Dear Editor,
I’m writing you concerning a recent article advocating the use of homemade imitation “Dragons Breath” 12 gauge rounds. This practice is both physically dangerous and legally problematic. Gun writers and attorneys have warned against this sort of thing in the past.
Point 1: Things that increase the flammability of rounds inside domestic structures are a pretty bad idea. Carpet and modern furnishings often contain chemicals that burn more easily than natural fibers. A self-defense scenario could easily involve a call to the fire department after that. In a rural area with lengthy response times, that could result in the loss of one’s home.
Point 2: Using a firearm as a “less-lethal” tool is physically dangerous. The defender can make a mistake about which kind of round is in the chamber, and it could also lead to careless handling. In a former life, I spent several years in the security industry and I also worked for a state agency. When issued defense tools, it was VERY clear which were lethal and which were “less lethal.” We did not mix them! Agencies don’t stick pepper-spray devices or tasers on handguns, no matter how convenient it might be. The potential for a mistake is just too great.
Point 3: Using a firearm as a “less-lethal” tool is legally risky. In the vast majority of encounters, if you’re justified in using something that is less-lethal, you’re also justified in simply using a lethal weapon. People sometimes assume that “I didn’t mean to hurt him” is a legal defense. It isn’t. Your success in court is highly dependent on the nature of your local law enforcement and the nature of your local district attorney. While we still have Rule-Of-Law, a defender’s main goal after survival is to avoid becoming a DEFENDANT. Using improvised things in a shotgun works against that goal. It can increase legal costs, or even result in an undeserved conviction.
Yours in Freedom, – SwampFox