America's obsession with guns

[Brian37]

I lean classical liberal politically.

I choose to own firearms for sport and protection. I used to shoot trap competitively. It's still one of the only times that I get completely absorbed in the game. I don't think about work or family stuff, the bills or other stress. It's just the next target. Pure losing oneself in play.

When my wife was pregnant with my son, we had an attempted break in. Middle of the night, alarm sounds, faults at front door and dining room window. Screwdriver jammed into the deadbolt. It was while racking buckshot into my 870 that night that I decided to get my concealed carry permit. That was 9 years ago. I carry concealed (Sig P245) whenever I'm out with my family except where barred legally (e.g. schools, fed buildings, etc).

I used to be more idealistic - handguns are bad, why would I "need" one?. Pandora's box is open. I'm no match for a young, fit, motivated bad guy. I chose to carry solely because it's my job to protect my family. YMMV.

I expect someone will say "you know, your gun is more likely to be used against you than save you." I say BS to that. I hope I never have to use a firearm to protect myself. But I know I can and will should I be put in that situation.

Primum non nocere.

You got your house broken into, and what happened? According to you it was still "attempted" which means you still did not use your firearm.

It is far more likely, just like a bear in the woods, that if you make a loud noise before they see you, that will be enough. Introducing a firearm into a conflict is far more likely to get, especially those who don't deal with stress situations on a daily basis, like a cop or military, injured or killed.

"I know I can", yep, a lot like a person who says " I've only had a couple of drinks, I make it home all the time".......

FOR YOU, not me, but for you, that kind of thought is dangerous. The bullshit idea that because "I lock my gun up", "I wouldn't do that" "I know what I am doing"...... I bet if you ask enough cops who show up to a suicide, domestic injury, or death, any type of gun death, I bet they could tell you lots of stories of "I had the right" or "I didn't mean it".

Unless you are a legal lawyer, don't play street lawyer. Unless your job is being a cop or military, don't assume you know what you are doing because locking up your weapon and hitting a target not under stress, is not the same as firing under high stress.

Your attitude is the same fucking crap I have heard from pot smokers and drinkers. Problem is in real life, it only takes one mistake with a gun. ONE. 

I trust gun owners more who never make the attempt to make this argument you just made. The ones who do I fear far more. More for themselves, but also for the flooded market they either willingly or unwittingly protect. 

Firing a firearm for a living is far different under stress than it is for a layperson who is less likely to have to deal with that stress. 

Famous last words, "I know what I am doing". I could give a shit less about your intent. YOU should care about your own training, and if you don't deal with conflict resolution every day, and you are not trained to stress shoot, don't stupidly think every gunfight ends with John Wayne ending up riding off in the sunset.