options and reasons for a gun

BRay'sGirl · May 5, 2016

Hey guys,

so here's a topic I used to avoid for all my life. But things change.

I live in a city where shootings almost daily occur (thanks to drugs business), where home invasions are normal and where stabbings are on the rise as well as (sex) assaults (on women in parks even on University/College Campus).

I've been in a small community in Cali years ago and one night I got so f...g scared because "someone walked" around the house in the middle of the night. ...anyways...

One option would be to just leave town and move to a place that might be safer. For job reasons and because I like the nature aorund me the mentioned option is out the window.

Another option is to get a gun.

I have to let you know that there where times when I was afraid of my building manager (stalking & harassment) and when I took a knife with me when I left my house for my "walkings". I used to have problems to go to bed and fear was my daily partner.

For family reasons I left the country and I felt better. When I went back home everything seemed fine. But since there is no way to avoid news and because the violence just happens onyour door steps the fear keeps coming back.

I got my daughter into a selfdefense class when she became 16 and she is a tough cookie. But we all know that selfdefense only works so much.

In Canada laws are quite different and besides here is what I was thinking over the last years.

I would always smile about the thought of the so called law obiding citizen. Because by law their guns are supposed to be locked up. But often that's not the case.

I mean it doesn't make sense to me anyways because someone who's coming into my house won't wait for me to get my gun out of my gun safe.

So for me a gun only works when I would have it to close me, which is not allowed. I couldn't bring it to my walks or put it under my sheets.

I also wonder how I would react in certain situations. There are so many crazy people out there, scary people. Would I over react and possibly shoot even it's unnecessary? I don't even know if I would feel better having a gun. I felt better with the knife though....well, I gave it up because at one point I thought this going way to far.

With all the if and how in my head I am just totally confused and frustrated.

As you can see, this is not a pro or anti gun subject. This is a fred and I was hoping to get some thoughts from you.

Thanks!

wade_660 · May 5, 2016

A gun is a tool that will keep you from having to get close to your aggressor like a knife would be. You could easily have your knife taken and be stabbed with it in many situations. I have been around guns all of my life and do not understand the stigma that owning them carries by many. My initial recommendation would be to buy yen and have them in every vehicle and several rooms throughout the house (not realistic I know.... Or is it). My advice to you would be to go to a good gun store with a range and take some training before you buy one. I would take any kind of training that you can based on your experience level. You'll probably find a pastime in shooting if you're not careful. And find a gun that fits you and you are comfortable with. There is no right answer on what to buy, look at many and you'll know it when you find it. Personally I carry a Glock 43 for my CCW.

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BRay'sGirl · May 6, 2016

Good point - that the knife could have been taken away.

I guess I am just scared because maybe reality is that we have to protect ourselfs and what belongs to us. Sometimes it is easier to avoid this thought.

And maybe I just can't picture myself right now going to a shooting range. I don't know. I don't know what to expect I guess.

Do you go to a range on a regular basis? Do you have to do training throughout the years?

Spurshot · May 6, 2016

Get a dog.

BlackZ71Silverado · May 6, 2016

Where are you living that has you so scared, the U.S., or Canada? If Canada, I guess I don't really have a suggestion because I do not know any of their laws.

sahls01gmc · May 6, 2016

I'm with spurshot. And no, not a Chihuahua. Get a purposeful dog. My Lab/Great Dane mix that I had protected my whole family...yet was the sweetest most laid back dog to my little kids.

barry G · May 7, 2016

you are up on your local news and nature of the hood..

if you have not been made a target, you may have an appearance that does not need a gun.

I have walked by heckling terrorists as a u.s. military man on active duty...

for looking eastern apparently, I got no trouble at all.

Funny enough, my scariest encounter was an angry englishman.

I have thought about guns too, and it erases humility of mental patient.

they will be killed before helped sometimes.

I would have used a gun, if I had one... the long term look back is a bigger pile of dead from the same source.

Humility, and being smarter...nothing personal with you.

I am in maine right now, my locale was nothing but dumb thug since the 80s. Now the mills are closed forever...

I can only guess how bad its going to get, not even in the city.

I'd like one if there was a real registry for concealed, and furthermore, my name tagged with real training.

Even a cop pulling me over could pull that up on his screen, stay at ease (if in my own vehicle).

Gurrzt · May 7, 2016

Break into my house and find out first hand.

Spurshot · May 9, 2016

Malinois the "bite dog" of choice.

Edited May 9, 2016 by spurshot

j-ten-ner · May 9, 2016

I'd always chose a good trained dog over a gun.
But sometimes circumstances don't allow to have a dog.
Not enough time to take care of a dog or restrictions by rental agreements or other related stuff.

Home defense on a day to day basis is no argument for me either.
Especially in Canada with the strict gun laws.
I doubt that the intruder is willing to wait for me to get the gun out off the locked case, remove the trigger lock and run into next room to get my also locked away ammunition.

I consider a gun as the last line of defense in the wake of a natural disaster.
Earthquakes and following Tsunamis, volcano eruptions, zombie apocalypse...just to name a few.

When I look around me, people are self preserved, ignorant and selfish and they think that they own it all. They deserve everything and everything has to be handed to them. I bet that nine out of ten are not prepared to deal with situations like that. They have no food, water or other essential supplies, to deal with the shortage of daily life things.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mean not to share supplies with people in distress. But again, many are thinking that they can just take it.
That's where a gun comes into play. To ensure the survival of my family and me.

Maybe it seems a little far fetched for some of you. But actually here on the West Coast, we're waiting for the next "big one". And then, there is still Yellow Stone...
As per today, there was a little rumble registered in Maple Ridge and Mission.

so long

j-ten-ner

waumo1 · May 9, 2016

To the OP - see if you can get some training and then decide if you should own a gun for self defense. Do not just get a gun and think you are protected.

Guns are just tools, nothing more. You need to know how/when to use any tool you own. No point in owning a tool you are not trained to use properly.

Edited May 9, 2016 by waumo1

Spurshot · May 9, 2016

When the Rodney King riots started in 1992, neighbors came to me to borrow guns. The looting and burning was stopped a mile away. But having a gun was better than not having one. I can't say it eased the tension. But without a gun (or several) I would have just left and found a room out of the area. The situation was such that you watched the rioting all day on the news and thought about what you would do if the house was attacked.

Gurrzt · May 9, 2016

To the OP - see if you can get some training and then decide if you should own a gun for self defense. Do not just get a gun and think you are protected.

Guns are just tools, nothing more. You need to know how/when to use any tool you own. No point in owning a tool you are not trained to use properly.

I totally agree with this, I have been safely shooting for over 40 years and still go to a licensed gun range every month. Most ranges should offer classes by licensed instructors so you will be able to safely handle the firearm, and accurately be able to shoot it. I know I give ridicules answers in jest sometimes, however when it comes to people purchasing firearms with no real idea in how to handle them, that's when the unfortunate accidents happen.

BRay'sGirl · May 9, 2016

Thanks everyone. Got lots to think about.

I would prefer a dog, not sure if it's possible timewise, I'll check that. Would suit me better, since I am a lot outside all by myself. I guess I would love the training we both would get.

I read a lot of people with even years of expierence and got shot because of being ignorant (look at this one mom who is a total gun freak and got shot in her car by her kid :/ ).

So if this becomes a real option for me training is a must, especially since I have no expierence.

Spurshot · May 10, 2016

BG,

The dog thing may not be a substitute for a gun in all situations...and visa-versa. The dog is a commitment and a lifestyle. Like the gun, the dog will be useful only if: 1) right (well bred) for the task (security breeds: Malinois, G. Sheps, etc.), 2) well trained for the task (not "sit" and a biscuit). You won't likely make a security dog out of a some gentle temperments in dogs, or they may be unreliable. They may elect to lick the perp to death like my lab. If you're going for an outcome, stack the odds in your favor. Get the breed and breeding first, then do the training or have the dog professionally trained. I have bird dogs. I have no illusion that they are security dogs. They bark from the window at people walking down the street, familiar or not. But if turned loose they'll go play with them.

There are clubs that people get together to train regularly and often share equipment. Working dogs are fun and rewarding.