Dad's texting to daughter sparks argument, shot dead

[WheatenLover]

I would rather have a burglar laying on the floor with a bullet in his head ..... then laying there with a dog bite .

My mother would have had the gun taken from her before she had a chance to shoot it, and if she had, she would have probably missed. Anyway, having the Rottweiler worked. And Rottie, or not, her house was never burglarized during the remaining 30 years of her life.

Personally, I would never give a gun to a neophyte who hadn't been trained to use it and taught gun safety.

 

[Tom 86]

My mother's house was broken into 4 times while she was at work. Once, when she was ill with a migraine (I had to take her to the ER because her temp was way below normal), I visited her. She had a handgun on her nightstand. She, who had never handled a gun before, and had no training about that at all). A friend gave it to her so she could shoot any person who broke into her house while she was there.

I forced her to give it back to her friend. I called my brother, and he gave her his beloved Rottweiler. He had to trick her into taking the dog by telling her he was going to take it to the pound if she didn't give it a home. (I'm using "it" so I don't get mixed up with the he's and she's). This was the most gentle dog my mom had ever had. She dearly loved her(the dog). Anyway, just having the dog solved the problem.

My dog, OTOH, barks like he's going to eat someone for dinner. Then, if the stranger (just to him, always a friend) dares to come into the house, the dog transforms into the happiest, most affectionate creature around. He would lead a burglar to the family silver (or whatever is valuable these days). Of course, when we lived out in the country, no one was afraid of my dogs. It was a relief. In 12 years, no crime, and we never locked our doors. Mostly because we were in the habit of that having lived in a very low crime area for 15 years before that.

That's good about the dog. The only problem is burglars come in groups of 3 or more. So one dog could not take them all on. Also if he did & they laid on the floor bleeding then when they got up they would sue your mother & take everything.

Too many older people here that don't have a weapon of some kind either get beaten real bad that puts them in the hospital or laying on the bed or floor dead.

Here every person that gets a handgun or shotgun has to go through training on how to use it. As RGP says dead burglars on the floor are better than dog bites. They don't have to go to court for many years, also when they do get out they can't sue you for wounding them.

 

[WheatenLover]

I would rather have a burglar laying on the floor with a bullet in his head ..... then laying there with a dog bite .

When I moved to Boston, my cousin came over to tell me that, if I shot a burglar, I'd better make sure his entire body was inside my house.

I don't own a gun, but if I did, I would only shoot someone in self-defense or in defense of others. For that to work, in many states it requires that the person be in reasonable fear of their life. What is reasonable sometimes depends on what the jury thinks.

 

[WheatenLover]

That's good about the dog. The only problem is burglars come in groups of 3 or more. So one dog could not take them all on. Also if he did & they laid on the floor bleeding then when they got up they would sue your mother & take everything.

Too many older people here that don't have a weapon of some kind either get beaten real bad that puts them in the hospital or laying on the bed or floor dead.

Here every person that gets a handgun or shotgun has to go through training on how to use it. As RGP says dead burglars on the floor are better than dog bites. They don't have to go to court for many years, also when they do get out they can't sue you for wounding them.

These burglars made sure they were breaking into an empty house. My mother's house had those keys made of iron -- I think they are called skeleton keys. She figured the Rottweiler would keep them out, and it did. I'm not recommending Rottie's for personal safety.

I know someone whose house was broken into after they'd been gone for only an hour. The burglar(s) shot their dog 5 times, and killed it.

I believe I would shoot someone if my life or that of another were in danger. Not now though. My hands were shaking when I picked up a cup to rinse my mouth at the dentist. I have neuropathy in both hands, a side effect of chemo, but it is gradually getting better. I could not hold a gun steady enough to shoot straight. I can't even hold a drill (yet) which pisses me off, because I have cause to use one.

I guess burglary is uncommon in some places, and more common in others. None of the houses I've lived in have been burglarized. I've just relied on my bat and my iron skillet (neither of which would do me any good now). I only personally know two people who have been burglarized (my mom and the people whose dog was killed). I realize this is anecdotal evidence, and doesn't mean tomorrow it won't occur. I just knocked on wood.

 

[Capt Lightning]

In the UK, and Scotland in particular, the idea is to punish everyone because someone must be guilty. The Dunblane massacre was mentioned and because of the actions of one man with a legally held gun, handguns were banned. There is still gun crime - often between rival gangs, and plenty of illegal guns in circulation.

I somewhat disagree with Vivjen , in that how we Brits behave varies geographically. Scotland is relatively sparsely populated and we are quite friendly, outgoing and talkative. Hunting, shooting and fishing, while regulated, are a big part of rural life. Rather than being hunted to extinction, deer herds are managed to stop their numbers increasing too much. Shooting is for food, not simply sport and fishing is almost all "catch and release". When I lived in Hampshire, I found the locals were uncommunicative. You almost needed a letter of introduction to say 'hello'.

 

[SeaBreeze]

My mother would have had the gun taken from her before she had a chance to shoot it, and if she had, she would have probably missed. Anyway, having the Rottweiler worked. And Rottie, or not, her house was never burglarized during the remaining 30 years of her life.

Personally, I would never give a gun to a neophyte who hadn't been trained to use it and taught gun safety.

You're exactly right. Giving a gun to someone who has had no instruction to get familiar with it, and no practice using it is a stupid idea, although well-intentioned. They would take it away from her, or she could end up shooting herself. So happy she had the option of a loving Rottie, dogs definitely are a deterrent to those who want to break into a house and commit a crime. We never had any issues with someone breaking into our home, and I doubt we will in our lifetime, but it's always wise to have some sense of security, a gun, dogs, alarms, etc.

 

[SeaBreeze]

These burglars made sure they were breaking into an empty house. My mother's house had those keys made of iron -- I think they are called skeleton keys. She figured the Rottweiler would keep them out, and it did. I'm not recommending Rottie's for personal safety.

I know someone whose house was broken into after they'd been gone for only an hour. The burglar(s) shot their dog 5 times, and killed it.

I believe I would shoot someone if my life or that of another were in danger. Not now though. My hands were shaking when I picked up a cup to rinse my mouth at the dentist. I have neuropathy in both hands, a side effect of chemo, but it is gradually getting better. I could not hold a gun steady enough to shoot straight. I can't even hold a drill (yet) which pisses me off, because I have cause to use one.

I guess burglary is uncommon in some places, and more common in others. None of the houses I've lived in have been burglarized. I've just relied on my bat and my iron skillet (neither of which would do me any good now). I only personally know two people who have been burglarized (my mom and the people whose dog was killed). I realize this is anecdotal evidence, and doesn't mean tomorrow it won't occur. I just knocked on wood.

Older folks definitely have to be smart about what they can or can't handle anymore depending on their physical condition and medical issues. You're smart to take this all into consideration, all seniors should. I'm not paranoid about being attacked or ripped off by a criminal, but I tell you, getting my big black fry pan from stove to table takes some effort these days, doubt I'd effectively be able to lift and swing to stop or kill an attacker.