12%

[shanstress70]

<div class='quotemain'>

Of course I totally respect anyone's decision NOT to own a gun just as much as I hope my choice TO own a gun is respected. But I'm curious... how can you defend yourself without a gun if an armed intruder breaks into your house?

LOL...I'll answer your question with a question....why would an armed intruder break into my home? Actually, I am not afraid that would happen because the chances of that happening are so minute that I feel I would still not need a weapon like a gun. Besides, if I heard a noise I would have to take the time to get the gun off the top shelf of my closet, unlock the trigger lock (after finding the key) and then go to the desk drawer and load the gun....so I figure by that time I, myself and family are already dead.....or do you think keeping a loaded weapon around the house is a good idea when you have kids? Hmmmm.....I could see it now, a noise wakes me.....I grab my loaded gun, still half asleep quietly walk downstairs and there coming in the back door I see him, I aim and shoot...once, twice, three times....the intruder goes down....I take a breath and turn on the lights to see I have just killed my daughter who was just letting her dog out to pee. OR perhaps I do confront an intruder who has a gun....and he kills me first. NOPE, a really good loud alarm with do much better than a loaded gun....see my point?

To answer your question....to know that the intruder was armed I would have to see him, in other words by that time it's too late...besides if I knew there was someone breaking into my home, the first thing I'd do was call 911...the second was to yell at the top of my lungs "I KNOW YOU'RE THERE, MY SHOTGUN IS LOADED AND I'M COMING TO BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF"....You think they'll stick around gun or not?

Yes we do have a loaded gun in the house in a safe that my child would never be able to get into bc of the combination. My child doesn't even know it is there.

In the safe with the handgun is a high powered flashlight so that you can see exactly who it is before shooting. My husband has taken many gun courses which teaches you to do all these things, and he is well-practiced at this situation... this includes practicing inputting the combination so he can get the gun out quickly, then taking the safety off.

We also teach our child about gun safety so that he knows how to handle the situation if he ever encounters one outside of our house.

Do you really think calling 911 is going to get you anywhere? It takes several minutes to get there, and by then it's too late.

[Dr T]

I hear what you are saying Shan. I just want to note that 911 is actually a very useful tool/resource.

Dr. T

[shanstress70]

I hear what you are saying Shan. I just want to note that 911 is actually a very useful tool/resource.

Dr. T

I don't know that anyone would disagree with you there. But no matter how good/fast they are, if someone is in your home there is no time to wait for someone to show up.

[Dr T]

I was just saying, "don't belittle 911 if that's the only option" that's all I meant.

Dr. T

[Guest funkyfool]

I know very well how exremely easy it is to get ahold of a firearm living in the United states. I really believe that it is our culture here in the United States. I believe that the government is doing all that they can to regulate weapons. Our world is going downhill and yes, a stricted gun policy is not going to make a bit of difference due to the availability of firearms on the black market. From personal experience, i have learned a lot about the control of firearms here in the united states. The laws are very strict with great consequences if one is found in illegal possession. Jacking up security can only do so much. People will do what they want.

I think that education about the possesion of firearms should be adopted in more places. I dont think that people are always aware of the statistics of gun related injuries. Educate the nation. Maybe that will make somewhat of a difference. But in all honesty, i dont think that there is a solution to the probem. Its a shame that people are dying, especially children. I just dont see a solution.

Also, i live about 45 minutes from the shooting in lancaster pennsylvania. Its painful to hear about the death of innocent young lives. But guns offer protection as well. anywho..thats my scattered 2 cents worth on this subject

[Dr T]

Hey Funcky,

Did you get caught taking a gun to school? Just curious. Nice pic too btw.

Dr. T

[LionHeart]

I can't think of anything that does not have opposition. Take the internet for example: There is a world of knowledge available through the internet. However, there is also alot of filth and debtrimental material through it as well. In order for someone to have the good that comes from it, they must also assume the risks of the bad.

We hear on the news of all of the people who have been gunned down because the media thrives on negative material. But how often do we hear of any of the cases when a father gunned down an intruder or exposed his gun to scare off an intruder in order to save the lives of his family? Almost never.

Before we can make a true judgment, we would need to compare statistics of lives lost to statistics of lives saved.

But that is near impossible because the good is always ignored.

L.H.

[Guest funkyfool]

ooo, well said lionheart

[john doe]

I think that I speak for all responsible gun owners when I say that I hope that I will never have to carry out a confrontation to the point where I would ever even have to have my finger on the trigger, that merely the sound of the cylinder closing would be enough to deter someone who means harm to me and my family. No responsible gun owner wants to even have to point a gun in the general direction of another human being. To shoot or kill another human being is a huge thing to do, but if it comes down to a question of an intruder getting shot or a member of my family losing their life or innocence, I'll side with the protection of my family and loved ones. I think I can live with shooting a person if it means one of my daughters or my wife doesn't get killed or raped right before my eyes. You may say the odds are low that it will happen to you, but how many victims never thought it would happen to them either? Until that one time that it did happen. The Boy Scout motto is Be Prepared. I plan on being prepared as much as possible, and hope and pray it will never come to pass.

[BenRaines]

Having been a police officer and being a Marine, once a Marine always a Marine, I have drawn down on people before. Never shot anyone but have been close. I can tell you that the real sound of a pump shotgun being racked or pumped for those who do not know what racked means it is much more intimidating than yelling I have a gun and I am not afraid to use it.

After racking a shotgun if there is anyone left to yell at that I have a shotgun then I will.

I too hope to never have to do it but being a faithful scout since the time I was 8 and still am I too believe in being prepared.

Semper Fi

Ben Raines

[prisonchaplain]

How many times do I have to say it? *exasperated* Let me make this clear (though I thought I did so in my last post)--I do not have a problem with gun ownership. If people want to own guns, go hunting, do target practice, etc., that's fine with me (but shooting people is not kosher, eh?). I was merely explaining that there is a sound constitutional rationale for some amount of gun control, like licensing, background checks, etc. OK?!!

How many times? Once per string. I don't know you that well, and had not read this explanation from you. BTW, I'm not an NRA fanatic, and don't have a problem with some amount of control.

At least you don't pretend to be objective.

I've never met an "objective" person in my life. If you know of one, I'd be fascinated to meet her!

I thank God every day that when we were dating my wife had somehow lost her objectivity, and had a bout of insanity that led her to say "Yes."

[CaptainTux]

I will not speak on what laws should or should not be passed. A gun is a tool. For the police, it is used to serve and protect. For the military, same thing. For the hunter, it is either used for sport or for food. I suppose I like where the amish come from on the use of the gun as a weapon. I have no use for it to defend my life or the life of my family.

I am not sure there is any one piece of legislation that will resolve this horrible issue. What legislation does one pass to fix broken hearts and a broken world?

[Guest MrsS]

Just a little story here on my gun ownership.

My first husband and I owned and ran a Tavern. I closed up at night and brought all the money home. Small town, didn't think anything of having several thousand dollars sitting in a small, lightweight metal box on the shelf of the coat closet.

Husband takes a part time job of delivering florals across the state by truck and trailer. I am alone, running the Tavern. For the entire two weeks he is gone, I am followed home at night ( O dawn thirty really= close to 3:30 am) by a car with no headlights on. Thank heavens I know several ways to get home and lose this car. I end up putting the money in different places and I am not sleeping well either. We live in a double wide mobile home with a wrap around deck!

After Husband gets home, I go down and buy a handgun. After I pick up the handgun, I go to the City Police and am informed that I can not carry this gun around, I can not have it at the Tavern - only at home which is outside of the city limits.

Ok- I have just paid $150.00 for a handgun that I have to leave at home.

I put the handgun, and the bullets in the bedroom closet- and went to the hardware store and bought me an open ended crescent wrench that is at least 24" long and has a good weight to it. That is my weapon of choice. Now. Don't need a concealed weapon permit, don't have to buy bullets for it. It will never accidently discharge and do harm! Real easy to clean.

Several months later - it is hot and we have all of the windows open and one measly fan on. I have baked a whole fresh salmon for dinner and you can still smell it.

I am awakened by a grunting and snorting at the bedroom window - and I see this huge head trying to poke the screen out. Husband jumps up and gropes for the gun, I am trying to scream - then I croak out: What ARE you doing? He says, I'm getting your gun - I'll shoot that bear. (yes it was the she-bear that had been trashing the neighborhood, she smelled the salmon) I got real calm, and then I said- Shoot the bear? With that stupid pea-shooter of mine? It will only piss her off! I got up, went and got my wrench and whacked her across the nose with it, hard. Swung it like a baseball bat and with all the strength I could muster. Never knew bears could scream like that - it was so horrible it made me wet myself. I slept in the bathtub for what remained of the night. AFTER we drug the dressers in front of the two bedroom windows, and brought the dog and two cats into the bedroom and closed the bedroom door.

The next morning they found her dead about 1/2 mile from the house. I still have the gun. New husband has it in locked cabinet. As for my wrench- it is next to my dresser in the bedroom. That is still my best defensive weapon.

[shanstress70]

Just a little story here on my gun ownership.

My first husband and I owned and ran a Tavern. I closed up at night and brought all the money home. Small town, didn't think anything of having several thousand dollars sitting in a small, lightweight metal box on the shelf of the coat closet.

Husband takes a part time job of delivering florals across the state by truck and trailer. I am alone, running the Tavern. For the entire two weeks he is gone, I am followed home at night ( O dawn thirty really= close to 3:30 am) by a car with no headlights on. Thank heavens I know several ways to get home and lose this car. I end up putting the money in different places and I am not sleeping well either. We live in a double wide mobile home with a wrap around deck!

After Husband gets home, I go down and buy a handgun. After I pick up the handgun, I go to the City Police and am informed that I can not carry this gun around, I can not have it at the Tavern - only at home which is outside of the city limits.

Ok- I have just paid $150.00 for a handgun that I have to leave at home.

I put the handgun, and the bullets in the bedroom closet- and went to the hardware store and bought me an open ended crescent wrench that is at least 24" long and has a good weight to it. That is my weapon of choice. Now. Don't need a concealed weapon permit, don't have to buy bullets for it. It will never accidently discharge and do harm! Real easy to clean.

Several months later - it is hot and we have all of the windows open and one measly fan on. I have baked a whole fresh salmon for dinner and you can still smell it.

I am awakened by a grunting and snorting at the bedroom window - and I see this huge head trying to poke the screen out. Husband jumps up and gropes for the gun, I am trying to scream - then I croak out: What ARE you doing? He says, I'm getting your gun - I'll shoot that bear. (yes it was the she-bear that had been trashing the neighborhood, she smelled the salmon) I got real calm, and then I said- Shoot the bear? With that stupid pea-shooter of mine? It will only piss her off! I got up, went and got my wrench and whacked her across the nose with it, hard. Swung it like a baseball bat and with all the strength I could muster. Never knew bears could scream like that - it was so horrible it made me wet myself. I slept in the bathtub for what remained of the night. AFTER we drug the dressers in front of the two bedroom windows, and brought the dog and two cats into the bedroom and closed the bedroom door.

The next morning they found her dead about 1/2 mile from the house. I still have the gun. New husband has it in locked cabinet. As for my wrench- it is next to my dresser in the bedroom. That is still my best defensive weapon.

That's a great weapon against a bear, obviously! What a great story, although I know it was scary.

However, a wrench will not protect you against another human being with a gun.

[CaptainTux]

However, a wrench will not protect you against another human being with a gun.

I am not so sure about that. That said, in most self defense classes, you will see people are taught to defend and find the first opportunity to flee. Flight has kept more people alive than any weapon I know of.

Your theory has one painful side effect. Escalation. If we all have guns, well, we may all want to have flak jackets. If we all have body armor, we may all need armor piercing bullets. Well, now we will all need.......

[shanstress70]

<div class='quotemain'>However, a wrench will not protect you against another human being with a gun.

I am not so sure about that. That said, in most self defense classes, you will see people are taught to defend and find the first opportunity to flee. Flight has kept more people alive than any weapon I know of.

Your theory has one painful side effect. Escalation. If we all have guns, well, we may all want to have flak jackets. If we all have body armor, we may all need armor piercing bullets. Well, now we will all need.......

I agree with fleeing when you can, but when I think of needing to use a gun, the situation in my mind is the middle of the night when someone comes into my house. It would be pretty difficult to get to my child's room, get him, then sneak out without the intruder seeing me.

[CaptainTux]

Perhaps, but there are measures one can take to make entry to your home more difficult and reduce the need for a device meant for the taking of another life. Also you have to face the human sanity check. Someone in their right mind without military or police training will hesitate before firing. The natural realization of what you are about to do will kick in. A person not in their right mind will not suffer from the same issue...you may not be the fastest trigger.

[shanstress70]

Perhaps, but there are measures one can take to make entry to your home more difficult and reduce the need for a device meant for the taking of another life. Also you have to face the human sanity check. Someone in their right mind without military or police training will hesitate before firing. The natural realization of what you are about to do will kick in. A person not in their right mind will not suffer from the same issue...you may not be the fastest trigger.

Just in case it's not understood, I would HATE to shoot someone, and would probably be pretty messed up after doing so. It probably doesn't come across on this forum, but I'm one of the most tender-hearted souls you will ever meet. I cry over McDonald's commercials at Christmastime, for crying out loud!

I sure hope it never comes to killing someone... and honestly, I don't think it ever will. Our home would be very difficult to break into. BUT it's nice to have that base covered, just in case.

And yes, if someone was about to harm my child, I would shoot... even knowing full well what I'm about to do. Motherhood does that.

[CaptainTux]

Would rubber bullets, shock bullets, or taser tech be acceptable? In your home you are going for short range anyway...unless you live in a palace.

[BenRaines]

So for those who might be anti gun. You are sitting in your favorite fast food joint or at the bank. Guy runs in and shoots in the ceiling a couple of times and wants all the money.

So far my goal is to be the best witness of what the person looked like. How tall, color of hair, approx. weight, clothes, race, etc.

As soon as he shoots someone or is very close to doing it to take action and prevent anyone from being harmed or killed.

That is why I carry a concealed weapon. Not to stop bank robberies or story robberies but to keep others from being harmed or killed by someone attempting to do harm.

Oh and I have military and ten years of police training.

Ben Raines

[CaptainTux]

I am no more opposed to guns than I am to cordless circular saws, I just do not own either or have any interest in owning either.

Frankly, I have no problem with responsible people owning guns, especially sportsman, people in rural areas that use it as a tool, and people with professional training or background that respect it's power.

I go camping often and see people not following the most basic safety rules in using a hatchet and they have a gun rack in the cab and I have to wonder how many other shortcuts they take with a more serious tool.

For me, personally, the taking of another life is not a proposition I wish to face. Not owning a gun anymore reduces the ability for me to take that step.

[Guest funkyfool]

You know how many people on this planet own guns, but never use them or think about using them? they're just kind of there? Guns can be very helpful in many instances its true, but the percentage of average citizens with firearms in their homes that actually use them, are very low. You only hear about the people who do use guns in a negative way and not the enourmous number of people who never even think about the weapon which they own.

[Guest MrsS]

However, a wrench will not protect you against another human being with a gun.

Oh Yes It Did He was so amazed that I pulled it out from behind the dresser, that he took his finger off the trigger and snorted at me like I was a dimwitted idjit, and that is when I whacked his gun hand. His gun hit the floor, I grabbed the gun and threw it out the door and while he was screaming that I broke his arm I called the police! I broke his wrist! AND he went to jail. Gun is worse than wrench. He plead guilty - did not want the "world" to know that a woman had whacked him with a wrench!

[shanstress70]

<div class='quotemain'>

However, a wrench will not protect you against another human being with a gun.

Oh Yes It Did He was so amazed that I pulled it out from behind the dresser, that he took his finger off the trigger and snorted at me like I was a dimwitted idjit, and that is when I whacked his gun hand. His gun hit the floor, I grabbed the gun and threw it out the door and while he was screaming that I broke his arm I called the police! I broke his wrist! AND he went to jail. Gun is worse than wrench. He plead guilty - did not want the "world" to know that a woman had whacked him with a wrench!

That's awesome! :) I'm glad you were unharmed.

I don't believe I'd call that situation the norm though.

[StrawberryFields]

<div class='quotemain'>

However, a wrench will not protect you against another human being with a gun.

Oh Yes It Did He was so amazed that I pulled it out from behind the dresser, that he took his finger off the trigger and snorted at me like I was a dimwitted idjit, and that is when I whacked his gun hand. His gun hit the floor, I grabbed the gun and threw it out the door and while he was screaming that I broke his arm I called the police! I broke his wrist! AND he went to jail. Gun is worse than wrench. He plead guilty - did not want the "world" to know that a woman had whacked him with a wrench!

Way to go Mrs.S!!!

The element of surprise served you very well here.