Should I get a firearm for my new townhouse?

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
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It'd be nice to have some protection in an unfamiliar city.

I'm not a complete gun noob. I have fired several pistols and rifles, but don't own any. I am thinking about a short-barreled shotgun for home protection. Good idea?

I'd like a handgun eventually, but they can be a pain to get sometimes in NY. It seems some people get them easily, and some don't.
 

Toasthead

Diamond Member
Aug 27, 2001
6,621
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If you are considering this...you MIGHT have picked the wrong neighborhood.
 

Pepsei

Lifer
Dec 14, 2001
12,895
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protection from what? just in case?

I have so many friends with guns, including me, but pretty much the only time we get to shoot is out in the range.

protection is just an excuse to get guns. you have the right to get one regardless, so buy a shotgun.
 

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
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Originally posted by: gar3555
Is your neighborhood that bad?


No, it's actually quite nice as far as renting goes. The place is set in fields and woods about fifteen minutes outside of Syracuse. I'd just like to be able to defend myself if the need arose.
 

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
81
Originally posted by: Pepsei
protection from what? just in case?

I have so many friends with guns, including me, but pretty much the only time we get to shoot is out in the range.

protection is just an excuse to get guns. you have the right to get one regardless, so buy a shotgun.


Anyone out to do harm or steal my stuff. But I know exactly what you are saying. I've had them around where I lived growing up and they were never needed. But I'd rather have one in the .001% chance I need it, than not.
 

PELarson

Platinum Member
Mar 27, 2001
2,289
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Originally posted by: Jumpem
It'd be nice to have some protection in an unfamiliar city.

I'm not a complete gun noob. I have fired several pistols and rifles, but don't own any. I am thinking about a short-barreled shotgun for home protection. Good idea?

I'd like a handgun eventually, but they can be a pain to get sometimes in NY. It seems some people get them easily, and some don't.

Do you have the time to keep yourself familiar with handling/firing a shotgun? If you don't don't get one.
 

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
81
Originally posted by: PELarson
Do you have the time to keep yourself familiar with handling/firing a shotgun? If you don't don't get one.

I don't know of any places to go shooting around there. I would probably end up driving a couple hours back to my family's land to practice.
 

Modeps

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
17,254
44
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I prefer baseball bats. You can really shatter someone's shin or kneecap with a solid swing. I dont want to kill anyone, just wish they never set foot into my house.

:evil:
 

Pepsei

Lifer
Dec 14, 2001
12,895
1
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Anyone out to do harm or steal my stuff. But I know exactly what you are saying. I've had them around where I lived growing up and they were never needed. But I'd rather have one in the .001% chance I need it, than not.

right, the problem is, people won't/can't shoot to kill. if you are in a conflict and it gets to the point you pulling the trigger, you better have the aim and the guts to kill someone with that.
 

PELarson

Platinum Member
Mar 27, 2001
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Originally posted by: Jumpem
Originally posted by: gar3555
Is your neighborhood that bad?


No, it's actually quite nice as far as renting goes. The place is set in fields and woods about fifteen minutes outside of Syracuse. I'd just like to be able to defend myself if the need arose.

If you live west of Syracuse and are thinking of buying a shotgun there is Camillus Sportsmen's Club.

Just remember don't drink the water, from Onondaga lake that is.
 

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
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Originally posted by: Pepsei
right, the problem is, people won't/can't shoot to kill. if you are in a conflict and it gets to the point you pulling the trigger, you better have the aim and the guts to kill someone with that.

I don't have that problem at all. I could shoot to kill for a number of reasons without hesitation.
 

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
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Originally posted by: PELarson
If you live west of Syracuse and are thinking of buying a shotgun there is Camillus Sportsmen's Club.

Just remember don't drink the water, from Onondaga lake that is.

thanks for the link. :) My townhouse is in Camillus.

I've heard things about that lake. What's wrong with it?
 

Umberger

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2005
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Originally posted by: PELarson

Do you have the time to keep yourself familiar with handling/firing a shotgun? If you don't don't get one.
I agree 100% If you have not done so, take a gun safety course. Seriously.
 

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
81
Originally posted by: PELarson
If you live west of Syracuse and are thinking of buying a shotgun there is Camillus Sportsmen's Club.

They seem to be a little too politcally correct for me. For example, "PAPER HUMAN SILHOUETTE TARGETS - To be used only by LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES or NAT. GUARD club members for training purposes."
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,572
971
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You can't buy just one. Once you buy one you'll be hooked and before you know it you'll have 10 of them and a gun safe and spend much of your free time shooting and cleaning them.

The infatuation will die down after a couple years though.
 

brigden

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 2002
8,702
2
81
I'm not going to get into an anti-gun thing, but I find it odd that Americans feel the need to protect themselves with a gun in their homes.

Here in Canada the idea is nearly unheard of. Same as when I lived in the UK.

Is home invasion that big a threat, even in nice areas?
 

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
81
Originally posted by: Lobstar
Come out of being a "gun noob" then get one.


How can I stop being a gun noob before I get one.

I've fired thousands of rounds in my life, just never owned one. Well I did have two .22 rifles given to me on my eighth birthday.
 

exilera

Senior member
Apr 12, 2005
940
0
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Originally posted by: brigden
I'm not going to get into an anti-gun thing, but I find it odd that Americans feel the need to protect themselves with a gun in their homes.

Here in Canada the idea is nearly unheard of. Same as when I lived in the UK.

Is home invasion that big a threat, even in nice areas?

No, people are just more paranoid than in Canada and the UK.
 

mercanucaribe

Banned
Oct 20, 2004
9,763
1
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Originally posted by: Jumpem
Originally posted by: Lobstar
Come out of being a "gun noob" then get one.


How can I stop being a gun noob before I get one.

I've fired thousands of rounds in my life, just never owned one. Well I did have two .22 rifles given to me on my eighth birthday.

Did you get a Chevy pickup with a "3" sticker for your 9th birthday?