Handgun owners - do you keep one chambered at home?

[Red Squirrel]

Yeah, keep in mind the burglar has probably planned this out somewhat, is probably going to be more alert than you, and is carrying at least whatever big heavy object he used to break in in the first place.

You have fun engaging him in H2H. I'll be happy to stand back and shoot.

lol guns are illegal here. So are bombs and stuff. You can't just get that at the store like in the states. A robber would have a knife, at most.

Trust me I'd probably be terrified at first and back off, but the rage of knowing he is in my house wanting to take my items, I'd suddently react in any way possible to stop him. I would not really be scared to kill at this point. Probably get charged, but could maybe have a small chance of getting off for self defence. The issue would be the after math after he's down. I'd probably just keep hitting uncontrollably. Would be gruesome, but he'd never, ever rob a house again. You don't need a gun to protect yourself.

 

[olds]

Summary: You didn't need a gun.

I didn't need my seat belt today while I was driving but I still wore it.

 

[daniel1113]

lol guns are illegal here. So are bombs and stuff. You can't just get that at the store like in the states. A robber would have a knife, at most.

Yeah, a criminal would never break the law and use a gun. Not in a million years.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

lol guns are illegal here. So are bombs and stuff. You can't just get that at the store like in the states. A robber would have a knife, at most.

Trust me I'd probably be terrified at first and back off, but the rage of knowing he is in my house wanting to take my items, I'd suddently react in any way possible to stop him. I would not really be scared to kill at this point. Probably get charged, but could maybe have a small chance of getting off for self defence. The issue would be the after math after he's down. I'd probably just keep hitting uncontrollably. Would be gruesome, but he'd never, ever rob a house again. You don't need a gun to protect yourself.

A robber, someone who, by definition, will commit/has committed an illegal act, won't have a gun because they are illegal. Awesome logic there, dumbass. Also glad to see you know how you would react in a situation that in entirely unknown to you. You are just full of intelligence.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I didn't need my seat belt today while I was driving but I still wore it.

No helmet? Christ, you live life right on the edge.

 

[olds]

No helmet? Christ, you live life right on the edge.

Well, I was wearing a condom just in case.

 

[hanoverphist]

The one time I needed one, I was at work and couldn't carry.
The only thing that kept me from becoming another victim of the dude on PCP that was covered in blood from just chopping up his girlfriend with a hatchet was my wits.
That and a truck door between us and a punch in the mouth from me.
The only thing he responded to was the cops pointing guns at him. It still took 4 of them to cuff him.

If I had been out of my vehicle, I would likely be dead. Maybe not so dead if I had been carrying.

yup, because even in a place where it seems like wits and common sense will be enough, crazy people happen. i helped police in a shoot out one time solely because i was behind the guys shooting at them, and the bad guys hadnt seen me yet. i popped a round at them, they realized they were surrounded and gave up. i was more worried about the cops missing them and hitting me at the time, since they were pretty much shooting at me and a small crowd that had been standing there, we were behind the bad guys on the front sidewalk of a store.

 

[JulesMaximus]

The one time I needed one, I was at work and couldn't carry.
The only thing that kept me from becoming another victim of the dude on PCP that was covered in blood from just chopping up his girlfriend with a hatchet was my wits.
That and a truck door between us and a punch in the mouth from me.
The only thing he responded to was the cops pointing guns at him. It still took 4 of them to cuff him.

If I had been out of my vehicle, I would likely be dead. Maybe not so dead if I had been carrying.

That's another part of the problem. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to be armed all the time. You cannot carry on or near a school, you cannot carry in a court of law, you cannot carry at your workplace...hell, here in CA you cannot carry legally period.

I sometimes bring my gun with me if I'm going away for a few days but I never carry it on me personally. It's just too much hassle, I don't want to deal with it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

So, what evidence do you have to support your claim that "those numbers are way too high and don't reflect reality?" I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just pointing out that your claims on the subject are irrelevant if you don't have some evidence to back them up.

As to your percentage argument, I'm not sure how that's relevant. Are you suggesting that 800,000 (on the low end) uses is irrelevant simply because we have a large population? Regardless of the percentage break down, 800,000 is a significant number.

I don't have any evidence. It's just a gut feeling, having lived in this area for 20 years. You simply don't hear about people using guns to deter crime all that much...certainly not enough to quantify 2.5 million uses annually.

 

[daniel1113]

I don't have any evidence. It's just a gut feeling, having lived in this area for 20 years. You simply don't hear about people using guns to deter crime all that much...certainly not enough to quantify 2.5 million uses annually.

You're basing your opinion on defensive firearms use throughout the entire country based on a "gut feeling" from a single area you've been in for 20 years? Sounds reasonable.

 

[Red Squirrel]

A robber, someone who, by definition, will commit/has committed an illegal act, won't have a gun because they are illegal. Awesome logic there, dumbass. Also glad to see you know how you would react in a situation that in entirely unknown to you. You are just full of intelligence.

If it's illegal it also means it's illegal to sell them - making them impossible to get in first place. In the states anybody can go to Walmart and buy a handgun or an AK47. It's not like that here. In places closer to the states there are some issues with people bringing guns across the border, but in small isolated cities like where I live (and our ridiculously high airport security LOL) it's near impossible to get a gun on this land. Ok, so people have hunting riffles, but you just don't hear of people using those in crime around here probably because it's too hard to conceal. Part of it may also be because of guns being harder to get, and also people are not as crazy around here. Most B&E's occur when nobody is home. Heck, I've had people screwing around in my yard and just a knock on the window scares them away. Not saying home invasions don't happen, I'm sure there's stuff that goes on that may not make the news, but I've never ever heard of one. If they happen they are very rare. I know one guy who kept having kids trying to steal from his garage. Hooked up the welder power cable to the garage door - never got stole from again. THAT is how you deal with those fucks. IMO 240V is not even enough. I would personally enjoy teslca coil torturing those people.

Someone without a gun can be dangerous, but at least you have a warning before and a better chance to survive if you react fast enough. Someone breaks into your house with a gun, you are dead before you even know what is going on, so owning a gun that's ready, or not, is pointless. heck if the murderer is smart he'll just snipe you through the window before even breaking in. Your gun that is stored 10 feet away is useless. If you have it in your hands, it's even useless.

 

[PrinceofWands]

That's another part of the problem. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to be armed all the time. You cannot carry on or near a school, you cannot carry in a court of law, you cannot carry at your workplace...hell, here in CA you cannot carry legally period.

I sometimes bring my gun with me if I'm going away for a few days but I never carry it on me personally. It's just too much hassle, I don't want to deal with it.

Those conditions do not exist everywhere. I carry almost 24/7 with no issues. There is almost never anyplace I need to go that I can't carry, and when there is it's almost always a secured location where other people with guns are charged with my protection.

However I agree that gun prohibition is too common, and would argue that it has never served a positive purpose, but has instead contributed to atrocity. I'd be fully behind rescinding all off limits laws (or at least all unsecured location off limits laws).

Oh, and your comment about on or near schools is patently false. Licensed concealed carry exempts you from possession provisions in the gun free school zone act, so long as you're just passing through, or remain in your vehicle. You can only be charged for possession on school property if you're unlicensed, or if you carry on foot specifically to a school function, and not merely through their property when expedient. That was a major flaw with the first iteration of that law that was significantly revamped in the current version. State law might differ slightly, but in general that is the accepted interpretation. Of course, there are also schools that automatically exempt their property from those laws, so sometimes it's completely legal to carry regardless.

 

[hanoverphist]

If it's illegal it also means it's illegal to sell them - making them impossible to get in first place. In the states anybody can go to Walmart and buy a handgun or an AK47. It's not like that here. In places closer to the states there are some issues with people bringing guns across the border, but in small isolated cities like where I live (and our ridiculously high airport security LOL) it's near impossible to get a gun on this land. Ok, so people have hunting riffles, but you just don't hear of people using those in crime around here probably because it's too hard to conceal. Part of it may also be because of guns being harder to get, and also people are not as crazy around here. Most B&E's occur when nobody is home. Heck, I've had people screwing around in my yard and just a knock on the window scares them away. Not saying home invasions don't happen, I'm sure there's stuff that goes on that may not make the news, but I've never ever heard of one. If they happen they are very rare. I know one guy who kept having kids trying to steal from his garage. Hooked up the welder power cable to the garage door - never got stole from again. THAT is how you deal with those fucks. IMO 240V is not even enough. I would personally enjoy teslca coil torturing those people.

you do realize criminals dont usually get their guns from a store, right? i can go get me a gun this afternoon from many different sources not legal, or i could walk into a gun store. same goes for harsh states like illinois and california. im betting there are all kinds of ways for british thugs to get firearms that you just arent aware of. and sending voltage through your garage door here will get you arrested.

Someone without a gun can be dangerous, but at least you have a warning before and a better chance to survive if you react fast enough. Someone breaks into your house with a gun, you are dead before you even know what is going on, so owning a gun that's ready, or not, is pointless. heck if the murderer is smart he'll just snipe you through the window before even breaking in. Your gun that is stored 10 feet away is useless. If you have it in your hands, it's even useless.

this doesnt make sense. if someone breaks into your house, it isnt an instant kill on you, they have to find you first. if you wake up with the noise, you have enough time to get aware of the situation, even if their goal is to off you. even then, theres time between them gaining access to your house and them finding you to kill you. i guarantee if they get past my dog ill be there with a nice, hot piece of lead for them.

 

[meltdown75]

i keep one "chambered"...

<hugest eyeroll evar>

 

[hanoverphist]

Those conditions do not exist everywhere. I carry almost 24/7 with no issues. There is almost never anyplace I need to go that I can't carry, and when there is it's almost always a secured location where other people with guns are charged with my protection.

However I agree that gun prohibition is too common, and would argue that it has never served a positive purpose, but has instead contributed to atrocity. I'd be fully behind rescinding all off limits laws (or at least all unsecured location off limits laws).

Oh, and your comment about on or near schools is patently false. Licensed concealed carry exempts you from possession provisions in the gun free school zone act, so long as you're just passing through, or remain in your vehicle. You can only be charged for possession on school property if you're unlicensed, or if you carry on foot specifically to a school function, and not merely through their property when expedient. That was a major flaw with the first iteration of that law that was significantly revamped in the current version. State law might differ slightly, but in general that is the accepted interpretation. Of course, there are also schools that automatically exempt their property from those laws, so sometimes it's completely legal to carry regardless.

here in az you dont have to be licensed ccw to possess a firearm on school property, but there are rules youo have to follow. it cant be visible to the outside of your vehicle, and has to remain locked inside.

 

[PrinceofWands]

here in az you dont have to be licensed ccw to possess a firearm on school property, but there are rules youo have to follow. it cant be visible to the outside of your vehicle, and has to remain locked inside.

*nod* AZ is quickly joining VT and AK for liberal gun laws. If it wasn't so exactly the opposite of everything I like otherwise I'd consider moving.

 

[Lithium381]

Sheesh, CA is so anti-gun it's sickening. Fucking feinstein is on a rampage. If someone enters my house with the intent to burgle my house/ cause me harm.....i MUST....MUST retreat. In my own house. From a criminal. WTF kind of law is that? They're trying to pass a new law on handgun ammo sales to get fingerprinted each time you buy, $3 charge for each transaction, and a new type of permit. i don't understand how this will deter crime, as it's already been established that criminals don't really regard the law in high esteem.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I've got one chambered.

 

[meltdown75]

I've got one chambered.

lmfao

 

[Minjin]

I saw a good video that compared standard handgun rounds, .223, and standard shotgun loads but I can't find it now. It basically showed that the overpenetration issue is a myth. Here is test that shows it in a different way:

http://www.olyarms.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=26

There are many comparisons with similar results.

 

[pontifex]

Never said it was the "Wild West." It's dumbasses shooting people who didn't need to shot. Which anyone with an IQ over 80 would've deduced.

unless i'm misunderstanding you, there is a huge difference between shooting at anything and everything that scares you and a police officer shooting a criminal.

 

[pontifex]

One would think that with all these guns around any criminal with a head on his shoulder would be afraid to get shot if he even thought about committing a crime yet the US crime rate is higher then the Canadian one.

Why is that?

who said criminals were smart? they also go after targets of opportunity which is generally people who wouldn't be able to defend themselves. Despite being a lot of guns out there, overall its a pretty small population that actually owns them. Even those that do own guns may not necessarily own them for self defense.

 

[pontifex]

If it's illegal it also means it's illegal to sell them - making them impossible to get in first place. In the states anybody can go to Walmart and buy a handgun or an AK47. It's not like that here. In places closer to the states there are some issues with people bringing guns across the border, but in small isolated cities like where I live (and our ridiculously high airport security LOL) it's near impossible to get a gun on this land. Ok, so people have hunting riffles, but you just don't hear of people using those in crime around here probably because it's too hard to conceal. Part of it may also be because of guns being harder to get, and also people are not as crazy around here. Most B&E's occur when nobody is home. Heck, I've had people screwing around in my yard and just a knock on the window scares them away. Not saying home invasions don't happen, I'm sure there's stuff that goes on that may not make the news, but I've never ever heard of one. If they happen they are very rare. I know one guy who kept having kids trying to steal from his garage. Hooked up the welder power cable to the garage door - never got stole from again. THAT is how you deal with those fucks. IMO 240V is not even enough. I would personally enjoy teslca coil torturing those people.

Someone without a gun can be dangerous, but at least you have a warning before and a better chance to survive if you react fast enough. Someone breaks into your house with a gun, you are dead before you even know what is going on, so owning a gun that's ready, or not, is pointless. heck if the murderer is smart he'll just snipe you through the window before even breaking in. Your gun that is stored 10 feet away is useless. If you have it in your hands, it's even useless.

LMAO!!! wal-mart does not sell handguns AT ALL. They also don't sell AK-47s.
Wal-mart sells .22 rifles, shotguns, and maybe a few larger caliber hunting rifles, which are generally single shot bolt action rifles. When people make claims like this I just die a little inside because they are fucking clueless. Get a fucking clue before you make ridiculous claims.

 

[spacejamz]

Where do some of you people live that you are so concerned about home invasion?

some people are just so naive that they think this kind of stuff will never happen to them...

This happened in a nice part of Dallas (Frankford/Preston area) earlier this month:
http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/Home-invasion-burglars-steal-car-injure-resident-71612167.html

Over 70 home invasions in the same part of town in 2007 and 2008:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/881315/club_xfront_for_home_invasion_gangreactions.html

Sticking your head in the sand and pretending that these things never happen to ordinary people won't stop this from happening to you.

 

[Red Squirrel]

LMAO!!! wal-mart does not sell handguns AT ALL. They also don't sell AK-47s.
Wal-mart sells .22 rifles, shotguns, and maybe a few larger caliber hunting rifles, which are generally single shot bolt action rifles. When people make claims like this I just die a little inside because they are fucking clueless. Get a fucking clue before you make ridiculous claims.

Well k-mart then. W/e. My point being, they are sold in various department stores and as easily accessible as any other item you would buy. Lot of criminals out there just do crime because it's fun to them, and they'll use whatever tools are easily accessible to them. Others, may go to extreme lengths and will find a gun anyway. Guns illegal vs legal is a whole other debate, but point being the fact that they're so easy to access in the states makes them more easily accessible to criminals as well. Lot of criminals are stupid and would not even know where to find a gun illegally. What are you more scared of as a night shift worker, a guy with a knife or a gun? I would prefer having the guy with a knife after me, it would give me a chance to fight back, or at least run away.