Self Defense stories

[hokieav8r]

Get the Training

As a former Army Officer, Pilot and now FED I never expected to see so many military types opposed to advocating a military officer owning a handgun. I do however, understand all the different perspectives. Bottom line is that you need the formal training; you have to have a plan; you have to have a way of storing the gun to prevent the theft of the gun itself (as mentioned before in the thread) which is expensive to do correctly. I own an 800lb safe with motion detection deafening alarm and 12 hatch 3inch x 3inch bolt locks with electronic key pad and key lock. Of course, I've always owned guns since I was able to shoot one, and I'm very comfortable handling most kinds of rifles, shotguns and pistols. The Education is of utmost importance and I am simply reiterating what was already said there. Just some things to think about if you've never owned a gun before.

 

[DukeAndrewJ]

^^ as mentioned above - I think shotguns are a great way to go. Shoot off a pistol and that bullet will travel a long way - shotguns are great for short distance.

Hubble mentioned it above - I have a remington 870 which I think is one of the best guns for the money (about $350). Really easy to take apart to clean and nothing complicated to get jammed. I originally got it for skeet (if you practice, you can shoot a pump as well as any of the guys shoot a $4k semi-auto), but after a homicide in my apartment complex, I keep it under my bed with a couple of bird shot shells next to it.

But before you buy, go out to a range and practice. The guys at the range will be more than happy to talk to you about guns for hours and will give great advice.

I have a pretty big dog, and let me tell you, if someone broke into my place, all she would do is lick them. Personally I think the sound of me chambering a shell would be more effective than her bark. Plus I can use it to bust clays and down a few quail.

 

[nzachman]

I was at home for the second break-in, albeit I was sleeping. That is what concerns me. The cops around here don't care (although I know the chief of police personally from CAP) which is no help. I do leave in a little over a month, but I do think some sort of weapon is a good idea.

Thanks for the replies all!!! It has helped!

@Bevo, I will give $150 to St. Jude if Texas has a better record than OSU this season (even though I will miss most of the season at OCS), and $50 if the Bucks are better.

Nick

 

[rare21]

yeah the cops never care.... it doesnt help when the victim has no serial numbers to their valuable items, cant even tell us the brand sometimes, leaves their house or car doors unlocked, is advertising their new flat screen tv by leaving the box sticking halfway out the trash can on the curb, and wants us to get fingerprints off a rock or a piece of clothing (only smooth surfaces folks, this isn't CSI) after touching absolutely everything that was messed with.

for the sake of your case I hope you did none of those things... good luck in getting your stuff back.

 

[GroundPounder]

^^^^^ What he said ^^^^^^^

Whatever firearm you choose to get, I would urge that you to do several things in order to protect yourself. As has been mentioned, get training in how to use the weapon properly. You lose major cool points with an AD.

Find out what your state requires in order to LEGALLY use deadly force, and follow the law. I'm sure that you can find thousands of cases where civilians have used deadly force without legal justification and not been charged, but don't count on it happening to you. Don't depend on some internet site to be your definitive guide, go by and speak with someone in law enforcement in your jurisdiction to back up what you learn from the internet sites.

Maybe the most important thing that you can do is to decide now if you are willing to use deadly force and actually shoot someone if that is what it comes to. If you are not willing to do so, ( and many people are not ) don't keep a gun in your house.

 

[Bevo16]

@Bevo, I will give $150 to St. Jude if Texas has a better record than OSU this season (even though I will miss most of the season at OCS), and $50 if the Bucks are better.

Nick

Good deal. I'll match that. The inverse of the bet with the records of course. Remember to keep me honest on this one, it is a long time until January. Still, $200 for St. Jude either way, and that is a good thing. The Horns have a pretty cake non-conference, but don't have the luxury of playing in the Big 10. It should be a good season in Austin.

 

[Jynx]

Another important thing to consider is does your defense have to be lethal? There are two reasons for asking that,
1. You can get tazers and mace very quickly and very cheaply, even if it's just while waiting for something a little more assertive. Better to have something at all whilst waiting for a background check to clear and whatever firearms restrictions in your state are dealt with. When you have your preferred method, you can give the mace to your girlfriend to carry about in her purse. In most states I don't think that requires a permit, but I would check if I were you.

2. I know this isn't a popular question, but if you saw that your robber was very young, would you still shoot to kill if you couldn't tell he was armed? What if it was a low light situation and you couldn't be sure it wasn't your friend you thought might be sleeping on the couch? That hesitation whilst you decide could cost you hugely in the "seeing tomorrow" department, and you might not hesitate if you knew you could incapacitate him with a stungun.

 

[JSF_Dreamer]

Sorry to hear about your place. Getting a gun is a great idea. And learning to use it properly is the smart way to implement the great idea. As far as what to get... a shotgun is a good choice for home defense. Although if you're planning on going for concealed carry license, it may not be the most practical. The only thing I have against the shotgun is that if (and maybe this is just me watching too many movies) Mr. Badguy gets a hold of my wife or kid and starts using them as a shield, I can't do much with a shotgun. With a pistol, any head-sized target within 25 yards is very dead. Most of these thieving bastards, though, are cowards and will high-tail it if they hear you pull the slide back and chamber a round.

Another important thing to consider is does your defense have to be lethal? There are two reasons for asking that,

2. I know this isn't a popular question, but if you saw that your robber was very young, would you still shoot to kill if you couldn't tell he was armed? What if it was a low light situation and you couldn't be sure it wasn't your friend you thought might be sleeping on the couch? That hesitation whilst you decide could cost you hugely in the "seeing tomorrow" department, and you might not hesitate if you knew you could incapacitate him with a stungun.

Sounds like liberal mischief to me.... Still, Shooting your friend in the ass with a stun gun is pretty funny if you think about it. When it comes to home defense, I wouldn't leave it to a stun-gun or something without the potential to be lethal. I believe that not every home invasion should conclude with lethal force, but if you come into my house without good intentions, you're probably going to pay for it in some way. And probably with a lot of pain.

 

[Schnugg]

Get a good heavy safe. Keep your valuable stuff there. Video your belongings for the Police and insurance purposes.

Invest in some inexpensive home security. The $1k or so you spend here is worth it if you can help the police catch the culprit. You may only get video of him starting to break in as your home alarm scares him off, but it's better than getting robbed.

Get some home self defense training if you plan to buy and keep a handgun close at hand at home.

 

[blarged]

This thread got me thinking ...

I live in an apartment (near campus) down the street from the recently named "Most Dangerous Neighborhood in America" where both family and friends have had cars and apartments broken into. Luckily I've only had car broken into while the brother has had apartment.

Anyways ...

I'm thinking it could be a fun Saturday project to hook up a switch to the door to trigger a little homemade alarm system when gone. The alarm would be a simple recording of a 'familiar' sound ... the chambering of a shell with some narration "I see youuuu ..."

I don't think this will be too difficult. The fun part will be doing it and not telling the roommate

Ok ... I've amused myself long enough, back to work.

 

[Bevo16]

Are there no interstates leading south out of Ohio?

 

[sickboy]

They make shotgun shells filled with rock salt. Non leathal, but painful enough to scare the crap out any intruders.

 

[gaijin6423]

The argument against using so-called less-lethal loads for self defense purposes (so I'm told) is that it presents the problem of using deadly force (a firearm) that is loaded with what is supposed to be less-lethal ammunition. Why use deadly force if you didn't think that the situation warranted lethal ammunition?

That's just a brief extract from a conversation with my local NC-approved firearms instructor, though. Can anyone with more relevant experience shed some light on this?

(FWIW, I happen to like rock salt shells, despite having caught some in my hindquarters as a kid. Serves me right for messing with the farmer's field. Won't try that again. It's great for running off other animals, too, and not just kids up to no good.)

 

[xj220]

just kids up to no good

Trying to start a little trouble in your neighborhood?

 

[gaijin6423]

You know, I get in ONE little fight, and my mom got scared...