Per Twosparrows' wish for more manly conversation, what would you buy if you were looking for a handgun to use for concealed carry?
Personally, I've always had a thing for Sigs, and the P220 Compact makes an excellent case for itself. You pay the price for a Sig Sauer though. More realistically, I'm probably going to go with the Springfield XD .40 Compact. I like .45 ACP, but a .40 still has a good bit of stopping power, and everyone I've known who bought an XD says they're nearly unjammable.
Arch, target shooting is a rather enjoyable hobby. A handgun would be a worthwhile purpose simply for that. It is not unheard of for muggers here to shoot their victims. Recently, a man's apartment was broken into, he was shot, they took his cell phone, and he had to drag himself to a neighbor's house to call for help. Atlanta is also one of the sex trafficking capitols of the world. If a girl gets kidnapped here, it is quite likely that she will end up in the sex trade.
While I wouldn't shoot someone over my wallet and a couple dollars, if things take a turn for the worse or or I believe some of the girls I am with are in serious danger (assuming they have expressed the ability, the proximity, and the intention), I would not think twice about defending myself or others.
We cannot keep the criminals from getting guns, and if those capable of protecting their victims don't have guns, it will only embolden the criminals. Like the saying goes, a gun in hand is better than a cop on the phone.
And Babygirl, any firearms instructor will tell you that you should never draw your gun unless you intend to fire it, and if you intend to fire it, you better mean business when you do. Cops have been known to fire several 9mm rounds into an attacking pit bull before it went down. Stopping power is quite important. No only that, but if discharged indoors, such as in an attempted rape situation, hollowpoints are far less likely to go through a wall and injure someone on the other side.
The problem with a tranquilizer is that the drug takes several minutes to go into effect. In a situation where using a firearm for self defense would be necessary, you don't normally have several minutes to wait.
During WWII the Japanese discussed a actual invasion of the US but decided against it because they were advised that every home contained a gun. American citizens were to well armed.
1. If you point at it, you should be willing to shoot it.
2. If you shoot it, you will have to accept the consequences.
3. Having lived between a couple of drug houses and having folks think my place was easy pickins when they could not afford their habits, I do NOT plan to simply abdicate my ability for self-protection.
4. I grew up shooting and don't usually miss when it comes time.
5. The shotgun will take out a wall and anything between me and the wall. Not counting the absolute nightmare of having to deal with the repercussions, the mess left behind and the lack of a wall are serious reasons for take this lightly.
6. In my current home I do actually pay for an alarm system. Even with that, my home gets broken in to and the police, although prompt, take between 5 and 10 minutes arriving. A LOT can happen in that time.
7. When I am not home, there isn't much to steal. I am a teacher for goodness sakes and a full-time student. If you really want an apple or soda pop out of the fridge, help yourself. Asking is easier, but whatever. However, when I am home, I do have a real problem with a man just inviting himself in and making himself at home. So far, of the people seen and/or caught, it has only been men who have broken in. Not bashing, just stating.
8. So far, the guys have all chosen to leave rather than stay ... but always AFTER the shotgun makes its lovely sound. The first thing done is to ask them, very politely, to leave. So far, the response on that has been , trash talk, and threats. For those suggesting just using the police, feel free to set up outside my home and handle this. I would much prefer someone not come in.
9. Or maybe we should just give the police billy clubs and tazers? After all, we would not want to hurt the fine upstanding citizens who chose to earn a living through theft, with a little rape, murder, and human trafficking done on the side. Those people have rights.
10. The last was total sarcasm. Thought that best be mentioned under the circumstances.
I admit, I forget it takes time for tranqs. to kick in. Think I'll have to resort to pepper spray after all, since I'm not very good at hitting targets.
I'm concerned about tasers though.I always think they look very dangerous,espescally see the police using them on "Cops".The local police in my & my other neighbouring W.I countries are thinking about using them.
A pistol has saved many a Life and Property. My point is to "Not Romanticize Weapons"!
Deadly Force is just that...DEADLY.
Has anyone here ever been Pepper sprayed? It is Instantaneous! Try spraying Perfume in your eyes! The problem is getting everything together and spraying it in their face. I would rather have my wife or loved one use a pistol.
Folks...again, my intent is to discourage talk about how "cool" it is to own a weapon. Yes...it can be "exciting", but it is also a Great Responsibility. I would be willing to guess that if a situation ever came up that many of those that have a concealed weapon would not be able to get to it in time.
And if they were...they would be so unnerved that they would just as likely shoot themselves as the wrong person or the actual perp.
Please...if you own a weapon...take a course and pay attention. If you "carry"...drill and drill and drill and then DRILL some more until it is second nature for you to be able to Find your weapon -- Pull it out while undoing the Safety -- Locate The Target and Aim (while deducing if it is Safe to Fire...others around the prep or behind that you might accidently hit).
There are a Bunch of other factors:
The weapon has to be Loaded. Is Deadly Force called for?
I had a paperboy that would on occasion place the paper on my front coffee table (I would often fall asleep with my front door open and just the screendoor closed but not locked). I was single and stationed at Ft. Bragg and this kid was very nice to me.
My guest bedroom was in such a spot that you could see the front door from the bed in there. One night I fell asleep in there with my "trusty" 357 Mag next to me on the night stand. I woke up with that poor "scared to death" young man at the end of my sights. I had heard him opening the screen door and before I was fully awake I had Found that piece and flipped the safety off and had a "bead" on that PaperBoy!
I was that far away from Killing an innocent boy!
Please take Guns Seriously! Don't Romantize them. They can Save Lives. They can be a lot of Fun. They can provide Food for you. They can be a Sport.
, trash talk, and threats. For those suggesting just using the police, feel free to set up outside my home and handle this. I would much prefer someone not come in.