Another comment from Megan's post...

One of the commenters on Megan's post suggested that a rapier was a better defensive weapon for an apartment than a firearm:

Is this for home defence, or concealed carry? If only the former, I'd actually recommend forgoing the gun and investing in a bladed weapon, preferably something with a decent reach that can still be wielded one-handed, such as a rapier. Jokes about bringing a knife to a gunfight aside, in the small dimensions of an apartment, you will always have sufficient proximity to an intruder to have the upper hand over anyone who doesn't begin the encounter by pointing a gun at you, in which case you're scrod no matter what's in your arsenal. A sword is easier to learn how to handle, is much easier to maintain, is never unloaded, and if, heaven forfend, there should ever be a tragic accident involving your weapon, it is much harder to have a lethal accident involving a sword than a firearm of any sort. And any of the less-used lower tech weapons brings with it a psychological intimidation factor.

I'm in favor of gun rights, but I believe in having the right tool for a job. For home defence, in any home where the maximum sightline is less than 15 feet, that's a blade.

Posted by Michael | June 3, 2008 2:49 AM

Michael,

Defending your apartment with a sword? I'm fond of swords myself and own several high-quality blades, but I'll be going for a gun to defend myself. And that's from someone with the muscle and training to effectively use those swords.

We stopped using swords as serious weapons hundreds of years ago, and we did it for a reason: guns work better. Guns need less training, less physical strength, and are more effective at stopping an attack.

Since you're talking about "sightlines of less than 15 feet" I assume you are basing your thinking on the general assumption that someone within 21 feet with a knife can close and use the knife before a defender with a holstered gun can draw and fire. This is accurate as far as it goes, but it's far from the whole story. Just consider how well you would fare in the same scenario trying to draw your rapier!

One strike with a bladed weapon is not necessarily fatal, and one shot from a handgun is a lot more likely to end the fight permanently. There's no reason to give up the advantages of a firearm in favor of merely equalizing your defensive options against an attacker armed with a knife.

A firearm is not a magical talisman that will keep its owner safe from harm. It's just the best tool available for self-defense.