Should I get a firearm?

Accord to this incident: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Akex2HwpticTEytbvEsyCJPsy6IX?qid=20070216083217AACYxp2

It has really make me seriously consider my safety. I've been around firearms a lot (being in ROTC, have lot of military friends, and other things) I'm extremely accurate and good with small firearms and shotgun. I'm far from trigger happy. So I'm starting to think I should be looking into get a firearm for in case something happen again.

I've been thinking about a 16 or12 gague shotgun since pellets doesn't go through the wall (my guess...) or something along 9 mm or .32 ACP since those are easier to aim with and have some stopping power.

I've had stranger walk into my house once (a friend of friend who I don't know) and I approach her but didn't hurt her at all eventhough I'm a Muay Thai fighter. So this basically show that I won't go crazy and shoot everything that move in the house.

So would firearm be good for me or not?
Additional Details
I live in one of the safest city in northern Calif. So it's not the location, this whole thing happen because roommate got in with wrong crowd. However this is a wake up call to me, so I'm going to really reconsider my home security.

Twigward

I am PRO gun and own a few myself. However I do not carry one with me, and do not think you should either. I think people who carry a gun with them for self protection are gettig them into a worse situation. For instance if you are getting mugged by some kids and all they want is you money and you pull out a gun that brings on a whole new level. Now they are the ones who are going to be acting in self defense. they stress levels are now high and who know what could happen from there. Where a peacefull situation now turns deadly. And yes this is the way things happen allot of the time.

hell hath no fury

a little story in your favor just read it through: I do not own a gun, but my roommate does. We were going to the artillery field the next day, and we had forgotten to get shells for his shotgun. I told him I would run to the store to get some even though it was late. I brought the shotgun with me just to make sure I got the right kind. On the way back, I noticed a car following me. Big deal, right? Don't be so paranoid, right? Well, we live 20 minutes from town in a gated neighborhood, down a two mile private drive. I thought maybe it was a visitor, but when I drove through the gate with my pass card, the guy got right on my tail and sped through around me and blocked me off. Two guys got out and approached my car, and in the headlights I could see one had a pipe or something in his hand. I locked the doors, rolled my window down a hair and grabbed the shotgun from the backseat and pionted it out the window and asked if they needed directions or something. They both almost ran backwards to thier car and took off, but couldn't get through the gate. When I got to my house, i called the police. They found duct tape, rope and plastic bags in their car along with 2 boxes of condoms and a few cameras and video recorders. If it weren't for having that gun in my car just once, my face would have been on the news. I've never been one for violence, but after that, guns are my friend.

discostu

it's your God given right as an American

patlamb41

There are allot of things to consider such legal ramifications in your state if you actually do kill someone. I've heard stories of people killing in self defense only to have the decease's family hound them for years in court battles. Not something I would enjoy myself. Could get very expensive defending yourself in court. I guess it all depends what the laws are in your state. For choice of a self defense firearm I liked the 12 Gage with a pistol grip. I had considered getting a 45 or 9mm for competition shooting only. It's OK to own a firearm just use it wisely.

Penny

It wouldn't hurt to get a firearm, but be careful who you aim at.

opinionator

If you are comfortable with the use of weapons why not? It is your right. Just make sure you maintain competency with practice and secure the weapon from unauthorized use safely when in in use by you.

Combatcop

Yes, I would carry one, oh wait, I already do. Anyway don't listen to people like Twigward. Just be prepared for: Using it to take a life or to save one. Defend it from theft. Remember, when you carry a gun every fight/incident you are involved in involves a gun!

Twigward, in what messed up world is a mugging (robbery) a
peaceful situation???

peaceandfearlesslove

yes get a firearm. there is nothing wrong with protecting yourself.

Manevitch

Yes, Lexus, that must be it. All those mall shoppers in Utah last week were so full of negative thoughts that they made a shooter appear. Same with the passengers on 9/11 - they were all real cranky-pants and just look at what happened.

The sad reality is, sometimes bad things happen to good people for no reason at all.

Self-defense is a universal right. Practice it any way you feel comfortable doing so that is in accordance with the law.

And get something a little better than .32ACP - its ability to stop a fight is "iffy" at best. As for the shotgun, you'd be surprised. I've included a link to an interesting website that tests a LOT of different calibers and the results are, sometimes, shocking.

*****

This is a decision you will have to make on your own, because we who answer this question don't know anything about you and your situation.

Den Budmen

If you just want to feel safe then go get a big dog but if you want the gun get it i shoot guns just for the fun of it my big dog keeps my house safe from crack heads.

Saint Lucifer

LOL yes the pellets will go through a wall, but it is a good idea to get a home defense gun. get a shotgun with a shorter barrel and an open choke so that it will shoot wide, you won't have to worry about aim as much, a good thing when something actually happens and you have a hugh adrenaline rush making aim with a pistol more difficult

tom r

Put it this way, some crazed crack head busts into your house in 2 hours with a big knife, demands all yo stuff and threatens your life.

Now answer your own question. Personally I never leave the house without my sidearm but thats just me, better safe than sorry. A 12 gauge is great in the house but for concealed carry, nothing smaller than a .38 with hollow points (Law enforcement grade) anything smaller is likely just to amp up a crack head, plus the larger the caliber, the less accurate you have to be, shoot a bad dude in the shoulder with a .22 he just gets pissed. Hit him in the same place with a .45 ACP Hollow point, The Arm falls off

Einstein was a LIBERAL.

Nope, just head for a safer location.

TOTO

don't get one. it's safe.
it's not far west anymore.

Lori

No. Don't keep on entertaining the thought. Think about other positive things. If you have negative thoughts, that's exactly what your going to attract.

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