AR15 -Negative impression for home defense?

[aimstr8]

Hello LEO CalGunners,

Seeing that AR15 style rifles are seemingly unpopular with many politicians in CA.
In a home defense situation, is using a "scary" looking AR15 going to draw prejudice after the fact from the arriving officers at the scene or the DA in CA?
Front a legal standpoint, is a citizen better off using a shotgun?

(Suppose there are clear signs and evidence at the scene suspect broke into and entered residence. Suspect had means, intent and opportunity to inflict great bodily injury/death and resident acted in self defense)

I am really curious to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

[artoaster]

FUD

[TRICKSTER]

A good shoot is a good shoot. As long as what you are using is legal, who cares what it looks like.

[Ron-Solo]

A good shoot is a good shoot. As long as what you are using is legal, who cares what it looks like.

This!

[oddjob]

I agree as well. I've seen the results of the legal use of an aluminum softball bat that was pretty effective.

[aimstr8]

Cool thanks all! I didnt know if it was a stupid question...I mean, if someone breaks in and you fear for your life, being alive is always the best option.

Just wasn't sure since so many of our ruling politicians hate/want to ban certain types of guns if it played a factor.

Thanks for the answers all!

[4Defense]

Just don't stick a 30 rounder into your bullet buttoned AR. He might be dead but you will be heading to the big house. Or both will be heading there together.

[ncortez11]

One consideration to think about is, do you live in a home or apartment? You also have to think about in case you do miss, that .223/5.56 rounds will keep going until it hits something. It will not be nice when someone gets hits by mistake in a different location. A lot will agree that a shotgun is the best for all-around home defense. Plus, if you wake in the middle of the night, with poor visibility, a shotgun gives you a better spread to hit a target. Also, your fine motors skills go down the tube in SHTF situation.

[CBR_rider]

I have been on several calls where a homeowner either grabbed an "assault rifle" for home defense or possessed one for that purpose. Neither myself nor any of the assisting officers raised an eyebrow about the homeowner's choice of weapon. None of the instances, however, required the homeowner to actually fire the weapon.

As a side note that probably won't come as a surprise to many on this forum, 55gr .223 often penetrates less than handgun rounds. In a comparison of shooting results by Winchester of their .40 SXT vs .223 55gr ballistic silver tip the SXT penetrated farther in every type of material tested. Guess there goes another anti-gun theory that nothing other than shotguns or handguns should be considered "useful" for self defense due to over-penetration.

[CessnaDriver]

I have been on several calls where a homeowner either grabbed an "assault rifle" for home defense or possessed one for that purpose. Neither myself nor any of the assisting officers raised an eyebrow about the homeowner's choice of weapon. None of the instances, however, required the homeowner to actually fire the weapon.

As a side note that probably won't come as a surprise to many on this forum, 55gr .223 often penetrates less than handgun rounds. In a comparison of shooting results by Winchester of their .40 SXT vs .223 55gr ballistic silver tip the SXT penetrated farther in every type of material tested. Guess there goes another anti-gun theory that nothing other than shotguns or handguns should be considered "useful" for self defense due to over-penetration.

The whole over penetration concern has me asking what the stats are on HD scenarios, I just don't read about injuries due to over penetration. Perhaps people are simply on target.

[StuckInTheP.R.O.Ca]

I agree a good shoot is a good shoot and the weapon used should be irrelavent and in most cases it is. However if a DA decides to prosecute a SD incident a lot of factors can come into play. I have read about several cases where overzealous and usually anti gun DA's have tried to paint a defendant as a premeditated psycho killer because they used JHP's, had a spare magazine, used a standard capacity magazine, did a trigger job, or other gunsmithing, etc. If they can paint you in a negative light and convince a jury that only a person with malicious intent would have such weapons or done such modifications there might be problems. I seen an interview with a juror after she voted to convict where she said she did so because the defendant used hollow point bullets. She actually said that was the primary reason she voted to convict. DA's use the same BS arguments that the anti gunners use and unfortunately its not too dificult to dupe ignorant people.

If the DA clears you, No problem. If not everything can work into the equation and can be put under a microscope. IMO if I had a HD incident I would want it to be with a single shot hunting shotgun duracoated pink with "I love Obama" and pro Democrat stickers all over it. That would be much easier to defend against a Libtard DA than a EBR AR or even a handgun in todays ridiculous political environment.

[Ron-Solo]

That argument about over zealous DAs only seems to come up in Internet discussions.

I never saw an issue like that in any of the multitude of cases I was involved in at various levels. In most cases, a good shoot will never even get presented to a DA unless there is a death involved and the case needs an opinion of justifiable homocide to be closed out.

[StuckInTheP.R.O.Ca]

That argument about over zealous DAs only seems to come up in Internet discussions.

So your saying it doesn't happen? There hasn't really been any cases of over zealous DA's or prosecutorial misconduct? I guess I must have my tinfoil helmet on too tight. Dam lying internet.

[tyrist]

From a legal standpoint it doesn't matter at all. A legal homicide is a legal homicide no matter what the tool used. I would just advise using a semi automatic or pump shotgun because I personally feel it's superior unless you are engaging a large quantity of suspects at longer ranges.

[FanTactical]

I would just advise using a semi automatic or pump shotgun because I personally feel it's superior unless you are engaging a large quantity of suspects at longer ranges.

Use whatever tool is available and works. In some housing layouts (mine), long guns simply will not work. I have a hallway running the length of the house that divides it in two. I call it the Hall of Doom. Once in the hallway, there is no escape except at one end or the other. Doorways make maneuvering a long gun impossible without full exposure.

I won't go chasing after an invader for the same reason that he shouldn't come looking for trouble in the back of the house.