Gunshots outside of my window...I'm so tired of gangs...

[tom e]

I don't know if the fear of killing is necesarily greater than the fear of losing your life. In other words, I wouldn't doubt that anyone could do it under the circumstances. Unless they tell me they know they couldn't, I'd be inclined to believe them there as well.
I just think it's strange that people always jump to the LAST resort first in these conversations, or more like in preparing for things.

There is just so much more you can do to protect yourselves and your communities from gangs than buying a gun. LOL.
In most cases anyway, gang violence has very little to do with home robberies, so unless your carrying the gun- which is criminal in itself in most cases though not all- your gun won't help you...

I'm not against guns, or any other tools. But they aren't an easy answer... :shrugs:

 

[Hypancistrus]

Handguns are difficult to use in self-defense because you need to have VERY steady aim, and when someone is threatening you or your family, that is tough to have that kind of concentration. A shotgun loaded with buckshot is much more effective, and has a wider spread. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I could kill someone who was threatening me or someone I loved, the same way I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would give my life for someone I cared about, including any one of the students in my classroom if and when to occaision arose.

That being said, I don't own a gun. If I did, I'd keep it locked up, especially if I had childred. And it wouldn't be any good to me then. I do have a large hunting knife that I keep next to my bed. Anytime my mother hears a noise in the house at night, we go investigate. I with my hunting knife and she with her trusty Louisville Slugger. Quite a team, we are. :grin01:

Edit: Also wanted to add that having dogs makes me feel safer. They hear things we don't, and their barks are intimidating in some cases. I also believe that most dogs have a wellspring of internal, deep-rooted protective urges that tend to come out when their "pack" is threatened. I will never be without a dog or two or three. :shrugs:

 

[Shade]

Edit: Also wanted to add that having dogs makes me feel safer. They hear things we don't, and their barks are intimidating in some cases. I also believe that most dogs have a wellspring of internal, deep-rooted protective urges that tend to come out when their "pack" is threatened. I will never be without a dog or two or three. :shrugs:

Dogs are great. I have a great dane and two siberians, and the dane's bark in particular scares the crap out of even people that know her. It's amusing because she usually barks out of fear and confusion and is more likely to hide her huge body under the bed than defend the house, but the bark is intimidating enough anyway.