Buyng a Gun

[Typhoid]

If you just splurge on a predator drone, and then employ the team to monitor your block 24/7, I think you'd be a lot safer than if you just got a shotgun. I don't think you're doing everything you can to protect your family here.

I can see it now, some crackhead breaks into your house armed with one of your lamps, and you blow him to pieces with a mossberg. What's that, 20-life for murder? Because you surely can't get away with "I was defending myself from the threatening crackhead who had a lamp in his hand by blowing half of his torso all over my living room" in most cases.



You should get a hummer while you're at it.
Oh, and maybe a mesh-backed baseball hat and a tribal tattoo!


Edit: Besides, buying a gun as a defense instead of buying actual defenses for your house, just seems to me to be a lot more that you want some bad-ass talking point you can always tell people. Like "Hey, I have a gun, you guys. And it's a mossberg!" instead of saying "Yeah, we just got some new alarm system." Because bragging about an alarm system isn't as cool.

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by Typhoid

If you just splurge on a predator drone, and then employ the team to monitor your block 24/7, I think you'd be a lot safer than if you just got a shotgun. I don't think you're doing everything you can to protect your family here.

I can see it now, some crackhead breaks into your house armed with one of your lamps, and you blow him to pieces with a mossberg. What's that, 20-life for murder?

No. Its not. Its self-defense.

Because you surely can't get away with "I was defending myself from the threatening crackhead who had a lamp in his hand by blowing half of his torso all over my living room" in most cases.

Yes you can. Honestly, how much thinking do you think is going on in these cases? Am I taking the time to see if they have a lamp or a gun? In the dark? If the lights are on, that's one thing, but even then the invader takes his life in his own hands.

You should get a hummer while you're at it.
Oh, and maybe a mesh-backed baseball hat and a tribal tattoo!

Oh grow up.

Edit: Besides, buying a gun as a defense instead of buying actual defenses for your house, just seems to me to be a lot more that you want some bad-ass talking point you can always tell people. Like "Hey, I have a gun, you guys. And it's a Mossberg!" instead of saying "Yeah, we just got some new alarm system." Because bragging about an alarm system isn't as cool.

Typh, I've had guns my whole life. Have you ever heard me brag about being a gun owner? No. Lets not be childish about this. The reason I'm attracted to the Mossberg isn't because its in MW2... its because ots the more reliable shotgun on the market, and that's what you want in a home defense weapon.

The funniest part about this argument is how it has degraded. No one seems to want to discuss the points I've made, but instead want to assume I a) want to shoot people or 2) want to be a redneck jackass. Amazing.

People seem more sympathetic to the scumbag invader than the person trying to defend his home. That's sad.

[Vampyr]

Totally with you here - it would be hard to pacify your way out of an armed robbery. I mean, chances are it's never going to happen - if someone breaks into your house it's probably going to happen during the day when no one is at home.

But if someone does break into your house while you're they're - either your car is in the driveway or it's in the middle of the night, they've already considered the fact that they will encounter you, and what they will do when that happens.

I also don't know why we are assuming it's going to be a kid wanting an xbox or a 6 pack. Does that ever happen?

That being said, I think the best line of defense is to pay to have ADT installed, have a sign outside saying you have ADT, and a gun in your bedroom. If you hear someone breaking in, lock your door, sit with a gun aimed at it, and wait for the police to get there.

[Professor S]

Looking at the thread, I think we are all creating situations that are sympathetic to our position. I'm assuming the worst; a serial murderer/rapist in the dead of night with the lights off. Those in opposition seem to be assuming the best of the situation; a strung out unfortunate just trying to get cash for his next hit.

In any case, I think its a mistake to assume the intention of the invader. No one can read minds. So instead, lets list the potential situations and appropriate responses.

Your home is invaded/you think your home has been invaded

1) Call the police

2) Retrieve you firearm from its secure but easily attainable location, turn off safety

3) Turn on as many lights as possible from upstairs

3) Check on loved ones to make sure everyone is secure and it isn't anyone living there who has made you think your home has been invaded.

4) Announce from the top of the stairs that you are aware of the invasion at the top of the stairs, and that you are armed and have called the police. Advise that the invaders are to leave immediately if they don't want to get shot or arrested.

5) Remain at the top of the stairs, shotgun aimed towards the first floor, and wait for the police to arrive.

In most cases, I believe this how the situation would be resolved. The gun gives you the opportunity to cut off points of entry to the upper level without directly confronting your assailant. Without the gun, I feel I would be forced to confront the invader because without a weapon/firearm I'm a sitting duck.

You are confronted by the invader

In this situation I think the biggest factor is whether or not you could get the lights on. If the lights are on, you can see the invader and make split-second judgment calls on intent of action. Without lights, anything could be threatening.

Lights On

Aim the weapon at the invader and yell "Don't move!" If the invader stops, ask him to put his arms in the air and remain there until the police arrive. If the invader makes a break for it, let him go. If the invader makes a move towards you or takes any action you make think could be to pull a weapon: Shoot.

Lights Off

You see a silhouette of a man moving. Yell "Don't move!". If the man stops, turn on the lights and wait for the police to arrive. If the man moves: Shoot. In the dark, I can't honestly say I could safely assume any intent of action, and I am forced to assume the worst.

Do these situations sound reasonable? If not, what would your alternatives be?

[TheGame]

That's not bad, but step 0 is to already have an extremely loud alarm system that sounds off whenever any doors or windows are opened... especially if you're in a 2 story house. If the alarm goes off, then follow the steps you listed... if the alarm doesn't go off, then quit being scared and go down and comfront whatever you feel the threat may be.

If you don't trust your alarm system to efficiently tell when your house has been breached, then get a better alarm system.

If you're still afraid to see what went bump in the night, take kick boxing classes.

BTW, I also want a gun.

[KillerGremlin]

Originally Posted by TheGame

That's not bad, but step 0 is to already have an extremely loud alarm system that sounds off whenever any doors or windows are opened... especially if you're in a 2 story house. If the alarm goes off, then follow the steps you listed... if the alarm doesn't go off, then quit being scared and go down and comfront whatever you feel the threat may be.

If you don't trust your alarm system to efficiently tell when your house has been breached, then get a better alarm system.

If you're still afraid to see what went bump in the night, take kick boxing classes.

BTW, I also want a gun.

We have an alarm system...we never set it/use it. I maintain alarm systems are used when people go on vacation and as plot devices in horror movies.

[Typhoid]

Even if you did get 20 years...it would be a cool, calm 20 years...knowing your wife and kid/s are safe.

Assuming someone else doesn't try break in during the 20 years you're in prison, which is likely considering - as stated before - it's likely to happen based on numbers alone to each person in the US every 14 years.

[Dylflon]

A thought just occurred. You could be like a normal person and get a dog.


Not only will dogs protect your home but they love you so much! Dogs are a burglary deterrent and a good weapon should burglary not be deterred.


Edit: or a dog and a revolver.

I think buying shotguns for home defense is an icky idea...the mess...

I'm curious as to why our thoughts of home invasion defense are so different? Alarm system and/or dog instantly springs to my mind...not so much firearms. Maybe a blunt weapon.

I don't think it's the fact that I don't have a wife and kid that makes me different. If I had kids I definitely would not want a gun in my house.
Maybe it comes down to our respective levels of paranoia. I currently have no alarm system and my dog just died yet I still manage to sleep just fine at night.

[Typhoid]

Originally Posted by Dylflon

A thought just occurred. You could be like a normal person and get a dog.


Not only will dogs protect your home but they love you so much! Dogs are a burglary deterrent and a good weapon should burglary not be deterred.

If only that dog could kill other people with bullets.

We need some genetic modification, here.

Either that, or we need to find a way to make guns love you.

[KillerGremlin]

For practicality: the Taurus

For fun: The Mossberg

I figure if you're going to buy it you are going to educate/practice using it. If you're taking it to a range might as well go with the gun that will provide the most satisfaction.

I don't know much about guns, but you can load the 12 gauge with shells that have buckshot and shells that fire a single bullet, correct? I think that gives the gun versatility.

Also, my understanding is that shotguns are less lethal at range than a pistol, especially a magnum firing big ass .45 caliber rounds. Frankly, I'd rather be shot at with the shotgun....

Also, fuck this pacifism shit. If someone is poking around in your house uninvited, I say they deserve to get shot. And that's not sarcasm. This is America, not Canada. When people break in bad things happen. Getting a gun is on my to-do list, once I get some money and a more permanent place to call home.

Originally Posted by Typhoid

I can see it now, some crackhead breaks into your house armed with one of your lamps, and you blow him to pieces with a mossberg. What's that, 20-life for murder?

Even if you did get 20 years...it would be a cool, calm 20 years...knowing your wife and kid/s are safe.

[Fox 6]

Originally Posted by KillerGremlin

Even if you did get 20 years...it would be a cool, calm 20 years...knowing your wife and kid/s are safe.

But then you'd be sleepless every night in prison wondering if a rapists has broken into your house to get your wife :P

[KillerGremlin]

Originally Posted by Fox 6

But then you'd be sleepless every night in prison wondering if a rapists has broken into your house to get your wife :P

If I had guns in my home I'd make sure my wife was educated in how to use them.

I'm not pro-imposing guns on people. I am all for alternative forms of home security; whatever makes you feel safe, you know? For me, personally, I want to get into guns mostly as a hobby. I wouldn't mind learning how to use a firearm at a shooting range and turning that into a hobby. A lot of cool engineering goes into firearms and overall it is a legit sport/hobby. For me, I'd probably keep a small firearm in my home just because you never know what is going to happen. I would pray that I would never ever be in a situation where I would have to use the weapon, especially against another human being. I don't know if I could live with myself after having to defend myself. I'd definitely need some therapy. But at the end of the day, having a hobby and being able to defend yourself sounds like a win-win to me.