Do you own a gun??? Inspired by PD

[kdibattista]

DH has been trying to convince me to allow a gun in the house for protection. We live in a very quiet area with very little crime and I just don't see the need. He has a few hunting rifles that are safely locked away that I am ok with but this is something that I have a hard time with.

Just curious what others think...

 

[poptoone]

I have a 380 pistol in the house for protection. It has a passcoded gun lock on it that I can have off in about 10 seconds (practice makes perfect). The wife tried for 2 hours to figure out the code and couldn't do it as a safety test for the kiddie.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I used to own many. Now I own none.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I'm afraid of guns. I sort of had a desire to learn to fire one, but I don't see that ever happening.

 

[highland3]

I have guns at work ::cop: but not at home!!!!

Here in the great white north (okay we don't have any snow here) there are strict limits of guns... and handguns are virtually outlawed for personal use. Even if they were permitted... I would not have one in the house. We see too many incidents of kids and guns.

I AM NOT LOOKING TO STIR THE POT I know there are some areas where I might feel safer with a pistol stashed away near my bed... just in case. I'm definitely not criticizing those who are armed. It is your right in America... and I understand anyone's decision to have a gun. There are always cases where having a gun in the house has allowed the homeower to save their entire family from violent offenders.

 

[dcentity2000]

Guns are controlled pretty strictly over here; the most we have are airsoft guns (think paintballing only more fun )



Rich::

 

[The Mayor]

I own both handguns and rifles and am licensed to carry...my wife and children (24 & 22) are all excellent shooters also...they are kept in a gun safe in my basement except for the .38 which is kept with me all the time.

 

[Cool-Beans]

We have guns. DH hunts and we have protection guns, too.

We did have a guy come into the house once, while I was home. After that, I learned how to shoot. Nothing like locking the barn door after the horse is gone!

I always figured stuff like that only happens to other people. Now I'm older and wiser. I don't expect a house fire, but we have fire insurance. I don't expect another break-in, but I have the gun. No way in hell another person will come in and hurt anyone in my home. That's how I look at it.

But I think it is a decision everyone has to make for themselves. Some folks want the guns to protect their family from criminals. Other folks want no guns to protect their family from itself. I think both choices are made with the welfare of the family in mind.

Everyone has to do what they think is best for their family.

 

[lulu71]

I owned a pistol and have gone through intensive training to use it. I no longer own it and am undecided if I will get another one.

 

[mrsltg]

We do. DH is a policeman and that's how it is. However, when he's not on the job anymore we will still have them in the home. I generally don't give them a second thought. They are secured and I know how to get a hold of one if necessary.

To the policeman from Canada- you aren't able to carry your service weapon home with you? How does that work? You leave the station unarmed? Wow! I'm shocked if that's the case. Also, do you have to intervene if a crime is taking place and you are off duty? DH does if he's in the District. No way that would happen without the gun. Very interesting.

 

[Charade]

Here in the great white north (okay we don't have any snow here) there are strict limits of guns... and handguns are virtually outlawed for personal use. Even if they were permitted... I would not have one in the house. We see too many incidents of kids and guns.

.

How is that possible with such strict ownership laws? Are you saying that people disobey the law and have guns anyway?

 

[Michie]

If you do not feel comfortable with a firearm, then do not get one. If you do not think you are able to use one in a time of need, do not get one.

 

[kdibattista]

If you do not feel comfortable with a firearm, then do not get one. If you do not think you are able to use one in a time of need, do not get one.

Right now, I'm trying to decide if the benefit would outweigh the potential risk.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

DH is a police officer. So he has a duty gun and we have a few other firearms as well. We go to the range together now and then.

 

[uratoon]

We own several of them, but we do not have them for protection. We KILL stuff with them!!

We live in the sticks and there is always something roaming around that needs to be shot. Armadillos and opossums are very frequent.

 

[kdibattista]

We own several of them, but we do not have them for protection. We KILL stuff with them!!

We live in the sticks and there is always something roaming around that needs to be shot. Armadillos and opossums are very frequent.

Cousin Eddy... is that you

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

My DH owns 6 shotguns and one pistol and they are kept in a safe in the basement. He is also a lifetime NRA member.

 

[reeeoga]

DH has been trying to convince me to allow a gun in the house for protection. We live in a very quiet area with very little crime and I just don't see the need. He has a few hunting rifles that are safely locked away that I am ok with but this is something that I have a hard time with.

Just curious what others think...

I'm going to put this bluntly: There are no "very little crime" areas in the world. Any place can be a crime area at any time. My Niece works in a "Victoria's Secret" in the mall. Her coworker was shot and killed at work, in the store. There had not been a murder at the mall sense it was opened in 1979.

If you are having a hard time with the idea of a gun in the house, then you should start out by taking a gun safety course. You should then take a gun shooting course. After you have had a chance to learn how to use the gun,then decide if you want one in the house. Make the decision after you get some training and have had a chance to learn about guns. Its sort of like a person deciding not to own a car because they can't drive. After they learn to drive then they can make a better decision.

Did any of this make sense?

 

[Mad4Mickey]

Glock 40 right where only DH and I know it is . And now that we have a 6 yr old in the house it is kept with a gun lock on it . He doesnt even know it is here and I want to keep it that way .

 

[GeorgeG]

I have four handguns and one shotgun. I used to have a lot more, but got rid of them when I quit hunting. What I didn't sell, I gave to my grandson (USMC - he knows a thing or two about guns).

We live in a peaceful community and the chances of needing a gun for defense are slim, about the same as having a fire in my house, but I also have several fire extinguishers on hand. You don't need a gun (or fire extinguisher) until you need it, but when you need it isn't the time to start thinking about buying one.

The same logic applies: Call the fire department and then use the fire extinguisher if you can. Call the police and then use the gun if you absolutely need to.