Answer the door unarmed?

[Knothead]

Originally posted by Chuckiechan
I always recommed the "Draw-shoot" style. Never brandish. Less chance to hesitate that way. No point in showing your firearm hoping the perp will go away. Tell him "Back away or I will shoot". But don't show your weapon without shooting. Save that for professionals. If you won't shoot, don't carry.

Very much disagree, Chuck. While I do understand the notion of not using the SIGHT of a gun to do the job (i.e., waving it around,) I also understand the value of letting the perp know he's facing an armed person.

Several years ago, I was awakened by an intruder in my home. It's a long story (and one I've told here before, I think) but anyway, it ended with the guy, having heard my .45 get a round jacked into the chamber then seen it pointed at him, ran away.

No gunfire, no bloody...you know. Nothing, just some jangled nerves.

I have never shot a human in my life, and I intend to keep it that way.

[Chuckiechan]

And if he didn't run away but ran toward you, you likely would have froze or hesitated and have been killed.

You were lucky. I'm glad the good guy won that one!

I guess the point is, is that there is no practicing reality. Most people think they will shoot, but they get in a moral tug a war with themselves. Thats why a procedure is recommended for those who play for keeps. Just like drinking tequila! Salt, Lime, Drink! Don't Think!

[CERuppel]

Chuckie: I know what you mean about reality. Twice I have not done what I have been raised to do, and twice it took a hospital and a lot of luck to save my life.

As for weapons in the house; What weapons officer? (All innocent sounding...) (Iron skillet hanging on the wall is decorative...). Firearms are not present in my house. Why? In this neighborhood they would be the reason for the break in. (Not the best of places).

Oh, and I was raised to never fight. "Fight" implies fairness and hurting. Instead, once there is no other option, just sit on the dead body and wait for the police. Truth.

[pickel]

12 gauge w/ 00 buckshot and a 75 lb Golden Lab.

[SPEEDO]

I do not have children, yet. My 3 guns are not in the presence of children. Sure, when I have kids, things will change slightly. I will not use gun-locks, though. That is like not even having a gun. I will have to use something else

They have those nice gun safes that will hold one or two handguns with an imprint of a hand on the top. You just need to put your hand on it and hit a series of indentations on the finger pad and it pops open. It only takes a couple seconds even in the dark.

Merely pulling a weapon does not mandate burning powder

Brandishing a handgun can mandate some serious repurcussions and is really frowned upon. As this can be used by your opponent as you putting them in fear of their lives. Perps have used this before and have gotten away with it.

[Richard Cranium]

Chuckiechan, I'm afraid the statistics are not in agreement with you.

Many times people HAVE been shot after a warning was issued by homeowners, one comes to mind.

A crack-head broke into 3 houses in a row. On the 3rd the husband awoke, presented a 357 mag and told to halt, the perp charged the weapon, a most final mistake.

I've had several issues where I could have killed and found a way not to kill them. One time a guy charged me with his car, I side-stepped the vehicle and blew the rear tire, he went to jail.

One thing your assertion has in validity, "Be Prepared" to shoot if the agressor does not retreat.
Perhaps in Calif the folks will hesitate, in the deep south we had few home invasions until illegal drug use made robbers 10' Tall and Bulletproof.

[shawshank62]

And yes I have a Concealed Weapons Permit.

First off, i dont know anything about guns. Do you need to be a cop to have a CWP or can anyone get one?

To protect myself, since im only 16 and cant have a gun, i carry around a knife. I have never had to use it, but i feel a sense of security that if a situation would arise at least i would have some sort of defense. I think it is good to have some sort of protection, and to answer the 1st ?, i have a baseball bat in my room next to my bed . Ive never had to use that either since i live in a pretty good neighborhood, but ya never know.

Shaw it depends on your state. call up your local Sherrifs office to see what the age limit is

[shawshank62]

my parents would kill me if i had a gun anyway


Also, i believe in the right to bear arms, but not to arm bears

[Dmack_901]

Better safe than sorry.
But, be shure you can grab it quicker.
That would be just great(sarcasim) if some guy knocks on your door and gets a free wepon to bash you over the head with.

O and personally I think being in a "betterpart of town" is more the reason to have a wepon. Roberies may happen more in the "ghetto" but when you think logically wouldn't a more "finachaly stable person" have more to steal?