Has the VT shooting made you more interested in purchasing a firearm for personal protection?

Question

And do you know the laws in your state regarding guns?

Has anyone taken steps down this road recently?

I'm just curious what people think.

Thanks.

Answer 1

I know my State's laws well. I know the Second Amendment as well. I have a concealed carry permit.

I know my Second Amendment rights, and I exercise them

Answer 2

Thinking about this, have you considered a shotgun instead? You can load with shot pellet and slugs. I agree with Old Fuzz about taking a defensive hand gun course. Its a very good idea. The instructor may have firearms you can rent or use which will give you a better idea of what you like. It will also improve your shooting skills a lot faster than if you go by yourself, or have a friend teach you. There's nothing like 1000 rounds in a 2 or 3 day training program to teach you correct everything. As a side note: I've been told, and actually seen it in my class, women tend to do better in the class. They ask questions, have no bad habits to break, and generally don't think they know better than the instructor. Caliber stopping power is always going to be a debate. The theory of 1 shot stopping power is not realistic. That is Hollywood physics. The reality is the bigger the caliber bullet AND the lighter weight the firearm, the more recoil you will encounter. The only way to deal with it is to practice, practice, and practice a lot more. You should get out at least 3 or 4 times minimum a year to practice with your firearm. Otherwise you're body doesn't remember and manage it well. The 9mm has low and very manageable recoil. However, its not going to be a 1 shot stopper. A .357 Magnum revolver is a good choice for a for stopping power, but it will either have a lot of recoil, or weigh a lot to make the recoil manageable. The perk is you can load it with .38 special rounds which are very similar to the 9mm, low recoil but not great stopping power. The old saying is don't trust a caliber that doesn't start with 4 or greater. The 40SW has much more recoil, but will have a greater chance for stopping power. If its a polymer based gun, its going to have a lot of recoil. There's not much mass to manage the recoil. Plan to practice a lot. The .44 Magnum / Special revolvers are great for stopping power. Might even over penetrate. On a small revolver, its going to kick, a lot. On a larger revolver, it will be more manageable. It will still kick though. As a side note, a lot of people saw the Dirty Harry movies, and went out and bought the .44 Magnum revolver. They shot it a few times and realized it kicks a lot. They then put it up in the closet never to shoot it again. This can be fixed by getting out and practicing frequently. My final recommendation is the .45ACP. Its a proven workhorse. Since the bullet is heavier, the recoil is a little less. My recommendation is the .45 ACP, night sights or laser sights (essential for low light situations, laser would be better since the laser tells you where you aim; night sights are radioactive, but aren't dangerous, they light up in the dark, overtime though they fade ), in a 1911. Several manufacturers make the 1911. Kimber, Smith and Wesson, Springfield, and many, many more make it. Its a heavier pistol as its typically made of steel, but you can get one that is lighter weight. It also has thinner grips, which if you have small hands like I do, it will fit your hand better. It is a single action pistol, so the trigger pull is the same from the first shot to the last. Other pistols to consider are the Springfield Armory XD and Smith and Wesson's MP series. Both pistols come in a variety of calibers: 9mm, 40SW, and .45 ACP. The XD's grip is a little bigger than the 1911, so it still fits my small hands. The MP has an interchangeable backstrap which will allow you to adjust your grip to fit your hand better. One other thing, for home defense, you'll want Jacketed Hollow Points, JHP. These will hit, and then expand a lot making a bigger exit wound than the entry wound. This improves your one stop chances of one shot stopping power. A full metal jacket, FMJ, or total metal jacket, TMJ, in a high speed round will typically overpenetrate, making a small hole on the entry and exit point.

Answer 3

Not really no. I do have a few guns, but I can't imagine any circumstances nowadays when I'd feel justified to carry them around in public like some kind of dumba$s vigilante wannabe.

Yeah I know, ask any one of those fools and they'll swear up and down THEY know what they're doing, it's all those OTHER stupid people who're the problem.

Yeah. Right the f*ck on, a$shole.

Nothing against gun ownership here, I like the idea of personal freedom in all respects. Just don't have much use fo the idea that guns are the holy panacea these NRA types make them out to be.

So anyway, feel free to spend your whole life worried sick about some crazy gunman you'll never see.

You'll probably end up getting squished by a semi on your way to Burger King.

Answer 4

I live in Md and yes I do know the laws regarding firearms. I am also trained and experienced in using firearms to protect myself and others.
To those who say they could not fathom the thought of taking a human life even if it was justified have never been put into a situation that would require just that. The human instinct to survive is very strong. More than morals and values brought into today's societies of peace and love. Its the classic example of fight or flight. When you cant run your going to fight, if given the chance. And if the other guy is carrying a firearm the chances of you winning with a fist are slim to none.

Answer 5

No, I have shotguns and rifles, but no handguns. A lot of people should not touch guns. I am proficient in all types of fire arms. I've had guns from the age of 12. but the thought of some people i know actually using a gun, just scares me more than chance of running into a criminal with a gun.

Answer 6

No.

Statistics show that a person that owns a gun for personal protection and uses it is more likely to be killed during the commition of a crime than someone unarmed.

I also have a 19 month old daughter that likes to get into EVERYTHING, and I would be absolutley devistated if anything happened to her due to my or my husband's decision. Guns in the home don't make me feel any safer.

I think that is a choice that each person has the right to make, and I don't think that it should be illegal to have or own a gun for protection as long as the laws are followed. It is just not a choice I would make.

Answer 7

Not more interested in purchasing one, as I already own a firearm, but more interested in being able to legally have one with or near me when it might be needed. California concealed weapon permits are nearly impossible to get, but I'd rather just be able to keep one in my vehicle for protection, as well as keep one in my home, which I already do.

I wouldn't carry one on my person all of the time if I had a CW permit, but on occasion I think there are times when I might. Depending on where and when I was in a paticular place.

Answer 8

Not at all. I have been robbed a gunpoint wherein a person involved pulled a weapon on our 3 robbers, which caused a number of fatalities in the all in all shoot out that ensued. I do not carry a gun and would not carry a gun for personal protection.

Answer 9

I don't see how it would do much good. If I'm not mistaken, I think that the college campus where I work forbids us to carry a concealed weapon. Also, even if I had a gun on me, I think that the first thing I would do is panic if some nut started shooting everyone, so I don't know if I would have the mental presence to take out my gun and shoot back.

I don't wish to buy a gun, because I hate guns and just seeing one makes me nervous.

Answer 10

It made me think more about school security.

I think security will be re-evaluated again like after Columbine, and we will see changes in policy.

My guess is there will be a more heavy handed approach to students that make vague threats like cho.

Answer 11

No...I would buy a large dog before I bought a gun....the negative aspects of having a gun in my home would outweigh the safety it would afford me. Plus, my personal opinion is that only weak people need guns to protect themselves. If someone pulls a gun on me and kills me, my time has come. I honestly could not live with the thought of taking a human life, even if it was justified.