Gun owners?

maillemaker

It's kinda scaring the crap out of me. I only know a handful of people (relatives) who own guns and those that do use them for hunting, otherwise they're locked safely away.

The whole concept weirds me out big time. They're simply not necessary.

In the United States over a million people ever year are victims of violent crime.

Self-defense is clearly necessary, and a firearm is one of the few tools that can put the weakest person on an equal footing with nearly any attacker.

karenjoy

I was raped when I was 9 years old, I am glad some of you find the idea so hilarious

edited because not all of you are *kitten*

_JR_

An AR15 for HOME DEFENSE? Are you sure? Because I think that would be fairly dangerous to anyone in an adjacent room or apartment, please correct me if I am wrong. The glock 19 or a shotgun I could definitely understand with some 00 shot in there most likely wouldn't go through several walls. Where as an AR15 would go through a few walls...

This is actually a fairly dangerous assumption.

The fact is, just about any firearm will shoot through several layers of sheet rock. In fact, unless you have a brick home or get lucky and hit a stud in a wall, just about any firearm will shoot right through one side of a house and out the other side.

A shotgun will easily shoot through 7 layers of sheet rock. That is 3 and a half interior walls. I don't think there is any room in my house with 3 walls between it and any other part of the house.

Isn't an AR-15 round meant to tumble violently upon initial impact, and then fragment? Wouldn't this become less lethal faster than, say a .45 ball round?

I'm genuinely curious on this topic.

digitalbill

I have been reading with a mixture of fear and amusement at some of the comments reguarding the .22.

Now, I can tell you flat out that not everyone simply "drops" after getting shot. While I am reading a lot about how different people are wonderful shots and have years of experience (nothing wrong with that), I am willing to bet that I am one of the small minority on here with actual combat experience.
I have been witness to people getting hit multiple times with .223 (M-16) and not even slow down.
I have also seen the damage that a .22 round causes once it bounces around a bit inside of the torso.
Will a .22 bounce off a leather jacket? Maybe.
Will someone who is a crack shot with a 9MM end up in a panic and pumping out 14 rounds without hitting anything? Maybe.

I carry my .22 for one reason. I can keep it in my pocket right next to my cell phone. I cannot carry my Magnum at work and keep it tucked under my shirt.

I am NOT a big fan of semi automatics for the simple reason that, in a panic, you have to either chamber a round or take the safety off (I know there are a few with double trigger safetys). When you are scared, you tend to forget the most basic things. Again, I speak from experience.
It is very difficuly to replicate that kind of fear even in the best training environments.

With that said, let the debates continue.

sjohnny

It's kinda scaring the crap out of me. I only know a handful of people (relatives) who own guns and those that do use them for hunting, otherwise they're locked safely away.

The whole concept weirds me out big time. They're simply not necessary.

In the United States over a million people ever year are victims of violent crime.

Self-defense is clearly necessary, and a firearm is one of the few tools that can put the weakest person on an equal footing with nearly any attacker.

Plus, they're a whole lot of fun to shoot.

_JR_

I'm no history buff, but didn't the US bring their guns to a little island's defense back in the early '40s?

good2bthaking

are you talking home defense? my suggestion for a home is a shotgun. If you have ever tried firing a pistol at night, you know it's tough to hit the target. Throw in darkness, fear and noise, and you have increased the odds of missing. Shot gun covers more area and less penetration of adjoining walls, ie bedrooms where kids may be sleeping. Just my suggestion. For a personal weapon to carry, I like a 9mm because we used them in the service and I am comfortable and competent with it.

padraigin67

I was raped when I was 9 years old, I am glad you all find the idea so hilarious

They do not find the rape hilarious. They find the naive post of educating men not to rape ridiculous. As a rape victim, I get it.

katamus

Hmmm. Wondering if I should take that class.

Then you'd just go back to stealing televisions, right?

FrenchMob

I was raped when I was 9 years old, I am glad some of you find the idea so hilarious

edited because not all of you are *kitten*

Imagine if a passer-by had a gun and dropped your attacker. Bet you wouldn't have minded that would you?

sjohnny

I'm no history buff, but didn't the US bring their guns to a little island's defense back in the early '40s?

That was before that little island started regulating guns. We wouldn't be allowed to do that now with their current laws.

digitalbill

An AR15 for HOME DEFENSE? Are you sure? Because I think that would be fairly dangerous to anyone in an adjacent room or apartment, please correct me if I am wrong. The glock 19 or a shotgun I could definitely understand with some 00 shot in there most likely wouldn't go through several walls. Where as an AR15 would go through a few walls...

This is actually a fairly dangerous assumption.

The fact is, just about any firearm will shoot through several layers of sheet rock. In fact, unless you have a brick home or get lucky and hit a stud in a wall, just about any firearm will shoot right through one side of a house and out the other side.

A shotgun will easily shoot through 7 layers of sheet rock. That is 3 and a half interior walls. I don't think there is any room in my house with 3 walls between it and any other part of the house.

Isn't an AR-15 round meant to tumble violently upon initial impact, and then fragment? Wouldn't this become less lethal faster than, say a .45 ball round?

I'm genuinely curious on this topic.

It depends on the round.
some will fragment upon impact while other types of rounds will pass right thru the target and only leave a little hole. Not even any knock down power.

sjohnny

Hmmm. Wondering if I should take that class.

Then you'd just go back to stealing televisions, right?

Maybe. Depends on how good the class is.

corn63

I was raped when I was 9 years old, I am glad you all find the idea so hilarious

They do not find the rape hilarious. They find the naive post of educating men not to rape ridiculous. As a rape victim, I get it.

This.

Rape is not a laughing matter. However, insisting that we just need to educate men not to rape is a complete laughing matter and you should be publicly mock for saying such.

maillemaker

Really? How many rapes are prevented every day by guns? You have a verifiable statistic on that?

Rape isn't prevented by owning a gun, it's prevented by teaching men not to rape.

Well, sure. In fact, all violent crime can be prevented by teaching people not to be violent to other people.

But the fact remains that people have been violent to other people throughout all recorded history. And every year in the United States over a million people are victims of violent crime, including rape.

Now, there are risks associated with owning firearms. There is a risk of accident, either by you or your family members. There is a risk of it being stolen or used against you. There is a risk of using it for suicide.

And in fact your risk of being a victim of violent crime is very low.

But many people have decided it is better to be prepared and not need a gun than to be unprepared and find you need one. In the United States, we have that freedom.

_JR_

An AR15 for HOME DEFENSE? Are you sure? Because I think that would be fairly dangerous to anyone in an adjacent room or apartment, please correct me if I am wrong. The glock 19 or a shotgun I could definitely understand with some 00 shot in there most likely wouldn't go through several walls. Where as an AR15 would go through a few walls...

This is actually a fairly dangerous assumption.

The fact is, just about any firearm will shoot through several layers of sheet rock. In fact, unless you have a brick home or get lucky and hit a stud in a wall, just about any firearm will shoot right through one side of a house and out the other side.

A shotgun will easily shoot through 7 layers of sheet rock. That is 3 and a half interior walls. I don't think there is any room in my house with 3 walls between it and any other part of the house.

Isn't an AR-15 round meant to tumble violently upon initial impact, and then fragment? Wouldn't this become less lethal faster than, say a .45 ball round?

I'm genuinely curious on this topic.

It depends on the round.
some will fragment upon impact while other types of rounds will pass right thru the target and only leave a little hole. Not even any knock down power.

Now that I think of it, I recall an article about the .223 in Vietnam, just ice-picking the Vietnamese soldiers, because they didn't possess enough body mass for the round to start tumbling.

buffcleb

My hubby wants to get me a gun for Christmas and I'm not sure what I want. He's away this week on a hunting trip in the arctic circle and left me his .357 just in case! I have my gun permit and am a fabulous shot according to dh and my dad.

Just wondering what is a good gun for personal defense. I want something lightweight and not a lot of kick to it. My dad suggested a .22 revolver.

Just looking for suggestions! Thank you!

I would recommend a Glock 26. It's small, concealable, not a lot of kick, easy to handle and it's a semi-auto .9mm. That's what I have.

Also, they're not difficult to strip and clean and they're the best I've run across. I.E. I went to the range and had someone in the lane next to me laughing at the fact I had a Glock. Funny thing, mine never jammed and he was cussing almost constantly because his did.

I have a glock 26... Little chucky but I carry it inside the waist ban... great gun... also have a ruger lcp when the glock just wont work with what I am wearing...

karenjoy

I was raped when I was 9 years old, I am glad some of you find the idea so hilarious

edited because not all of you are *kitten*

Imagine if a passer-by had a gun and dropped your attacker. Bet you wouldn't have minded that would you?

ummm a passer by without a gun would have stopped it, it was in my garden, and no I would not have wanted him shot dead, I was 9 years old, the death of this man, who was a family friend, in front of me would have traumatised me just as much as the act itself, this is one of the most thoughtless statements ever.

rrrobinson52

I prefer the S&W M&P .40. It is my first firearm. It has some kick, but my goal is personal protection and I am certain that the M&P will stop a treat! Go to your local gunstore that also has a range. You can rent various ones and try before you buy.

corn63

My hubby wants to get me a gun for Christmas and I'm not sure what I want. He's away this week on a hunting trip in the arctic circle and left me his .357 just in case! I have my gun permit and am a fabulous shot according to dh and my dad.

Just wondering what is a good gun for personal defense. I want something lightweight and not a lot of kick to it. My dad suggested a .22 revolver.

Just looking for suggestions! Thank you!

I would recommend a Glock 26. It's small, concealable, not a lot of kick, easy to handle and it's a semi-auto .9mm. That's what I have.

Also, they're not difficult to strip and clean and they're the best I've run across. I.E. I went to the range and had someone in the lane next to me laughing at the fact I had a Glock. Funny thing, mine never jammed and he was cussing almost constantly because his did.

I have a glock 26... Little chucky but I carry it inside the waist ban... also have a ruger lcp when the glock just wont work with what I am wearing...

ooo a gun to accessorize with.

Marry me.

trackercasey76

"Yeah - I actually feel much safer if I know more people are legally carrying guns."


Funny, I feel a lot safer without any guns around.

Also, all that hardwear doesn't seem to be stopping anyone from breaking into your place either.
Besides, I'd prefer them to take the stuff and let the insurance deal with it that risk killing another person. My things aren't worth a human life.

Amazing things, those cultural differences.

Unfortunately, it may be you or your families "virtue" or life that they take. But hey, I'm sure your insurance will cover that too, right?

I guess your bad guys must be different from ours. Burglaries are rarely violent here.
I imagine they get violent a lot more quickly if one or both parties has a gun.

Anyways, we could go back and forth on this for a long time and still disagree.
Let's just say that living in a free country does not mean to me to have the right to protect myself, but to have no need to do so.
Looks like we're all exactly where we should be.

Honey you need to educate yourself... Excluding rape and murder you are MORE likely to be involved in a violent crime in the UK.

tameejean

Sig Sauer P229 :happy:

GorillaEsq

...There is a risk of using it for suicide...

Really? I was with you until that sentence.

FrenchMob

How's that saying go again? When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.

Nuff said.

katamus

Hmmm. Wondering if I should take that class.

Then you'd just go back to stealing televisions, right?

Maybe. Depends on how good the class is.

I hear it has a 100% success rate.

wholelottarosa

It's kinda scaring the crap out of me. I only know a handful of people (relatives) who own guns and those that do use them for hunting, otherwise they're locked safely away.

The whole concept weirds me out big time. They're simply not necessary.

In the United States over a million people ever year are victims of violent crime.

Self-defense is clearly necessary, and a firearm is one of the few tools that can put the weakest person on an equal footing with nearly any attacker.

Plus, they're a whole lot of fun to shoot.

Now that I can imagine. As long as it's at paper targets.

zoeluiisa

LOL @ the gif of the chick falling over! This was almost me trying out turkey load this past weekend - holy crap those kick!

Just wanted to chime in on this as I'm somewhat of a recent convert. I've never been anti-gun persay but on the fence about it. Hubs started buying guys after we bought the house because he wanted to get more into hunting. I wasn't 100% on board but I was fine as long as they were for hunting only, stayed unloded and the ammo was hidden away out of reach. He bought a couple handguns for defense but they still stayed tucked away for the most part for my peace of mind. By the way, very important point - we don't have kids or pets and no children ever come to visit our home.

Then things changed.. Earlier this year, we started having trouble with the neighbors and I truly felt threatened and started being happy about the guns in my home. And finally this past weekend, Hubs took me out shooting and I absolutely fell in love wtih it, especially the AK-47! What a rush! I'm still not a fan of loaded guns in the house, especially the revolver, but I'm warming to the idea. And I totally get the whole idea of being able to defend your home just in case. I'm not going to live in fear but I'm not naive either. We live in one of the areas with highest crime in our state. We may be 5-10 miles away from the "bad" neighborhoods but it doesn't take long to drive a car, or even walk that far.

For those of you in the UK, it's going to be hard for us to explain this to you because it's such an alien concept. Think of it this way...if the criminals are the only ones with the guns, what are you going to do to defend yourself if one of them shows up at your door? You must fight fire with fire. This doesn't mean all of us who own guns would shoot you just for tresspassing (but in some states, they have every right to if they feel threatened). It also doesn't mean that we all carry our guns with us all the time. Most of the gun owners I know don't carry them on a regular basis because so many are as afraid as you all are and it freaks people out. Concealed carry is something you need a special permit for so again, something not many will bother with unless they have some specific purpose like a job need or they are particularly into guns...meaning, it's not common. And all of the gun owners I know are extremely responsible and serious about it - they're not criminals or thugs, just interested in hunting and/or home defense.

Plus it's our birthright as USAn citizens...says right in our Constitution that we can own them and we have a right to defend ourselves with them either individually or as part of a military group.

Thank you for taking the time to explain.

And for not ridiculing "the Brits" for struggling to understand what is to us (and to many other countries) a very alien thing.

GorillaEsq

Hmmm. Wondering if I should take that class.

Then you'd just go back to stealing televisions, right?

Maybe. Depends on how good the class is.

I hear it has a 100% success rate.

Yeah, but the homework is a b!tch.

horndave

I was raped when I was 9 years old, I am glad some of you find the idea so hilarious

edited because not all of you are *kitten*

I really don't think anyone in this thread has found the idea of someone getting raped is funny. In fact, quite despicable.

However, the comment came up to stop rape you have to "teach men not to rape". I am paraphrasing. That statement based off of ignorance (IMHO) is so asinine it is comical.

I am sorry that happened to you.

katamus

Hmmm. Wondering if I should take that class.

Then you'd just go back to stealing televisions, right?

Maybe. Depends on how good the class is.

I hear it has a 100% success rate.

Yeah, but the homework is a b!tch.

Must refrain from posting what I'm thinking..