What would YOU do?

[Stump]

I have been toying with the idea of arming myself. I basically do not like guns, so it is a big moral decision for me. I was trying to make a pro/con list of why I should have one. Home protection is one thing, but I am thinking of what I would do in situations out on the streets.
If someone were trying to carjack me, would it be smart to shove a gun in their face?
What if I was walking down the street and 3 men tried to rob me? Should I flash the gun? (think both armed and strong-armed scenerios)
Would I take my gun out to stop a robbery of someone else (business or personal)?
Other than home defense, I really can't think of any scenerio where I would draw my gun. I wouldn't want to escalate things by throwing a weapon into an already hostile situation,forcing the other party to "one-up" me.
I was always taught person over property, so to me, someone stealing my car is better than putting me in danger or killing someone else over a car. Is my thinking flawed because of my pacifist nature?
What would you all do in these situations? I know they are vague, but in general...

[jeff92k7]

I think your fears are genuine and would make you an excellent "candidate"for carrying a concealed weapon.

The purpose of concealed carry is not to become a Police Officer. It is to enable citizens to defend themselves or someone else against death or serious bodily harm. If you do not feel personally threatened or feel that someone else's life is in immediate danger, leave it holstered.

[Dan]

If you really don't like guns that much, maybe get some OC spray and a kubaton(sp).

I was always taught person over property, so to me, someone stealing my car is better than putting me in danger or killing someone else over a car. Is my thinking flawed because of my pacifist nature?

no, property you can replace, your life you can't. The only time you should pull it out is when what jeff92k7 said, when you feel your or your familys life is in danger.

[Island_Girl]

Until I started shooting Sniper's weapons, I didn't much care for guns myself. I think you should get a little more comfortable with shooting a weapon before you actually get one. See if you can get some time in at the range and then see how you feel about it afterwards. I personally wouldn't own a weapon until I had the opportunity to shoot one, see what it's capable of doing, and get a little more comfortable.

[Oldbillplod]

Or you could always do what we do in England...........try and talk your way out of it or if that fails, run like hell.

[Norm357]

Originally posted by Oldbillplod
Or you could always do what we do in England...........try and talk your way out of it or if that fails, run like hell.

LMAO

[Nitey]

*wipes away tears*

HAHAHA, oh my

[summer]

As one of the members suggested, get some range time in before purchasing a weapon ie., pistol or revolver. Start off renting a .22 Ruger. It's nice shooting. Then advance to a 9mm once your comfort level has risen.

I shoot a Taurus 9mm on a weekly basis. I was never interested in shooting a higher caliber until recently. A few of my buddies owning Kimber 1911 .45's, have encouraged me to shoot them. Quite honestly, I was a little intimidated by the higher caliber guns, but they aren't as bad as once thought.

My last word of advice to you is don't ever point a gun/weapon at anyone unless you are prepared to use it. If you have any doubt in your mind that you couldn't shoot your attacker, do not pull it out. Chances are you'd have the weapon turned on you.

Good luck!

Summer

[Stump]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I am really struggling with this decision.
I am very lucky that I have a few firearms instructor friends that are willing to teach me (chomping at the bit - what is the deal with that??? They are practically drooling when they talk about shooting!! :D ) One is my best friend, and he is fully aware of my feelings, so he knows how to "handle" me.
I already carry OC, and have used that before (getting a nice whiff in the face myself).... should I just stick with that?

[bhanson]

Originally posted by Stump
Thanks for the responses everyone. I am really struggling with this decision.
I am very lucky that I have a few firearms instructor friends that are willing to teach me (chomping at the bit - what is the deal with that??? They are practically drooling when they talk about shooting!! :D )

Stump,

They know a dirty little secret... shooting is FUN!!! It is a great sport and very satisfying to punch all those holes in paper or cans. :D

[vbgecko]

Stump > What set you off to rationalize purchasing a firearm? What I mean is, did something happen to make you all of a sudden defend your home?

You still seem a bit iffy on the subject, so I'd say stick with the OC for now. At one time I feared for my life (and my truck) because of an ex-boyfriend stalking me. I took some reputable Tae Kwan Do self defense classes and it made me feel a lot more confident in my well being. Besides, it's a lot easier to kick someones *ss then it is to take their life.

[Stump]

Gecko, Nothing "set me off"... I have been thinking about it for about 7 years now.
I have also wanted to take self defense, and I should look into that a little more.


I still would like to hear what people would do in those situations I mentioned.

[summer]

Scenario #1 "If someone were trying to carjack me, would it be smart to shove a gun in their face?"

Reacting to this situation really depends on the use of force by the carjacker. If the carjacking is committed with the use of a weapon, I wouldn't pull my handgun out until I knew I was clear to use it. There are too many criminals out there that would kill you without hesitation. If you could get away without being killed and only having your vehicle stolen, I say let him/her take it. Your life is far more valuable than a vehicle. Make an attempt to remember the make/model, license plate # and a description of the subject.

Scenario #2 "What if I was walking down the street and 3 men tried to rob me? Should I flash the gun?"

Only pull your gun out if you are prepared to shoot. You don't want your weapon turned on you.

Scenario #3 "Would I take my gun out to stop a robbery of someone else (business or personal)?"

If you are not comfortable with the use of a firearm, I wouldn't pull it out. You need to be absolutely certain you can pull the trigger if needed. Unless, the robber shoots someone, I wouldn't pull my weapon out if I were a civilian. Your life/safety is of far greater importance than what the robber could ever steal. Get a good description of the subject and give the information to the authorities.

I'm sure there are others here that will also provide you with professional input towards these scenario's.

Again, good luck with your shooting and other endeavors.

Summer

[zander_zye]

I can see no real use for a CCW permit myself. (even if I could get one which is next to impossible in CA). I have gotten robbed at gunpoint before and I just gave the guy the money. Had I shot the guy, I could have been sued and quite possibly lost my house or even my liberty had it been deemed excessive force. Cops with extensive training get their weapons taken away by criminals - it is probably more likely that the weapon will be used against you whether than vice versa. (mainly because you would think about the consequences for a second or two but the crook would not hesistate to take your life) To each his own, but the only people that I think really need a CCW are PI's, Armed Guards, perhaps some process servers, people who have to couriers who carry large amounts of cash or other precious metals, etc.

In Alameda County, unless you are politically connected (like Don Perata the slimball), you have to show cause (and fear will never be considered), take a psych test and background at your expense, and carry a minium of 100K in insurance with a waiver of liablity to the Sheriff's Office. Seems like more trouble than it is worth.

Even when I was a cop, I rarely carried my weapon off duty except to and from work -

[txinvestigator1]

I have to disagree with Zander on some points. (imagine that).

Zander seems to me to have a overwhelming and ,IMOH, unrealistic fear of being sued by a dirtbag.

I am a former cop, and I carry religiously. I have avoided this thread untill now because I know Stump is a pacifist. I don't think she will be able to use a firearm to shoot someone. Perhaps if she ever has children that instinct will change, but it seems to me that she would just get it taken away from her in her current state of mind.

I KNOW how I would react, but I am well trained and constantly train.

I don't think one can compare LEO's and civilians in the carry issue. Most LEO's who have their firearm taken away are in the process of an arrest. Citizens are victims of different types of crime altogether.

If I were surrounded by 3 unarmed thugs who wanted to rob me, I would display my firearm. It would depend on the dynamics of the encounter if I would shoot. If these thugs were armed, I would probably shoot, but again it would depend on the dynamics of the encounter.

Stump, this is my personal opinion only, but I would advise you to take that martial arts class and discover how aggressive you can be towards others.

You asked me about MA over a year ago, stop stalling and get your butt in a class. Find a Krav Maga class.