# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/161 "2016-02-05T02:36:43Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Not in the slightest. The first one implies that if you open carry while wearing colors, you’ll get picked up. The second one says that gang members aren’t known for open carry and it would seem to me that they don’t get picked up for it. ---
**Author:** ![ChickenLegs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@ChickenLegs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChickenLegs)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/162 "2016-02-05T02:51:46Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Absolutely not. I have never touched a firearm in my life and don’t intend to ever do so. Good thinking. You might catch cooties. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/163 "2016-02-05T03:49:30Z")
> [@Surreal](#): > > Did you just confess to a crime? > > I’m no legal scholar but I’m pretty sure it isn’t legal to shoot people outside of your house, even if they’re attempting to steal your property. What are you talking about? I live in a conceal-carry state. We had a shooting in my city where a kid was shot dead when he tried to steal sneakers at gun point. It was at a mall. His buddies are going to be tried for his death. If you participate in an armed crime and someone is killed then the liability falls on those who committed the crime. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/164 "2016-02-05T06:05:52Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > The first one implies that if you open carry while wearing colors, you’ll get picked up. > > The second one says that gang members aren’t known for open carry and it would seem to me that they don’t get picked up for it. Huh? The first sez _if_ you open carry while wearing gang colors, you’ll get stopped. The second sez that gang members don’t do open carry (because they’ll get stopped). ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/165 "2016-02-05T06:58:52Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > I personally wouldn’t, but I moved in with my father and he has one. I’ve never used it and I don’t know if I would in an emergency. A word of caution – in a home defense scenario, if you’re not ready to draw and aim a gun and potentially kill the intruder you’re better off not getting it. There are key skills, physical and mental skills, needed in such situations. The intruder could sense your doubt and take the gun from you, and then you’ve taken a bad situation and made it much much worse. While I _think_ I have these skills (emphasize that word), my wife and I doubt she has them, and so she would not get her gun but I would get mine. > [@RealityChuck](#): > > Nope. Statistically, you’re far safer without a gun than with one. Yeah, well, you might want to be careful where you get your statistics. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > I’m 57 years old and never had an occasion where a gun in my hand would have helped the situation. On the other hand, I _have_ been hit in the head by various objects throughout my life, from small stones to fallen branches to stray softballs. Does it not make sense that most of us should be walking around wearing helmets? If you’re that accident prone, maybe you should never, ever, handle firearms. > [@Joey\_P](#): > > Anyways, it’s all blown over now, the gun is not only incredible in-accessible, but in a non-working order (fires one bullet than jams and needs to be cleared). Have it checked by a professional. It might be that you’re using ammo not fully compatible with your gun. > [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > 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. Someone’s been watching too much TV. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/166 "2016-02-05T07:05:17Z")
I’ve considered it but, since I’m a foreigner here, have thought my wife would get a gun permit more easily … she’s not interested. It’s extremely low-priority for me. My _Life’s Greatest Regrets_ List is long and poignant but doesn’t include lack of a gun. :smack: We once had her father’s antique shot pistol (I wondered if it would even be safe to test-fire); however when the military was sweeping the countryside looking for caches of terrorist weapons, she decided to bury that gun somewhere in the orchard. :smack: (It’s a good thing I’m not overly paranoid. To hear some Dopers talk, they might be afraid to go down to the local 7-Eleven unarmed.) ---
**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 5, 2016, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/167 "2016-02-05T12:14:47Z")
Dear **Bullitt** , Thanks for the note of sanity. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/168 "2016-02-05T17:29:06Z")
The first time I read the OP, I thought it said “nun” instead of “gun” and I had to think it over for a while before I realized that it couldn’t have said “nun”. It just couldn’t say that. I mean … what would a nun do to protect you? Pray someone to death? I don’t think so. I just don’t think that would help very much. At least, not in the short term. Not at all! ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/169 "2016-02-05T17:32:40Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > (It’s a good thing I’m not overly paranoid. To hear some Dopers talk, they might be afraid to go down to the local 7-Eleven unarmed.) Actually, when my old Chicago neighborhood got that bad we moved rather than arming ourselves. Which is probably the saner solution. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/170 "2016-02-05T17:37:09Z")
People who have voted no: 94 People who have either voted yes or already have one: 94 As of this post. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/171 "2016-02-05T18:01:11Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Actually, when my old Chicago neighborhood got that bad we moved rather than arming ourselves. Which is probably the saner solution. Most definitely. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/172 "2016-02-05T18:15:33Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Actually, when my old Chicago neighborhood got that bad we moved rather than arming ourselves. Which is probably the saner solution. I have to agree. It’s better to move that have a gun in a really bad neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/173 "2016-02-05T18:27:45Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > See something say something. Not my job to determine what is legal and what is not. Yes if I see something totally legal I immediately call cops to go harass that person. If I see a person talking I immediately assume they’re plotting the violent overthrow of the government rather than engaging in normal conversation. Or if a man is alone with a woman I call the cops because who knows he maybe planning on raping her later, better to let the cops sort it out. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/174 "2016-02-05T18:30:50Z")
Of course it is better to move than to depend on a gun, provided that moving is an option. I live in an area that will never be construed as a playground of the glitteratti. However, I am nearing the end of my career. Moving “someplace better” is not, with only three years to go, a realistic option. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/175 "2016-02-05T18:36:02Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > Yes if I see something totally legal I immediately call cops to go harass that person. If I see a person talking I immediately assume they’re plotting the violent overthrow of the government rather than engaging in normal conversation. Or if a man is alone with a woman I call the cops because who knows he maybe planning on raping her later, better to let the cops sort it out. And he should call in every car, since those are REALLY dangerous and the driver\* could\* be under the influence or even a criminal.:eek::eek::eek: ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/176 "2016-02-05T18:42:12Z")
Let it go, guys. Odds are he makes actually no calls at all and never has. If he is making frequent calls to report legal behavior, the emergency services will soon identify him. They really, strongly discourage frivolous use of the 911 system. ---
**Author:** ![BeeGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/177 "2016-02-05T19:10:50Z")
I have a S&W .38. I have small hands and short arms. Long guns are torture and 9mm style grips are too big around for me to shoot with accuracy. My dad was a concealed handgun instructor for 20 years and is a licensed firearms dealer in Texas. I do not have a CHL and I will not get one. I live in a nice neighborhood near the University of Texas. Crime is low, but it only takes once. A few years ago, there was a guy who wandered all parts of Austin looking for unlocked doors. He sexually assaulted several women in various parts of town. Then he walked into my neighbor’s house one night and stabbed and killed her. My #1 defense is to have my doors locked. I’m not afraid or paranoid. I have no problem walking to the store a few blocks away after dark unarmed. But as a woman living alone, I practice a lot of caution when it comes to people knocking on my door. I don’t feel even remotely bad for not answering the door. If I don’t know you, you stay on the outside and there is NO discussion about it. I don’t anticipate ever having to shoot someone. I’m a very good shot and I’ve logged hundreds of hours at the range. Amazingly, I have yet to see anyone open carry. Even when I went to west Texas last week. I am not a fan of open carry because I think most of the people who are for it are kind of rabid and not to be trusted with sharp sticks let alone loaded guns. My own plan is that if I go somewhere where someone is packing, I plan on leaving. Immediately. I don’t trust most of the advocates of open carry, nor do I trust those equally rabidly against it. ---
**Author:** ![DiggitCamara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@DiggitCamara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiggitCamara)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/178 "2016-02-05T19:56:27Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > This. I’ve shot my share of guns in the past, but have never owned any. If I were to get one with the intention of using it for home defense, I’d feel compelled to be good at using it. Not just how to reliably score a bullseye at 20 feet, or how to not accidentally shoot yourself in the balls, but things like: > > -knowing the rules of engagement, so I can minimize my odds of going to jail for murder or being successfully sued for wrongful death > > -tactical training for close-quarters use of a handgun, so I can maximize my odds of remaining alive after a conflict with a home invader > > For stuff like this, if it really matters to you, then you don’t just do it once and then say “now I’m ready.” Just as pilots and SCUBA divers need to stay “current,” this is something you need to practice on a regular basis; when you finally do hear that window breaking in the middle of the night, you don’t want to be hesitating and trying to remember what steps you were supposed to take next. Love this post. I believe the main problem with gun ownership is that many gun-fanatics just don’t want to shoulder the implicit responsibility. Applies to motorized vehicles as well, but at least there there’s a stricter framework to ensure a modicum of responsibility and enforce it. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/179 "2016-02-06T00:47:59Z")
The last time I had a gun in my home it was stolen. I am not even kidding. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923/180 "2016-02-06T01:16:15Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > The last time I had a gun in my home it was stolen. I am not even kidding. That’s why you keep your gun locked up. This sort of behavior gives gun owners bad names. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-get-a-gun-for-home-defense-only/744923.md?page=10)