I must have not been clear in the point I was trying to make. I do advocate people protecting not only themselves and loved ones, but I also will protect my property.

The point I was trying to make was you need to be trained in the use of whatever your choice of weapon is, as well as understanding your legal rights AND obligations under your local laws. I have no qualms about the use of deadly force, nor do I have a lick of sympathy for the bad guy should he meet his final demise. I took the NRA course so I could qualify for a concealed carry permit. Here in Colorado we have what is referred to as the "Make my Day" law, which allows us to protect ourselves and our property with deadly force, provided there was "some" threat to us. Putting 15 rounds into a bad guy when the first two took him down will likely get you a new roomie, maybe named Bubba. He'll be more than happy to watch and protect your backside.......

We are also allowed to carry a loaded handgun in our car, our boat, airplane, wherever, for personal protection as the state considers these places an extension of your home. Business owners as well. Of course, there are some common sense exceptions.

Some of the responses here have been to make sure, by the use of excessive force, the bad guy is a goner. What everyone needs to understand is that when you have removed the threat, by wounding, killing, or having the bad guy flee, your right to continue the use of deadly force ceases.

Kind of difficult to protect your loved ones from a jail cell.

BTW, I have not been the victim myself, but my brother was shot and killed in his own driveway about 3 years ago.

 

i'm sorry to here about your loss rikfish. some of us rant and rave about what we will or will not do.. i have been on the "other side of the law" and lived with the lowest dregs of society. they tell stories and laugh about what "could have happened". i'm more than qualified to use the 45 auto i also own (qualified expert at the shooting range at camp pendleton) and i will do everything in my power to protect my family first and my property second...again, i'm sorry...

 

I don't think any of us really looks forward to pulling the trigger if it comes down to it, but I know we are prepared to. Why else have firearms for home defense? I've never been responsible for the death of another human being, but I've watched people die. It's a sobering thing.

I don't know how I'll feel if it actually has to happen, but I know one thing, I'll be glad he's dead and my family is alive. And that's what matters.

In an age of 'victimhood' and excuses, society doesn't seem to have the backbone to deal with criminals, and the police can't arrive fast enough a lot of the time. We still have a responsibility to keep ourselves safe and secure. "Gun control is being able to hit your target."

 

amen aeropa.

 

Without a second's hesitation. They know the risk when they break and enter.

Instant access isn't a problem - I have my Hydro-shok loaded .380 in it's holster, clipped to my bedframe, hidden from view by the nightstand. One in the pipe, full magazine, safety off. No kids, no worry about unauthorized access.

And no point in announcing your intentions by chambering one for effect, a simple 'warning' before firing will suffice.

 

A bat is the best thing I have at the moment. Im 18 and a SR in HS so I still live with my mom and my step dad, and Im bigger than my step dad. I would rather be armed with a bat than empty handed. I understand that it could get me hurt, but if I had to sacrifice getting hurt instead of my parents than I would. As soon as I can get a gun liscense, Im going to take classes and get a pistol. Ive been around guns all my life, but only with my grandpa and dad, so we dont have any here where Im living at the moment. BTW, can you be 18 and get a gun and liscense?

As other people have said, I dont want to be asking what if....?
I would never go down without a fight when it comes to protecting my family. I may still be young, but I will do all I can.

 

As far as protecting your property. Depending on the state you live in , you may wind up in prison yourself for property protection. Alot of states won't allow you to shoot or kill someone in protection of your property. A good example is like when a 14 year old kid is stealing your stereo out of your car. Most judges nor jurys aren't going to allow you to shoot him over a speaker. Of course it gets more complicated when you enter a house but, there again a judgement call. But, believe me someone who enters your house are probably going to victimize you as well. I really don't care where I live, I will defend myself against an intruder as best as I can and to what force I need to feel safe. But, I certainly wouldn't say I was worrying about my property- material goods can be replaced- your life is a whole other story. When you defend your home defend yourself and your family. Not only have I been a vicitm, but I have had 2 friends killed in different incidents over $13 for ones life, and a pizza and about $30 cash for the others, the worst part is I live in a town of 3,000 people- not some huge drug crazed metropolis. Life is crazy there are just too many idiots out there, but to this day I rarely carry a gun or worry about it- I try to think ahead , be aware of my surroundings, and continue to support rights to bear arms and to back people who are tough on crime- especially repeat offenders. You live long enough and most likely you will know a victim and feel the same way.

 

When I was 8 a man broke into my house and my dad chased him out with his 12 gauge. I thought my dad was the bravest person it the world. And it inspired me to keep my .177 air pellet rifle under my bed, always pumped and ready for that intruder that dare step into my house ready to raise hell. I felt so bad ***.

I was a dumb little child too.

 

Thanks for the kind words Razell. I only included that information to let people know I have been there. A lot of our good FTE folks have experienced similar losses. I also rant at times myself, blowing some serious smoke.......

My main point in my posts was to encourage people to do two things, get proper training, and to think. In doing those two things, it will take care of most other issues associated with this topic. I have plans of action for various scenarios, and practice them quite often, as well as lots of range time. I don't waste my time at the range shooting long range target, I practice at ranges out to approximately 7-8 yards, various positions, still and moving target as well as my own shooting on the move. Very few true self defense shootings take place beyond that range, and laws generally assume anything beyond that range is normally not an immediate threat, and figure you could have avoided the confrontation by retreating. Not always of course as each situation is different.

 

Well, I live on a college campus now, so I am not allowed to carry, few months ago when I had my own place, I kept the pistol under my bed, or by my computer desk, depending on where I was.or in the truck if I was out and about. Would I pull the trigger if someone uninvited came into my home and I expected harm to come to myself or someone else who was there? Yup. Have I been in the situation I might need to? Yup. Had an SKS leveled against some guy who thought it would be funny to try to bring harm upon a roomate at our house. Luckily I did not have to do any more than that, I told him to step back into his car and leave, and to never show up again. Never saw him again after that.
I believe in a person being able to defend themselves, their family, and their possesions with deadly force if neccassary. To tell you the truth, if someone feels the need to break into my car for a speaker, they just gave me permission to shoot at them...with deadly force? maybe not..unless I am in the car at the time..but enough force to take out a knee. I do believe everyone needs to take some type of firearm/self defense training before they even think of keeping a firearm or other deadly weapon withing reach for protection, the statistics are unbelievable for people having their own weapons turned on them.

 

Guys--Not too sure how familair you are with South Jersey and the man who was just released for shooting an intruder in his backyard, but it spurred some questions and debates about gun ownership between my friends and I. I'm 24, and intend to buy a house soon. How do I go about the following things. A) I will more than likely be staying in the Delaware Valley, where can I find conceal/carry and ownership laws? B) How do I go about learning and practicing? C) How would I learn of which an inexpienced person should get first?

Now for some things. I am not buying a house tomorrow, next month, or maybe even by next year but in a lifespan...soon...this also means any possible gun purchase will be held off until then as well. A very good friend of mine who I respect very much has also mentioned classes. This is indisputable with me...I've never shot one nor will I until I learn how to responsibly. I'm not big on guns, but that's only because of very minimal exposure. However, I will not spend $100-350,000 to move into a house with a wife and maybe a kid just to have something happen and me having to sit on my hands.

Fill me in here guys, I read through this entire thread, like I said, after a debate spurred by gun ownership and self defense. What am I missing? This isn't an issue that I tend to handle lightly, as I said, and I would like to hear from all sides and people before I am anywhere near making a decision.

 

i have been there, i was once a victim of a bad crime and shot the guy who was trying to hurt me, he didnt die i shot out his knees after i broke free i was only sixteen and he had a record of child molestation and was threatning to do it to me. charges on me were dropped cause of self defence, he is still in prison and wont ever walk again a 454 causel does alot of damadge. i dont carry a gun but i do have many and will use it again on a intruder if i have to. i am and very good marksman and learned to shoot when i was young. but most intruders wont give you enough time to get the firearm and if it is in sight they will have it before you.

i also have done alot of work on houses and can pick deadbolt locks and disable an alarm before i goes off. the good crimanals will know too and you wont even know what happened untill it was over and stuff was missing and people were dead. i have never stolen anything from anybody the only reason i know how to pick locks is cause i was once a locksmith, and ive also installed many alarms and turned them off when people could not remember how to turn them off.

 

Hey, look at this one too: "An intruder will be incapacitated by tear gas or oven spray, but if shot with a .357 magnum will get angry and kill you."

This stuff is hogwash, and has no basis in truth. I think that it's the jerkwads themselves who are putting out this misinformation, so that they won't get hurt while robbing people. A real fact is that guns are used defensively more than two million times a year.

As far as calling 911, here's a recent true story. A young guy I know was over at some friends watching a football game, while his wife was at home with their two children. She heard someone pounding on her door, and before she could respond, they went around back and started kicking in the garage door. She grabbed her kids and locked herself in the bedroom, and called 911.

While she was waiting for help, and while 911 was still on the phone, they broke into her bedroom and bashed her head against the wall. They took their own sweet time, and as they were leaving - 30 minutes later - the police finally showed up and arrested them.

End of story? No. The next day the same two punks were out of jail and outside her house. They threatened to kill her and husband if either of them ever called the cops on them again.

 

http://www.nrahq.org/education/train...ictraining.asp

This should get you started. The NRA has a lot of resources that would be very helpful to you.