For the average American, home intrusions are a constant threat.
According to the FBI, there were over 1 million burglaries in the U.S. in 2019, of which 55.7% involved forcible entry. The average property loss per burglary offense was $2,661.
Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reports that in 7% of all household burglaries, a household member experiences some form of violent victimization.
To protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property from intruders, you must take home defense seriously.
One way to do this is to own (and know how to use) a handgun. Though you may never need it, it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Benefits of owning a home defense handgun
Owning a handgun can help you prevent (or at least minimize) the damage and harm caused by a home intruder. Here’s how:
- It has stopping power. A handgun may stop burglars in their tracks. They may become too scared to commit their crime when they see you wielding it. And if not, a handgun can help you incapacitate them so they can’t continue.
- It helps you keep your distance. Unlike other defense weapons like baseball bats or knives, a handgun lets you keep your distance from dangerous intruders, so you are at less risk of getting hurt.
- It boosts your confidence. Home intrusions are scary. But holding (and even owning) a handgun can boost your confidence in handling them when needed.
Want to purchase your first home defense handgun? Here are six tips to help you make the right choice:
1. Know your gun laws
Before you buy a handgun, you need to know the gun laws in your state. To learn what they are, check with your local police department or sheriff’s office. You can also do some research online.
The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) provides a helpful interactive map of gun laws in all 50 states. You can use it as a reference for your state’s laws regarding the right to keep and bear arms, castle doctrine, and more.
On top of state gun laws, you must also follow federal firearm laws. These include requirements for buying a gun, such as being a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant and having no criminal record, history of serious mental illness, or treatment for drug or alcohol addiction in the last five years. You must also be 18 years old if buying from a private seller and 21 years old if buying from a licensed gun dealer.
Study up on both federal and state gun laws to make sure you aren’t violating them.
2. Decide between a revolver or a semi-automatic pistol
One of the first decisions you must make when choosing a home defense handgun is whether you want a revolver or a semi-automatic pistol.
Revolvers (aka wheelguns) have simpler mechanics. They can either be single- or double-action. The former requires you to cock the hammer manually and then pull the trigger. The latter cocks the hammer automatically as you pull the trigger.
The upside of revolvers is that they have fewer moving parts. As a result, they’re easier to operate and less likely to malfunction. They also tend to be less expensive. And though their aluminum or steel frames tend to make them heavier, the extra weight helps absorb the recoil.
On the downside, most revolvers only hold up to six rounds at a time (hence why they are sometimes called “six shooters”), which means you must reload them more often. Reloading a revolver also takes longer because it requires inserting individual rounds instead of an entire magazine.
Semi-automatic pistols are more mechanically complex and, as a result, require more technical skill to operate. Some have steel frames, while others have frames made from lighter polymers.
Semi-automatic handguns come with many benefits. For one, there are many more options to choose from. For example, you can get them in a large range of sizes and calibers (more on this later).
Most semi-automatic handguns hold around 17 rounds because they are loaded via magazine. This also means reloading is a breeze if you keep extra magazines preloaded. All you have to do is swap out one magazine for another.
There’s also a greater range of accessories and parts for semi-automatic pistols. Many have Picatinny rails that let you attach various gun accessories (more on this later).
The downside of semi-automatic pistols is that they have a larger learning curve, so they may not be ideal for beginners. In rare cases, they might also experience jamming issues. And lastly, they tend to cost more than revolvers.
The choice is up to you. A revolver might be the better option if you want a basic handgun and you’re an absolute beginner. However, if you want more bullet capacity and you know a thing or two about handguns already, consider a semi-automatic.
3. Choose a caliber
Gun caliber refers to the internal diameter of a gun’s barrel bore (or the size of the cartridge designed to fit inside it). It’s generally measured in millimeters or inches, such as a 9 mm or a .22 cal. If no measuring unit is specified, it’s usually inches.
The higher the caliber, the more (stopping) power and recoil the handgun will have, but the fewer bullets it will hold (since the bullets are larger). Larger caliber guns also tend to have heavier frames, which can help offset the greater recoil.
If you’re unsure which caliber you want, a 9 mm is a good medium caliber choice for home defense. It’s powerful but still has a manageable recoil, and you can find many lightweight and concealable models at this caliber. Plus, the rounds are relatively inexpensive.
Do some research to determine which caliber best meets your needs.
4. Consider other handgun factors
Other factors you should consider before buying a home defense handgun include:
- Price. Whatever home defense handgun you want, it must fit within your budget. So narrow your choices down to an acceptable price range. That said, it’s worth investing in a pricier handgun for its long-term value. Going for the cheapest option may not last you a long time, or worse, it may not function properly when needed.
- Size. Closely related to caliber, handgun size is an important factor to consider—especially if you plan to conceal. But if you plan to keep the gun in the house only, the right size will come down to what feels most comfortable in your hands.
- Safety mechanisms. These can help prevent you from firing your handgun by accident. If you’re a first-time gun owner, this can be helpful. Handguns’ most common safety feature is a safety button that you don’t switch off until you’re ready to fire.
- Round count. The more rounds a handgun can hold, the less frequently it needs to be reloaded. If you’re a new or inexperienced shooter without good aim, you may want to err on the side of round capacity. That way, you don’t get stuck trying to reload in a confrontation.
- Reliability. One of the most important factors, reliability, is how much you can rely on the handgun to operate as designed. No handgun is 100% reliable, but you can find some that are pretty close. Check online reviews and ratings to make sure you make a good choice.
- Ease of use. A handgun is no good if you don’t know how to use it. So choose one that’s easy to use, especially if you’re starting out. Otherwise, take extra care to learn how to handle the handgun properly.
5. Try out the handgun before you buy it
Before committing to a handgun model, please test it at an indoor or outdoor shooting range. Most shooting ranges rent out various guns, including the one you want (or at least something similar).
When testing the handgun, ensure it fits into your hands well and is easy for you to lift. You should be able to handle the recoil as well.
A shooting range is also a great place to ask gun experts for advice and recommendations on home defense handguns. They may even offer gun safety classes to help you learn how to handle your new gun.
By actually shooting handguns, you’ll get a better idea of which one is right for you.
6. Pick helpful handgun accessories
Lastly, pick out some helpful handgun accessories to go with your gun.
Some useful handgun accessories include a holster, ammunition, basic cleaning supplies, and a pistol case. Ideally, your pistol case should have a lock so that only you (and others you approve) can access the handgun. This lowers the risk of unauthorized users getting ahold of your gun (e.g., your kids) and causing a tragic accident.
You might also consider getting a laser dot sight, which projects a visible red dot onto your target, so it’s easier to aim. This can be helpful in high-stress situations like home intrusions where your aim might suffer from nervousness.
Another handy handgun accessory for home invasions is a flashlight attachment. It can help you see and shoot in the dark, which is when many criminals like to make their attacks.
If your handgun doesn’t already have a Picatinny rail, you can get a universal mount that lets you attach all sorts of rail accessories.
Final advice
No matter what home defense handgun you choose, it’s important to practice using it. Regularly shoot your handgun at a designated range to keep your skills fresh. That way, if and when an attacker strikes, you’ll know how to react.
