Time to get a gun? Time to get advice.

Dorkhedeos said:
Im assuming youve never been broken into. An untrained person with a gun is extremely dangerous especially when they are under stress and on edge. What if that intruder wasnt really an intruder and he fires because he was spooked? Nobody wants to be responsible for somebodys death, especially when they didnt really need to die.

If you go seeking your intruder and he knows you have a gun, he knows to either avoid you or wait for you to come round the corner. If he wasnt alone and you end up firing a round, that just alerted his partner that something is going on and he will know your location and that you are armed. A baton or an axe on the other hand will be quiet, it might even make it sound like the guy you hit tripped and fell. Who wants to mess around with a maniac with an axe? :D

The choice of defense also depends on local laws. As far as i know, where im from in CA, it is really hard to get away with shooting somebody. If you shoot somebody that was unarmed or didnt cause an immediate threat to you or anybody in your house, you will go to jail for a very long time as well as get sued.

Im not going to get into an argument over this because there are just too many what ifs.
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If they break into your house they probably have intent to harm you and your family so you have the right and responsibility to protect them. I'm not even going to argue which is the better home defense weapon, a shotgun or an axe 'cause I see that turning into a series of arguments and no one learning nothing.
 
dartfrogger said:
My head is almost literally spinning after logging on this morning and seeing all the responses to my question. I know this is an emotional issue, and it's a very serious one. I'm not even sure I could actually fire a gun at someone, and as one poster said, if I don't think I can, don't get a gun.

But I think the best advice is to take a course in basic firearms. I'll drop by the gun range and see what they offer.

It's true, my mindset is definitely in a different place than most of you. I was thinking that I could get a gun and hide it away, just in case. But what good is a gun that takes 10 minutes to get to, in an emergency? I obviously need to get familiar with handguns -- I should say get comfortable. Then I'll know what course I should follow. At this point, though, I can't imagine myself walking around the house with a gun on my belt, and for sure I can't imagine having a shotgun. That attitude may have a lot to do with my complete ignorance of guns.

Many thanks to all of you who took the time to respond. I'll let you know what happens.
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I think you are on the right path.

You need to learn about guns first. I would hate to see you need one and and not have it though...

Do you mind telling us what state/city you live in. There may be one of us (or someone we know) nearby that could teach you some things and let you shoot. If you're in north central FL I'd be happy to let you shoot my guns! :D
 
blake g49 said:
As a gun-owning Canadian I raise the BS flag here. Your assertion that people having guns just breeds more guns is provably false as is your assertion that there are "many accidents with guns each year" - the majority of gun deaths in Canada are either suicides or criminal on criminal shootings. Do you honestly think that the law-abiding citizen not having a firearm is going to have any bearing whatsoever on this other than depriving him of a measure of safety???

I grew up with a house full of guns and my house is full of guns. The secret to doing this is not to attempt to childproof your guns but instead to gunproof your children - it's all about training and mindset. We have an air rifle range in our back yard that the neighborhood kids love to use (under supervision and with parental consent - several of the parents have gotten into shooting because of this). My 16 year old shoots IPSC and has for 4 years. My 13 year old starts this fall and both have been hunting since the age of 12, and I had each of them in the treestand on opening day of deer season when they were 5. They both shoot biathlon and service rifle competition and both are mature well-rounded kids. My wife shoots and hunts right along with the boys and it makes for some great family time - the only one in our house who doesn't shoot is the dog and when she sees the gun cases come out she gets so excited that she about wets herself...

My wife and kids?? They "get it" - if only the libtards living in Toronto and the big urban centers who want to ban everything that makes them flinch could do the same.


YMMV

blake
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Hooray for Blake!!!!!! you have restored my faith in some Canadians after it was just crushed!
 
Whats state(s) do all you guys live in that are scared to shoot someone with a real bullet?

I cant fathom shooting someone with any less lethal crap thats in MY house trying to KILL me or STEAL all my shit for their next fix.
 
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In Cali the laws do suck, but I'd rather be alive and wondering what to do, then dead to some nut in my house. Most places in the country have fairly clear provisions for shooting uninvited guests.

This brings up one of the first lessons in any course he'd take, being sure of your target. You don't shoot at shadows, you don't shoot at thumps.

I'm trying to phrase this next bit as polietly as possible. I'm probably going to fail. If you are not comfortable with guns, that's fine. Not something for everyone. But the situation described above for supporting axe use is laughable. One, Cali will hold you no less libel for death if you use an axe, so that's moot. Two, it's your life, not a game of Doom. Three, ever club someone until they're passive, or hit someone with an axe? A physical beating at close range is dangerous, tiring, and loud. Not trying to be rude, but it's not a home securiety plan I feel is safe, and am just commenting my opinion on that, as I'd hate to see someone trust their life to that idea.
 
Thalestin said:
Being a Canadian I think I have a unique perspective. I personally say don't get a gun. Even though it could potentially prove useful in those very rare situations, there is much more probability of it harming you more than helping. What if your kids get into it? I have never felt the need to carry a gun simply because little people carry guns here.
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I'm Canadian as well, and I say you are quite wrong about a number of things in this post.
There is not a large probability of the gun being a cause of harm to you, unless you are an idiot. Don't be an idiot; if one is an idiot, then just about any device will cause harm(not saying YOU are an idiot).
Kids should not be a factor, as the gun ought to be locked up when not in use(remember those safe storage laws we have in Canada SPECIFICALLY to address this issue?). Use a combination safe and don't give your kids the combination.
If you think there aren't quite a few people carrying guns(unlawfully), you are woefully mistaken. I'm not worried about said folks, but I don't stck my head in the sand and pretend they aren't there, because they ARE.
I'm afraid you have bought into the anti-gun propaganda which goes under the guise of safety awareness.
Use your own brain, get the evidence, and THEN make up your mind. I don't think you've done that, judging by the jingoistic nature of what you wrote.
 
rmc85 said:
Whats state(s) do all you guy live in that are scared to shoot someone with a real bullet?

I cant fathom shooting someone with any less lethal crap thats in MY house trying to KILL me or STEAL all my shit for their next fix.
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here here! i want a sign on our front lawn that says "is my stuff worth a trip to the morgue in a body bag?" i'm sure our HOA would frown upon it thought.
 
Not everyone should have a gun. If you dont feel confortable with any gun, no matter how much you try, they are not for you.

I am all for owning guns and the freedom to choose to have one, but it is not for everyone. I have met plenty of people who should not and do not own guns. By owning a defensive gun, you have to prepare your mind for the idea that you may have to kill a real person -this is a large responsibility if you are a moral and caring person.

To those of you who have taken this responsibility I say good job!
 
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An Axe = you will get the same treatment as using a shotgun. A weapon is a weapon.
If someone breaks into my house I grab my shotgun. Call the police and stay put . If they are upstairs where I'm at and family they get shot. Simple as that nobody should be in my house plain and simple. They try to sue you so what. As long as you don't use excessive force they can't do jack. It's not the movies. Everyone who's got sued shoot them more than once or in the back. Use bean bags or rubber bullets they are non lethal if your worried about trouble. protecting my family is more important. So what I kill a scub bag in my house. ppl get aet what a few years first degree murder. Steal $10,000 from the Irs you get life go figure...
 
The Government said:
Not everyone should have a gun. If you dont feel confortable with any gun, no matter how much you try, they are not for you.

I am all for owning guns and the freedom to choose to have one, but it is not for everyone.
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Yup this is what I'm talking about it's not easy to shoot or stab someone. Get a 4oz can of pepper spray. That would be better used then a gun not use then taken and get shot with your own gun. Some ppl don't even have the heart to punch someone as hard as they can and smash there face. Some ppl are just to kind hearted. Which is a good thing.. Not everyone is a cold blooded killer.;)
 
otis williams said:
i would shy away from less lethal rounds... criminals can sue you for pain and suffering. they can call you a sadist, and say you have violent tendancies...
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No they can't. They can try but If they are threating , you can protect yourself. If you use excessive force you can get into trouble. Just make sure you get a good lawyer. A jury will say that guy really didn't want to kill him lock the robber up.:thumbup:
 
rmc85 said:
Hooray for Blake!!!!!! you have restored my faith in some Canadians after it was just crushed!
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Yeah well, if you hang around with some of my compadres you'd see that there isn't much difference north or south of the 49th parallel - lots up here to be positive about...


blake
 
The Government said:
Not everyone should have a gun. If you dont feel confortable with any gun, no matter how much you try, they are not for you.

I am all for owning guns and the freedom to choose to have one, but it is not for everyone. I have met plenty of people who should not and do not own guns. By owning a defensive gun, you have to prepare your mind for the idea that you may have to kill a real person -this is a large responsibility.
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there is more information and opinions on the subject than you could absorb in a life time. (as this post shows):D
remember all weapons are tools, the skill must be with person using the tool.
having a survivor mindset combined with the skill and the right tool(s) will get you out most situations:thumbup:
 
gixxerman said:
there is more information and opinions on the subject than you could absorb in a life time. (as this post shows):D
remember all weapons are tools, the skill must be with person using the tool.
having a survivor mindset combined with the skill and the right tool(s) will get you out most situations:thumbup:
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That sounds like a MacGyverism.:D

Did I say anything to make you think that I consider a gun is anything other than a tool? Obviously tools require skill. I also agree with your last statement. I am not exactly sure of what you are saying that I dont understand. A little help please.
 
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ironmike86 said:
An Axe = you will get the same treatment as using a shotgun. A weapon is a weapon....
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But if they play the picture on the news enough, of you standing in your living room dripping gore with a bloody axe in one hand and a severed arm in the other - well let's just say if you do go to prison, most will give you a wide berth...:eek:
 
I've always recommended a pump action shotgun to anyone who was looking for a home/self defense tool.

Versatility rules. A smoothbore shotgun can fire a wide range of projectiles at a wide range of distances, is easier to aim, easier to make hits with and has that intimidation factor that no other firearm aside from a gatling gun can match.

Just the racking of the slide is a universal signal to "get the F&%K OUT".

With all that said, get training first before bringing a firearm into your home. Know how to handle it, load and unload it, store it, clean it and fire it.

I add nothing to this thread aside from my opinion and there are alot of people who have posted before me who are much more knowlageable than I. Take all the advice given and make your decision well informed.

I personally believe that the direction that the world is headed, those without firearms will be few and far between in short order, either via extinction or conversion. I kinda hope I'm wrong.

Welcome to the forum.
 
Mrs.Shotgunner11 said:
here here! i want a sign on our front lawn that says "is my stuff worth a trip to the morgue in a body bag?" i'm sure our HOA would frown upon it thought.
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I used to have door stickers that read: nothing inside this house is worth your life. With some sort of revolver siloutte on it.
 
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