Suggestions requested, please!

[TX-Dennis]

In Texas I would be perfectly fine carrying a firearm on my own property and using it to protect myself and my family in the event they feared serious bodily harm. That's what I would do - in Texas.

But New Jersey has different laws and different opinions of firearm use than Texas does. I would make sure it is legal to carry on her property in New Jersey before recommending any kind of firearm. It's most assuredly not legal to shoot some one for trespass, but it is legal to defend yourself and your family from death or serious bodily harm IN MOST PLACES - probably even in New Jersey.

Assuming it's legal for her to carry on her property, most anyone can learn to shoot a full size 9mm fairly well. Nice long sight radius for added accuracy, a heavy-ish pistol for recoil damping, and easily available and relatively inexpensive ammo.

 

[Smoke]

Hard to get a refund for something you weren't charged for.

The laborer is worthy of his wage.

 

[kmyers]

I would definitely set up cameras and other devices to record and document. I would also have a weapon handy, however with them not being gun people they need to become such and know and be able to use the firearm of whatever type. It is great to have video to provide to authorities but if the person tries something of a bad nature what are you going to say to them, you better not do that, my trail cam is recording this like it is a talisman?

 

[GerSan69]

If she's in New Jersey....
I'll be surprised if the local police think she has a "good reason" for a permit. And I think you're putting the cart before the horse. See if she manages to get her permits first, then worry about what gun she should have.

 

[REM 3200]

I noted earlier that horses aren't fond of loud noises by their ears. However, we breed horses and if a safe backstop is available, they'll get used to the noise-if reasonably distant-and ignore it. Possibly move away from it, but not have any great concern. We used to have two nags who'd stand about 20 feet behind me while I practiced long range rifle.

True, I used to quail hunt from horse-back.
However, the first time I fired a shotgun while mounted
was a real adventure let me tell you.

 

[Robspeire]

Reminds of a saying I heard years ago when I first moved down south.
It pertained to a person that was like the trespasser.
General consensuses of the people were, "He needs to be squirrel hunted".

 

[Rastoff]

I admit I haven't read all the posts...


I would still recommend the shotgun. If your life is in danger, you need to stop the bad guy. Nothing says go away and leave me alone like a 12ga. The second person is irrelevant. Yes, it's horrible that he's put this kind in harms way, but we're talking about the woman saving her life and those of her family.

The pistol doesn't solve the "save the kid" issue either. Just because it's one bullet doesn't mean she won't hit the kid.

Moreover, if she's not in serious danger, she shouldn't use a gun anyway. If she uses the gun to threaten the guy, then she's the assailant.

 

[LoadedRound]

I don't understand the response she got from law enforcement. Has she tried reaching higher the chain of command?

Is it possible that where she lives might have concurrent jurisdiction? Has she tried another law enforcement agency?

So far she's not being served very well by her local PD.

Can't see any further confrontation ending well for all involved.

 

[flagman1776]

I would especially caution about stringing cables that might be considered "man traps". A cable, hit at speed, can decapitate a man. Last time I looked, trespassing isn't a capital offense. Which is why I suggested metal farm gates. Some kind of physical barrier like huge rocks they can't fit between or run over is an idea.