Guns

[RussH]

Most people are lousy shots

I am not a great shot, but I can get within six inches of a target with my.357 six in barrel at 100 yards:)

 

[hodge]

I am a pretty good shot, My dad made me practice at his range in the basement. I hated it, but am glad I know how to shoot a gun if I need to. Don't own one and don't plan on it. But if my living situation was anything like yours, I would carry one, too. And yes, shoot to incapacitate - the shooting arm, especially, not kill. I would be completely horrified and retraumatized if I ever killed anyone. And, yeah, my aim was that good.

 

[RussH]

the shooting arm, especially, not kill. I would be completely horrified and retraumatized if I ever killed anyone. And, yeah, my aim was that good.

It would be nice to be able to do this, but in high threat situations the fine motor skills go to pot, and this accurate of shooting might not be possible. Also many people practice shooting with either hand. All the self-defense instructors I know say always shoot for center mass.

The best thing it is fairly rare for someone to have to go to these extreme measures to protect themselves, but it is good we have the right to protect ourselves.

 

[hodge]

Dad told me he always found women to be better shots. Don't know why.

 

[hodge]

True that, Russ. I hope to never be tested in real life.

 

[hodge]

Well, I don't own a gun, so guess I never will.

 

[The Albatross]

Something too when you are ready to purchase is making sure the sight and the trigger pull are right. Women hands... manufacturers don't really allow for that much I think. I didn't know that when I bought my 38 Colt and had to adjust accordingly with a lot of practice and frankly it still could use some refining.

Aside from guns... I carried for a long time palm sized pepper spray with CS tear gas and UV marking that shoots about 25 feet that I got at Bass Pro shop. I was often alone after hours leaving buildings. Some seniors here actually keep hornet/wasp spray bedside... which shoots a long way as well. I also have an axe handle (nice trusty piece of oak) under my drivers seat in case I have to rap somebody in the noggin to get them away from me and my car.

I also concur with Eagle3, if I go moderate or high risk I deny myself access and my mister complies so that I am not a threat to myself for however long it lasts.

I do not have a concealed carry permit and I do not carry ... I am careful about the rules about transport ... basically my reason for owning is when I am alone at my camp or with my mother out there... an inordinate number of felons or people with reasons to hide unlawful activity in that county... the highest in my state in fact but also the most pristine and I won't give it up to a bunch of thugs. When I'm with my mister he has a 9mm/ruger.

 

[hodge]

Pepper spray, oh yeah. Always have that. Have the hornet/wasp spray, too, mostly because of the hornet and wasps that get into our front porch.

 

[The Albatross]

?? k. It's a common (reasonably) household item that could be used as a weapon to be able to evade a bad guy... but sure, it kills hornets and wasps.

 

[hodge]

This tiny town of about 1900 people is pretty crime free. Nice difference after living in Detroit.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I admire you for taking such good precautions in getting yourself some protection against criminals in order for you to have peace of mind and taking the classes and practicing to hone your skills.

I used to own guns, but do not anymore. I have been considering getting one myself for home protection. But it is not something I am going to rush into.

Good luck and good for you.

 

[anonymous]

When ever you have a gun you have to be prepared to have it used against you. If you are stressed and miss which is a good chance, they can grab it off you and shoot you with your own gun. If you get one you need to practise lots and lots like @FridayJones said everyone thinks it's easy to shoot a target but it's not that easy. I was in my late 20's and when I was in a situation I froze couldn't move speak nothing. I was nearly a black belt but I went straight back into my childhood trauma and I lost all control. If you had asked me before that night I would have bet a thousand dollars I wouldn't have done that. I was was training 5 nights a week for my black belt grading. Holds take downs, everything but my past kicked in and paralysed me afterwards I was sick for hours and still had no control for weeks.

I think it's great you want to protect yourself but please be careful.