The Best Guns

Four Weapons For Defense of Home, Family

BATON ROUGE — Three well-known law enforcement officials recommended four weapons for the defense of family, property, and self Tuesday at the Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon sponsored by the Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish.

Former Sheriff Greg Phares, Coroner Dr. Beau Clark, and Chief Investigator Shane Evans of the Coroner’s office are all qualified firearms instructors.  Dr. Clark was a member of the Sheriff’s SWAT team before running for coroner.

Phares recommend the Glock pistol.  “It’s lightweight.  Effective.  Easy to learn to shoot.  And you can’t break them.”

Phares, who served as chief of police before becoming sheriff, said he is always armed.  He said a friend told him, “You carry a gun all the time, you must be paranoid.”  But Phares said he responded, “Not at all.  No need to be paranoid.  I’m carrying a gun!”

Because of its light weight, the Glock can be carried on the person for long periods, he said.

Phares said a short-barrel revolver, such as a .38 also has many advantages.  “It can be carried in the waistband, purse, or briefcase.  A .38 light would be especially good for someone who is “not into guns,” he said.

Phares said the short-barrel shotgun is a very intimidating, easy-to-use weapon.  With a short barrel, it can be especially effective at close range.  However, it sends forth multiple projectiles and cannot target the aggressor as precisely.

Evans said the AR-15 is effective and is the weapon of choice for many law enforcement officers.

If someone is kicking in the door, you want a precise weapon that can target the aggressor, he said.  “You don’t want to spray the family with a shotgun,” he said.

Evans said the AR-15 is easy to use, and the safety is easy to turn on.  It can also be accessorized, which is one reason law enforcement and many gun owners like it, he said.  The downside is that it’s loud, he said.

Dr. Beau Clark said there is a fifth weapon that people in the Baton Rouge area should employ.  That is the identification of people suffering from a mental illness.  He described the judicial commitment process and explained that it is one of the keys to preventing the kind of tragedy that happened in Newtown, CT.

He said, “Be observant.  Watch family and neighbors.  If they engage in unusual behavior, help them get evaluated.  Prevent a Connecticut-type situation from happening.”

Phares, Clark, and Evans all urged citizens to get proper training in gun safety and use.

The Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge Parish will be offering a free two-hour course taught by Phares and other qualified instructors in the coming weeks.  For more information, email woodyjenkins@hotmail.com.  Anyone who can donate ammunition for use in the course should also contact woodyjenkins@hotmail.