Pros and Cons of having a handgun for safety matters.?

Question

I live in an apartment complex. I am looking at moving into the countrym but still on a major highway. I am the victim of a crime in which the person who did it is being released from prison on 6-25-06. I am thinking of buying a gun to protect me if he finds out where I live. I do have one child, and the plan is to not let her know the gun is in the home. Please share your thoughts.....

I live in a small city, but I looking to move into a more rural area. So should I buy the gun or not.....

Answer 1

I've been around guns all of my life and never did my parents keep the fact that these were in the house away from my brother and I. In fact, we were both taught to shoot at around age 5 (when we were big enough to handle the lower caliber guns without getting knocked on our butts). Now that I'm a mother myself and my husband and I have guns in the house (we're both on shooting leagues and my husband supplements our meat supply by hunting) our children are also aware of guns in the house and proper safety etiquette. Our 11 and 6 year olds also shoot and have been through gun safety classes. I feel that by hiding the fact that these instruments are in the home leads to more curiosity which leads to accidents than by educating the children and having them see first hand the destructive power behind the weapon. Also, all of our guns are kept locked in a safe and beyond that they all have trigger guards.

If you are going to purchase a hand gun (or any other weapon for self protection) I would highly recommend at least two things to you. First, you should contact your local gun range (indoor or out) and arrange to take a gun safety and gun handlers class. You really should obtain a license for the caliber of weapon you're planning on having. By going to the range, you have a chance to rent and try out several different types of guns to see which is most comfortable for you and which is more suited for the purpose.

Second, look into self protection classes beyond the use of a firearm. There are times when a handgun is still too close for you to use safely or when it is not available. Having been in an abusive relationship and stalked by my ex, I know first hand how tempting it is to have a handgun with you at all times but it is not always practical or safe, not to mention that even if you obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon, it's only good in so many states and banned completely in some areas.

All in all, education all the way around is more important than the actual type of weapon you choose to use. Just remember that a lethal weapon in the United States at this time is defined as anything from a nuclear bomb on down to a fingernail... it just depends on how it's used.

Good luck to you!

Answer 2

The first thing you need to do is get a self-defense class. The second is determine whether it's for concealled carry or home defense. Home defense you would be better off with a shotgun

Concealled carry nothing under a 9mm or a .38 caliber.

If you have a kid you probably better teach her about it so she's not curious. Never leave it with in her reach

Something to think of is it may take twenty minutes for the police to respond, and it takes 30 seconds for someone to bleed out. Just judging by him getting out the 25 if your state does issue concealled permits your not going to be able to carry anything for a while.

As far as getting a gun you will have to make a decision before you get it, whether or not you could use it if you had to. What will keep a person alive is the will to live more than a firearm (the firearm will help, but it still has a human componate that has to operate it)

Also I would look at a surefire flashlight. It's bright enough to disorient someone for a few seconds giving you a chance to escape or get the drop on them

Answer 3

I think having the gun is a good idea, because it will make you feel more safe and secured. You will need to apply for the concealed handgun's license immediately. If you are afraid of someone coming after you, i advise that you dont move into the countryside. I grew up in the country, and our house caught on fire, and the 2nd and 3rd floors burned before the firemen got there. They were there in 30 minutes, and said that that was almost a record!! If you do get the gun, I reccommend that you buy a nightstand with a lock on the drawer to keep by your bed. Go for the quality ones that your child will not be able to get into, or an intruder for that matter. I reccommend that you keep the gun loaded, where you, and only you, can use it. They have all types of these things now, that are pin-coded. It is generally a 4 number pin that you, and only you, know and can get into. I think that you make you daughter aware that there is a gun in the home, and what the gun looks like, but not to give her the code. This will have her know what it is, but that she is not to use it. My mother did this with me and 4 sisters, and not one of us ever touched any of the guns. It will be best to make her aware of what it is, what it looks like, and what it can do, rather than something happen and she somehow get her hands on it. Good Luck with whatever you decide!

Answer 4

Reality check....If you have a gun and it's in a safe, secure place and unloaded, what good is it? Is the bad guy going to call and say "Hey, I'm coming opver at 4:30 so make sure you're ready"? No, I'm not a gun control advocate, but a locked-up, hidden, unloaded gun is not a very effective deterent to crime. You don't get to call time out to arm yourself. If your concern is that great, stay in a populated area where people can be around you. The worst thing you could do is be in the middle of nowhere and something happen. As for hiding the gun from a child, it is there curiousity about them that is the problem. Show it to them, teach them about them and let them realize that it is not a toy.

Answer 5

A) Your child will know you have a gun. Knowing this, you have two options: you can child-proof the gun by unloading it, locking it away, keeping the ammo in a separate place. This is not practical for self-defense. Or you can gun-proof the child, by teaching him/her how to shoot, proper handling of the gun, safety, etc. so there is no mystery about the gun. This makes much more sense.

B) Handguns for self-defense are terrible. If this is truly only for self-defense, buy a pump-action shotgun. They're ultra-reliable, and can be kept loaded for years and still fire when needed. They can reach out to longer distances than a handgun as well, which may be a plus in the country.

Answer 6

Buying a gun would be a good idea, you can protect your family and yourself, blah blah blah. But...You could also get your gun taken away because you have to go through a bunch of stuff to get a card saying that you can have a gun in your home, also..Children are explorish kinda people, she'll sooner or later find it and then you would want to make sure that you have a Child safety lock on there. Also, you can talk to the police about keeping your identity and home location safe...Not sure how that would work, but try it.

Answer 7

Wow, that is a huge dilemma. The problem is the child in the home, how old is she? You might consider getting a gun safe or a trigger lock but it kind of does not make since if you are trying to protect yourself (thinking out loud).

I think I would get the gun with the trigger lock and keep it close it will at least be around if you know something is about to happen. I would also make sure that your house is correctly identified for 911 operators (they aren't always anymore they can be old addresses). I hope everything turns out OK for you.

Answer 8

Well i can tell u that guns arent all that great. My father in law just got his pistol stolen and now sleeps with him ak47 which i dont like knowing my children go over there. I dont think that guns can do any good they just hurt people. And no matter how good u hide a gun a child can find anything. I would suggest maybe if you do get a gun get a gun safe and only have it out when the child is not anywhere around.

Answer 9

I wouldn't do it. How often do you here " i didn't think my child knew we had a gun"? Kids know everything and are curious this is a bad combination. I thank God we live in Australia where you cannot have a gun without lots of rules regulations and police checks. This way I don't have to worry about my kids going to a friends house and getting killed from playing with a gun

Answer 10

Major pro: What if there's an emergency?
Major con: Acciddents do happen.

But if i were you, I'd go for it. My father kept a gun in the house for these kinds of purposes, and ever since I was little, I knew it was not something to play with and I've never touched it. But you of course must be very careful and take precautions for the safety of you and child. And again, it can come in handy.