Would You, Could you...Should you?

[debodun]

I live in a very low crime area. I have some firearms that belonged to my dad. I got a permit (not a CCW, though) so I could keep them when I knew he wasn't going to be around much longer. I've never gone out in public packing heat. If some kidnapper tried to grab me and pull me into his vehicle, he'd have his work cut out.

 

[Lee]

Considering all the road rage and volatile tempers out there, carrying a gun doesn’t seem ideal. IMO, it’s more possible for a bad situation to happen. Prevention, ie staying away from dangerous situations if possible, seems better.

Agree 100% mainly because I Feel safe living in Canada

If in an isolated area I would likely use a tazer giving me time for a hasty retreat.

Deadly force is not always the answer.

 

[win231]

I've been in many situations where a man is coming at me to hurt me, and I am powerless because he has force, anger and strength which I don't have. Plus, I notice when something happens to shock me, I stand and tend to evaluate the happening instead of an immediate reaction. So, A man could easily take a gun from my hands and overpower me. I know this. Not a good thing, but that's how I react.

Yes, a man can take a gun from your hands & overpower you - but not if you're doing the right thing & firing it at him.
A man who is younger, bigger & stronger than ME could also take a gun from me, but he will be bleeding profusely from holes he wasn't born with if he tries.

 

[win231]

Considering all the road rage and volatile tempers out there, carrying a gun doesn’t seem ideal. IMO, it’s more possible for a bad situation to happen. Prevention, ie staying away from dangerous situations if possible, seems better.

A responsible mature gun owner would avoid ANY dangerous situation - as I have done & always do. That includes walking away from any type of confrontation or situation, even if it means being a "wimp." If someone is not capable of that, a gun is not for them & will get them a prison term.

 

[Aunt Marg]

I live in a very low crime area. I have some firearms that belonged to my dad. I got a permit (not a CCW, though) so I could keep them when I knew he wasn't going to be around much longer. I've never gone out in public packing heat. If some kidnapper tried to grab me and pull me into his vehicle, he'd have his work cut out.

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So long as I was able to confront my attacker, there'd be meat, tissue, skin, and eyeballs hanging from my fingernails before the fight and struggle was over, and it wouldn't be mine.

 

[Jeni]

Sounds like some here are very responsible gun owners ..... if you have one in house for personal protection or those who chose to carry.
Training and practice shows responsibility.
I would have zero hesitation if a situation would arise.... Most responsible owners avoid dangerous situations but should something happen that was at a point .... i will protect myself.

 

[win231]

So long as I was able to confront my attacker, there'd be meat, tissue, skin, and eyeballs hanging from my fingernails before the fight and struggle was over, and it wouldn't be mine.

You're already armed. You could burn him with your cigarette.

 

[Aunt Marg]

A responsible mature gun owner would avoid ANY dangerous situation - as I have done & always do. That includes walking away from any type of confrontation or situation, even if it means being a "wimp." If someone is not capable of that, a gun is not for them & will get them a prison term.

It's unfortunate that more gun-owners fail to comprehend the advice and direction provided in your post.

 

[win231]

It's unfortunate that more gun-owners fail to comprehend the advice and direction provided in your post.

True - just as with aggressive, irresponsible drivers. In fact, I've known a couple of gun owners who shouldn't own guns because of their mindset of "A real man never walks away from a fight." They never grew up.

 

[Aunt Marg]

True - just as with aggressive, irresponsible drivers. In fact, I've known a couple of gun owners who shouldn't own guns because of their mindset of "A real man never walks away from a fight." They never grew up.

Well said, Win, my thoughts to a T.

 

[Aneeda72]

A friend of mine (71 years old)has recently completed her Concealed Carry License qualifications for the state of Ohio. She decided to obtain her license because of the published B&E's we have all seen, attacks upon seniors and because she lives alone.
Once she obtained her license from the sheriff and all approved she purchased a very nice Glock14. She spends one day a week at the local range just practicing and she carries it all the time. She said that she enjoys shooting more than any senior center and feels safer.

My question to you, DO you have your CCW, would you like to obtain it and carry a weapon legally, should you?

Hello Marg and Aneeda...

Hi @needshave how you are doing? No I don’t have a CCW, no I don't want to obtain one, no I will not carry or own a weapon or have one in the house. I have a quick temper and a difficult jackass of a husband. Not a good combination

 

[Aneeda72]

I do have a conceal carry permit. Have had one for years. I live in the country, in a very rural area. We have a shooting range on our own property to practice.

Always carry when hiking because I live in a populated black bear county. Never have had to use it while on my hike though. Very little crime where I live so there is no need to be packing a firearm where ever I go.

Would not bear spray be better? Bears are hard to kill or so Ive heard

 

[win231]

Would not beat spray be better? Bears are hard to kill or so Ive heard

Grizzly Bears are hard to kill with small & medium-calibers due to their size & tough hides. People who hike where there are Grizzlies are aware of that & will usually carry nothing less than a 10mm or 44 Magnum. Gun manufacturers make lightweight versions of them for that specific purpose.
Black Bears are much easier due to their smaller size. But I've heard they are much less dangerous to people. I've seen videos of surprise encounters with Black Bears & they usually run away when confronted by people.
Bear spray works IF it is not windy. That applies to pepper spray for personal defense as well.

 

[debodun]

I saw a police procedural TV show where a woman was afraid because of all the muggings in her neighorhood, so she took a self-defense course. When she did get assulted she ended up just hitting the mugger with her purse and screaming. Crude but effective - at least in the show.

 

[Sliverfox]

Am 79 y.o. woman, I know how to use a long rifle or a pistol.
Have killed & field dressed the deer that I killed.

As mentioned in an earler post for home protection a shot gun is better.

 

[win231]

Am 79 y.o. woman, I know how to use a long rifle or a pistol.
Have killed & field dressed the deer that I killed.

As mentioned in an earler post for home protection a shot gun is better.

I saw a police procedural TV show where a woman was afraid because of all the muggings in her neighorhood, so she took a self-defense course. When she did get assulted she ended up just hitting the mugger with her purse and screaming. Crude but effective - at least in the show.

In any situation, whatever worked was the right thing to do. Yes, an umbrella or purse can be used as a weapon - provided the assailant is not very determined.

 

[Aneeda72]

Am 79 y.o. woman, I know how to use a long rifle or a pistol.
Have killed & field dressed the deer that I killed.

As mentioned in an earler post for home protection a shot gun is better.

Well, I am a 74 year old woman and I have watched deer being butchered on tv so, hmm, there you go.

 

[Gemma]

Would not bear spray be better? Bears are hard to kill or so Ive heard

For me, it works better to hoop 'n holler, make noise, and charge the bear first, which I've done. They are usually afraid of human interaction and run away, though they will circle around you to check you out. Now, a sow with cubs, I would avoid altogether and have. She would become aggressive to protect her young.

Black bears are not hard to kill if you know where to place the shot.

 

[mellowyellow]

Knowing my luck, if I had a gun, someone would shoot me with it.

 

[Tish]

Over here it's a bit different, guns are outlawed.
I do have my shooter's license because I live in a rural area and do own a rifle that I only use on snakes that come onto the property.

 

[Gardenlover]

Missouri doesn't require a CC permit, but I took the class anyway. My choice for home defense is a S&W Governor. A handgun with a punch of a small shotgun. I like it as it won't send a home defense round through my wall and then a neighbor's. It is also much easier to use in close quarters. IMO it's better to have a gun and not need it, then need it and not have it.

 

[Kathleen’s Place]

No...and doubt I ever will. I don’t have anything against them...it’s just not for me.

 

[Chet]

There are other means of self defense also like a knife. I carry a large fillet knife in the car within easy reach. Something is better than nothing.

 

[MrPants]

Has anyone here ever actually had to use their gun in a confrontation and shoot someone? If so, did that change your mind about having a gun or did it reinforce your decision to have a gun?

 

[Murrmurr]

Is Cali an open carry state? Since I have a lot of properties and I travel to each I like to have a weapon with me in case I run into someone or something on the property that is threatening and I like to have the capabilities of protecting myself if need be. That said, transportation of the firearm is always concerning if you do not separate firearm from ammo. Then once you do that, it is worthless, unless you want to throw it at someone or something. Is it like that in California?

In some areas and with some stipulations, yes, but in general state law, no. My weapons were/are registered in another county where open-carry is allowed, so I can open-carry in my current county IF I am hunting in an area where any type of hunting is allowed. Otherwise I am required to secure my unloaded weapons somewhere safe and the ammo somewhere else safe. That does indeed make them useless, and I have no use for useless weapons.