General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Can anyone make a coherent argument that guns are LESS dangerous than cars? i doubt it... [View all]Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)I have two dogs. I have them for companionship, but they are also deterrents to intruders.
I also have locks on my doors and outside lights.
I also have a six shooter.
If they get past the locks and the dogs, they will meet the six shooter. Women are at a huge disadvantage against intruders. Guns are a way to level the playing field.
Sport shooting is very common where I come from, the deep south. I think a lot of northerners or city dwellers don't understand guns. Most people I knew growing up had guns. They didn't kill people...some hunted. It's a hobby for some. It's tradition, as well. Guns are not evil to them (or me). They also respected guns. No one ever pulled out a gun in front of me when I was a kid. My paw paw kept his antique gun collection hanging on a wall in a replica log cabin. He had a useable gun locked up in a safe (I only found that out after he passed away).
But certainly assault weapons or high count mags don't figure into the hobby or self-protection categories. Just because something can be use for bad is not a reason to ban it for everyone.
As for scaring off intruders...too late. I have in fact scared off an intruder. I pointed my gun at him through the window by the door, as he was trying to break in. As soon as he saw the gun, he dropped his credit cards and crowbar, raised his hands and said "don't shoot!" and then ran away like the wind, jumping an eight foot iron gate.
Yes, I could be killed with my own weapon. But you see, any intruder doesn't need a gun to kill me. Odds are that I will be raped and/or killed, if an intruder gets in. I don't have much to lose. Most intruders aren't armed, but if he is...you think my life is not in danger to begin with? Like I said, women are at a large disadvantage with intruders. They are usually larger, their arms are longer (they can strangle you from a distance, while you can't even reach them), they are stronger, and they are used to conflict. I don't stand a chance in arm to arm combat with an intruder.
My gun levels the playing field. If I'm going to get killed by an intruder, I'm going to do my best to see that he goes with me, and that I put up as much fight as I can. I need to protect myself and my dogs and my home. I also know how to shoot.
I don't know if you're a man or a woman, but the things that have happened to me. Men just don't know how it can be for women.