Ever wonder if using an AK for home defense could work against you in court?
We all know perception can play a huge role in legal situations, including the type of weapon you use. While ARs are often looked at negatively in self-defense cases, I was curious if anyone knows of any cases where using an AK backfired for the defense? Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this!
This is like your fifth post about this topic. Have you learned it’s a bad idea yet?
Rodney said:
This is like your fifth post about this topic. Have you learned it’s a bad idea yet?
What makes it a bad idea?
Rodney said:
This is like your fifth post about this topic. Have you learned it’s a bad idea yet?
What makes it a bad idea?
Just about every factor. Most people are untrained. Self-defense shootings usually happen close up in crowded areas. It’s a recipe for someone with a hero complex to go wild with an AR or AK and cause a lot more damage than good.
@Rodney
I mean… I wouldn’t carry a rifle over a pistol, but home defense seems like it has different needs. I have some other concerns about the AK though.
Terryanne said:
@Rodney
I mean… I wouldn’t carry a rifle over a pistol, but home defense seems like it has different needs. I have some other concerns about the AK though.
Home defense is whatever if you’re in your own house and don’t have to worry about hitting other houses, but using an AK in an apartment shows a lack of thinking ahead. That’s going to look bad in front of a jury.
Rodney said:
This is like your fifth post about this topic. Have you learned it’s a bad idea yet?
I make posts in different forums to get a variety of opinions.
Look up the laws where you live about Castle Doctrine and follow them. Train a lot with whatever you plan to use. Don’t listen to the people who are just ranting online.
James Reeves made some videos about this. They focused on ARs, but the idea still applies. Moving from an AR to a Mini-14 really lowers the chances of a bad outcome in court. So, switching from an AK to an SKS could have a similar effect. But ultimately, you need to choose what works best for you. I wouldn’t make the court stuff your main concern though.
@Lola
Bold of you to think regular people would care about the difference between an SKS and a full-auto assault rifle.
Murphy said:
@Lola
Bold of you to think regular people would care about the difference between an SKS and a full-auto assault rifle.
To them, it’s all about appearance. The AK just looks scary. It screams ‘assault weapon.’ But an SKS looks more like something Grandpa would have. It’s a stupid way to think, but the average anti-gun person has dumb views and assumptions.
@Lola
James Reeves’ video actually got me thinking about this. I started wondering how an AK would look in a courtroom.
MegWhitgal said:
@Lola
James Reeves’ video actually got me thinking about this. I started wondering how an AK would look in a courtroom.
Honestly, it probably wouldn’t be much different than an AR. They’re both seen as ‘scary assault weapons with big magazines.’
@Lola
Yeah, plus the AK is like the stereotypical ‘bad guy’ weapon. If you use one to defend yourself, it might make you look like the ‘bad guy’ too in the eyes of a jury, even if it’s the same functionally as a Mini-14 or even an SKS.
@MegWhitgal
Yeah, it’s a shame. But honestly, it’s best not to worry about it too much. Just focus on knowing the law and making sure your shot is justified if you ever need to use your weapon.
Lola said:
@MegWhitgal
Yeah, it’s a shame. But honestly, it’s best not to worry about it too much. Just focus on knowing the law and making sure your shot is justified if you ever need to use your weapon.
Yeah. I’m not planning on using an AK for home defense, but if it comes down to it, I’ll do what I have to do.