Some home defense alternatives

[ileus]

71. I'll stick to my 45,40,9mm, 223 or 12ga.

While I have taken several lessons using the sword in AIKIDO I sure wouldn't want to tackle trying to remove a threat with it. It is pretty impressive if you've ever taken a few lessons on how powerful the sword is as a weapon.

Crossbow is in the closet and remains unstrung when it's not hunting season, it takes way too much time to string and cock to actually use it against anyone that's not wheelchair bound.

While the compound is a great weapon if you're got some distance and plenty of time to get your release on, sights on and a good mechanical broadhead to get the job done.

Sling shot is not a bad idea as long as you have the time, probably not as good as a pointy stick unless your attacker is slow and mentally handicapped.

Baseball bat is great if you're facing an unarmed intruder and don't mind close quarters combat. I'd rather use my JO if I knew the attacker was kind of slow and dumb.

Most the others listed are great if you're physically stronger than your attacker and know they're not really wanting to harm you or your family.

Of all your choices I'd still pick my AR first. Why put my family at risk with half assed defensive weapons when I have access to one of several good firearms and the confidence of using them when the chips are down.