# Ok, if I shouldn't \_shoot\_ the intruder, then...? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 19, 2009, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060 "2009-01-19T23:15:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/461 "2009-01-21T21:39:59Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > What does that have to do with owning a gun? He owns a gun, but it’s locked up and unusable in an emergency. Why does he have it at all? If he had a spare tire that he also kept locked up and unusable in an emergency, wouldn’t you consider that a poor decision? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/462 "2009-01-21T21:40:56Z")
> [@Cuckoorex](#): > > MOVING is now easier than purchasing a gun? Have you ever moved?? Its another aspect of the job creation program Ivan was alluding to earlier. Criminals force you to move. You hire the criminals as movers. You end up in a nice house. The criminals get a respectable job which enables them to buy the now vacant and cheap house. I know you don’t really understand the finer points of economics, but please try to keep up mmmkay? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/463 "2009-01-21T21:41:39Z")
> [@Cuckoorex](#): > > He owns a gun, but it’s locked up and unusable in an emergency. Why does he have it at all? > > If he had a spare tire that he also kept locked up and unusable in an emergency, wouldn’t you consider that a poor decision? You and I both would, but based on my arguments herein, I wouldn’t tell him what to do. All I want is for people not to tell me what options **I** can or can’t consider. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/464 "2009-01-21T21:42:05Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > You may find it casually easy and trivially inexpensive to move. I do not. Thus, I refuse to be driven out of my own home by thieving shitbags. If he’d stayed out of my home, Mr. Hopped-Up-On-Goofballs burglar wouldn’t have got beaten like a gong. I didn’t go looking for him. One day when you’re showering with your .22-on-a-rope, you might meet someone who’ll fuck you up \*just because \*you’re coming at him with a gun. Just because you want to be the baddest badass on the block doesn’t mean you are. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/465 "2009-01-21T21:43:28Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > What does that have to do with owning a gun? > [@Kalhoun](#): > > Sure I have. Moving might be harder than purchasing a gun, but it’s infinitely easier than killing an unarmed drunk with a VCR under his arm. ALWAYS you assume that the thief is unarmed and completely harmless. It must be GREAT to live in this world where all criminals are assumed to be harmless even as they are committing crimes by INVADING A HOME WITH A FAMILY INSIDE. Oh my fucking Crom, it’s like arguing with the Sea Kitten people! You win! We’re all bloodthirsty monsters itching to KILL KILL KILL but the right thing to do is MOVE EVERY TIME A CRIME IS COMMITTED AGAINST US. WHAT. THE. FUCK. ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/466 "2009-01-21T21:45:35Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > you want to be the baddest badass on the block doesn’t mean you are. This is impairing my ability to listen to your arguments with any respect. If you can’t win without caricaturing people who ask ONLY TO BE LEFT ALONE as raving macho cases itching to START trouble, then you probably can’t win, period. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/467 "2009-01-21T21:46:01Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > One day when you’re showering with your .22-on-a-rope, you might meet someone who’ll fuck you up \*just because \*you’re coming at him with a gun. Just because you want to be the baddest badass on the block doesn’t mean you are. Someone is COMING AT HIM WHILE HE’S IN THE SHOWER wanting to “fuck him up” because he’s “coming at him with a gun?” HOW IN THE HELL IS HE “COMING AT HIM WITH A GUN” IF HE’S IN THE SHOWER?? OH MY GOD!!! It’s the attack of the magical showering gunslingers now! AND IT’S THEIR FAULT!! ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/468 "2009-01-21T21:46:01Z")
> [@Cuckoorex](#): > > He owns a gun, but it’s locked up and unusable in an emergency. Why does he have it at all? > > If he had a spare tire that he also kept locked up and unusable in an emergency, wouldn’t you consider that a poor decision? Why do you think he owns guns for protection? Obviously he doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/469 "2009-01-21T21:47:26Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > One day when you’re showering with your .22-on-a-rope, you might meet someone who’ll fuck you up \*just because \*you’re coming at him with a gun. Just because you want to be the baddest badass on the block doesn’t mean you are. Clearly, you are entirely out of anything meaningful to say. You have gone from just wanting to keep the poor criminals from getting shot to, now, actively cheerleading for them. Does your post even read like you hope I’ll get “fucked up,” or is that just my interpretation? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/470 "2009-01-21T21:48:13Z")
Ninjas…then Clowns…now Sea Kittens. Sweet Bejeezus I think I just soiled myself! ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/471 "2009-01-21T21:48:33Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Does your post even read like you hope I’ll get “fucked up,” or is that just my interpretation? No, I got a hint of that too. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/472 "2009-01-21T21:51:05Z")
> [@Cuckoorex](#): > > ALWAYS you assume that the thief is unarmed and completely harmless. It must be GREAT to live in this world where all criminals are assumed to be harmless even as they are committing crimes by INVADING A HOME WITH A FAMILY INSIDE. Oh my fucking Crom, it’s like arguing with the Sea Kitten people! You win! We’re all bloodthirsty monsters itching to KILL KILL KILL but the right thing to do is MOVE EVERY TIME A CRIME IS COMMITTED AGAINST US. WHAT. THE. FUCK. I don’t assume anything. And either should you. That’s how people get hurt or dead unnecessarily. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/473 "2009-01-21T21:52:27Z")
> [@Huerta88](#): > > This is impairing my ability to listen to your arguments with any respect. If you can’t win without caricaturing people who ask ONLY TO BE LEFT ALONE as raving macho cases itching to START trouble, then you probably can’t win, period. Well, he’s the one with a bathroom gun. I’m just sayin’… ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/474 "2009-01-21T21:54:32Z")
Oh, and my bathroom gun isn’t a .22. Anybody with an ounce of sense would know that with a small bore gun like that, shot placement has to be surgically precise. If I have to gunfight with shampoo in my eyes, I might not be able to shoot that precisely. My bathroom gun is a custom made stainless steel [Barrett .50](http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/images/m107-usarmy-image03.jpg). Yessirree-NASCAR, I’m good if my “alone time” ever gets violated again by anything from a shakey junkie on up through a raging bull clown in full rut. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/475 "2009-01-21T21:54:39Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Clearly, you are entirely out of anything meaningful to say. You have gone from just wanting to keep the poor criminals from getting shot to, now, actively cheerleading for them. Does your post even read like you hope I’ll get “fucked up,” or is that just my interpretation? No, that’s not what I said. Your interpretation is paranoid. I’m saying that by your pulling out a gun, you can trigger a worse situation. One that will find you and your family dead because someone who had no intention of hurting anyone is now forced to defend himself from your gun. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/476 "2009-01-21T21:55:07Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Ninjas…then Clowns…now Sea Kittens. Sweet Bejeezus I think I just soiled myself! Scumpup’s Psycho shower scene did it for me. I don’t think he mentioned how the drug-addled burglar got in, unless Scumpup makes a habit of leaving his door unlocked while showering? To test his reflexes, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/477 "2009-01-21T21:56:04Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > I don’t assume anything. And either should you. That’s how people get hurt or dead unnecessarily. Right. The dude that breaks into my house is really just lost and looking for directions, or maybe he wants me to talk to him about Jesus or something. Who knows? I can make no assumptions whatsoever about someone who ILLEGALLY BREAKS INTO MY HOUSE WITH MY FAMILY INSIDE. Furthermore, you don’t assume anything? BULL. SHIT. You assume that gun owners want to KILL KILL KILL and you assume that people that break into peoples’ homes have no ill intentions and you assume all sorts of things. Don’t give me that shit about how you’re being reasonable and objective. You have been judging us just as we have been judging you. At least we’re able to admit it. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/478 "2009-01-21T21:57:35Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > Well, he’s the one with a bathroom gun. I’m just sayin’… Well, if some strange man ends up in MY shower, at the very least I am going to suspect he is going to want to try to engage me in some unsolicited bone smuggling. Thanks butt no thanks. Thats what Guns N Soap on rope was made to prevent! ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/479 "2009-01-21T21:57:48Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Oh, and my bathroom gun isn’t a .22. Anybody with an ounce of sense would know that with a small bore gun like that, shot placement has to be surgically precise. If I have to gunfight with shampoo in my eyes, I might not be able to shoot that precisely. My bathroom gun is a custom made stainless steel [Barrett .50](http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/images/m107-usarmy-image03.jpg). Yessirree-NASCAR, I’m good if my “alone time” ever gets violated again by anything from a shakey junkie on up through a raging bull clown in full rut. Gee. I stand corrected. All our guns are kitchen guns, with the exception of the crawlspace gun. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/480 "2009-01-21T21:59:08Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > Scumpup’s Psycho shower scene did it for me. > > I don’t think he mentioned how the drug-addled burglar got in, unless Scumpup makes a habit of leaving his door unlocked while showering? To test his reflexes, maybe? Sorry, skippy, it ain’t my fault he decided to break in. It ain’t my fault he left worse for the wear. I’ll tell you this, though: the fucker never came back. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060.md?page=25)