Using a weapon to stop a crime?

Back in the 1990s in downtown Indianapolis, some guy tried to mug me, but I held up a large can of pepper spray. He quickly changed his mind about mugging me. :thumbs:

 

"The Rifleman" (NRA) prints a page full of such wire stories every month.

 

I checked the website. They want to know about people using guns in self defense. I used pepper spray.

 

I live in a community where police response is very slow, yet we have very few break ins. Why? Because EVERYONE here is well armed. To me, the guns sitting in my closet (and the assumption that they are there) are protecting me and my family as is.

 

I believe that is the point. A citizenry that freely espouses the virtues of being armed, is much safer than one in which the weapons are legally denied law abiding citizens. It works every time.

 

Most assuredly! Hey here is an idea for the liberal media, maybe they should conduct a survey among prisoners asking which house they would choose to break in. One in which the homeowner is known to have a gun, or one in which the homeowner is known to be un-armed?

What mentality is it to think laws apply to criminals? Isn't that an oxymoron?:tonofbricks:

I think I prefer to protect my family and myself; BEFORE the law actually becomes relevant to the Criminal!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Here are some related topics and articles that I find sadly in disagreement among different Christian groups.

Should Christians Carry and Use Firearms?
Click Here for The Bible and Self-defense by Joseph Farah.

Capital Punishment?
Thou Shalt Kill? by Hal Lindsey
More innocents die when we don't have capital punishment, by Dennis Prager

Yes, Christians should be looking forward to the rapture, but is it wrong for Christians to be prepared? Does God bless those who prepare as well as pray? Christians are not to live in fear, but preparation is not lack of faith, is it?

​

 

I hear what your saying Ralph and I agree with you about defending yourself and your family, but guns are also very easy for thieves to sell. While they don’t want to confront an armed homeowner they would love to watch the place until they were sure no one was home and then steal the guns.

I also live in an area with very limited law enforcement, but the number one item stolen when you read the police blotter is guns. Then there is the entire issue of people who own guns but don’t have the will to use them. A lot of people have come to me over the years and asked which gun they should buy for self defense. After asking them a few questions the answer more often than not has been none. I know many crimes are prevented by the presence of a gun but I feel that unless you are willing to take another human life without hesitation or regret then a gun can become a liability in a real hurry.

 

There was an armed robbery yesterday in Rockford, IL where the store employee used a gun to defend himself and ended up getting shot in the leg.

Clickthe link for the news report

http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070412/NEWS07/104120092

Bill

 

Thanks N.C. Tentmaker for raising those legitimate issues and I would like to address some of them.


First, a criminal looking for a gun will have little problem finding one on the street. In addition, a simple pipe can easily be fashioned into a gun. After all it just houses and directs the bullet. Thus if a criminal wants a weapon he will get one. Many crude and even ingenious weapons can be seen on display at court houses or police departments, as fashioned by prisoners.

So the question is not whether a criminal can wield a weapon but whether you are capable of defending your family against such.




Second, Nobody should buy a firearm without receiving instruction and then most importantly practicing its' safe usage. I grew up hunting and am quite familiar with firearms, my entire life. The problem with some people, such as you note, is not their owning a gun but that they do not know how to properly use it. I always make a point to stress certain things, especially with people who seem inadequate with guns, A) always treat a gun as loaded!, B) always know where you are pointing the weapon!.

Often those lacking with experience will accept a gun as unloaded, instead of checking it and then unloading it; but most disturbingly, they will inadvertently point the gun at someone or themselves while handling. If those two rules where adhered to you would have few accidents or injuries if any. You are right though, there is nothing more scary than a person with a gun, who does not know how to handle it!

A few other things, I always check a weapon for bullets no matter if it was just checked by another person and despite what is told to me! In addition, be familiar with the safety features on each gun.

I believe even the most inadequate person could be trained and practice enough to become proficient with firearms. That is the most important thing. Because when one becomes proficient and confident through routine, then using and handling the weapon becomes more automatic. Therefore, they are much more likely to handle the weapon "adequately" during stress.




Third, The type weapon one chooses for self or home defense is also important. A revolver is a safer/reliable weapon especially for those with less experience. There is no bullet in the chamber until the trigger is actually squeezed, the trigger has to be pulled with each successive firing, and the gun is much less likely to stray. In contrast, a semi-auto would have to have a bullet in the chamber for quick action. Otherwise, the slide has to be pulled in order to chamber the first bullet. The semi-auto is more likely to stray as it is capable of rapid firing. Which is very conceivable with a scared homeowner. Police enforcement I believe are trained to shoot in pairs of two's, in order to maintain accuracy with a semi.


So good training and practice not only makes a person proficient but it makes them much safer. A homeowner does not necessarily have to hit the invader. A shot fired and then cover may be all that is needed. I, you may wish to ask a real pro, would not recommend trading fire with anyone unless it were unavoidable. Interesting enough, on a recent talk show a caller recommended a shotgun to homeowners for protection. On paper, there could be nothing better than a shotgun, as accuracy is not as much an issue due to spread of shot. However, it truly would have to be sawed off in order to effectively handle it and that is illegal in many or all States.




Lastly, yes a criminal might seek out homes for weapons and wait until you are gone to steal such. However, as noted above, even if that is not the case they will never have a problem getting or fashioning a weapon. Again, the question is whether you are capable of defending yourself or your family if that need arose.

A gun goes a long ways in doing that and most anyone can become competent and confident with the right instruction/practice. It can also be an enjoyable sport. I would in addition, recommend a home alarm system as a first defense and against break-in while gone.



Take care.:godisgood:

 

Do you post this article as evidence against gun ownership by the law abiding citizen?

 

Nope, I posted it because the OP stated

This is a situation where a private citizen did use a gun in self defense. He got shot, but he could easily have been shot if he didn't have the gun. I personally don't own a gun, but I believe in a citizens right to own one.


Bill

 

I have owned firearms but never used one for self defense. I don't even own one now.

 

Here's a great book that I have in my library:


Link

You will learn:

• How to stay out of trouble.
• What gun to choose and how to carry it.
• When and how to shoot.
• Gunfighting tactics.
• What to expect after you have shot someone.

With more than 40 years as a handgun shooter, former crime reporter Chris Bird tells you what it takes to fight back against violent criminals -and win.

 

Thanks Ralph, I agree with most of what you said.

As to your first point, I did not mean that thieves were stealing guns to arm themselves. You are right they can do that easier on the street. They target gun owners because gusn are easy to sell and convert into cash.

I agree with your second point about firearms training as well but I think you have to go a step further. You are correct when you said that most people can be trained to handle a weapon. But what bothers me is not the physical training or proficiency but the mental toughness. If when the time to fire comes you hesitate, you may die. And even if you successfully defend yourself some people can't deal with the emotional baggage of taking another life. Some people just have no business owning a gun, regardless of how good a shot they are.

As to your suggestion as to the type of weapon that is best I am a big belever in shotguns. You take the accuracy out of the equation and pellets don't penetrate as many walls and you run less a risk of shooting someone in another room. Most states allow you to shorten them to 13 1/2 inches which is pretty short. See a reputable gunsmith in your state and he can fix you up.

Finally as to your point about a home alarm. That is a great option if you have an adequate police response but where I live and in many other parts of the country that protection is just not there. The last time I called the police for an emergency (I was at work, not home) they responded in just over 3 hours. If you can't protect yourself around here you are just out of luck.

 

I don't know what the law is other states, but personally i would hate to have to explain why I shot someone who broke into my home here in Texas. I am not sure that simple breaking and entering is a defense anymore. plus wouldnot want that on my conscience.

 

In Montana, you wouldn't have to explain.

If my family was hurt, that would bug me more than one less criminal walking around.