Gun owners?
Replies
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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.
I had read recently that there is a chemical release that happens when you shoot, that is similar to sex. Seriously. It can be very therapeutic punching holes in paper plates. :-)0 -
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.
There has been a ton of advancement in projectile technology since Vietnam. There are a lot of high quality personal defense/law enforcement rounds available for the 5.56/.223 now. These are usually designed for maximum wounding with lower incidence of overpenetration (except for some of the barrier blind rounds which wouldn't be suitable for everyday citizen home defense). I use Hornady 75gr TAP there are several others.0 -
Best for home defense is usually a revolver.
Less complicated to use in times of stress. Better suited for sitting in a drawer for a long period of time and still working when it is needed.
38 special is pretty easy to handle and reasonably effective.
A .357 magnum has the advantage of being able to use 38 special ammo if that's what you're comfortable with, or .357 if you become accustomed to it with all the practice you should do before relying on a gun for self defense.
A .357 magnum is also heavier and will help you handle the recoil better for the .38 special ammo if you go that way.
All that to say, do what your husband recommends.0 -
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.
WOOHOO! I see more TVs in my future.0 -
Beretta Nano 9mm0
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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.
One in the chamber at all times... all I gotta say on that lol.0 -
It depends on what you want to use it for...
My husband and I are planning on living on a Ranch in Wyoming, and are looking into getting a 30 06 because it's a pretty standard hunting rifle here in ND, and if it works here, it should be enough to deter predators from going for the horses....
For worrying about intruders in the home, I would probably go with a Glock, not sure which one though as I'm not entirely comfortable having a hand gun in my home (I'm not as accurate with them as rifles, and so feel I have no place owning one until I have more time to practice).0 -
^^^ this ^^^
All that to say, do what your husband recommends.0 -
So just to get this straight: you feel so unsafe in your own country that you feel the need to protect yourself with deadly weapons?
And this does not bother you?
Aren't you all scared of the other people with guns then?
No because law abiding citizens don't shoot good guys and bad guys will have guns whether they are legal or not.
But they wouldn't if guns weren't commonly available, that's the point. The really, really bad guys would, those who know how to smuggle them into the country, but your average thug, or thief, or teenager high on drugs wouldn't.
If some kid breaks into my house to nick my TV, you can bet you last penny he won't have a gun with him - he wouldn't know where to get hold of one, and if he did he probably wouldn't risk the penalties that go with it.
Criminals follow laws because they are scared of penalties? LOL. Felons can't own guns here, but you can bet plenty of them have them.0 -
So just to get this straight: you feel so unsafe in your own country that you feel the need to protect yourself with deadly weapons?
And this does not bother you?
No. Let me give you an example you might relate to:
I feel pretty safe in my automobile. I've only been involved in 3 car accidents in the 25 years I've been driving, and 2 of those were when I was a teenager.
But I still wear my seatbelt every time I get in the car. I don't do this because I feel unsafe on the road, I do it because it's cheap and easy protection in the rare case I find myself in a car accident.
The same reasons I carry a first aid kit and a spare tire in my trunk. I'm not really afraid of getting a flat (I've never had one), but it's nice to know that if I have a flat tire I can handle it. I've had occasion to need a first aid kit so I'm glad I have that, too.
Same thing for keeping smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in the house. I'm not particularly afraid of a house fire, but such things are cheap and easy to have in case of such an emergency.Aren't you all scared of the other people with guns then?
People who lawfully carry concealed firearms are hardly ever involved in any kind of crime. The rate of revocation for concealed carry permits is less than 2%.
You are not likely to be a victim of crime by someone legally carrying a concealed weapon.0 -
I have a Bersa 380 which is an easy shoot plus I have it with the laser on it which pretty much let's my target know whats coming!
I love my little bersa "thunder". Accurate as hell, easy to shoot, safe and small enough to carry in my pocket if I want to. Though I generally carry my .40 s&w.
OP, if it's home defense you're after and worried about kids, get a pump action 10 or 12 gauge shotgun. The sound of jacking in a round is enough to stop most people. Don't have to worry about going through a wall. Stop anything short of an elephant.0 -
Here are some stats for our friends from across the pond
The International Crime Victims Survey, conducted by Leiden University in Holland, found that England and Wales ranked second overall in violent crime among industrialized nations.
Twenty-six percent of English citizens — roughly one-quarter of the population — have been victimized by violent crime. Australia led the list with more than 30 percent of its population victimized.
The United States didn’t even make the “top 10″ list of industrialized nations whose citizens were victimized by crime.
Jack Straw, the British home secretary, admitted that “levels of victimization are higher than in most comparable countries for most categories of crime.”
Highlights of the study indicated that:
The percentage of the population that suffered “contact crime” in England and Wales was 3.6 percent, compared with 1.9 percent in the United States and 0.4 percent in Japan.
Burglary rates in England and Wales were also among the highest recorded. Australia (3.9 percent) and Denmark (3.1 per cent) had higher rates of burglary with entry than England and Wales (2.8 percent). In the U.S., the rate was 2.6 percent, according to 1995 figures;
“After Australia and England and Wales, the highest prevalence of crime was in Holland (25 percent), Sweden (25 percent) and Canada (24 percent). The United States, despite its high murder rate, was among the middle ranking countries with a 21 percent victimization rate,” the London Telegraph said.
England and Wales also led in automobile thefts. More than 2.5 percent of the population had been victimized by car theft, followed by 2.1 percent in Australia and 1.9 percent in France. Again, the U.S. was not listed among the “top 10″ nations.
The study found that Australia led in burglary rates, with nearly 4 percent of the population having been victimized by a burglary. Denmark was second with 3.1 percent; the U.S. was listed eighth at about 1.8 percent.0 -
For home defense or carry is the option that makes a difference. If you are looking for something to conceal and carry the option that makes the best sense is a 25 cal. Baretta... small and yet sufficient damage. If you live in Texas and can carry openly a 44 or 357 tells people... You can't touch this! For home protection nothing can beat a 12 gauge pump action shotgun. Load with buck shot round then slug. The first shot will definitely knock them down and the followup will put down the vermin.0
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I don't have a carry permit, and I don't carry one. BUT - I have 3 at home for when the hubby is out of town, or just for target shooting fun.
I have a .22, a 9, and a .45. And I LOVE all three of them. But if someone came into my home in the middle of the night, and I had to grab one, I'd grab my .22 NO QUESTIONS.
It's enough to do damage if shot in the body, enough to kill if I go for your head, and I can control my shot the best. I can handle the 9 and a 45 when target shooting, but in an emergency situation, when your adreneline is rushing, and your hands are shaking, I don't need the extra kick back.
Don't count on it. there was a case where a man took a 9mm shot to the forehead and it just traveled under the skin, never penetrated the bone. Drove himself to the hospital to have it removed. Also, a 22 can be stopped completely by nothing more than a leather jacket or several layers of clothing.
Well, Number one, I didn't say I was shooting Superman, who had an inpenetrable skull. Number two, if you have ever taken a self defense class - you know what part of the head to aim FOR. Like the eyeball, or the soft spot right on the temple. And I doubt the average Joe that would break into my house isn't going to be wearing body armor, and even if he is wearing several layers of clothing, that leather coat isn't going to cover the part of a man that I would take aim for. And I doubt any rapist comes prepared wearing a cup.
How often do you practice putting those little rounds in vital spots while moving and with your heart rate at about 200bpm and your hands covered in sweat?
Well, since I have never actaully shot anyone, and I have fortunately never had to do a real-life test of my little theory. I will tell you that I am a sexual assult victim myself. I have taken numerous self defense courses and classes. And one thing I do about once a month is have my husband run a drill for me, so that I can practice.
You see, we have a gun safe in our closet. That thing is locked up nice and tight. Without my knowing when it is going to happen, he will replace MY gun with a pellet gun, unloaded and mounted with my site. He will wake up in the middle of the night, and set the alarm off... That way I can practice how long it takes me to get out of bed, to the gun safe, out of the safe, laser on, and take aim. And when you are woken out of a dead sleep - and its pitch black, trust me. Your adreneline is pumping, and your hands are sweaty. And 9 times out of 10, I don't know I've got an unloaded pellet gun until he turns the lights on. I'll take my chances with the training I've had.0 -
I have a Taurus PT709. It's compact, thin and fits great in my hand. Not too much of a kick either. The only downside is that I've found I'm not a fan of the long trigger pull - it's taking some getting used to. I shot a friend's Sig a while back and LOVED it. But it was too big for everyday carry. Going to look into the compact version.
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.
And this^^^ is probably one of the most absurd things I have ever heard anyone utter in my lifetime.0 -
I have a Bersa 380 which is an easy shoot plus I have it with the laser on it which pretty much let's my target know whats coming!
I love my little bersa "thunder". Accurate as hell, easy to shoot, safe and small enough to carry in my pocket if I want to. Though I generally carry my .40 s&w.
OP, if it's home defense you're after and worried about kids, get a pump action 10 or 12 gauge shotgun. The sound of jacking in a round is enough to stop most people. Don't have to worry about going through a wall. Stop anything short of an elephant.
And if an elephant is breaking in.....well, that's a whole other set of problems.......0 -
For home defense, forget the pistol, go rifle...or a good shotgun. Everyone knows the sound of a shotgun being cocked. Or as I've heard others say, "I'll only use my pistol to fight my way back to where I have my rifle."
If you want it to carry as well, like others have said, try 'em out. I love a 1911 .45 and have been considering a Glock. The only thing about carrying a large caliber is the weight and number of rounds. With my 9mm I get 16 rounds, but with the .45 I'd only have 11.
I personally am not a fan of .22, I really don't see the point of it for defense. Unless it's your little backup when things get really bad.
Just my 2 pennies.
Gun needs to be cocked to begin with. While it can be a terrifying sound, what if the person breaking in has an AK47 and hears you **** a shotgun? Probably gonna start unloading in your direction
Better than hearing you cocking your .22 revolver. Just a suggestion, not everyone is going to agree. And if you reread what I said, the first thing I suggested was a rifle, then a pause for a lesser suggestion of a shotgun.
Better for them to not hear anything other than the first shot. An unloaded gun is no better than a brick. I am far from a criminal but if I broke in someplace and had my AK, which I leave a 48 round mag in, and I heard a shotgun being racked I would cut that half of the house in half so the person couldn't shoot me first.0 -
How's that saying go again? When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.
Nuff said.
Yep!
I have a Glock 19 for home defense. It'll do the job if I ever need to use it. 0 -
For home defense or carry is the option that makes a difference. If you are looking for something to conceal and carry the option that makes the best sense is a 25 cal. Baretta... small and yet sufficient damage. If you live in Texas and can carry openly a 44 or 357 tells people... You can't touch this! For home protection nothing can beat a 12 gauge pump action shotgun. Load with buck shot round then slug. The first shot will definitely knock them down and the followup will put down the vermin.
Open carry of handguns is illegal in Texas.0 -
I have a Bersa 380 which is an easy shoot plus I have it with the laser on it which pretty much let's my target know whats coming!
I love my little bersa "thunder". Accurate as hell, easy to shoot, safe and small enough to carry in my pocket if I want to. Though I generally carry my .40 s&w.
OP, if it's home defense you're after and worried about kids, get a pump action 10 or 12 gauge shotgun. The sound of jacking in a round is enough to stop most people. Don't have to worry about going through a wall. Stop anything short of an elephant.
I also carry the Bersa Mini .45 "thunder" GREAT GUN!!0 -
Here are some stats for our friends from across the pond
The International Crime Victims Survey, conducted by Leiden University in Holland, found that England and Wales ranked second overall in violent crime among industrialized nations.
Twenty-six percent of English citizens — roughly one-quarter of the population — have been victimized by violent crime. Australia led the list with more than 30 percent of its population victimized.
The United States didn’t even make the “top 10″ list of industrialized nations whose citizens were victimized by crime.
Jack Straw, the British home secretary, admitted that “levels of victimization are higher than in most comparable countries for most categories of crime.”
Highlights of the study indicated that:
The percentage of the population that suffered “contact crime” in England and Wales was 3.6 percent, compared with 1.9 percent in the United States and 0.4 percent in Japan.
Burglary rates in England and Wales were also among the highest recorded. Australia (3.9 percent) and Denmark (3.1 per cent) had higher rates of burglary with entry than England and Wales (2.8 percent). In the U.S., the rate was 2.6 percent, according to 1995 figures;
“After Australia and England and Wales, the highest prevalence of crime was in Holland (25 percent), Sweden (25 percent) and Canada (24 percent). The United States, despite its high murder rate, was among the middle ranking countries with a 21 percent victimization rate,” the London Telegraph said.
England and Wales also led in automobile thefts. More than 2.5 percent of the population had been victimized by car theft, followed by 2.1 percent in Australia and 1.9 percent in France. Again, the U.S. was not listed among the “top 10″ nations.
The study found that Australia led in burglary rates, with nearly 4 percent of the population having been victimized by a burglary. Denmark was second with 3.1 percent; the U.S. was listed eighth at about 1.8 percent.
I'm willing to bet Australia shot to the top of those stats immediately after the forced surrendering of their firearms.0 -
For home defense or carry is the option that makes a difference. If you are looking for something to conceal and carry the option that makes the best sense is a 25 cal. Baretta... small and yet sufficient damage. If you live in Texas and can carry openly a 44 or 357 tells people... You can't touch this! For home protection nothing can beat a 12 gauge pump action shotgun. Load with buck shot round then slug. The first shot will definitely knock them down and the followup will put down the vermin.
Please completely ignore this post.0 -
I carry a .38 special with hollow point ammo. For protection when I hunt I have hubby load the .357's. Nice thing about this gun, is it shoots either one.0
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Actually, they didn't. It was a steady increase, nonetheless. The most anti of anti-gun scholars even admit that banning guns in Australia was an absolute failure. It did not evoke any reduction in crime, whatsoever.I'm willing to bet Australia shot to the top of those stats immediately after the forced surrendering of their firearms.0 -
Plus we can open carry in Colorado. I do have my concealed weapon permit also.0
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Actually, they didn't. It was a steady increase, nonetheless. The most anti of anti-gun scholars even admit that banning guns in Australia was an absolute failure. It did not evoke any reduction in crime, whatsoever.I'm willing to bet Australia shot to the top of those stats immediately after the forced surrendering of their firearms.
Agreed. I meant that after they had to forcibly turn in their guns for demolition, that the violent crime rates had to increase substantially.0 -
I like Sig Suer or Glocks personally.
http://www.sigsauer.com/Catalog/pistols.aspx
http://us.glock.com/products/sector/women0 -
Oh I love the gun debates. Always brings out the keyboard cowboys. Every time I read these I have to wonder how many of these tough guys have ever been in a position to either have a gun pulled on them or had to pull one in self defense. Judging by the comments, not many.0
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Oh I love the gun debates. Always brings out the keyboard cowboys. Every time I read these I have to wonder how many of these tough guys have ever been in a position to either have a gun pulled on them or had to pull one in self defense. Judging by the comments, not many.
I've had a gun pulled on me and a gun shot at me. And guess what? A gun is what saved my life.
So neener. neener. neener.0 -
Really? I was with you until that sentence....There is a risk of using it for suicide...
I do not buy the suicide angle for being anti-gun, either, for the record.
However, there are risks associated with owning a firearm. These risks might even be greater than your risk of being a victim of violent crime, depending on where you live.
Many people still decide, however, that it is better to be prepared and take the risks that come with that decision.0
This discussion has been closed.
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