New Member from Texas

[itsaz]

Don't have a gun? We'll give you one!

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nationa ... -1.1335946

[Synchronizor]

Are you with the ACP?

[itsaz]

Are you with the ACP?

No, just thought it was neat that this started in Texas.

[Synchronizor]

I like the concept of training and arming citizens, but I take issue with the single-shot shotguns that the ACP is handing out. Break-action guns are a very poor choice for people who don't have a lot of experience; and you can't make a follow-up shot with a single-shot gun. Also, break-action guns are less safe to keep loaded than repeaters. Break-actions either have a shell in the chamber, or are unloaded. Repeating shotguns can be safely stored with a full magazine and an empty chamber; ready to defend the homestead, but not primed to go off accidentally if a half-asleep user fumbles with it in the dark. Sure, one shot is a lot better than a wiffle ball bat; but there are plenty of functional pump-action shotguns in that same price range, like the Mossberg Maverick 88 and H&R Pardner Pump. If these people think a single shot from a shotgun is enough to do the job, it sounds to me like they buy into the mythical "room-clearing" capabilities that Hollywood has been pushing for so long.

[itsaz]

Thanks for the lukewarm reception.

I certainly didn't mean to supply anyone with a soapbox.

[Synchronizor]

Nothing against you or Texas, please don't take it that way. I'm a fan of the latter, and I'm sure the former is wonderful too. This is just me being talkative and honest.

[itsaz]

This is just me being talkative and honest.

Really? I would have thought that expressing your opinions on an issue other than welcoming a new member would have warranted a thread of it's own.

Still waiting on the welcome by the way.

[DaveC]

"Cowboy up," bro. Howdy from another Rem. 870 owner in the great state of Texas, albeit from a refugee from the Left coast.

I think that the "militia" concept within our individual and collective 2nd amendment rights should be invigorated, and I'm all for seeing folks empowered to defend themselves. A cheap single-shot beats nothing at all. Maybe even a Lorcin. Presumably the single-shot comes with training, encourages people to practice, and a more effective defensive shotgun can be had for a fairly reasonable price. To me the biggest issue is training. Most folks are very inquisitive and talkative about "hardware" but the "software" is even more important to develop. Enjoy the Rem 870 forum!

[Automag]

Welcome new guy from Texas! Sorry you feel you got a lukewarm reception. I'm not real familiar with the "don't have a gun, we'll give you one" program. If that does mean givin folks a single shot shotgun for home defense in a bargain to infringe on peoples right to choose their own home defense weapon, well i'm not crazy about that at all. The Constitutional Amendment II is very clear on that issue. It does not endorse givin folks a single shot gun to appease political arguments against the right of folks to own and carry the weapon of their choice. To me the acronym ACP always came after .45 Forgive me for espousing my deep regard for the Second Amendment, and all forms of Government leaving it alone. Anyways, welcome to the 870 Forum!

[Synchronizor]

I'm not real familiar with the "don't have a gun, we'll give you one" program. If that does mean givin folks a single shot shotgun for home defense in a bargain to infringe on peoples right to choose their own home defense weapon, well i'm not crazy about that at all. The Constitutional Amendment II is very clear on that issue. It does not endorse givin folks a single shot gun to appease political arguments against the right of folks to own and carry the weapon of their choice. To me the acronym ACP always came after .45 Forgive me for espousing my deep regard for the Second Amendment, and all forms of Government leaving it alone.

The Armed Citizen Project (ACP) is not a government program, but a private organization that provides home-defense firearms and training to unarmed homeowners, with a focus on households in high-crime areas. It's really not a bad concept, and in no way interferes with the 2nd amendment (quite the opposite). Myself and others only take issue with them handing out single-shot shotguns, when there are far more effective repeating shotguns available for the same price.

Really? I would have thought that expressing your opinions on an issue other than welcoming a new member would have warranted a thread of it's own.

Still waiting on the welcome by the way.

Well, I got into discussing the ACP because it was brought up. These new member introduction threads spin off into other discussions that way quite frequently.

You are correct though, I jumped straight to my opinion on the ACP, without acknowledging your introduction at all. I apologize for that, and hope you can believe that while I forgot to state it, my welcoming you into our community here was intended.

So, putting aside the ACP, what is your 870 story? Long-time owner? New owner? Prospective owner? We always enjoy the personal stories and builds folks share in this section of the forums.