Do you have a gun in your home?

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

This is a subject that we have vacillated over for years. We have 4 younger children and although we are not far from DC/Balt, our home is in a fairly rural area where neighboring homes are only barely visible in the winter. The area is unincorporated w/ no local police coverage and has very, very little crime - knocking on wood. Still, we worry that if something were to happen (like a break-in, or something like that) no one would likely see/hear yells for help. Also, w/ no local police, we assume the response would take a few precious minutes. We have talked about our feelings about guns in general, and having one with kids in the home. We understand each other's thoughts/fears well, but are split on the decision to get a gun for protection, or not. What are your thoughts? Esp if you are similarly situated (w/ kids, etc.).

[Anonymous]

Can you get one with a biometric trigger lock?

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not.

[Anonymous]

Hell no.

[Anonymous]

OP here, we would definitely get a safe for the gun -- the question is do we get the gun. For those responding against the idea of having one, please share your thoughts on why you feel this way. TIA.

[Anonymous]

Here's the thing about guns. In an emergency, you will likely need to be able to quickly access and load it. You might not be able to do that with it in a safe hidden away in some other part of the house.

[Anonymous]

some members of my family where I spent my younger years had guns, and it always seemed to me that they were not quite up to owning one, there always was this issue that someone could overpower them and use the gun against them. I would not get one jut because some people spend their lives around guns and know what to do with them (police folks etc) and low common sense people like moi just don't know anything about guns, I feel safer with a couple of chimney irons and a broom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's the thing about guns. In an emergency, you will likely need to be able to quickly access and load it. You might not be able to do that with it in a safe hidden away in some other part of the house.

Totally agree -- so what do you do?

[Anonymous]

Get a ferocious dog that is great with kids like a german shepard.

[Anonymous]

I assume the safe would be in the parents' bedroom, possibly hidden behind something easily movable or in the floor.

I suspect a kid who'd ignore their parents' stern warnings and education (OP *is* going to do that, right?) and shoot themselves accidentally would find some other way to ignore their parents and hurt themselves.

A gun is a tool. It is as liable to be used against you as it is to be used to deter a criminal.

If you want to pull it out in case of a real emergency, you may want a shotgun. It's harder for kids to play with/be dumb with, and it doesn't require as precise of aim as a handgun.

Remember most of us will be shaking and nervous and aim will be TERRIBLE. Brandishing a gun will not guarantee an end to confrontation, and a criminal may well take your gun from you. So if you have the SLIGHTEST doubt of your ability to pull the trigger, don't get a gun.

Familiarize yourself with your state's laws about self-defense of the home and property. As a rule:

1) shooting someone in the back is frowned upon in most places.
2) the rules are less strict at nighttime than in the day.
3) the rules are less strict once he or she crosses the threshold of your house.

Do I own a gun? Immaterial. I'll let folks guess how many guns I, my wife, and my 4 y/o DD have in our house, it'll make for an entertaining sideshow.

[Anonymous]

definitely get a gun. I suggest a shotgun. It is the best defense.

[Anonymous]

I like the dog idea.

[Anonymous]

Before deciding on getting a gun, consider whether you, your spouse and potential guests (like close family members and friends) have anger issues. Guns in the home are more often used in domestic violence assaults and killings of close family members or friends than an encounter with an intruder.

[Anonymous]

A dog is a far wiser idea, but there is just not much common sense around here.

Statistics show that you are more likely to have an accidental shooting in your home than to properly use your gun should you "need" it. Flame away, but it is true.

[Anonymous]

I would never get a gun just because realistically, I don't think I would be able to use it properly if I ever had to. I'd probably get a dog or two instead. Especially if you live in a more rural area without a lot of neighbors. The dog(s) would be able to alert you if there was an intruder and probably scare them off before they got very far into your house/property.