Open Carry?

[bigb]

The only gun I own is a .22 rifle. But I want to get a handgun. Protection for me and my family is the reason. I am super overly protective of my family. I want to be able to protect them at any and all cost. I'm not the type of guy that wants to own 5 or six different handguns, 3 or 4 rifles, and 2 or 3 shotguns; but I would like to get a .45 and a 9mm, or something along those lines. I want to have something that I can protect myself and my family with.

 

[bigb]

If it makes you feel better I think that a yearly shooting course and class shoud be mandatory to carry. People who carry should be required to show a proficiency with the weapon.

I agree with that whole-heartedly.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

Same. I feel like most cases having a gun would only compound the problem, resulting in a higher % of death for myself.

Or a loved one. I feel most people, on this site or elsewhere, feel they're an expert, that they know how to use a gun in and out, and more importantly, that they know exactly how they'd react and use it when one of these self-defense situations came up. But no one has any idea of how they'll react until that time comes. No one. Unless perhaps you were in the military and in combat, or are a cop. And for me personally, I wouldn't trust myself in that moment, or in others like if I'm drunk or such, even if I did buy a gun, frequent the range, and "train" myself.

I would bet many on this site do go to the range fairly often and are mentally equipped and "trained" as much as they can be for hypothetical situations that could arise. However, I'd bet more that more of you, and therefore the majority of people, do not fall into that category.

But if you own, God bless you. It's your right.

 

[Stoked]

The only gun I own is a .22 rifle. But I want to get a handgun. Protection for me and my family is the reason. I am super overly protective of my family. I want to be able to protect them at any and all cost. I'm not the type of guy that wants to own 5 or six different handguns, 3 or 4 rifles, and 2 or 3 shotguns; but I would like to get a .45 and a 9mm, or something along those lines. I want to have something that I can protect myself and my family with.

I have a 9mm, I want to get a .38, .22 (rifle and pistol), hunting rifle, 12 guage, judga and a AR15 for ****s and giggles. As for carrying...well I work a job that makes me a very visible target. I deal with alot of nutjobs and I'd rather be prepared just in case.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

The only gun I own is a .22 rifle. But I want to get a handgun. Protection for me and my family is the reason. I am super overly protective of my family. I want to be able to protect them at any and all cost. I'm not the type of guy that wants to own 5 or six different handguns, 3 or 4 rifles, and 2 or 3 shotguns; but I would like to get a .45 and a 9mm, or something along those lines. I want to have something that I can protect myself and my family with.

Have you considered getting an alarm system and/or a dog?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Or a loved one. I feel most people, on this site or elsewhere, feel they're an expert, that they know how to use a gun in and out, and more importantly, that they know exactly how they'd react and use it when one of these self-defense situations came up. But no one has any idea of how they'll react until that time comes. No one. Unless perhaps you were in the military and in combat, or are a cop. And for me personally, I wouldn't trust myself in that moment, or in others like if I'm drunk or such, even if I did buy a gun, frequent the range, and "train" myself.

I would bet many on this site do go to the range fairly often and are mentally equipped and "trained" as much as they can be for hypothetical situations that could arise. However, I'd bet more that more of you, and therefore the majority of people, do not fall into that category.

But if you own, God bless you. It's your right.

Being drunk and carrying a firearm has to be against the law, right?

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

Being drunk and carrying a firearm has to be against the law, right?

At home I meant.

 

[Stoked]

Or a loved one. I feel most people, on this site or elsewhere, feel they're an expert, that they know how to use a gun in and out, and more importantly, that they know exactly how they'd react and use it when one of these self-defense situations came up. But no one has any idea of how they'll react until that time comes. No one. Unless perhaps you were in the military and in combat, or are a cop. And for me personally, I wouldn't trust myself in that moment, or in others like if I'm drunk or such, even if I did buy a gun, frequent the range, and "train" myself.

I would bet many on this site do go to the range fairly often and are mentally equipped and "trained" as much as they can be for hypothetical situations that could arise. However, I'd bet more that more of you, and therefore the majority of people, do not fall into that category.

But if you own, God bless you. It's your right.

I own but am in no way an expert. You are right in that no one truly knows how they will react until they are actually in that situation. But if I am ever in that situation I would hands down prefer to have the option of using a weapon versus not having that option.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I own but am in no way an expert. You are right in that no one truly knows how they will react until they are actually in that situation. But if I am ever in that situation I would hands down prefer to have the option of using a weapon versus not having that option.

I think having a gun in home make sense, because you can anticipate when someone is breaking into your house (by hearing them, maybe you have a camera or alarm system set up) so you can act defensively. If someone pulls a gun on you in the middle of the street, or has the upper hand in general, it seems a gun would hurt more than help in most cases..

 

[Stoked]

I think having a gun in home make sense, because you can anticipate when someone is breaking into your house (by hearing them, maybe you have a camera or alarm system set up) so you can act defensively. If someone pulls a gun on you in the middle of the street, or has the upper hand in general, it seems a gun would hurt more than help in most cases..

In case like that then yeah I am more then likely not going to try and draw on them before they shoot me. But that is not the only way things go down. The vast majority of my family carries. So hitting one of my family reunions is a good way to get killed.

 

[bigb]

Have you considered getting an alarm system and/or a dog?

I have two big dogs that live in my backyard and do a good job of barking when people are by my gate. By no means is that a perfect self defense system. I do agree with you that I have no idea how I would react if/when someone tried to get in my house. I may stand there and piss my pants. But I would rather have the knowledge, training, and tools available to me to give it a shot than not have them and be steamrolled without a defense mechanism.
Let me clarify my stance a little. I grew up around guns. One of my earliest memories is going shooting with my dad. We went out and he sat me down and showed me a gun, showed me the parts, showed me how to use it, gave me instructions, and showed me the devastation it could cause. It didn't scare me away from guns, nor did it make me more curious about them. It gave me a profound respect for them. I knew how to handle one. I've had my two oldest kids around guns, in a very controlled environment. With my 7 year old, I have started the same things my dad did with me. I don't have a gun laying around my house unprotected. It is in a spot that my kids can't get to it. It's not loaded, or even with the magazine loaded.

 

[Stoked]

I have two big dogs that live in my backyard and do a good job of barking when people are by my gate. By no means is that a perfect self defense system. I do agree with you that I have no idea how I would react if/when someone tried to get in my house. I may stand there and piss my pants. But I would rather have the knowledge, training, and tools available to me to give it a shot than not have them and be steamrolled without a defense mechanism.
Let me clarify my stance a little. I grew up around guns. One of my earliest memories is going shooting with my dad. We went out and he sat me down and showed me a gun, showed me the parts, showed me how to use it, gave me instructions, and showed me the devastation it could cause. It didn't scare me away from guns, nor did it make me more curious about them. It gave me a profound respect for them. I knew how to handle one. I've had my two oldest kids around guns, in a very controlled environment. With my 7 year old, I have started the same things my dad did with me. I don't have a gun laying around my house unprotected. It is in a spot that my kids can't get to it. It's not loaded, or even with the magazine loaded.

Mine is in a bed side safe that only I know the code to open. Fully loaded, 1 in the chamber. I also have grown up around guns. Not much of a hunter but I will go on occasion.