Why don't you carry a gun?

[Scotteq]

I have to agree. The last time Waste Management came to pick up the garbage at our place all the tin cans started throwing shit at them, then the bottles started fighting, and the trash guy had to jump into the garbage can and subdue the combatants. It was gruesome, but not as gruesome as last week, when a seemingly placid ball of crumpled newspaper killed a driver. Hope that doesn't happen again.

If you need a cop NOW, just wait 10 minutes and they'll be right over.

You know.... to clean up.

No Problem, right?

 

[JulesMaximus]

you may not have. but i have seen enough fucking idiots say it.


it makes me laugh too. not everyone lives in a urban setting w here cops are around. we don't have city cops. just state and county (btw my county is huge!). it takes a little while for them to get here.

Same with firetrucks. IF my house catches on fire the fire trucks will be here to far to late.

we know that. that's why we have a nice system in the house in case of a fire. from smoke alarms, heat alarms, fire extinguishers in 3 rooms. EVERY room upstairs (well not the bathroom) has rope ladders and break out windows (easy to push out and climb down).

do i expect to ever use them? I would be just as happy to never use them, but im ready. same idea behind a gun for home defense. will i ever use them? again i would be just as happy to have "wasted" my money buying it and never use it.



exactly and that's all that needs to be said. To many would rather put down those that choose to, or say other silly things.

Though i will say if you choose to carry please actually be trained and have a IQ above 75...

Sadly, I think a pulse is about the only requirement in many states...

 

[skyking]

Sadly, I think a pulse is about the only requirement in many states...

right in line for the requirements for parenthood

 

[alkemyst]

I complain about my keychain and cell phone being too heavy. Imagine a few pounds of metal in my pocket.

Also, I feel it is unnecessary. Most homicides are targeted. Who would want to hurt me?

Most violence where a gun would be needed is non-directed. It turns to a homicide when they don't get what they want or feel the need to eliminate loose ends.

You could just make the wrong turn down a block only to have two thugs see an easy target.

 

[Markbnj]

If you need a cop NOW, just wait 10 minutes and they'll be right over.

You know.... to clean up.

No Problem, right?

You talk like cops are never on scene when a crime is in progress. That's silly. The more accurate analogy, if you must have one, is that cops are to crime as doctors are to sickness and injury: they can't always prevent it, when it starts they can't always stop it, but they always do their best to fix whatever bad thing is happening.

 

[Markbnj]

"I'm goingto be clever and compare a cop to trash. It's going to show those morons. This is going to be great! "

But you have to say it with a Gomer Pyle voice

And all this time I thought osmium was the densest element.

 

[rga]

I guess I should have expected it when I posed the question, but I think a lot of the responses in this thread are a bit off-topic (in that they support the right to carry one/list reasons for carrying one). I asked for reasons why from those who don't.

Again, I want to reiterate my reason: I'm not responsible or prepared enough to carry one. Even with training, I feel that my decision to use one would be made too early or too late, but that's just me (a few others have responded similarly). It seems that the majority who answered my question did so with by stating simply that they dont't feel the need.

It makes me feel better to read that the majority (of people in this thread) don't feel threatened enough in their daily lives to carry around something that could endanger those of others.

 

[alkemyst]

I hope most know most cops aren't charging into a home if they think there is a hostage or potential domestic violence issue with a gun involved.

They wait things out a bit. Same thing with burglaries. Cops add in extra time as it's better the perps are not in the home when they are there.

It sucks. They respond much differently to businesses.

 

[JulesMaximus]

right in line for the requirements for parenthood

Isn't that the truth. :biggrin:

 

[ViviTheMage]

I live in a nice neighborhood, its a pain to carry, and my work doesn't allow it.

That being said, if I lived in a sketchy area, I would most definitely carry.



I got robbed at gunpoint last July in St. Paul, MN. I've always been pro-gun, but getting robbed makes you realize that no one is going to protect you. You need to protect yourself - the police will only show up after the fact.

crazy, where bouts in st paul? There are some bad areas ... but I can't imagine that is common.

 

[JBT]

Just don't see the need. Seems like the juice wouldn't be worth the squeeze in this sense. The wife would also never "want" one in the house and I don't care much.

 

[alkemyst]

crazy, where bouts in st paul? There are some bad areas ... but I can't imagine that is common.

None of it's common. You carry a gun to protect yourself if your luck runs out. Most never have to use their guns in self-defense.

I know several that had to pull on hobos and the like down in Miami when on their motorcycles alone. They know you are heading into the 'club district' and probably have at least some cash on you.

 

[rga]

None of it's common. You carry a gun to protect yourself if your luck runs out. Most never have to use their guns in self-defense.

I know several that had to pull on hobos and the like down in Miami when on their motorcycles alone. They know you are heading into the 'club district' and probably have at least some cash on you.

Visa debit?

 

[Fritzo]

So you don't go to drug stores, grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, malls, or stop at any traffic lights for fear of being carjacked, or to your living room to watch TV?

I live in a small city that most 'think' is safe, yet there are several armed home invasions a month, pharmacies are robbed more and more often for drugs, the latest where a customer was grabbed as a hostage, etc. etc.

I'm too old to fight even a 6' 20 year old, even though I'm 6', and sure as hell can outrun them, but they can't outrun a .40S&W 180 grain hollow point round.

I used the cost as an excuse for far too long, but looking back it wasn't a wise choice, even though I was never a victim, while I was ignoring my responsibility to protect my family. I demanded they wear seat-belts (before it was law), and always had working smoke detectors and extinguishers in the home, but nothing to defend against an armed intruder. You seldom get a 'do over' with any of these.

Actually you can outrun a bullet. Running in a random zig-zag pattern lowers your chance of hitting the target by as much as 90%.

 

[alkemyst]

Visa debit?

Some places, esp parking do not take credit.

I would not use a debit card at most 'clubs' down in S. Florida. A CC sure, but a debit is a totally different deal.

 

[Svnla]

For those that want to carry concealed, watch this and avoid the mistakes = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-NOwxg4rxE

 

[Fenixgoon]

Actually you can outrun a bullet. Running in a random zig-zag pattern lowers your chance of hitting the target by as much as 90%.

that would be causing the shooter to miss, not outrunning it.

fastest man alive: 27mph

pistol round: 600+ mph

 

[Capt Caveman]

Higher odds of getting killed by a car that runs a red or stop sign when I'm driving, running or cycling than by a gun. Come close a number of times and even been hit by a MBTA bus that stopped in the cross walk and hit me and my dog. Don't see a need for a gun.

When I worked in SF and lived in Berkeley, I used to get off the BART in downtown Oakland and run home. See lots of kids or guys hanging out on sidewalk, just ran in the street.

 

[SheHateMe]

I don't need one because I don't need one out here where I live. I'm also not scared of minorities. I am also fairly certain that the old man next door has plenty of weapons. So, chances are..if some shit goes down, I'm heading next door.

 

[IEC]

It's illegal to carry a gun here. Even if it wasn't, I don't see a need too. Canada's a fairly safe country and random acts of violence are rare. I'm not anti-gun. However, I see shooting as more sport than practical self defense. I have never fired a gun though I have gone target shooting with a bow, and I definitely see why people enjoy it.

I think people, Americans especially, tend to overestimate how effective a gun is for self defense. Mostly because people really don't know how they would react in a stressful situation. A gun might scare off a mugger, but what if it doesn't. Are you prepared to enter a standoff with that person? It's a position you really don't want to be in. Especially with no tactical training. Most cases where someone heroically uses their gun to fend off bad guys, the vast majority of the time they're ex-military or ex-law enforcement. Everyone likes to imagine themselves as the heroic cowboy, but I don't think things pan out that well in the real world. Especially when every instinct is telling you to haul your ass out of there. You don't want to escalate things. The key is knowing how to defuse a dangerous situation before it comes to violence. Weapons should only be used as a tool of absolute last resort, when all other options are exhausted.

The question to really ask here is why Americans feel the need to carry a weapon at all. Especially when other similar western countries don't seem to have the same level of perceived violence than the United States does. Is it a cultural thing?

A gun should not be used to "scare off" someone. That's considered brandishing or making a threat depending on your locality (or worse, if you do something as stupid as firing a "warning" shot). A gun should be used when you have no other option to de-escalate or flee a situation and are forced to draw and fire in self-defense. Merely POINTING a gun at someone is considered LETHAL force under the law (and appropriately so, according to the four laws of gun safety), so you better damn well be ready to pull the trigger when you draw.

Former and current military and former and current law enforcement describes a rather significant % of the US population. Just veterans alone describes up to 24% of men in the United States. Many non-veterans also have the requisite skills and training to effectively use a handgun.

Source:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/158729/men-women-veterans.aspx

 

[IEC]

I don't need one because I don't need one out here where I live. I'm also not scared of minorities. I am also fairly certain that the old man next door has plenty of weapons. So, chances are..if some shit goes down, I'm heading next door.

He has no obligation or duty to protect you. Chances are, unless he likes you as a neighbor he will tell you to go away. Especially if he has had any training or is a survivalist type.

 

[Scotteq]

You talk like cops are never on scene when a crime is in progress. That's silly. The more accurate analogy, if you must have one, is that cops are to crime as doctors are to sickness and injury: they can't always prevent it, when it starts they can't always stop it, but they always do their best to fix whatever bad thing is happening.

How quaint - It believes the horseshit we learned in grade school that the police are actually there to 'help' us. Last I checked with the brother in law, his job is actually to develop cases the Prosecutor can slam dunk to convictions with minimal effort and cost to the state. He is *nobody's* friend while in uniform. And any 'help' he does render is incidental to his primary job of developing cases. You would be very wise to keep that in mind anytime you find yourself forced to deal with any LEO.

Nevertheless, I'll be sure to keep a positive outward attitude that next time I might need to make an appointment.

Also - this the last I'll be responding, since arguing with a member with your title is considered poor form.

 

[rudeguy]

How quaint - It believes the horseshit we learned in grade school that the police are actually there to 'help' us. Last I checked with the brother in law, his job is actually to develop cases the Prosecutor can slam dunk to convictions with minimal effort and cost to the state. He is *nobody's* friend while in uniform. And any 'help' he does render is incidental to his primary job of developing cases. You would be very wise to keep that in mind anytime you find yourself forced to deal with any LEO.

Nevertheless, I'll be sure to keep a positive outward attitude that next time I might need to make an appointment.

Also - this the last I'll be responding, since arguing with a member with your title is considered poor form.

I'll pick up the gauntlet

 

[rudeguy]

And all this time I thought osmium was the densest element.

You either suffer from a lack of real world experience or a lack of oxygen. Possibly both.

Have you ever needed the police? Like NEEDED them? Not your car got broken into or something where time isn't of the essence? They don't show up as soon as you dial 911. Matter of fact, the first thing you need to do is argue with the 911 operator who is going to make the call as difficult as possible. Then if you do finally convince them to send a cop, the cop is going to take at least a few minutes to show up. So you are basically looking at minimum 5 minutes before a cop will be there to "help". So all you need to do is ask the criminal to please hold when he is trying to rob/rape/kill you. He should oblige.

Then there is me. It takes me less than a second to get the help I need. If I have a couple free seconds, I'll call 911 to let them record what goes on.

 

[Meghan54]

Jesus....where the F do some of you live that you feel your life is in peril every time you step out your door?

I've managed to survive over 60 years on this old earth and not once have I ever been robbed, mugged, whatever. And this included hanging out on The Block in Baltimore, the South End in Boston, some seedy appearing areas in Atlanta, sketchy places in Germany, Italy, and France when I was over in Europe. Where do y'all go.....looking for drugs? Hanging out in high crime areas on purpose looking for altercations? Get drunk and belligerent?

And about home invasions.....try my house. You'd best have guns drawn and blazing because 3 of my dogs will put you on your ass in a moment, esp. if the wife's at home. I wouldn't try it and I live in the house.

Some of y'all sound like you live in the Wild West where everyone has a gun and is looking for a reason to use it.....must be a hard existence.