instance, I would only do this from your pool, so that you know exactly how the pool was maintained and what chemicals were used to keep the pool clean.
Another thing is, during a disaster, you would need to make sure you continue to maintain the pool, so that the water doesn’t start to go bad since it’s sitting in the heat with no care.
Lastly, I would only drink from the pool using a quality water filter. The one I use is the SurvFilter.
My son goes to college in a bad part of town. When I took him back last weekend I was approached by two teenagers. I was alone bringing one last case of water inside from my car and my son was already inside.
They said, “Hey can we talk to you?” I ignored them. They asked again. I ignored them again. Then they said, “You need some help?” I ignored them again. I never even looked at them.
Thankfully, I made it safe inside. My question is, should I have at least made eye contact so I knew where they were at all times?
– Louis G
Answer: In a situation like this, I would definitely recommend making eye contact and responding to the two teenagers in a confident voice.
The thing is, you want to do this to let them know that you see them, and that you won’t be an easy target. Lastly, I would absolutely recommend carrying a tactical pen for situations such as this.
You can have the pen in your hand, and no one will know what it is, but you’ll be prepared to defend yourself should the need arise.
How many different kinds of knives should I have with my emergency gear and in my bug-out bag? Is there a good “one-knife-fits-all” you can recommend?
– Neal T
Answer: I believe you should have one pocket knife and one fixed blade knife in your bug out bag. Also, do not go cheap on these knives. The $20 knife you buy at Walmart is not the knife you want to bet your life on in an emergency.
There are a lot of companies that make quality pocket knives such as Benchmade and Spyderco. For a fixed-blade knife, the one I use is the NOC Knife.
I am new to your newsletter. One problem I have with all the self-defense newsletters and programs that I have seen is they assume that all can own a firearm.
My wife is against guns and with good reasons. Therefore, out of respect for her (we have been married for over 21 years) I choose not to own a firearm. Can you please address ways to protect my family without the use of firearms?
– Gary L
Answer: I realize that everyone isn’t comfortable using a gun. There are other tools you can use for self-defense. For example, one of my favorite self-defense tools is my tactical pen.
Another option I recommend is a self-defense stun gun flashlight. These are great to carry anytime it’s dark since it appears as a normal flashlight but can be very effective as a defense tool.
Also, I know some people like to carry pepper spray since it can be sprayed at a distance and doesn’t require you to be up close. The only downside to pepper spray is that it’s not always easy to control where the spray goes.
As far as for protecting your home, many people I know who don’t want to use a gun, use a large knife instead. Some also use a baseball bat. The important thing is to at least have some tool to defend yourself.
