AR-15 vs. Shotgun for Home Defense

I was recently asked a good question from Karl L…

“I find it interesting that you recommend a rifle over a shotgun for home defense. All the other experts I have talked to and research I have done point to a shotgun because with 00 buckshot you don’t have to be dead on accurate to stop an intruder. They all have told me the other issue with handguns and rifles is they take longer to master well enough for home defense and are harder to use. I respect your opinion greatly, so can you please talk on this issue more? I recently bought my first gun, shotgun, based on all this. Thanks.”

The following is why I prefer an AR to a shotgun in my home…

A huge myth has grown over the years thanks to movies and self-described “experts.” This is the idea that you don’t actually have to aim a shotgun, or that you can just point and shoot, and burglars will disappear the moment the shotgun is racked.

However, you are always responsible for any round of ammunition that leaves your firearm. It seems irresponsible to me that people like the shotgun for defense of the home because they think you don’t have to be well-trained with it. You still have to know what you’re doing with a shotgun.

I think that all guns must be respected, which includes extensive training, if you plan on using them for protection. Even if you’re using a shotgun for defense of your home, you should still go to the range regularly, practice loading the weapon, and know how to handle it should you need to.

So long as you are properly trained and prepared, you’ll have no problem protecting yourself and your home from intruders with a shotgun. (I prefer a Remington 870 with 00 buckshot.)

I prefer the AR because it holds more ammo and can be operated quite easily. However, many people are afraid of it because it looks more intimidating than a shotgun.

Once a rifle course has been taken, though, the weapon becomes very simple to use. Furthermore, if you were in the midst of a really bad situation in which there were a lot of intruders, you would probably prefer to have an AR with 20 rounds rather than a shotgun with 5-7 shells.

Ultimately, the firearm you choose to use comes down to personal preference. Most importantly, regardless of what weapon you choose, be sure to train with it rather than just locking it away. Go to the range and become thoroughly trained so that you’ll know how to use it should you ever need to.