My husband and i have been together for 9 years, although we just recently got married. We have lived together for 5 of those years. The only thing that we consistently fight about is having guns in the house. He does not hunt, and has never owned his own gun, although his parents do own a few. So during our whole time together, he has not had a gun in his home since he moved out of his parents' house.
We are recently fighting more about this topic, as I do not feel comfortable with a gun in the house. I am unfamiliar with them, do not like the extra responsibility they bring, and think that they will most likely not be helpful in self-defense because they must be locked up at all times. He has taken me target shooting with a 9 mm, and I actually was pretty good and enjoyed it, but still am not comfortable living with one. I don't want a constant reminder of the horrors of the world in my home.
Am I just being stubborn, or do others feel this same way?
2007-01-06 16:58:00 · 24 answers · asked by thegoodstuff22 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It seems as if your husband at least has some basic knowledge of firearms and gun safety, so if he keeps it in a locked safe you have very little to worry about. Although I do suggest that you spend some time at the range with him to get use to guns and get more comfortable with them. Or better yet take a safety course.
A lot of people have preconceptions about guns being inherently bad and evil. A gun is only as evil as the one holding it. The more experience you get safely using guns, the more you will see how fun shooting sports can be.
But of course don't feel pressured by your husband or anyone else to do something you're not comfortable with, start when you feel you're ready.
As for him keeping it in the house, I think that as long as he practices all the necessary safety precautions there should be no reason that you shouldn't allow him to keep it.
2007-01-08 13:41:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2016-12-23 20:19:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what fiction Kitty is coming up with, but here are some facts.
There are no statistics to support the position that most people are injured by criminals using the homeowner's weapon against them; just the opposite in fact. In truth, more people are saved by the legal application of force than are ever endangered by someone getting the weapon away from them.
There is nothing wrong with having a weapon in the house and it is easy to get used to a weapon's presence. I have had every manner of weapon in my home my entire life. There are some very simple rules that you ALWAYS adhere to and then it is fine.
First, as far as you are anyone else is concerned the gun is always loaded. This means that even if you just unloaded it, treat it as if it were loaded.
When you don't want it ready for defense, unload the weapon, lock it up and lock the ammunition up somewhere else.
Don't just go shooting the thing at the range. Take a class, preferably one geared up for personal protection and defense.
I've been in law enforcement for 15 years and an advanced firearms instructor. My pistol is always close at hand but never where someone else, especially kids, can get to it and it has never been a problem.
With exposure and training comes familiarity and comfort. It's good to be comfortable with the presence of a firearm as it is your responsibility to protect yourself. The police are only going to be there after the fact. However, do not get so comfortable that you fail to follow the safety rules. As long as you operate within the established safety rules of the firearms community then having a weapon is perfectly safe.
2007-01-07 00:27:10 · answer #3 · answered by deus ex machina 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First I will qualify my answer with my opinion of firearms so you can dismiss me or listen. I have been shooting since I was 7 years old, I am now 54. I served 4 years in the US Military and served 2 tours in Vietnam in a combat position. I have several firearms and have always had several firearms in my home but I know how to use them, practice with them often, as does my wife and keep them locked away.
I am a firm believer that it is a persons duty to be able to defend yourself with deadly force if possible. Some people are just not of this mind set and if you and your husband both, are not ready to accept this responsibility then you should certainly not have a firearm within easy access. My suggestion is to purchase a good strong safe for his/your 9mm. You could even purchase 2 safes and store the magazine and the barrel in one and the frame and ammunition in the other. These could be put out of sight so that you didn't have to see them and would be completely safe from busy hands. You can get a couple of small safes for less than $100 a piece.
Just a suggestion
2007-01-06 17:09:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have a gun in my house but only because of my profession. However, even though I don't have a problem with it and neither does my wife doesn't mean a gun in the house is appropriate for all households either. Remember, with your weapon you are responsible for anything that happens with it. God forbid if children get a hold of it because you were cleaning it and forgot to put it back or got lazy and just stuffed it in a drawer. Also, what if there is a heated argument and at a moment of rage someone decides to break out the gun? Familiarity with a weapon doesn't make it more comfortable to be around. There is nothing to fight about. If you don't want it in the house, then it shouldn't be in the house. You shouldn't be forced to get one. It should be a joint decision. Besides, I find a great alternative to firearms in case of a break in is either a louieville slugger, a large dog, or a very large kitchen knife. ;o)
2007-01-06 17:07:03 · answer #5 · answered by Kenneth C 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yeah you are being a little stubborn. The questions that you should ask yourself before deciding, however, are these. Is your husband responsible enough and knowledgeable enough to properly own a gun. If he isn't, what does he need to do to become so. Same goes for you. If you learn about guns and insist on keeping them in safe places, you should have nothing to worry about. They are fun for target shooting and other such activities.
While I would never own a gun myself, if someone I lived with wanted to own a gun I would simply make sure that everyone in the house was either responsible enough to not mess with the weapon, or responsible enough to know what to do and what not to do with said weapon. (Bringing up the children issue, but if you have children that is another story).
2007-01-06 17:14:36 · answer #6 · answered by Memnoch 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if stubborn is the right word. I suggest you take a class on self defense with a weapon. I assure you, it's not the gun you should be concerned with as much as the person behind the gun. If you have a gun, keep it accessible in a safe that it quick and easy to open. They make them. Don't keep it in the night stand or under the bed. Practice accessing the weapon in the dark and with your eyes blindfolded. If you think cooperating with an intruder is the best defense, you may need to expand your mind a bit. Sometimes, the best defense is the ability to access your weapon and neutralize the threat yourself. Oh, and target shooting will make you complacent with the weapon and provides no real reward as you will not be using the weapon in a calm, take your time to aim, shoot the bulls-eye scenario. Good luck.
2007-01-06 17:12:18 · answer #7 · answered by spag 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think having a gun in the house is a good idea. It is also a good idea to keep it loaded and ready to go at all times. Keeping the gun locked in a safe is no way to protect yourself or your family against criminals that expect you to have your gun locked up or in a safe. It is very important to educate your children on the dangers of guns and also on the safety procedures when handling guns. It would be a good idea for beginers to take lessons in fire arms saftey and handling and last but not least shooting fire arms. Here is something to always remember. GUN CONTROL MEANS USING BOTH HANDS!! ---stay protected
2007-01-06 18:50:51 · answer #8 · answered by Jason 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a member of the law enforcement community (Corrections and Reserve Deputy), I would say you are being stubborn. Take a concealed carry class to learn more about all types of guns, even though you do not plan on carrying a weapon, you will become more familiar and comfortable around guns. Also, many gun ranges have "Ladies Night" in which it is strictly females shooting and they teach things like gun safety.
2007-01-06 17:03:14 · answer #9 · answered by Cayl 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, guns bring safety in the house and help in self defense but I think a good compromise is a tranquilizer gun. They don't have to be locked up, so they will be easy access to get when needed for self defense.
2007-01-06 17:09:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋