# It's hard to have nightmares when you own a gun **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 12, 2003, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395 "2003-06-12T17:56:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/1 "2003-06-12T17:56:03Z")
Last night I was dreaming that something/someone was in the house. None of the lights worked–although the ceiling fan did. My flashlight, an über reliable Maglite, wouldn’t produce more than a dim glow. I was on the verge of panic. Then two things happened: I remembered I had a gun and I decided that I was sick of waiting around being scared. I ended up shooting five intruders in my house. Very exciting stuff. Great therapy. Judo was another great nightmare ender. If you’re plagued by nightmares I advise taking judo and buying (and learning to shoot properly) a gun. Remember: safety first. There is no such thing as an unloaded gun. ---
**Author:** ![Marconi\_Schmeese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@Marconi\_Schmeese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marconi_Schmeese)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/2 "2003-06-12T18:40:38Z")
I _do_ own a gun and I’m well trained with it. I still have debilitating nightmares that I see a psychiatrist to “treat”. Unfortunately, my nightmares are about a family member, not a faceless burglar. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/3 "2003-06-12T19:19:13Z")
Wow. That really sucks, man. I guess I just don’t care enough about people to have nightmares on their behalf (sp?). Well, best of luck to you! I sincerely hope the shrink can help you out with that problem. I’d offer advice except: 1. I’m sure I don’t have anything you haven’t tried or that hasn’t been suggested by a trained professional, and 2. The nightmares I used to have all involved getting up the courage to fight back, whereas yours do not, and 3. It is rude to give unsolicited advice. Best wishes and good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/4 "2003-06-12T19:34:20Z")
I think a gun in my house would _cause_ me nightmares, I mean, I’m usually _unconscious_ when I sleep, so I probably wouldn’t be able to use it - what if an intruder got in and got to it before I awoke? Fortunately it isn’t an issue though. ---
**Author:** ![Marconi\_Schmeese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@Marconi\_Schmeese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marconi_Schmeese)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/5 "2003-06-12T19:58:09Z")
Not to hijack your thread, but by posting something on a message board, I think the advice becomes _solicited_. I’m a she, by the way. Any advice on nightmares about a psycho family member is appreciated here or by email. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/6 "2003-06-12T20:27:42Z")
I have neither firearms nor nightmares. And hot lead wouldn’t affect those things that occasionally keep me awake at night. ---
**Author:** ![patchbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dc4da7/32.png) [@patchbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/patchbunny)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/7 "2003-06-12T23:25:47Z")
A friend of mine kept his pistol on the bookshelf built into his headboard. He had a dream one night where he needed a firearm to defend himself, and in his sleep he reached up, grabbed it, and shot a hole in the ceiling. That’s why I keep my firearms locked in a safe. 😃 –Patch ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/8 "2003-06-12T23:29:24Z")
Wise choice Patchbunny, I do too. You can also get handgun security containers that require you to enter a combination on a keypad before getting the gun out. Nothing is perfect but it requires you to at leasr be a little awake before getting a gun in your hand. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/9 "2003-06-12T23:31:00Z")
Firearm related nightmares typically occur when you are wide awake. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/10 "2003-06-12T23:31:16Z")
You know how vertigo means being afraid that you will decide to deliberately jump off a high place?[sup]\*[/sup] Well I would have a similar sort of fear if I owned a gun - I would be terrified that I would get the gun and blow my brains out (after offing all my family) I have dreams about none of the lights working, and my maglite torch not working. The way I deal with them is to realize that they are a dream[sup]~[/sup] [sup]\* Today I was reminded of this. I was on a pier, with my step-dad and nieces. As my nieces neared the edge I became very very nervous that either they’d fall in, or that I would go insane and throw them in.[/sup] [sup]~ This doesn’t always work. I am still getting used to the idea of becoming lucid in a dream. I usually wake up the instant I realize these lack-of-light dreams are dreams[/sup] ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/11 "2003-06-13T03:16:07Z")
I don’t know…I don’t think the human mind is that simple. I personally would like to have a little more imagination in my dreams, instead of Step A. I get scared…Step B. I use a revolver on the object of my fears. I just think of fear as something more complex. Such as fear as fear…try shooting that sometime. I don’t think that would work in any of my dreams, in any case. They tend to be surreal. I’d probably wind up asking an intruder for tea, only to have them turn into people I know, followed by a scene of all of us walking on a beach in a parallel universe. (Hey, don’t scoff! I reallly was in a parallel universe last night, lots of them!) ---
**Author:** ![cletus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@cletus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cletus)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/12 "2003-06-13T04:40:21Z")
I just wanted to say I love your thread title **js\_africanus**. 🙂 I think that would be a good slogan for the NRA. ---
**Author:** ![pilot141](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@pilot141](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pilot141)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/13 "2003-06-13T05:38:09Z")
My gun is under my bed in it’s plastic padded case. It is not locked per se, but being under my bed in a case with two latches prevents the “I was asleep and shot the ceiling” episodes. It IS loaded and ready to go once out of the case (no safety on the Sig). I will say that many times the knowledge of having a gun available has let me sleep better. This was more common when I lived in west Texas on the city limits and had all sorts of critters and other unknowns making noise at night. When you get woken up by a strange noise at night, knowing that you have a loaded gun under your bed makes it MUCH easier to nod off again. Once you ARE asleep, your mind takes over. Being unable to run in a dream…instead of being unable to outrun your pursuer, you are unable to reach your gun - same thing. Frankly, my gun doesn’t factor much in my dreams at all…the only time I think about it is when I get woken up in the middle of the night. And then I think of my 4-cell Maglite and my .45, and I know that nothing can hurt me… And **js\_africanus** : when your Maglite only produces a dim glow, that’s so you can use the glow to help aim your swing!😉 ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/14 "2003-06-13T07:07:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pilot141 \* > \*\*My gun is under my bed in it’s plastic padded case. It is not locked per se, but being under my bed in a case with two latches prevents the “I was asleep and shot the ceiling” episodes. It IS loaded and ready to go once out of the case (no safety on the Sig). > > \*\* I’d just like to relay some thanks in advance on behalf of the burglar who shows up while you’re out. ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/15 "2003-06-13T07:12:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by 2trew \* > \*\*I’d just like to relay some thanks in advance on behalf of the burglar who shows up while you’re out. \*\* What is that supposed to mean? My .40 is in the drawer next to my bed, full clip, but not one in the chamber. I sleep well. ---
**Author:** ![pilot141](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@pilot141](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pilot141)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/16 "2003-06-13T07:45:47Z")
**2trew** I’m not going to enter a Great Debate with you. I have slept better knowing that I have a gun available. That is all. ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/17 "2003-06-13T07:48:52Z")
I hadn’t intended to start a debate, I just thought the point was worth making. ---
**Author:** ![manwithaplan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@manwithaplan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manwithaplan)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/18 "2003-06-13T09:41:54Z")
For me, blowing away five intruders would be a nightmare in itself. Let them take the video while I snooze - a quick trip to the local electrical superstore would be much less hassle. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/19 "2003-06-13T10:28:56Z")
Having a gun really doesn’t help when the flesh-eating zombies bust the door down. “BRAAAAAAAINS!” ---
**Author:** ![breaknrun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@breaknrun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breaknrun)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395/20 "2003-06-13T14:04:54Z")
I own a pistol also and am severely deaf, but I’m not worried about anyone sneaking in and getting to the pistol before I can wake up. I have 2 dogs with excellent hearing and loud barks. 🙂 If you can get a dog, I recommend this. **pilot141** , I think 2trew was making the comment on the assumption that the gun stays at home in it’s unlocked case when you leave the house, thus making it easy to steal. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hard-to-have-nightmares-when-you-own-a-gun/181395.md?page=2)