STOP! Or I’ll…..wait!
Me and the wife went to Gun World in Burbank today and bought a beautiful new Remington 870 12-gauge shotgun. It was $607 with shock-absorbing stock (to protect her shoulder, since she had surgery this year - shock-stock not shown, this is not a photo of my gun, just of the model I purchased) and tax.
Since there’s a ten-day waiting period, I joked with the sales guy that “If someone breaks into my house before we come back to pick it up, I’ll hold up this recepit and say ‘STOP! OR I’LL….WAIT!’”
He laughed.
I’ve wanted a gun for a long time, finally had the money to spare. Also, seems like a good way to celebrate seven years of living in Los Angeles, which is tomorrow. (I moved here from San Francisco on July 9th, 2001.)
I’m approaching guns the same way I approached everything (music, writing, filmmaking, podcasting). Buy the gear, take a couple lessons, practice, hang out with experts, ask questions, then practice practice practice. I bought this book:
Modern Shotgunning by Dave Henderson. I love this guy’s writing style. Very unique voice, funny, like a friend or uncle sitting next to you telling you how it is. He reminds me of a slightly older me. (He even looks a bit like a slightly older me.)
Have an appointment for Debra Jean and I to take lessons from a guy who trains LAPD, and then gonna go to the range with my friend Joseph who is a very avid and expert shooter. Yay! New phase of life for the Deans. I’m excited.
I heard that a lot of cowboys named their gun after their woman.
Debra Jean suggested we call our gun “Li’l Debbie.” I like it.
July 9th, 2008 at 12:41 am
I like that you went for the shotgun. It’s not the usual choice for home protection. That’s cool.
July 9th, 2008 at 12:56 am
You said you’ve lived in LA for 7 years, have you needed a firearm of some sort during that time? As I’m a brit, we do not have these “home protection” devices, just the regular cricket bat, or WWII bayonet.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:54 am
(reply to Shawn in post after this one).
===
Rowley….Well, I didn’t have money for a gun my first seven years here. I’m doing better now. That’s part of it. Also, I’m a lot more balanced than I used to be, calmer, calm enough to not brandish it in a situation where I could just call the police instead, as I would do now unless I absolutely had no other choice.
Also, even though I used to live in a shittier neighborhood, place I used to live had bars on the window and I lived on the second floor. Place I live now is one story with no bars on the windows.
I know that guns are hard to own in the UK, and don’t really want to get into a long involved dissertation on the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, but I will say that unlike most Americans, I’ve actually READ the Constitution, and I understand it. (I’ve also read the Magna Carta, which influenced the US Constitution.) The US Constitution’s Second Amendment, whether you interpret it as for home protection against criminals (as the US Supreme Court just decided it included) or as protection against out-of-control government (which it DID include, as a reaction to the abuses of England’s King George), it is what it is.
I asked the guy at the gun store, “Are you doing more business since the Supreme Court ruling?” He said, “Not really, we’re doing more business in general because the economy is getting worse, and because there’s an election coming up. We always sell more guns before an election, because people are afraid that whosoever is elected will take the guns away.”
I am pretty sure I’m smart enough and calm enough to own a gun. I’m not sure everyone is, but pretty much, almost anyone can buy one here (unless you’re a convicted felon or if you have a long mental history).
While I’m on my soapbox, I think US citizens should have to read, and understand, the US Constitution before they let you vote. (I also think that if you’re over 12, you should have to read and understand the Declaration of Independence to be allowed to attend a 4th of July fireworks celebration.)
The more I learn about how politics works, not even the secret stuff, but the details of the legal parts of it, the more I think that if most people knew about it, they’d all freak out.
MWD
July 9th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Good pick. Now get some training.
Even if you’ve been shooting your entire life, you stop, your skills will quickly deteriorate. Practice as much as your budget will allow. Don’t forget to stock extra shells… ammo prices will keep going up, so hit any hunting season sales at the local sporting goods store.
Shotguns have one weakness-they are sloooowww to reload, one shell at a time. Also, ALWAYS REMEMBER TO NEVER INSERT A SHELL RIM FIRST INTO THE LOADING GATE YOU WILL JAM UP AT THE WORST POSSIBLE TIME.
Get some dummy practice rounds and in a room away from your live ammunition dry fire practice and practice reloading, keeping your shotgun topped off is critical, you have to keep it loaded-shot one, load one if possible.
Free year membership? Get as much range time as possible. Get as much advice and instruction as possible. You own a gun, you’re responsible, you might as well get as good as possible.
Also, can’t tell from the angle you took the picture but I suspect you just have the little brass bead at the tip of your gun’s muzzle? That’s good for close in, but your hit probability goes to shit past 40 yards. Buckshot’s good to about 20 yards, beyond that you’re into slugs and so your skattergun becomes just like any other gun-you need practice.
I don’t know if Hell-A will be survivable in a collapse. Do you have friends in the country, say Northern Arizona, Northern California, or better yet further? I’d have a plan to get out of there rather than futilly try to survive in the cities. Fuel will be cut off, so your escape options go bye bye, as well as the food. Imagine the worst.
I have your 30 film school book, and I’ve recommended it as the best starting point for anyone wanting to go into filmmaking or internet video production, you don’t come off as some snot ‘gatekeeper’ or know it all. You have a everyman quality and a breezy writing style that appeals, even if you don’t know everything. Thank you for writing it.
J. Croft
July 9th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Thanks for the tips, J!
Yeah, have relatives in Arizona, and I own a third of an acre of land in New Mexico, in the middle of nowhere. I’ve never even seen it, but own it, and own the deed. Seen pictures, it ain’t much, but enough to pitch a tent if you don’t mind rattlesnakes, no power and no water.
I moved two years ago, live 30 miles outside LA, might still be bad on SHTF Day (shit hits the fan day), as the survivalists call it, but wouldn’t be nearly as bad as downtown. For instance, the riots didn’t happen at all out here, the wife lived here then. Wildfires are a bigger worry than looters.
Glad you liked the book!
Rock on sir.
Michael W. Dean
July 9th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Funny thing…I recently decided I need to get a semi auto shotgun for home defense as well. Got a double barrel but that’s only good for duck hunting. I think your reasoning on range, safety, etc. is spot-on. Whether the economy collapses or not, I’ve started growing my own vegetables as well. I’d REALLY like to get some chickens, too. My neighbors would dig that, I’m sure.
Ditto on the 30 Dollar School books. I quit my job last week as an MRI tech and have to do something a little more creative. Your work is inspiring. Thanks!
July 9th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Chip wrote: “I think your reasoning on range, safety, etc. is spot-on.”
Well, I think I’m more reasonable and also smarter than many gun owners. I’ve met more than a few in my life who seem like they couldn’t fill out a tax form, let alone reason through anything about life-and-death situations, and understand projectile physics, the law, and the Constitution, and also are not of a calm demeanor.
Some gun owners I’ve met seem like they’d pull the gun out when they could just walk away, or just call the cops. I’d certainly do the first two if I could, even if walking away meant giving an asshole “the last word.” That’s better than a gun fight, for sure.
I think the most capable gun owner I’ve met was a guy I know who’s also very into martial arts…those people tend to have a mindset of NOT fighting unless there’s NO OTHER WAY. That’s good for guns. Much better than a “I’ll put a boot up your ass, motherfucker” attitude like several I’ve encountered.
I was actually a little amazed at how easy it was to buy a gun. I kinda wish they’d made me (everyone actually) jump through a couple more hoops.
–
Chip wrote: “Ditto on the 30 Dollar School books. I quit my job last week as an MRI tech and have to do something a little more creative. Your work is inspiring. Thanks!”
Man, I hope that works out for you. I’m always nervous when people quit their jobs after I tell them to in my books. I’ve re-thought that over the past six years, and am NOT recommending that in the YouTube book I’m working on. But hey, MRI techs are ALWAYS in demand, and as long as you didn’t tell them to take the job and shove it, you can probably work there again if you have to, even temping, and can probably work anywhere.
MWD
July 9th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Having owned many weapons and firearms and having been trained in their proper use; I recommend a light #6 or #8 bird-shot for home defense. The pellets are less likely to penetrate both sides of an interior wall therefor protecting other loved-ones in the house. Also, you can buy a choke tube for the receiver to ensure a tighter pattern for maximum impact at a short range. Buckshot and slugs are a major mistake for home defense as they will penetrate many layers of walls, people, cars, etc. Dangerous to those you’re trying to protect. Range is a non-issue as you’ll certainly be in ver close quarters (likely between 1 and 5 meters) in a self defense situation. I have also been shot with light bird shot from a .410 ga. shotgun and though it mostly pissed me off and didn’t do anything near lethal, it certainly made me only want to get the hell away from the situation until I had time to think about it later. Bird shot is even recommended in handguns for home defense. I don’t have to tell you not to trust the shit you’ve seen in movies (deer slugs, buckshot, etc.).
I read $30 Film School years ago. I went on to make a few music videos, one of which made it onto Fuse, and worked on a few other cool films. I even had the fortunate experience to film an interview for It/ll Be Better Tomorrow, but the tape I used was rotten and didn’t make it to the print. It was fun though. I still have the safety copy and will forever remember doing the interview. What an awesome experience. OK..I just wrote a novel. Good luck Michael. I hope you never have to use that shotgun except for practice.
July 9th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Thanks Jerrod.
One problem is you can’t practice with birdshot at some ranges (including the two near us) because it’s got too wide of a spray. Is shooting it much different from buckshot? i.e. will skills from range shooting with buckshot transfer over to shooting with birdshot?
My wife and I are amazed at the fact that so many “$30 Film School” fans are gun aficionados. It’s cool. And who woulda thunk it?!
MWD
July 9th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
How interesting that I went searching for you singing Hallelujah today and found the video I had never seen. I didn’t have time to comment on it as a bunch of things happened, of course, to make me late for an appt. Michael, it’s a beautiful tribute and I could not believe how mean people are. I’m still stunned by that so I was thrilled to read of this:
Congratulations on being in LA, a place you love, for 9 years-what a joy- and the gift you and your beloved life partner(wife) picked out; something to have fun with and be safe by. When I lived in Mission Viejo during the Nigth Stalker period, I lived less than a mile from one of his victims in a tiny one room studio condo and I felt extremely vulnerable so off I went to the gun shop to buy a handgun. The salesperson said you don’t want a handgun; you want one of these, and pulled out a gorgeous shotgun. He said if you hear someone outside all you have to do is go like this and the “cachunk” is all anyone’ll need to hear to turn and run, you’ll save on ammo, too.
Great choice, much pleasure and love for you both!
Namaste,
Rowyn
July 9th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Ahhh, reminds me of the Remington shotgun I inherited from my dad, a beautiful instrument. And what a sound when you racked the slide! When my daughter was born I thought better of it and gave it to my brother.
Now I have pepper spray and a 4-D-cell Maglite flashlight for home defense. Don’t laugh–an old friend of mine who was a cop in a bad part of DC for many years recommended them. His view was, look, you shoot someone in your home, you’re going to end up in court, at least, and probably in jail. And if you hit them in the eyes with the spray, it’ll at least buy you time to get the hell outta Dodge.
My old man (a lawyer) had guns for years, and had some choice advice on when and how to shoot burglars, etc, but no way I’m putting it here, could be construed as legal advice and get me in trouble (he taught me that too). In addition to the shotgun, he also had a beautiful .257 Roberts that was used in a murder–by one of his clients. She (yep, a woman) didn’t have the money to pay him, so she gave him the gun. It’s still in the family, along with various other pieces, including my grandfather’s (non-functioning) ancient shotgun that’s in the basement.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Rowyn, as for people being mean, I hadn’t checked that thread for a while. I left the worst one because I like the response someone did in my defense.
—–
(someone posted “u cant sing mate its shit” on a YouTube
video of me singing in honor of my dead daughter):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqZNMO3oIdc
People are what they are. I am surrounded with art and love and cats (and soon, guns) and I’m happy. The kid who wrote that probably gets beat up a lot and lives with his parents. I do know he only posts other people’s art and has no subscribers on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/CARVY07
I have no problem leaving his snitty comment up. Life is sad and beautiful. Who am I to judge?
MWD
July 10th, 2008 at 7:47 am
I was wondering if maybe I could have your slingshot?
Since you have a gun now, I figure it would be of no use to you.
Thanks and congrats on being able to survive in L.A.
Love,
J
July 11th, 2008 at 3:29 am
You should have gotten the Remmington Kurt Cobain signature model. Limited edition. It’s a good gun.
July 12th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Good for you!
Actually, the 870 is an ideal home-defense gun. Just the sight of it will put most bad guys on the ground.
July 12th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Cool.
What gun would you recommend for the few bad guys it won’t scare? lol…..
July 13th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I’ve always joked, based on the “If you ever want to do anything together” fan mail I’ve gotten from young men who read “$30 Film School” that someday I could start a Tyler Durden-style army on the 40-acre farm I plan to own someday with my wife.
It’s good to know that so many of them are already proficient with firearms. Will make the training much easier.
Anyone know how to build bunk beds? Got $300 in personal burial money? Got two pairs black pants, four black T-shirts, four pair black socks? Prepared to wait outside the compound gate for three days with no food or encouragement?
MWD