Nice post. The most well thought out response--both for and against having a firearm--that I've read in a long time. I think it takes guts to declare in certain circles that you choose not to keep a firearm because you're liable to have all kinds of abuse heaped on you for such a stand. I choose not to have a firearm, whether for recreation or self-defense purposes.

Regarding the self-defense angle, it's a decision based on my circumstances, my perception of the odds of ever needing a firearm, my wife's wishes, and like Kuovonne, some thought into the other possible negative repurcussions of having a firearm in the house. I'm not saying no one should have a gun, but for me, right now, no thank you. But I'm also open to the possibility that that may change sometime in the future.

As you point out, not only do we need to take the risks into account, but also the tremendous costs involved in responsibly keeping a firearm for self-defense, particularly for concealed carry--in psychological commitment, equipment, time, and training. If Kuovonne doesn't feel comfortable with firearms and thinks that the possible negative outcomes of having one are unacceptable to her, fine. She's an adult who has thought through this and I applaud her for making the decision. There are other ways to address and mitigate the risks, as others have already pointed out.

And if someone wants to say, "Well, if she gets raped, it's her fault for not having a gun!" then I'd say, "Grow up". For one thing, you're blaming the victim. It's like blaming the people in the World Trade Center for not having antiaircraft missles or parachutes in their offices. And secondly, does that comment reflect the kind of society we want to live in? As much as some of us decry the "decline of civillization" and see chaos and attackers around every corner, most of us in the West live in relative affluence, peace, and freedom. Even so, sh*t happens occasionally, even to the most prepared of us--including the well armed--and when we're down, I would hope that the people around us would have a spirit of helping and understanding, rather than, "Tsk, tsk, you only have yourself to blame".

To me, the spirit of ETS is not just personal responsibility for myself, but also the willingness and compassion to jump in and help others in need. I think the recent Everest incident and leaving a climber behind is one example of this clash of ideals. Or Ors' recent post in Around the Campfire about the young lady with the flat tire. OK, she was incredibly clueless, but more importantly, thank goodness for people like Ors who made the effort to help.

I decided to carry a firearm after my local convenience store was robbed. The person stabbed the clerk in the head (nobody said crooks were smart). If I had been there, I would have had to make a decision to watch the clerk get possibly killed or intervene & possibly get stabbed myself. I decided that these two options were unacceptable. This was in the pre-cellphone days.

Wow! I didn't expected a response to my post.

Here's some clarification:

1) I do not carry a gun, and I am not interested in intensive training and practice. However, I have access to guns, as DH likes them. I should have mentioned this in my first post.

2) All of the guns that I have access to are securely stored. Other people in my situation might choose to pretend that the firearms aren't there; however, I don't feel comfortable doing so.

3) If I am threatened, I will not just let myself be killed. (I might let myself be robbed, but not killed.) First I'd try to get away, and if that failed, I'd resist. As others have pointed out, there are many ways of resisting.

4) I will probably never have a usable gun in my hands when under attack. If it happened, it would probably be because DH had a gun and became incapacitated before firing all the ammo. So, although it is a very unlikely secenario, it is possible, and I thought it worth pondering what I should do.

Hope that clears things up.

-Kuovonne

Thank you for that. Please consider having just enough training to get one round on target. And if all else fails - sell yourself as dearly as possible.

Hi,

I didn't read all posts and I don't CARRY a gun (coming from Germany is not always easy).

Here's my philosophy (I share it partly with you):

Empty the clip / chamber as fast as possible, be sure to hit/kill the enemy (you have to practice for this).

Repeat this while enemy is on two legs.

Result:

You killed/wounded all.

If not and you got overpowered:

1. There are no more shots left to be directed against you.
2. Practice harder

"For some strange reason he seems to think that I am a decent shot."

From what I've seen, females are much easier to teach shooting then males. They'll admit they don't know what they're doing and listen. Guys grow up watching shootem up movies and already know how to shoot, complete with bad habits and some ridiculous techniques. (Personally, I hope all the little gangstas learn to shoot from DMX and Vin Diesel. That silly sideways grip just gives me a better chance.)

I've had a CCW for years and would have no qualms if it came to a choice of me (or family and friends) and them. Remember, they're the ones that put YOU in that situation.

And finally, this is something that's already been alluded to: criminals rarely have just one victim. The victims can be numerous and spread out over years. A former girlfriend was badly raped in a parking garage. The night she told me about it she cried, not for herself but because he was still out there and some other girl would have to go through what she had to. Some people give up their rights to live by their actions, some people just need shooting.

>>>>"From what I've seen, females are much easier to teach shooting then males. They'll admit they don't know what they're doing and listen. Guys grow up watching shootem up movies and already know how to shoot, complete with bad habits and some ridiculous techniques. "

I've seen the same thing with boys vs men. At summer camp, we have an NRA certified instructor at the rifle and shotgun ranges. The boys come in listening to every word the guy says, because they know they don't get to shoot if they can't strip, clean, and reassemble the rifles, and pass the range safety tests. Once a week, however, we have Scoutmaster shoots, where all the "men" get to use the range. Even if you know what you're doing, why wouldn't you listen to a guy who has spent his entire life teaching how to use firearms. It's funny when you get one of the adults who has something basic like a misfire and they sit there for a while, not knowing what to do... (The rifles are old rimfire 22's, it's not uncommon for a misfire every hundred rounds or so) the kids listen and handle it fine, but, there's always some one of the adults that really should pay attention, but doesn't. They sit there, trying to pull the trigger over and over, usually with a bunch of young scouts on the benches watching... last year, one of the little tenderfoot scouts about 11 years old, said "mister ____, if you just open the bolt and close it again, it should fire ok."

That poor guy felt pretty small, and the range safety guy couldn't help but have a little smile. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Didn't expect a response? Gun usage/ownership/possession is one of those hot topics like religion and politics! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Probably because it involves those two at some point!

You've done the only thing most people ask of others: try something and see if you like it. You know guns exist, you know how they are used, and you know your limitations. The fact that you have acknowledge that you may have to use a gun after your husband has been incapacitated. I think this alone shows that you are intelligent enough to realize the world is a dangerous place, and bad things can happen. Living in a utopian mindset will only get you killed. Doesn't matter whether you choose to use the gun or not. Just the fact that you've gotten the facts and made your own informed decision, shows that you're using the best weapon you control. If you don't know what that is, please, step away from the firearm.

Gee, I leave town for a week and DW decides to kick the hornet's nest. <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

I'll be the first to admit that I'm bummed she won't take a more active role in firearm defense. She can outshoot me with a little .380 semiauto versus me with my 9mm Taurus 92. Unfortunately, the Taurus is physically too large for her. There's a nice 20-guage pump shotgun in the gun safe with her name on it. I just haven't found the right magic words to get her to shoot it. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

That being said, I respect her choices (even while actively working to undermine them) when it comes to armed defense. Currently, the chance of a home invasion at our house is slim to non-existant for several reasons. First we live in a relatively well-to-do neighborhood. There is crime here but 90% of it is bike theft. Second, our house is hardened against easy entry. The doors, door locks and windows have been upgraded to withstand being kicked in. Third, we have a monitered house alarm. Fourth, multiple baby gates with tricky locks seperate the bedrooms from the rest of the house (may seem weak, but are attached to wall studs with 4" screws). Fifth, this is Texas. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

As for out and about, she doesn't go to "bad" neighborhoods. Sure, crime can happen anywhere, but statistically if you aren't a young black dope-dealer it's unlikely you end up face down in a pool of blood.

When it looked like Hurricane Rita was going to hit Houston she took a refresher course from me on the guns. Scenes of Katrina were still being played on TV and she realized there was a potential for trouble. She wanted to be ready.

Finally, having ONCE decided to keep tickling her after she said stop I am completely confident in her ability to defend herself. I'm 14" taller and 80 lbs heavier than her, but suddenly I had a pissed-off cougar in my hands. It was three days before I could use my hand and a week before walking didn't hurt. I'm still not sure about the hearing in my right ear.

-Blast

RE: having a pissed off cougar on your hands......

Sounds a little like my wife. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Think back to the old TV series The Incredible Hulk. There was one line......

Mr Mcgee, don't make [her] angry.....you wouldn't like [her] when [she's] angry... <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

She'll put up with a lot. She has after all kept me <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> But you don't want cross her. I heard a great line once.....cross her and she's tougher than a 99 cent steak.

G_d do I love her.