Do you have, or have you, a gun/guns in your home?

[Ride Junkie]

I've fired guns before, but have never owned one. I'm a little hesitant because I tend to have really vivid nightmares, and I'm afraid I might suddenly wake up & shoot at something that isn't really there. I wouldn't want to take out an innocent lamp, window, or DH!

 

[rayelias]

Unfortunately, I'm at work, and haven't had time to read through past this post. But I wanted to comment on an observation about this particular post and ones like it. You mention all of these other things that people use to kill or hurt other people. But the important thing to remember is that all of the other "weapons" you listed have other primary purposes. None of them are made "specifically" to kill. Guns are made specifically for that purpose. There are no 2 ways around that. So I think it's perfectly legitimate for someone to hate guns and not hate any of the other things you mentioned.

Just for the record, I am not against guns. I am not entirely for gun control. I think more needs to be done to keep guns from getting into the wrong hands, but I think that responsible, trained people should have every right to own and use a gun.

Do you have a problem with people who take Karate or Judo?

What is the "specific" purpose of those?

I have guns for self protection, because I'm a fat, lazy oaf who doesn't have the time to devote to martial arts, and doesn't want someone that close to me to have to defend myself.

If someone breaks in MY house, it's much easier to pluck them off from my 2nd floor balcony than wait for them to come upstairs to go hand-to-hand (or worse if they're armed in some way).

I also have guns because if we have to defend ourselves against our government or an invading force, it's a tad more effective than a spinning roundhouse kick.

 

[NikiM20]

I'm sorry for the loss in your family but children do need to be educated in gun safety. A gun cannot kill someone or something on its own. I grew up with guns in the house and knew they were not toys. When I was about 6-7 a neighbor boy brought a gun outside (not in someone's house), I knew to immediately leave the area and notify an adult. Turned out to be a bb gun but still a girl was shot with it. Boy thought it was a toy, girl didn't know to leave. ALL children should be taught gun safety whether there is a gun in their own home or not.

THAT is the point I am trying to make. Its not about puting the safety of the gun into a childs hands, its about the chld knowing what to do if they do encounter a gun.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

THAT is the point I am trying to make. Its not about puting the safety of the gun into a childs hands, its about the chld knowing what to do if they do encounter a gun.

Excellent point. We have guns in our home, they are locked. However both boys (7 & 4) know if they see a gun they are to run away from it and tell an adult.

My oldest DS was 5 at the time, when he was looking around at his grandfathers house. He opened a drawer and saw a gun inside. He ran over to me and told me. I was SO proud of him for doing the right thing.

 

[rparmfamily]

I'm a little tired of America's obsession w/guns. I wish all handguns were banned.

 

[In a hurry]

I'm a little tired of America's obsession w/guns. I wish all handguns were banned.

Heck, only if we get to ban all of the stuff I'm tired of, too!

 

[ntsammy5]

Yup, several - rifles, shotguns and handguns - I retired after 36 years in the army and I definitely know how to use them as well as several other kinds of weapons.

No further comment is necessary at this time.

 

[cats7494]

I'm a little tired of America's obsession w/guns. I wish all handguns were banned.

Not all Americans are "obesssed" I would like to see them banned as well.

 

[DisneyKT]

Really lets ban all handguns because that will solve all the worlds problems. I mean its not like there wouldn't be a black market on it. Or the thief's, crooks or gangbangers would abide by all the rules. Good Luck.

 

[BellvilleDad]

I have about a dozen rifles and shotguns at home, locked in my gun safe. We come from a hunting family, and prized guns are handed down and cared for.

DS and I hunt regularly. He knows not to touch a gun or be around anyone else who has a gun unless he is in my presence.

 

[Barbossa]

I've got a couple unloaded pistols in our safe. I bought them for home defense when I was single, but I'm very undecided about keeping them loaded now that I have a family. Part of me wants to have a firearm at the ready in case someone breaks into our house. The other part of me loathes even the slightest chance that one of my kids will be harmed by my own guns. Right now I'm erring on the side of caution.

 

[NikiM20]

I'm a little tired of America's obsession w/guns. I wish all handguns were banned.

Gee, Im tired of everyones obsession with Disney, lets close down all the parks. See how silly that sounds

Heck, only if we get to ban all of the stuff I'm tired of, too!

Im tired of alot, lets make a list.

Really lets ban all handguns because that will solve all the worlds problems. I mean its not like there wouldn't be a black market on it. Or the thief's, crooks or gangbangers would abide by all the rules. Good Luck.

Its not us law abiding citizens with guns that you have to worry about.

 

[ChrizJen]

Do you have a problem with people who take Karate or Judo?

What is the "specific" purpose of those?

I have guns for self protection, because I'm a fat, lazy oaf who doesn't have the time to devote to martial arts, and doesn't want someone that close to me to have to defend myself.

If someone breaks in MY house, it's much easier to pluck them off from my 2nd floor balcony than wait for them to come upstairs to go hand-to-hand (or worse if they're armed in some way).

I also have guns because if we have to defend ourselves against our government or an invading force, it's a tad more effective than a spinning roundhouse kick.

No, I have no problem with martial arts as a form of defense. Just as I have no problem with responsible adults owning guns.
If you'll re-read my post, I was simply stating that I can understand people who don't like guns. I was also stating that it made little sense to compare guns to things like baseball bats and knives. Sure, those things can be used to kill. But killing is not their primary purpose. As I stated before, guns were invented and made to kill, so I can certainly see the point of those who are against guns.

Again, I will state that I am NOT for total gun control. I simply feel that more needs to be done to keep them out of the wrong hands.
I personally have no guns, and I choose not to have them.
But if you're a law-abiding, responsible adult who's trained to use them, and choose to have them, that's you're choice and should be entirely within your rights.

 

[Barbossa]

Gee, Im tired of everyones obsession with Disney, lets close down all the parks. See how silly that sounds

Not one of the better analogies I've ever heard.

 

[livie1205]

I'm not going to be hostile, but I'm not encouraging a friendship.

I would be polite and pleasant when I saw her or him outside. Beyond that, no, I would not want to be any friendlier, and I certainly would never set foot in his or her house, nor would I want them in my home. My children would not be allowed on their property ever.

Actually, I have a neighbor who is a cop. The guy is a horse's patoot, so the point is moot. But I do wave and say hello, but no, we aren't friends.

not even worth it.....you should be greatfull if HE wanted to be friends...

 

[livie1205]

Folks, don't waste your breath. You can't change people who already have their minds made up like that.... besides, that isn't the kind of friend (as a police officer's wife) that I would want.

THANK YOU.... MY THOUGHTS ALSO....its hard to worry all night about your husband when you know their out there helping people like this huh?

 

[livie1205]

Well, I'll tell that to my aunt, whose child was killed by the "safely stored" gun owned by a law enforcement officer. I'm sure she'll feel much better.

I wouldn't view your home as a safe place as long as it contains a gun. I'm sure you're a nice person, but I wouldn't bring my family into a place that I don't consider safe.

accidents happen, so why not judge all of them by that? I know my dh LOCKS his in a safe every day when he gets home AND we have a deadbolt on our bedroom door for double protection...he is great do you know why? because even with those thoughts he would risk his life to save yours with no thought to his own safety.... ::cop:

 

[livie1205]

OMG I'm never leaving the house knowing there are people like this driving around!! I'm sorry, but what in the world do you need guns behind doors and under seats in your car??!??! Please please please tell me you life somewhere like Alabama!

your kidding right? lol I live in Florida so do not go to the mall there because my police officer dh whears his gun and badge when we go (under his shirt of course)He has seen to may of those mall shootings on tv I guess ... oh as for banning all handguns, why? so that only the bad guys have them and we can not defend ourselves because nice upstanding people would not have a banned handgun?That is silly....drugs are not legal but they still have them...

 

[freckles and boo]

accidents happen, so why not judge all of them by that? I know my dh LOCKS his in a safe every day when he gets home AND we have a deadbolt on our bedroom door for double protection...he is great do you know why? because even with those thoughts he would risk his life to save yours with no thought to his own safety.... ::cop:

I know plenty of cops, including one of my brothers. Not all them are noble human beings (and a couple of them are complete jerks) but they all do their jobs to serve and protect. That is their JOB. They don't have the luxury of deciding whom to serve and protect. To suggest that your husband is noble because he would protect someone who doesn't agree with your position on guns is silly. And many of the cops I know would rather citizens were unarmed and didn't have access to firearms. It would make their jobs a lot easier.

 

[Kath2003]

We have cops in the UK too. They carry guns (most of them). They leave the gun at work, where it belongs. I see no need whatsoever to have a gun, personally. There are still too many shootings in the UK.

Gun deaths in the USA by either accident OR homicide? 4.34 in 10,000, or a 0.045% chance.
Gun deaths in the UK by either accident OR homicide? 0.18 in 10,000, or a 0.0018% chance.
Basically you're more than twenty times as likely to be shot in the US than you are in the UK; you're ten times more likely to be shot by accident in the US than the UK.

So, yeah, I'm for a gun-free society.