# Would you ever get a gun for home defense (only)? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 2, 2016, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923 "2016-02-02T05:01:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/101 "2016-02-03T17:01:48Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > Calling 911 preemptively when you see someone engaging in legal behavior of course. Let the cops sort it out right? See something say something. Not my job to determine what is legal and what is not. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/102 "2016-02-03T17:06:33Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > See something say something. Not my job to determine what is legal and what is not. Totally! Like when you see people who may look different than you too - who knows what they may be up to. Calling 911 sounds great! Or maybe people who are protesting, they may not have a permit - calling 911 there seems like prudent judgment. If you pass by a construction sight there could be dangerous OSHA violations going on - maybe their power tools aren’t properly grounded. 911 for the win! Someone have a broken tail light? 911 - that shit is dangerous. See someone leave a bar and head toward a vehicle, 911. Maybe have that number on speed dial - that could save you like, 2 button pushes hastening your journey to protect us all. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/103 "2016-02-03T17:12:59Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > At what point do you shoot a bad guy with a gun, before he points a gun at you, or after? The point at which I shoot another person is when I have a reasonable belief that I am in danger of death or serious harm. This will vary by the situation. It is not possible to make a blanket statement regarding the pointing of guns. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/104 "2016-02-03T17:18:00Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Don’t have one, don’t want one, don’t need one. I have no desire to learn how to shoot, and I won’t own anything that I don’t know how to use properly. > > I can’t think of anything in my house I’d kill someone to protect, and crime just isn’t a huge issue around here. I’ll continue to take my chances. I applaud your first comment. An untrained person with a weapon is only dangerous to herself and innocents. As for the second, I agree in part. I would kill someone to protect my life or my wife’s. The order of action in my house is (assuming there is time): \*Close and lock the bedroom door. \*Wife starts calling 911 and I announce said fact loudly. \*While she’s doing that, I get my handgun from the closet and load the mag. \*We both hunker down on the side of the bed furthest from the door and wait to see how the situation will resolve. If someone tries the bedroom door, I announce that I have a weapon and that cops are on the way. If someone forces the door, I have a better-than-even chance of taking him down from my covered position. Barging into an unknown situation is a recipe for disaster, in one form or another. I feel that the above is a reasonable plan to safeguard our lives, if not our possessions. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/105 "2016-02-03T17:22:14Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > Totally! Like when you see people who may look different than you too - who knows what they may be up to. Calling 911 sounds great! Or maybe people who are protesting, they may not have a permit - calling 911 there seems like prudent judgment. If you pass by a construction sight there could be dangerous OSHA violations going on - maybe their power tools aren’t properly grounded. 911 for the win! Someone have a broken tail light? 911 - that shit is dangerous. See someone leave a bar and head toward a vehicle, 911. Maybe have that number on speed dial - that could save you like, 2 button pushes hastening your journey to protect us all. The other day I saw a woman give a toddler a french fry at McDonalds. That was 911 for sure. Child neglect or abuse? Not my call. Let the cops sort it out. I 911ed the hell out of a guy the other day 'cause he smelled funny. Maybe it was that marijahooney I hear the young people talking about, maybe it wasn’t. I’m sure the cops sorted it out. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/106 "2016-02-03T17:30:50Z")
At one point I almost joined the Air Force. At two other points in my life I seriously considered joining the Navy to be an underwater nuclear wrangler. Even then, I made peace that I might have to drop bombs on poor innocent enemy soldiers just doing their jobs. Or innocent civilians. Or God forbid press the big red button and kill hundred of thousands to maybe even a few million civilians. Now whose to say I might have become a mental wreck after the fact. But without having to have actually face that choice, I think I am about a certain as one could be about being able to do so without having to actually do so. And I have shot at somebody worth shooting at. So, yeah, if I can do those two things, I’m pretty sure I can shot to kill somebody seriously threatening me or some other innocent party. ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/107 "2016-02-03T17:48:26Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Okay, lets assume the stat is true. 60 percent of gun owners accidentally shot themselves or loved ones or friends or assists in a suicide. That means for 40 percent things went well for the other gun owners. > > And given that most of those “bad” things are just do to serious stupidity and carelessness… > > Well, I ain’t no one percenter brain wise, but I am pretty sure I can manage to bootstrap myself up to top 40 percent of Durperville. I, too, am confident that I can avoid particularly stupid “check this out y’all!” and “hold my beer” accidents. I am less confident about avoiding suicide risks, for myself, my family, and friends. IIRC a sizable fraction of suicides are not necessarily caused by long-term severe mental disorders, and is often an impulsive decision. Having a convenient means of suicide substantially increases the risk of following through with suicidal thoughts. I have had some issues with depression, though no suicidal thoughts ever, but there is a history of more severe mental illness in my family. I do think the suicide risk is very small, however I also think the risk of being the victim of a crime that could be prevented by having a gun at home is also very small. Thus, in a crude estimate of coldly statistical terms, I don’t think owning a gun reduces my overall risk. ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/108 "2016-02-03T17:52:57Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > \*Close and lock the bedroom door. > \*Wife starts calling 911 and I announce said fact loudly. > \*While she’s doing that, I get my handgun from the closet and load the mag. > \*We both hunker down on the side of the bed furthest from the door and wait to see how the situation will resolve. If someone tries the bedroom door, I announce that I have a weapon and that cops are on the way. > > If someone forces the door, I have a better-than-even chance of taking him down from my covered position. > > Barging into an unknown situation is a recipe for disaster, in one form or another. I feel that the above is a reasonable plan to safeguard our lives, if not our possessions. I too have a similar scenario in my head, but there are so many variables to consider that in the end any course of action may be executed very differently. One thing I know for sure - I am aiming for the center of mass. When one is under stress, unless HIGHLY TRAINED, missing is likely. Also, the likelihood that I will ever have to defend myself against someone and use a gun is very small. I hope to only use it for target shooting. I’m going next weekend with my son again. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/109 "2016-02-03T18:09:37Z")
No, because it would make me less safe, not more. It would be like getting a flamethrower to protect against house fires. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/110 "2016-02-03T18:17:50Z")
> [@scootergirl](#): > > I too have a similar scenario in my head, but there are so many variables to consider that in the end any course of action may be executed very differently. One thing I know for sure - I am aiming for the center of mass. When one is under stress, unless HIGHLY TRAINED, missing is likely. > > Also, the likelihood that I will ever have to defend myself against someone and use a gun is very small. I hope to only use it for target shooting. I’m going next weekend with my son again. Absolutely. Most plans only work if everything goes accordingly. Our house is very small, with all rooms on one floor. The chances of an intruder getting to us before we can even lock the door are fairly good. The only advantage we have is that an intruder doesn’t know the layout of the house. If we can get the bedroom door locked, the odds go up in my favor. Push come to shove, we could bail out of the bedroom window. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/111 "2016-02-03T18:22:25Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I > \*Close and lock the bedroom door. > \*Wife starts calling 911 and I announce said fact loudly. > \*While she’s doing that, I get my handgun from the closet and load the mag. Parts of your plan deleted by me. Though in general it seems to me like a perfectly reasonable and well thought out plan. But to me one part looks a bit off. To me, you probably shouldn’t announce loudly you are calling 911 until AFTER you have the gun ready. Though I admit there could well be a piece of logic I am not seeing (or more likely, weighed calculation of risk of X vs Y where X and Y may not be well defined/knowable). ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/112 "2016-02-03T19:11:23Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > A good friend of mine never really needed a gun either. About a year after he retired, a crackhead broke into his house, looking for anything he could steal to sell for crack. My friend surprised him by being home, and the crackhead stabbed my friend to death. > > Those who think that thieves are only there to steal and will leave if you don’t try to stop them, are wrong. Some might leave. Others won’t. Some are more than happy to kill you. > > Anyone who thinks that the police will protect them from something like a home invasion, are wrong. Whatever is going to happen will happen very quickly. Whoever invades your home will be long gone before the police get there, and in fact will probably be gone before the police even know that they need to respond. > > The police did catch the crackhead who killed my friend, and he’ll be spending the rest of his miserable life in jail. My friend is still dead, though. > > Most gun owners will never need to use their guns for protection. If you are one of the unlucky ones though, you can’t change your mind about gun ownership when someone is charging at you with a knife or pointing a gun at you. > > I own quite a few guns, mostly muskets and collectible type guns. A musket is a very poor weapon for home defense though. Sure, a six foot long, .75 caliber gun is impressive just in size alone, but “excuse me, could you stand still for 30 seconds while I reload?” doesn’t tend to get too much cooperation from the bad guys. > > So I do own a gun just for home defense. It’s a .44 magnum pistol, basically, Dirty Harry’s gun. It’s not one of my fun guns to shoot. Its only purpose is to kill someone. > > I hope I never have to use it, and I know that the chances are pretty good that I never will have to use it. But if I am one of the unlucky few that ends up in that situation, I am ready for it. This. A firearm is like a fire extinguisher. Chances of ever needing it are very slim, but if you need it and don’t have one you’re screwed. I’m with you, I have one (several actually) and I truly hope I’ll never need to use it against another human. However, I’m prepared to do so and I won’t hesitate if I find myself or my family in mortal danger. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/113 "2016-02-03T19:37:57Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Parts of your plan deleted by me. Though in general it seems to me like a perfectly reasonable and well thought out plan. > > But to me one part looks a bit off. > > To me, you probably shouldn’t announce loudly you are calling 911 until AFTER you have the gun ready. > > Though I admit there could well be a piece of logic I am not seeing (or more likely, weighed calculation of risk of X vs Y where X and Y may not be well defined/knowable). It’s just a general plan of action. I’m assuming that while she’s closing and locking the door, I’ll have fumbled the weapon out of its case and loaded it. When she gets a dispatcher on the line, I announce they’ve been called, so the intruder knows a man is in the house. In a fluid situation, who knows what’s going to happen? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/114 "2016-02-03T19:57:57Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > The point at which I shoot another person is when I have a reasonable belief that I am in danger of death or serious harm. See, here’s the thing with your plan: the bad guy with a gun already knows he is going to threaten you with a gun or even shoot you, before he draws his gun. That’s a luxury you don’t have, you have to wait until he presents a threat, and if he is armed, you are dead if you try to outdraw him. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/115 "2016-02-03T20:04:45Z")
If someone breaks into my home, he is a threat. I don’t have to wait for anything more. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/116 "2016-02-03T20:05:21Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > Totally! Like when you see people who may look different than you too - who knows what they may be up to. Calling 911 sounds great! Or maybe people who are protesting, they may not have a permit - calling 911 there seems like prudent judgment. If you pass by a construction sight there could be dangerous OSHA violations going on - maybe their power tools aren’t properly grounded. 911 for the win! Someone have a broken tail light? 911 - that shit is dangerous. See someone leave a bar and head toward a vehicle, 911. Maybe have that number on speed dial - that could save you like, 2 button pushes hastening your journey to protect us all. Nah, those things don’t ping my radar like they do yours; just strangers carrying guns in public. Besides, police probably won’t even respond for OSHA violations and the like; but they will for a man with a gun. Too many bad outcomes to risk blowing it off. Sorry if that fries your bacon, but that is the downside of living in a society awash in guns where you can’t tell the good guys from the bad guys until it is too late. Better to be safe than sorry, see something say something and let John Law sort it out. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/117 "2016-02-03T21:16:42Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Nah, those things don’t ping my radar like they do yours; just strangers carrying guns in public. Besides, police probably won’t even respond for OSHA violations and the like; but they will for a man with a gun. Too many bad outcomes to risk blowing it off. Sorry if that fries your bacon, but that is the downside of living in a society awash in guns where you can’t tell the good guys from the bad guys until it is too late. Better to be safe than sorry, see something say something and let John Law sort it out. Get that speed dial ready! Then there’s [this from Houston](http://www.houstontx.gov/police/open_carry/index.htm) where open carry is now legal: > [@](#): > > **If I see a person openly carrying a handgun, should I call the police?** > You can call the police, but before you call, observe how the person is acting. If they are acting suspicious, or entering a building where weapons are prohibited such as a school, call the police. > Examples of when to call law enforcement include: 1) Gun is removed from a secured holster; 2) Gun holder seems intoxicated; 3) Gun holder appears very agitated or is causing a disturbance; or 4) Gun holder is obviously committing a crime or acting in a reckless or suspicious manner. For emergency/life threatening calls, dial 911. For non-emergency calls, contact 713-884-3131. The [city of Dayton](http://www.cityofdaytontx.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/26?fileID=77) expands on this answer, their version is: > [@](#): > > **Question: If I see a person open carrying a handgun, should I call the police?** > Answer: Yes you can call the police, but before you call, observe how the person is acting. If they are acting suspicious, or enter a building such as a school, then please give us a call. But, if they are simply at a gas station filling up their car, then they are probably a law abiding citizen who is legally open carrying. [Seguin, TX](http://www.seguintexas.gov/images/uploads/Seguin_Police_Department_Open_Carry_Information.pdf)is a slightly different variant of the same response: > [@](#): > > **Should I call 911 each time I see someone carrying an open weapon?** > Before calling, take time to observe what the person is doing. Ask yourself whether the > person is doing anything that looks suspicious or is doing something “wrong.” Just because the person is openly carrying a handgun does not mean he has no right to do so. Just as importantly, if someone is openly carrying a weapon, they may also have a proper license. Based on the set of circumstances, a Seguin police officer may or may not request proof of a handgun license. Police officers must walk a “fine line” on what the new law allows them to do and balance that with an assurance that civil or Constitutional rights are now violated. Notice a theme? They don’t encourage people to simply call the police every time they see a firearm. Instead, they ask for people to observe and base the judgment whether or not to call on what they see and what is reasonable. Of course, that doesn’t fit with your idea of\* “you can’t tell the good guys from the bad guys”.\* Several police departments who would be responding to your type of calls disagree with you. Then again, maybe this question is more in line with your thought process (first link): > [@](#): > > **Some organizations that are in opposition to open carry have said that if they see someone openly carrying a handgun, they will call 911 and say that person is being aggressive and threatening people with the weapon. How will the police handle situations like this?** > > The police will act with caution when approaching the person. They will collect the facts, and if it is found that this person was doing nothing wrong, **the investigation will be turned towards the person who made the false 911 call.** Maybe all your calls will result in [a payout ($35K)](http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2015/07/open-carry_christmas_eve_gun_s.html) from [taxpayers ($5K)](http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/open-gun-carrier-wins-settlement-in-corvallis-unlawful-detainment-case/article_ef72b1e6-4369-11e3-8c96-0019bb2963f4.html) to people whose [rights are violated ($23K)](http://www.9news.com/news/article/368179/188/Colorado-Springs-settles-lawsuit-after-mistaken-gun-arrest). Good luck with your speed dialing! ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/118 "2016-02-03T21:20:48Z")
Random Muslim = terrorist = bad profiling. Random person open carrying and acting normally=gun nut about to break the law=call the cops=good Is to laugh. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/119 "2016-02-03T21:31:42Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > They don’t encourage people to simply call the police every time they see a firearm. Instead, they ask for people to observe and base the judgment whether or not to call on what they see and what is reasonable. Of course, that doesn’t fit with your idea of\* “you can’t tell the good guys from the bad guys”.\* Several police departments who would be responding to your type of calls disagree with you. I also noticed they didn’t forbid it either. > [@](#): > > Then again, maybe this question is more in line with your thought process (first link): > Maybe all your calls will result in [a payout ($35K)](http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2015/07/open-carry_christmas_eve_gun_s.html) from [taxpayers ($5K)](http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/open-gun-carrier-wins-settlement-in-corvallis-unlawful-detainment-case/article_ef72b1e6-4369-11e3-8c96-0019bb2963f4.html) to people whose [rights are violated ($23K)](http://www.9news.com/news/article/368179/188/Colorado-Springs-settles-lawsuit-after-mistaken-gun-arrest). If the police can’t tell the difference between a good guy and a bad guy, I certainly can’t. Better let the professionals handle it. See something, say something. ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/120 "2016-02-03T21:49:28Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > If someone breaks into my home, he is a threat. I don’t have to wait for anything more. Exactly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923.md?page=7)