options and reasons for a gun

Spurshot · October 26, 2016

Both anti-gun and pro-2nd Amendment people want protection from violent criminals.

One difference between an anti-gun advocate and a pro 2nd Amendment advocate is the anti-gun advocate thinks the law enforcement organizations have a responsibility to do that for them and the pro 2nd Amendment believe it's their right to protect themselves and they don't believe LEOs alone can assure their protection nor are actually responsible for it.

Ghost Sierra · November 2, 2016

In my very humble opinion, I think everyone should have at least three guns. First is a gun to conceal on your person so that if someone is threatening your personal space and you feel your life is in danger, you can put several shots in the chest from 4-8 feet. Second would be a revolver that you keep secure in your vehicle with more stopping power and more ammunition. Anything from a 38 "Special" to a 44 Magnum would fit in this category and all about preference. The third gun everyone should own is a pump shotgun kept close to your bed for any sort of home invasion. I prefer a pump because it makes a hell of a racket and easy to shoot and load. I like my 12 gauge Ithaca with .00 shot since I can hold down the trigger and pump as many rounds as necessary. No need to aim, just point in the direction of the danger and fire away.

Other than these, you can get other guns for sport that can be useful in some of the same situations but this is my daughters "starter kit"!

Rock1500 · November 3, 2016

In my very humble opinion, I think everyone should have at least three guns. First is a gun to conceal on your person so that if someone is threatening your personal space and you feel your life is in danger, you can put several shots in the chest from 4-8 feet. Second would be a revolver that you keep secure in your vehicle with more stopping power and more ammunition. Anything from a 38 "Special" to a 44 Magnum would fit in this category and all about preference. The third gun everyone should own is a pump shotgun kept close to your bed for any sort of home invasion. I prefer a pump because it makes a hell of a racket and easy to shoot and load. I like my 12 gauge Ithaca with .00 shot since I can hold down the trigger and pump as many rounds as necessary. No need to aim, just point in the direction of the danger and fire away.

Other than these, you can get other guns for sport that can be useful in some of the same situations but this is my daughters "starter kit"!

I like your idea but I'd switch the pump shotgun with an AR or some kind of sub machine gun, there is a device you can buy to make a flock pistol into a tactical sub. But that's my preference.

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x219c · November 4, 2016

I think you're on the right track. As many others have said, education is key.

You may be surprised how enjoyable a gun can be. They're a lot of responsibility, but can be very rewarding in return.

I often hear of people who are afraid of others who legally carry guns. In my experience, those who go through the trouble of obtaining and using firearms legally are usually terrified of using their weapon. Not because they don't know how or something similar, but because if they do anything incorrectly, there's a good chance their right to carry a gun would be revoked or much worse. The laws are very strict with regards to gun usage and storage and change from location to location. Even traveling with a weapon incorrectly can get your license revoked.

While I see your point that most people don't follow all laws, I think this is a little different. Carrying a gun illegally can result in jail time. Most law abiding citizens have way too much to lose. Jobs, family, etc.

Despite what's in some of the news, it's quite rare to hear about a legal concealed gun carrier illegally discharging their weapon. More often than not, when one of these individuals uses their weapon, lives are saved.

A criminal, by definition, doesn't follow the law and isn't necessarily encumbered by these restrictions.

I'm sure none of this is news, so I'll end with this:

I truly hope whatever your course of action, that you feel safe and happy. Life is too short to live in fear.

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Spurshot · November 4, 2016

In my very humble opinion, I think everyone should have at least three guns. First is a gun to conceal on your person so that if someone is threatening your personal space and you feel your life is in danger, you can put several shots in the chest from 4-8 feet. Second would be a revolver that you keep secure in your vehicle with more stopping power and more ammunition. Anything from a 38 "Special" to a 44 Magnum would fit in this category and all about preference. The third gun everyone should own is a pump shotgun kept close to your bed for any sort of home invasion. I prefer a pump because it makes a hell of a racket and easy to shoot and load. I like my 12 gauge Ithaca with .00 shot since I can hold down the trigger and pump as many rounds as necessary. No need to aim, just point in the direction of the danger and fire away.

Other than these, you can get other guns for sport that can be useful in some of the same situations but this is my daughters "starter kit"!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqF_taNbG_U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NVJVaxrxWo

You have a misunderstanding of a shotgun's capability. If you believe you don't need to aim a shotgun in distances encountered in a home, you haven't shot your gun at these distances.

I'm an avid bird hunter. I have 3 pump shotguns. While I'm primarily a side by side shooter of around 1500-2000 rounds a year, I do shoot the pumps about 300-500 rounds a year. Some years more, some less. I've had pumps for about 7-8 years, and other shotguns for 40 years and have shot some of my shotguns well over 10,000 rounds. I still will make a short pump once in a while or other error and cause a malfunction when under a bit of stress to shoot doubles or triples at the clays range. I probably have that happen about 4-6 times in a round of clays (100 shots). What I'm getting at is that I'm no pump expert and would not intentionally equip my house with a pump, given my poor reliability in a light stress situation, let alone a life-death situation level of stress. Ask yourself the question before you equip your home with a pump shotgun: Am I proficient with a pump shotgun (or any other gun you chose).

Ghost Sierra · November 4, 2016

You have a misunderstanding of a shotgun's capability. If you believe you don't need to aim a shotgun in distances encountered in a home, you haven't shot your gun at these distances.

I'm an avid bird hunter. I have 3 pump shotguns. While I'm primarily a side by side shooter of around 1500-2000 rounds a year, I do shoot the pumps about 300-500 rounds a year. Some years more, some less. I've had pumps for about 7-8 years, and other shotguns for 40 years and have shot some of my shotguns well over 10,000 rounds. I still will make a short pump once in a while or other error and cause a malfunction when under a bit of stress to shoot doubles or triples at the clays range. I probably have that happen about 4-6 times in a round of clays (100 shots). What I'm getting at is that I'm no pump expert and would not intentionally equip my house with a pump, given my poor reliability in a light stress situation, let alone a life-death situation level of stress. Ask yourself the question before you equip your home with a pump shotgun: Am I proficient with a pump shotgun (or any other gun you chose).

I agree that proficiency is the key to any weapon. A pump shotgun is one of the most basic guns to own, maintain, and shoot. If I am in a dark environment with unknown intruder(s), I would rather throw out a 30" spread of shot instead of a single shot from a pistol or even an AR. I feel pretty confident that at 20-30 feet I could hit an intruder shooting from my hip with a pipe gun. That is my preference and everyone has their own preferences on what they need to feel safe.

My 78 year old grandmother had a 16 gauge Ithaca pump that she kept by her bed. As frail as she was at that age, she could put that gun under her "wing" and knock a door off its hinges from 20 feet.

Spurshot · November 4, 2016

Watch the videos. There won't be any shotgun patterns 30" in diameter at 20-30 ft. More closer to 6-8". You're perpetuating widely held myth from movies. In a home a shotgun is more like a rifle. Shootings in houses happen at very short distances. Go to the range instead of the movies. Shoot that shotgun at the distance it is from the backside of your bed to the bedroom door.

Spurshot · November 6, 2016

Here's a target from another member of a gun forum. #1 buckshot from home defense short barrel. At 10 yds (30 feet) its pretty much a rifle.

Graphic · November 12, 2016

There's no IQ test to get a gun.

...which leads to there being plenty of gun owners that are bad representatives for gun ownership advocacy.

There is also no IQ test to vote.

There is no IQ test to own dogs, bats, knives, bricks, clubs, use the internet, etc. It's a pretty slippery slope. Where do you draw the line on testing requirements? What score? What happens when there is something you want that requires an IQ test you can't pass?

Mind you, I am not arguing your statement. There are plenty of irresponsible gun owners. I think the vast majority are responsible and good. I don't think IQ has everything to do with it. I know a lot of very smart, educated, intelligent people with very little common sense or personal responsibility.

Graphic · November 12, 2016

And great post on the spread of the shotgun.

BlackZ71Silverado · November 13, 2016

For those reading this topic, use common sense before doing anything with your firearm. There are some terrible posts here that should be ignored, especially those who recommend leaving a firearm in an unattended vehicle with ammunition. Everybody should really disregard the statement about not having to aim, it's reckless, and about as far from the truth as you can get. Be sure you are following the laws and safety practices when it comes to firearms ownership, safety is most important....and definitely DO NOT pull your pistol out and start murdering people because you feel they are too close to you, another terrible idea.

Maybe everybody should have to pass a common sense test before being able to take possession of a firearm.

I didn't always agree with that but the more I see posted on the internet of some people with these wild ideas and giving reckless advise, my mind is changing. There are people who posted here that I would not want anywhere near me if they had a firearm.

Please people, use common sense and don't take what someone said in their post as proper behavior or safety, a lot of silly things on the internet.

Cowpie · November 16, 2016

While some may advocate that everyone should have some sort of firearms, I don't fall in that camp. And even if they should have firearms, what makes anyone think they would be proficient in using them or even carry them? Not everyone lives in a high crime area and feels the need to be packing everywhere they go. Many of us live in areas where we don't even lock our vehicles at night and leave keys in equipment. And some folks just plain don't even want to touch a firearm, let alone use one. They have their reasons, and I don't bother with wondering what they are.

I got my carry permit 5 years ago and never carried once. Really wasn't motivated to do so. The permit was more of a novelty I guess, because political environment up to that point made it extremely difficult to get a permit and when the laws changed, everyone and their cousin went and got their permit. I never purchased a specific pistol for concealed purposes, and I let the permit lapse and haven't considered renewing it. Waste of money. During the week, I travel across many states, some of which do not have reciprocity agreements with mine and even have issues with me transporting. So all week long, I never carry. When I am home, I live rural where the risk of a problem that needs a firearm is very remote. So add it all up, and the permit thing was just a waste of money. I can carry all I want on my own property without any kind of a permit or registration. I have one .45 pistol and no motivation to buy any other pistol. Fact is, I am thinking of giving the .45 to one of my sons, Wife got her carry permit a couple of months ago, for what reason I can't figure out, and she hasn't even bothered to go "gun shopping" to obtain a pistol that she likes. I think it was more because my step daughter coaxed her into getting the permit more than any ideas about actually carrying.

I got all the shooting at people out of my system during my time in the military. And with the seasons the way they are and the nanny state regulatory nonsense that goes along with it, I don't really bother to hunt anymore either and no longing to do so. I still have all the firearms I have gotten over the years, some of which were family firearms passed down, but I haven't even brought one out to shoot in something like 2-3 years or more. And I live where I have over 40 acres I can shoot on and can step out on my deck and discharge a firearm with no problem with law enforcement. Just not motivated to take the time.

One advantage, I didn't get all caught up in the paranoia that Obama was going to take away our guns and such that swept the nation.

Spurshot · November 16, 2016

Good points, Cowpie.

I too, have no interest in shooting at people. I do have a recent interest at shooting handguns, and now tactical rifles, at targets to become more proficient. Is it because I fear needing it? Maybe a tiny fraction of me. It's more of a sporting interest to me, much like my clay shooting or bird hunting with my dogs. I want to experience it and gain some level of proficiency in each of these areas, including maintaining proficiency of a pointing dog.

Many people are of the same situation and mindset as you. We shouldn't browbeat or belittle anyone because they don't want a gun or feel the need for one.

BRay'sGirl · November 16, 2016

Interesting posts! I agree with lots that's been said.

I'm still not sure what would make me feel safe again.

A while ago I went into a gun shop (with someone) and I was kinda shocked about two things. First of all the guy behind the

counter said they have been busy like crazy. Second of all the age of the customers in store at this moment was max mid-twenty, likely younger.

(Not only) In my area is so much going on and I stopped watching the news because I'm sick of it!!

I'm starting to think that I have to get used to not feeling safe.

Wintersun · November 16, 2016

Self defense is a stupid reason to own a gun. If someone walks into your house and you shoot them the odds are that it will be a friend or relative or first responder, as with the two Florida cops that were in bed when they woke up with someone in the house and emptied both their clips only to learn that it was the mother of one of the officers. Fortunately they were not good shots and so mom survived. Half of gun deaths are suicides where the availability of a firearm turns depression into death.

There is a reason why the police are relying on SWAT teams and grenades even to serve a warrant on an individual in their home and if that unfortunate person had a gun in their hand they would be dead in an instant. Even people without guns are routinely shot down by the cops so why give them an excuse or easy out by possessing a gun?

The problem is that people have a greatly exaggerated notion of the danger present. If you are black person in Ferguson or Oakland or Los Angeles or Florida or Arizona or New Jersey then yes you are at risk. But if you read about a person getting attacked in a city of one million people you are not reading about the 1,000 people that died in that same city who were killed by tobacco or sugar or stupidity behind the wheel of a car. Over 440,000 people are killed each and every year, year after year, in the USA from tobacco but no one is buying oxygen tanks and face masks to avoid second hand smoke.

Guns appeal to people who like black and white solutions and who watched cowboy movies and Rambo and think that all one has to do is have a gun and they are safe from the bad guys. Tell that to the more than 2 million American families that lost their homes thanks to bank load fraud and robo foreclosure notices from companies like Wells Fargo. You are far more at risk from the bankers with their pens and their greed than from some individual with a knife or a gun. More at risk from a careless or drunk driver than from some idiot with a gun.

When my brother was an infant he took great comfort from a stuffed toy cat. He even took it into the bathtub when my mother would bathe him. He outgrew that need but some people never do and need the comfort of a gun to feel safe. It may work but it is still pathetic when you think about it.