Gun for Defense?

Wildbore · #1 (**permalink**) 09-04-2005, 12:15 AM

I can live my whole life without even considering having a handgun for self-defense. I would feel sufficiently safe simply having a security system, you really don't have to turn it on, usually the sticker on the door is enough to scare any trespasser away.

Lets look at the classic situation. Break and Enter, Trespasser is clearly holding a gun and you have a gun and can easily blast his brains out, thats great. I'd just as well assume hes a burgular and go hide somewhere or run out the back door or window. I'd take it theres a small but realistic chance I could be shot if I confronted the trespasser with a gun of my own. What if he has a knife, ok, I can just grab a golf club and cripple him, no need for a gun.

Just saying having a gun isn't that great, sure it looks cool and you can shoot people, but really i'd only recommend it for young-middle aged single women, they are the most likely to be raped and usually rapists don't expect women to put up a defense, so that demographic would only benefit.

leadarrows · #2 (**permalink**) 09-04-2005, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildbore";p=&quot

I can live my whole life without even considering having a handgun for self-defense. I would feel sufficiently safe simply having a security system, you really don't have to turn it on, usually the sticker on the door is enough to scare any trespasser away.

Lets look at the classic situation. Break and Enter, Trespasser is clearly holding a gun and you have a gun and can easily blast his brains out, that's great. I'd just as well assume hes a burglar and go hide somewhere or run out the back door or window. I'd take it there's a small but realistic chance I could be shot if I confronted the trespasser with a gun of my own. What if he has a knife, ok, I can just grab a golf club and cripple him, no need for a gun.

Just saying having a gun isn't that great, sure it looks cool and you can shoot people, but really i'd only recommend it for young-middle aged single women, they are the most likely to be raped and usually rapists don't expect women to put up a defense, so that demographic would only benefit.

I'M not even going to bother arguing with you about this I just want to say this is one of the lamest posts I have ever read. You have no idea what your talking about. There are thousands upon thousands of documented cases of hand guns being used to save lives. Now run out your back door and don't come back.

Sickntiredofliblies · #3 (**permalink**) 09-04-2005, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildbore";p=&quot

I can live my whole life without even considering having a handgun for self-defense. I would feel sufficiently safe simply having a security system, you really don't have to turn it on, usually the sticker on the door is enough to scare any trespasser away.

Lets look at the classic situation. Break and Enter, Trespasser is clearly holding a gun and you have a gun and can easily blast his brains out, thats great. I'd just as well assume hes a burgular and go hide somewhere or run out the back door or window. I'd take it theres a small but realistic chance I could be shot if I confronted the trespasser with a gun of my own. What if he has a knife, ok, I can just grab a golf club and cripple him, no need for a gun.

Just saying having a gun isn't that great, sure it looks cool and you can shoot people, but really i'd only recommend it for young-middle aged single women, they are the most likely to be raped and usually rapists don't expect women to put up a defense, so that demographic would only benefit.

You can make up your perfect scenario all that you want, but reality bites hard. Suppose you don't catch him right with the golf club, and he cuts your throat? A gun could have saved you. Anyways, we can go back and forth putting toget scenarios where guns would be useful and ones where guns would be deadly. You can't deny that guns have protected many people who would otherwise be dead.

Joker · #4 (**permalink**) 09-08-2005, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leadarrows";p=&quot

There are thousands upon thousands of documented cases of hand guns being used to save lives.

There are thousands upon thousands of documented cases of handguns being used to end lives.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sickntiredofliblies";p=&quot

You can't deny that guns have protected many people who would otherwise be dead.

You can't deny that guns have killed many people who would otherwise be alive.

I don't disagree with the above statements from leadarrows or Sickntiredofliblies, but the reverse does hold true as well.

Sickntiredofliblies · #5 (**permalink**) 09-08-2005, 10:04 PM

I never denied that people are killed because of gunmen. Wildbore was the one saying that it all can be avoided with his instructions.

The public having access to fire arms at least allows us to protect ourselves when able to do such a thing.

The public not having such access allows us nothing but the option of running and hoping not to catch a bullet in the back.

Wildbore · #6 (**permalink**) 09-09-2005, 02:21 AM

OK my scenerio was stupid.

The point that I was trying to make is that having a firearm does not actually reduce the chances of someone entering your home, unless you put a I OWN A GUN sign on your house, then again people may not care because they could just enter your home discretely.

A firearm should really be a last resort, and I doubt it would ever need to be used if an actual deterrence was in place. Anyone that cares about their personal safety would invest in a security system, it is well know that houses with security systems are less likely to be burglarized. Even having a dog in your home to bark when someone is trying to get in at night would usually be enough to chase trespassers away.

A firearm is a last resort tool, and therefore it should only exist to compliment more effective security measures.

The-Drew · #7 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 06:52 AM

Good for you Wildbore, You are free to NOT have a gun. Fine, that is your choice. But it is also MY choice that I own and carry a handgun.

You may also never NEED to wear your seatbelt... But the one in a thousand chance that you need it, you'll be glad you had it. The same goes for a concealed handgun.

Wildbore · #8 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The-Drew";p=&quot

Good for you Wildbore, You are free to NOT have a gun. Fine, that is your choice. But it is also MY choice that I own and carry a handgun.

You may also never NEED to wear your seatbelt... But the one in a thousand chance that you need it, you'll be glad you had it. The same goes for a concealed handgun.

What would you do with the conceald handgun, engage in a gun fight in a public place for the sake of self-defense. I am glad its illegal where I live to carry a concealed handgun, I wouldn't want to be in the middle of that. At least with a bottle of mace you can protect yourself in a public place and be sure no bistanders will be accidentally killed.

Yes, but its illegal not to wear your seatbelt, and in most places its illegal to carry a concealed handgun, and for good reason, seatbelts make people safer, people walking around with concealed handguns is dangerous.

The-Drew · #9 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildbore";p=&quot

Quote:

Originally Posted by The-Drew";p=&quot

Good for you Wildbore, You are free to NOT have a gun. Fine, that is your choice. But it is also MY choice that I own and carry a handgun.

You may also never NEED to wear your seatbelt... But the one in a thousand chance that you need it, you'll be glad you had it. The same goes for a concealed handgun.

What would you do with the conceald handgun, engage in a gun fight in a public place for the sake of self-defense. I am glad its illegal where I live to carry a concealed handgun, I wouldn't want to be in the middle of that. At least with a bottle of mace you can protect yourself in a public place and be sure no bistanders will be accidentally killed.

Yes, but its illegal not to wear your seatbelt, and in most places its illegal to carry a concealed handgun, and for good reason, seatbelts make people safer, people walking around with concealed handguns is dangerous.

You're argument that carrying a concealed handgun is dangerous has been proven false EVERY time another state passes a right to carry law... I'm guessing that you must live in one of the 4 states that don't allow concealed carry. That's right only 4 states deny the right to carry, and in 3 of those there is quite a groundswell to allow it. How scary would it be if all of a sudden law abiding civillians will be allowed to defend themselves...

Pepper spray will get you killed, so by all means keep carrying it.

On edit, it appears you're from canada... So I'll just stop arguing... as you people don't make any sense anyhow...

Wildbore · #10 (**permalink**) 09-15-2005, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The-Drew";p=&quot

On edit, it appears you're from canada... So I'll just stop arguing... as you people don't make any sense anyhow...

Yes, Canadians make no sense eh.

There are no right to carry laws in Canada, yet we have half the violent crime than America does, per capita of course. You'd think if us Canadians were so helpless to defend ourselves we would be victimized more, but no.

http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/le...htm?sdi=crimes
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/viort.htm

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