← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · Bardamu
Thread ID: 11022 | Posts: 14 | Started: 2003-11-11
2003-11-11 02:36 | User Profile
Choose The Right Gun
by Charley Reese
[url]http://www.lewrockwell.com/reese/reese3.html[/url]
If you saw the recent video of "Old Mr. Grump" shooting the "Lucky Lawyer" in Los Angeles, you can learn a valuable lesson about which firearm to choose for self-defense.
The press rarely reports what kinds of guns are used in crimes, and usually gets it wrong when it tries. Nevertheless, I have concluded Mr. Grump used a .22-caliber pistol. Otherwise, the Lucky Lawyer would not have remained on his feet for so long.
Now, a .22, a .25 and a .32 will kill you, provided the bullet strikes a vital organ. Sometimes the person will bleed to death if the wounds are not treated promptly. But in a self-defense situation, you will not be comforted by the fact that your assailant bled to death an hour after he cut your throat or blew your brains out. And, as Mr. Grump demonstrated on camera, hitting a vital organ is not that easy for an untrained pistolero.
By the way, the numbers used to describe bullets refer to the diameter of the bullet. We use the English system, the Europeans use the metric system, but the diameters are the same.
Most people who know anything about guns recommend as a minimum the .38 special, preferably the .38 Plus P with hollow-point bullets, for self-defense. I have always personally favored the .45, either the .45 ACP or the .45 Long Colt. Of course, the .40, the .357 Magnum, the .41 Magnum, the .44 special and .44 Magnum will also more than do the job, but there are disadvantages to those weapons.
Firing a .44 Magnum in a close room is likely to make your ears ring for weeks. There is also the danger that the bullet will pass through the assailant, through a wall and into some innocent person. After all, most of us no longer live in stone castles, but in places built with cheap wood and plasterboard.
I am not recommending that you run out and buy a hog leg for self-defense. That's too important a decision to be made on the basis of a newspaper column. If you are, however, thinking about it and you are not familiar with firearms, you must first do three things.
One, you have to prepare yourself psychologically to take a human life. It's one thing that can't be undone. As my father said repeatedly when he was teaching me to shoot, "After you kill somebody, it's too late to be sorry." And so it is. In a life-and-death confrontation, you can't afford to conduct a debate on whether to pull the trigger or not. So, if you can't visualize yourself killing a human being and then living with it, you're better off buying a can of pepper spray.
Two, you must learn the laws in your state regarding self-defense. They are both easy and tricky. It's easy in that the law states that if you, as a reasonable person, believe that you and/or another person are in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm, you can use whatever force is necessary to defend yourself. If you are inside your own home, you do not have to retreat.
Now the tricky part. Outside your home or place of business, if there is an escape route, you must take it. Even if someone walks up to you and spits in your face, slaps you or even punches you, you cannot whip out your gun and shoot the person. Killing for the sake of honor is no longer allowed in our decadent society ââ¬â more's the pity, as it would greatly improve manners. Nor can you claim self-defense if you initiate the confrontation. For example, if you start a fistfight and your opponent whips out a knife or gun and you shoot him, that's not self-defense. Even in your own home or business, if the assailant turns tail, you cannot shoot him in the back and claim self-defense. If you plan to use a firearm for self-defense, you had better know the law, or you'll see the inside of a prison.
Third, you have to buy your gun and then practice diligently to become really proficient in its use, so proficient that you can use it in the dark when you're scared and caught by surprise.
And finally, a politically incorrect word of advice passed along to me years ago by a veteran cop: If you have to shoot somebody, make sure the judge will hear only your version of what happened. In other words, kill; otherwise, your assailant will probably sue you.
November 10, 2003
2003-11-11 03:48 | User Profile
What of the good ol' sawed-off shotgun?
2003-11-11 03:52 | User Profile
[QUOTE=Happy Hacker]What of the good ol' sawed-off shotgun?[/QUOTE]
I don't know. Are they illegal? Where's Ausonius?
2003-11-11 05:04 | User Profile
Sawed-off shotguns are definitely illegal if the barrel is less than 18" (at least I think that's the legal minimum). While anyone could easily get away with keeping one in his house as long as he kept his mouth shut about it, I personally don't think it'd be worth the risk. An 18-20 inch barrel is plenty short enough for quick pointing, and the kick and muzzle blast would be less severe (especially indoors), making rapid follow-up shots easier.
As far as effectiveness goes, they say that a 12-gauge shotgun loaded with 00 Buckshot trumps anything at short range. That includes magnum handguns, submachine guns...anything.
One caveat: If you're facing attackers who are wearing body armor, you'll want to use saboted copper slugs in the shotgun. I hear those drill through body armor as if it were paper. Alternatively, you could grab a good AR-15 with steel-core ammo. Just don't aim for the chest, as the attackers might be wearing ceramic rifle plate inserts there. Aim for the head, arms (to prevent return fire), or pelvic area.
:gunsmilie
2003-11-11 11:47 | User Profile
[QUOTE]What of the good ol' sawed-off shotgun? I don't know. Are they illegal?[/QUOTE]
Hi gang,
Just stopped by before school/work took over and saw the thread.
Real fast, and then I have to scoot:
Sawed off shotguns [I]ARE[/I] legal, but they are Class 3 weapons, officially known as AOW (Any Other Weapon) by our old buddies over at BATFE. Meaning: you [B]HAVE[/B] to get fingerprinted and photographed and they have to look in every orifice with a microscope for 6 months to a year before they stamp your paperwork "OK" and you can have your new toy. Since it's AOW, the 'tax' (Cough cough, bullshit cough.. ahem.. pardon me) is only 5 bucks, instead of the $200 (or whatever it is now) for sub-guns and full size full autos..
So you can use them however you want to, but using them to defend hearth and home is not prudent at the least and extremely unwise at the worst. They are NOT jury proof. Some junior asshole-in-training assitant ADA will have you for lunch if you blow someone away with one of those. I'm not saying what's fair or right, I'm saying what reality is... be smart. And the guy who wrote the above piece for newbies gives a little bad advice... you do NOT want to tell the cops you were 'trying to shoot to kill'. You [B]WILL[/B] go to prison and become someone's bitch if you say that. I know, I've seen it happen. Tell them 1) No Poly, No Statement, No Waiver, Iwannalawyer (in that order) or 2) Not a damn thing until your lawyer gets there, and then when he does get there, you have him tell the cops that you were trying to [B]STOP YOUR ATTACKER[/B]. That he got himself dead is a pleasant side-effect, but they don't have to know that. The cops are [B]NOT ON YOUR SIDE[/B]! Don't ever forget that. They're not your buddies, no matter how they act. They want to hang a collar on someone, and if they even SMELL that you maybe did something wrong, they will take everything you have and toss you in the clink. It may look like youre trying to hide something by having a lawyer there first, but, remember, you JUST SHOT SOMEONE DEAD AS A DOORNAIL, AT WHAT POINT WOULD YOU THINK HAVING A LAWYER PRESENT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA?? Do not let them cajole you or leverage you into saying anything.
More later
Ausonius
2003-11-11 13:31 | User Profile
[QUOTE]Even in your own home or business, if the assailant turns tail, you cannot shoot him in the back and claim self-defense.[/QUOTE]
I think that is ridiculous that because an assailant turns tail you can't shoot him in the back. The assailant turning his back may be the only time could get a chance to shoot him. What if he is running off with a valuable heirloom, money, or your children or wife? I am a small woman and will shoot any intruder that enters my house. If we cannot shoot intruders when they turn tail, then how can we catch them?
I went to a gun show a while back and talked to some people at the NRA booth and they said that in SC most will DA's will not proscute women in self-defense situations because they are viewed as more defenseless.
Also, what kind of gun do you recomend for a small woman?
Another question, if you find yourself being prosecuted for self-defense, how do you find a good lawyer for this situation, preferably one that believes in the second amendment, especially at the last minute?
2003-11-11 14:39 | User Profile
The big plus of a shotgun is that it's hard to miss, an important quality for someone scared, in the dark, and inexperienced.
If you do shoot in self defense, if at all possible, don't let the police inside of your home. They'll pretend that they want pictures of the crime scene, but they'll be looking for evidence against you. You know, they see a confederate flag, a large gun collection, a PC with the OD forum on the screen, etc. that will be used against you in court. Better yet, if you think you can get away with it, dispose of the body intelligently and never let anyone know anything happened. You will save yourself massive hassle and money.
2003-11-12 01:51 | User Profile
Guns And Shooting Online offers great source of basic information. [url]http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2.guns.htm[/url]
2003-11-12 03:15 | User Profile
Okay, I'm back and I have some time to devote to this thread..
A couple of things first:
[QUOTE]I think that is ridiculous that because an assailant turns tail you can't shoot him in the back. The assailant turning his back may be the only time could get a chance to shoot him. What if he is running off with a valuable heirloom, money, or your children or wife? I am a small woman and will shoot any intruder that enters my house. If we cannot shoot intruders when they turn tail, then how can we catch them?
I went to a gun show a while back and talked to some people at the NRA booth and they said that in SC most will DA's will not proscute women in self-defense situations because they are viewed as more defenseless.
Also, what kind of gun do you recomend for a small woman?
Another question, if you find yourself being prosecuted for self-defense, how do you find a good lawyer for this situation, preferably one that believes in the second amendment, especially at the last minute?[/QUOTE]
An assailant running away with your stuff is a much different issue than said asshole running away with your child in his (assuming it's a him) arms. One is robbery (if he has used force against you to get what he wants, if not, it's larceny). The other is kidnapping. If someone is trying to kidnap you, or your loved ones, dusting said dirtbag is pretty much okay, since a life (or lives) are in peril. If the dirtbag has, say, your new laptop computer, dusting him is probably NOT okay, since by running away, he has ceased to be a threat. He stopped being a threat by his own choice. This is a very grey area. Dirtbag with gun in hand in your house coming up your stairs can be dusted. Dirtbag coming up your stairs with gun in hand sees you and drops his gun before you shoot him is, in the eyes of the law, a victim and [B]YOU[/B] are the murderer. Well, okay, manslaughter more than likely. Either way, you're going to the clink unless he is a threat. Which brings up another good point.
It does not matter what the jerk was doing when you shoot him, so long as you have a [B]reasonable belief[/B] that your life (or lives of your loved ones) is in danger. If he is running away, you are not in danger. If he is running away with your 2-year old, that's different. Don't confuse the two. Don't mistake me, I didn't write the laws. I don't agree with them. But this is the reality in today's America. Being a gunowner in a Northeastern state or Kafkafornia is a hard row to hoe. It's why I live in the South. Here in Kentucky, there are three and [I]only[/I] three justifiable reasons to take a life. Rape. Imminant danger or bodily harm. Arson. That's it. Someone trying to rape you, burn down your house or kill you. Everything else is off the table.
The guys at the NRA table are good natured and well-intentioned, but, unless they're card-carrying members of the American Bar Association, they're not lawyers. How to find a lawyer? Ask the owner of a large gunshop in your area, he will definitely have a lawyer. Or ask the NRA who they would reccomend in your area. Give the guy (assuming it's a guy) whatever he wants for a retainer and he works for you for a whole year. Take it out of your tax refunds. Keep his card on you at all times. Tape it to the back of your concealed carry permit if you have to, that way you won't forget it. It'll pay off big time when the shit hits the fan and your buddies the 'cops' decide to haul you in because some hotshot ADA just out of law school wants to earn him a reputation on your backside for doing your part in keeping America clean. Usually, this is around a grand or so. If you don't HAVE a lawyer, get one. It's cheap insurance. You can call him, anytime, day or night, even Christmas eve if you want to. He'll come bail you out, lean on the ADA giving you grief and maybe get the charges dismissed. This isn't free. Expect to spend around 3 to 4 thousand dollars defending yourself in the event of a righteous shoot. God's honest. It's cheap compared to doing 15 to Life in the Big House being Bubba's wife. If worse comes to worse, call the NRA and ask them about their defense fund. They may even dispatch a lawyer to you if the emergency is great enough. But don't count on them. Get your own ahead of time.
Next subject: What kind of firearm for a small female. Well, that's a good question with a nebulous answer. My wife stands 5'9" and goes around 130. She shoots my old .45's fairly well, and carries a .357 mag snubbie. It's all about training. If you have no training, I would highly advise getting some formalized training before making any purchases. Learn to shoot before buying something that might be totally wrong for you. Ever firearm is a law unto itself, even ones that seem identical. You might not like that .38 snubbie, or the mid-range 9mm semiauto. You might like a compact .40 or a oldie but a goodie: the 1911A1. My advice is to find a gunshop that also has an indoor shooting range and take some formalized classes from the local NRA pistol instructor. Rent guns from the shop and trade off with other shooters (we're a obliging bunch.. and most of us will happily let any female blaze away whole boxes of ammo if she wants to. Go on guys, tell me it ain't so) to get a feel for different firearms. If you have small hands, you will be limited to what will be comfortable for you and what you can control. Work with the staff and the NRA instructor. If they're any good, they will point you in the right direction.
[QUOTE]The big plus of a shotgun is that it's hard to miss, an important quality for someone scared, in the dark, and inexperienced.[/QUOTE]
This is a myth that I will debunk right now.
1) At ranges out to 15 yards or so (45 feet) the individual pellets of a shotshell payload stay together in a more or less solid mass. Meaning: you actually have to [I]AIM[/I] a shotgun at closer ranges. The average house or apartment engagement distances are going to be half that or less. This means that that charge of shot is going to be a .75 caliber solid projectile and can do bad things to walls, people, pets, etc.. you CAN miss at close ranges with a shotgun. Past 45 feet or so, you have to [I]point[/I] it, not aim it.
2) If it is dark, you're jacked on adrenalyn, sleepy, terrified, hyperventilating, inexperienced, whatever.... you will more than likely miss by a mile no matter what you have. A shotgun is not a magic wand that will sweep away attackers like the finger of God. It will not make up for poor preparation or lack of practice. It CAN be a better choice for inside the home defense, so long as the caliber is not too heavy. A 20-gauge pump shotgun, like the Ithaca 37 or the Winchester M12 is almost perfect, so long as the barrel length is not too great. Around 20 inches is a good compromise. Mix your shells. Solid shot, #1's, 00 buckshot.. in the end, it doesn't matter what you hit him with, so long as you hit him well. Plus, you're more able to control the attitude of the firearm. You know where the muzzle is all the time with a shotgun. It's easier to sweep the muzzle over non-combatants when you have a handgun.
3) The shotgun is intimidating. It just IS. Moreso than a handgun. I made a guy evacuate hiw bowels in Panama by racking the slide on a 12 gauge with the firm intention of sending him to the morgue (he would not drop his machete and was advancing). Hearing that shotgun slide rack gives many people pause. I know I tend to stop when I hear it and find heavy things to get behind. It does give away your position, but it also allows the bad guys a chance to get out under their own power and not heels first.
[QUOTE]If you do shoot in self defense, if at all possible, don't let the police inside of your home. They'll pretend that they want pictures of the crime scene, but they'll be looking for evidence against you. You know, they see a confederate flag, a large gun collection, a PC with the OD forum on the screen, etc. that will be used against you in court. Better yet, if you think you can get away with it, dispose of the body intelligently and never let anyone know anything happened. You will save yourself massive hassle and money.[/QUOTE]
If you shoot someone in today's America in your house, the cops WILL come in. They will even go so far as to get angry and use harsh language if you refuse to let them into a scene where someone has gotten themselves dead. They're funny that way. I almost laughed when I read 'dispose of the body intelligently'. The neighbors almost assuredly heard screaming and yelling and gunfire. Unless you live on an island or 500 miles south of Nome, Alaska, the cops will come to your house. Your first reaction should be: Call your lawyer first. Screw 911. Call the shark first and tell him what happened and for him to get his ass down there. Make the phone call as fast as possible or have your wife or husband do it on another phone, like a cellphone. Use the landline to call 911 and get the cops there. Don't tell them shit. Ever. At all. If you want to say something, tell them that your family has just had something traumatic happen and it would be prudent to wait until legal counsel has arrived before giving any kind of a statement. Hard to argue with that. Fantasizing about using the woodchipper out back to feed the hogs with his carcass is just that: a fantasy. I refer to my earlier post:
[QUOTE]Tell them 1) No Poly, No Statement, No Waiver, Iwannalawyer (in that order) or 2) Not a damn thing until your lawyer gets there, and then when he does get there, you have him tell the cops that you were trying to STOP YOUR ATTACKER. That he got himself dead is a pleasant side-effect, but they don't have to know that. The cops are NOT ON YOUR SIDE! Don't ever forget that. They're not your buddies, no matter how they act.[/QUOTE]
Ausonius
2004-02-24 16:01 | User Profile
[QUOTE] Skemper: Another question, if you find yourself being prosecuted for self-defense, how do you find a good lawyer for this situation, preferably one that believes in the second amendment, especially at the last minute? [/QUOTE] Ausonius answered this very well! Except where he said: ââ¬ÅThe guys at the NRA table are good natured and well-intentionedââ¬Â -- the NRA does SOME good, but they spend a huge amount of time writing restrictive laws on gun rights for cities, states, and the feds!!! Seemingly, on the theory that ââ¬Åwell, if they write the restrictions, weââ¬â¢ll only be denied HALF our rights instead of 3/4s of them!ââ¬Â But they do NOT fight the good fight, they are WAY TOO buried in politicking, and have long since lost a grip on the ACTUAL Second Amendment and actually protecting it!
[QUOTE] Ausonius: Dirtbag coming up your stairs with gun in hand sees you and drops his gun before you shoot him is, in the eyes of the law, a victim and YOU are the murderer. Well, okay, manslaughter more than likely. Either way, you're going to the clink unless he is a threat.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]As Bardamu said: And finally, a politically incorrect word of advice passed along to me years ago by a veteran cop: If you have to shoot somebody, make sure the judge will hear only your version of what happened. In other words, kill; otherwise, your assailant will probably sue you. [/QUOTE] Are YOU going to be foolish enough to tell the cops he dropped his gun BEFORE you shot him?! HEââ¬â¢S going to be DEAD ââ¬â so he canââ¬â¢t tell the judge ââ¬Åwhenââ¬Â he dropped his gun! Another GREAT reason to keep your yap shut until your lawyer comes to talk for you! (And yes, you panicked and your finger spasmed on the trigger over and over and over and THATââ¬â¢S why you emptied the magazine! Bu you only tell your lawyer this, not anyone else until you're in court!)
[QUOTE]Ausonius: Tell them 1) No Poly, No Statement, No Waiver, Iwannalawyer (in that order) or 2) Not a damn thing until your lawyer gets there, [/QUOTE] Itââ¬â¢s also important to NOT say anything to anyone ELSE about ââ¬Ëyay another dirtbag is dead!ââ¬Â You MUST say and continue to say ââ¬ÅI was in fear for my life and I protected myself and my family.ââ¬Â Over and over and over! To the media, to the guy at the gas station who pumps you for details, and so on. If, in your relief and adenalized state you do a happy dance because youââ¬â¢re alive and the dirtbag isnââ¬â¢t, the State WILL USE THAT AGAINST YOU! Itââ¬â¢s ââ¬Åproofââ¬Â that you were just WAITING for the chance to kill some ââ¬Åpoor good boy who never did anyone any harm!ââ¬Â THATââ¬â¢S why you owned that evil gun ââ¬â so you could SHOOT SOMEONE! (IF you OWN a gun, youââ¬â¢re often already "convicted" of being gun-happy and just waiting to shoot someone!)
Hey Skemper? :gunsmilie: I carry a 9mm Smith and Wesson Chief Special (pre-ban, but S&W is back in good graces now that the Brits sold them). Itââ¬â¢s NOT the best stopping gun; 9mm is a bit small. But itââ¬â¢s not so heavy that I canââ¬â¢t carry it in my purse. Purse carry is NOT optimal, but I canââ¬â¢t wear a belt yet. There are some great under clothes holsters for women, and some specially designed purses with a built-in holster. I havenââ¬â¢t yet found one I like enough to buy (they tend to be leather (heavier) and expensive). Iââ¬â¢ve found some nice canvas bags with a separate pouch that serves for carrying my gun.
MUCH of self-defense is mental ââ¬â you must create and always be aware of your own personal ââ¬Ëdanger zoneââ¬â¢ ââ¬â your personal space, the entry into by anyone not specifically invited is a threat. {shrug} Most women arenââ¬â¢t willing to do the mental preparation necessary to SAFELY carry.
You must have decided that taking a life is acceptable to you ââ¬â it's people who havenââ¬â¢t who get their guns taken and used against them. You mustnââ¬â¢t allow the threat to come CLOSE ENOUGH to take your gun ââ¬â and that may mean SHOOTING HIM before he gets that close! If you have not prepared yourself for that pre-made decision, then donââ¬â¢t carry!
You must be willing to say to ANYone who is coming too close: ââ¬Åthat is close enough!ââ¬Â ââ¬â out loud and regardless of hurting his feelings (thatââ¬â¢s a hard one for women)! And then you must be willing, if he continues to approach, to pull OUT that gun; not necessarily to point it at him (but to have it READY to point at him), and to make sure he knows you ARE armed! And you must be willing to do that WELL before he gets close enough to take the gun ââ¬â obviously a LOT depends on location and who is approaching.
MOST of the time, merely ââ¬Ëpresentingââ¬â¢ the gun will deter anyone trying to hassle you. However, it also opens you up to ââ¬Åbrandishingââ¬Â ââ¬â also a ââ¬Åcrimeââ¬â¢ in many places.
2004-02-24 16:02 | User Profile
[QUOTE] Skemper: Another question, if you find yourself being prosecuted for self-defense, how do you find a good lawyer for this situation, preferably one that believes in the second amendment, especially at the last minute? [/QUOTE] Ausonius answered this very well! Except where he said: ââ¬ÅThe guys at the NRA table are good natured and well-intentionedââ¬Â -- the NRA does SOME good, but they spend a huge amount of time writing restrictive laws on gun rights for cities, states, and the feds!!! Seemingly, on the theory that ââ¬Åwell, if they write the restrictions, weââ¬â¢ll only be denied HALF our rights instead of 3/4s of them!ââ¬Â But they do NOT fight the good fight, they are WAY TOO buried in politicking, and have long since lost a grip on the ACTUAL Second Amendment and actually protecting it!
[QUOTE] Ausonius: Dirtbag coming up your stairs with gun in hand sees you and drops his gun before you shoot him is, in the eyes of the law, a victim and YOU are the murderer. Well, okay, manslaughter more than likely. Either way, you're going to the clink unless he is a threat.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]As Bardamu said: And finally, a politically incorrect word of advice passed along to me years ago by a veteran cop: If you have to shoot somebody, make sure the judge will hear only your version of what happened. In other words, kill; otherwise, your assailant will probably sue you. [/QUOTE] Are YOU going to be foolish enough to tell the cops he dropped his gun BEFORE you shot him?! HEââ¬â¢S going to be DEAD ââ¬â so he canââ¬â¢t tell the judge ââ¬Åwhenââ¬Â he dropped his gun! Another GREAT reason to keep your yap shut until your lawyer comes to talk for you! (And yes, you panicked and your finger spasmed on the trigger over and over and over and THATââ¬â¢S why you emptied the magazine! Bu you only tell your lawyer this, not anyone else until you're in court!)
[QUOTE]Ausonius: Tell them 1) No Poly, No Statement, No Waiver, Iwannalawyer (in that order) or 2) Not a damn thing until your lawyer gets there, [/QUOTE] Itââ¬â¢s also important to NOT say anything to anyone ELSE about ââ¬Ëyay another dirtbag is dead!ââ¬Â You MUST say and continue to say ââ¬ÅI was in fear for my life and I protected myself and my family.ââ¬Â Over and over and over! To the media, to the guy at the gas station who pumps you for details, and so on. If, in your relief and adenalized state you do a happy dance because youââ¬â¢re alive and the dirtbag isnââ¬â¢t, the State WILL USE THAT AGAINST YOU! Itââ¬â¢s ââ¬Åproofââ¬Â that you were just WAITING for the chance to kill some ââ¬Åpoor good boy who never did anyone any harm!ââ¬Â THATââ¬â¢S why you owned that evil gun ââ¬â so you could SHOOT SOMEONE! (IF you OWN a gun, youââ¬â¢re often already "convicted" of being gun-happy and just waiting to shoot someone!)
Hey Skemper? :gunsmilie: I carry a 9mm Smith and Wesson Chief Special (pre-ban, but S&W is back in good graces now that the Brits sold them). Itââ¬â¢s NOT the best stopping gun; 9mm is a bit small. But itââ¬â¢s not so heavy that I canââ¬â¢t carry it in my purse. Purse carry is NOT optimal, but I canââ¬â¢t wear a belt yet. There are some great under clothes holsters for women, and some specially designed purses with a built-in holster. I havenââ¬â¢t yet found one I like enough to buy (they tend to be leather (heavier) and expensive). Iââ¬â¢ve found some nice canvas bags with a separate pouch that serves for carrying my gun.
MUCH of self-defense is mental ââ¬â you must create and always be aware of your own personal ââ¬Ëdanger zoneââ¬â¢ ââ¬â your personal space, the entry into by anyone not specifically invited is a threat. {shrug} Most women arenââ¬â¢t willing to do the mental preparation necessary to SAFELY carry.
You must have decided that taking a life is acceptable to you ââ¬â it's people who havenââ¬â¢t who get their guns taken and used against them. You mustnââ¬â¢t allow the threat to come CLOSE ENOUGH to take your gun ââ¬â and that may mean SHOOTING HIM before he gets that close! If you have not prepared yourself for that pre-made decision, then donââ¬â¢t carry!
You must be willing to say to ANYone who is coming too close: ââ¬Åthat is close enough!ââ¬Â ââ¬â out loud and regardless of hurting his feelings (thatââ¬â¢s a hard one for women)! And then you must be willing, if he continues to approach, to pull OUT that gun; not necessarily to point it at him (but to have it READY to point at him), and to make sure he knows you ARE armed! And you must be willing to do that WELL before he gets close enough to take the gun ââ¬â obviously a LOT depends on location and who is approaching.
MOST of the time, merely ââ¬Ëpresentingââ¬â¢ the gun will deter anyone trying to hassle you. However, it also opens you up to ââ¬Åbrandishingââ¬Â ââ¬â also a ââ¬Åcrimeââ¬â¢ in many places. {eye roll}
2004-02-25 00:27 | User Profile
I fear Ausonius is very Right! :gunsmilie
[QUOTE]Tell them 1) No Poly, No Statement, No Waiver, Iwannalawyer (in that order) or 2) Not a damn thing until your lawyer gets there, and then when he does get there, you have him tell the cops that you were trying to STOP YOUR ATTACKER. That he got himself dead is a pleasant side-effect, but they don't have to know that. The cops are NOT ON YOUR SIDE! Don't ever forget that. They're not your buddies, no matter how they act. [/QUOTE]
2004-02-29 01:48 | User Profile
[QUOTE=Avalanche]Ausonius answered this very well! Except where he said: ââ¬ÅThe guys at the NRA table are good natured and well-intentionedââ¬Â -- the NRA does SOME good, but they spend a huge amount of time writing restrictive laws on gun rights for cities, states, and the feds!!! Seemingly, on the theory that ââ¬Åwell, if they write the restrictions, weââ¬â¢ll only be denied HALF our rights instead of 3/4s of them!ââ¬Â But they do NOT fight the good fight, they are WAY TOO buried in politicking, and have long since lost a grip on the ACTUAL Second Amendment and actually protecting it!
Are YOU going to be foolish enough to tell the cops he dropped his gun BEFORE you shot him?! HEââ¬â¢S going to be DEAD ââ¬â so he canââ¬â¢t tell the judge ââ¬Åwhenââ¬Â he dropped his gun! Another GREAT reason to keep your yap shut until your lawyer comes to talk for you! (And yes, you panicked and your finger spasmed on the trigger over and over and over and THATââ¬â¢S why you emptied the magazine! Bu you only tell your lawyer this, not anyone else until you're in court!)
Itââ¬â¢s also important to NOT say anything to anyone ELSE about ââ¬Ëyay another dirtbag is dead!ââ¬Â You MUST say and continue to say ââ¬ÅI was in fear for my life and I protected myself and my family.ââ¬Â Over and over and over! To the media, to the guy at the gas station who pumps you for details, and so on. If, in your relief and adenalized state you do a happy dance because youââ¬â¢re alive and the dirtbag isnââ¬â¢t, the State WILL USE THAT AGAINST YOU! Itââ¬â¢s ââ¬Åproofââ¬Â that you were just WAITING for the chance to kill some ââ¬Åpoor good boy who never did anyone any harm!ââ¬Â THATââ¬â¢S why you owned that evil gun ââ¬â so you could SHOOT SOMEONE! (IF you OWN a gun, youââ¬â¢re often already "convicted" of being gun-happy and just waiting to shoot someone!)
Hey Skemper? :gunsmilie: I carry a 9mm Smith and Wesson Chief Special (pre-ban, but S&W is back in good graces now that the Brits sold them). Itââ¬â¢s NOT the best stopping gun; 9mm is a bit small. But itââ¬â¢s not so heavy that I canââ¬â¢t carry it in my purse. Purse carry is NOT optimal, but I canââ¬â¢t wear a belt yet. There are some great under clothes holsters for women, and some specially designed purses with a built-in holster. I havenââ¬â¢t yet found one I like enough to buy (they tend to be leather (heavier) and expensive). Iââ¬â¢ve found some nice canvas bags with a separate pouch that serves for carrying my gun.
MUCH of self-defense is mental ââ¬â you must create and always be aware of your own personal ââ¬Ëdanger zoneââ¬â¢ ââ¬â your personal space, the entry into by anyone not specifically invited is a threat. {shrug} Most women arenââ¬â¢t willing to do the mental preparation necessary to SAFELY carry.
You must have decided that taking a life is acceptable to you ââ¬â it's people who havenââ¬â¢t who get their guns taken and used against them. You mustnââ¬â¢t allow the threat to come CLOSE ENOUGH to take your gun ââ¬â and that may mean SHOOTING HIM before he gets that close! If you have not prepared yourself for that pre-made decision, then donââ¬â¢t carry!
You must be willing to say to ANYone who is coming too close: ââ¬Åthat is close enough!ââ¬Â ââ¬â out loud and regardless of hurting his feelings (thatââ¬â¢s a hard one for women)! And then you must be willing, if he continues to approach, to pull OUT that gun; not necessarily to point it at him (but to have it READY to point at him), and to make sure he knows you ARE armed! And you must be willing to do that WELL before he gets close enough to take the gun ââ¬â obviously a LOT depends on location and who is approaching.
MOST of the time, merely ââ¬Ëpresentingââ¬â¢ the gun will deter anyone trying to hassle you. However, it also opens you up to ââ¬Åbrandishingââ¬Â ââ¬â also a ââ¬Åcrimeââ¬â¢ in many places. {eye roll}[/QUOTE]
Avalanche,
I have taken lessons using a 35 revolver several years ago, but it is too big and heavy to carry in a purse and certainly not on a holster. i have heard of the different makes and cailbers of guns but have never studied them to see what is best for me. I may look into the 9 mm guns like the one you have and may take lessons again to get certified to carry a concealed weapon. Another problem is that I have young children and I worry about them openning my purse when I am not looking and getting my gun.
I think I could take a life if I have to for if any person enters my house woithout my permission then I would assume that he ( or she) is up to no good but the real test is when the situation actually happens. I know not to talk to a cop unless I have a lawyer. Even cops who are my relatives tell me to do that!
Another thing that my husband is doing is putting locks on the guns. I don't like the idea because if someone breaks in I want the gun ready to kill but my husband is worried about the kids getting to the guns to play with them. ( Yes, they are little but are very clever at getting things in high places.) Without children, we used to keep a gun beside the bed.
In SC, at least several years ago, you could shoot a person on the street if you had reason to believe that he was going to harm you, like , for example, if he was hitting your car with a baseball bat and you were in the car. i don't know if the laws have changed. Our attorney general was trying to pass a law stating that anyone could shoot any intruder in their home but I have not heard anymore about this.
2004-02-29 04:48 | User Profile
[QUOTE=skemper] Another thing that my husband is doing is putting locks on the guns. I don't like the idea because if someone breaks in I want the gun ready to kill but my husband is worried about the kids getting to the guns to play with them. ( Yes, they are little but are very clever at getting things in high places.) Without children, we used to keep a gun beside the bed.[/QUOTE]
As previously recommended: pump gun - loaded magazine, no round in the chamber, safety off. Mount it above the headboard so only an adult can reach it standing on the mattress. Tell the children that the shotgun does not belong to them, therefore, as with all things that do not belong to them, they can look but not touch. Spend time developing your bicep practicing racking the slide and intimidating intruders.