Why a semi-automatic rifle a good choice for home defense…Here is a list of valid reasons, in no particular order. 1. You can mount a light, red dot sight and/or a laser to the rifle to make it easy to used and aim during the day or night. 2. They have a reasonable recoil, making the gun - for many users – easier to shoot as compared to a defense-caliber shotgun or pistol. 3. They can be customized to “fit” a variety of body types and shooting styles. They can be configured and adjusted for different shooting distances (less than 5 yards to more than 200 yards). 4. The .223/5.56 self-defense round is appropriate for use within a home, even in an urban environment. Ballistic experts have found rounds from these calibers “dump energy” quickly and break apart or begin to tumble after penetrating the first barrier. Will rifle rounds go through walls? You bet. Will pistol calibers like 9mm, .40 and .45 go through walls? You bet. Will shotgun rounds go through walls? You bet. That said, there is significant evidence the .223/5.56 self-defense rounds penetrate no more than, and often less than traditional handgun calibers and many shotgun rounds. 5. A rifle is much more capable of stopping a threat as compared to a pistol. 6. Semi-automatic rifles are more accurate than a pistol or shotgun. 7. Ammunition is (normally) readily available and (normally) priced within reason. Present time excluded. 8. You can buy high-capacity magazines for many semi-automatic rifles. In a self-defense situation, you want to avoid manipulating the weapon at all except for pulling the trigger straight back. Law enforcement and civilians do not favor high-capacity magazines so they can shoot more rounds, they favor them so they can manipulate their weapon less. If reloading is needed, it is possible but let’s be completely honest, in many self defense situations, ten rounds may not be enough.
