Poll: is a gun a good tool to have in a household?

[Zorg Machine]

How you should get a gun (in a dream world without guns being handed out to 11 year olds that is) : have someone inspect that you have some kind of secure lockable place to put the gun, a certificate that you have done training and had a background check and psychic evaluation and lastly go to a state associated gun store (with this i mean that all gun stores should be owned by the state).
Now if these simple steps were followed, everyone should be happy. Except the mentally unstable ones who can no longer randomly kill people who annoy them.

or simply forget the above and just remove guns from civilians since there will always be mistakes and anyway the gun will only protect you if the robbers,zombies,rabid kittens don't have guns and since you can walk into a store say you want a gun and then get it 2 days later they probably will have.

 

[bluerahjah]

Yes, and at the same time, an overwhelmingly ecstatic no. In most cases, an individual could use their brain as more of a tool for self defense than an actual gun. Take for instance the fact that most individuals have household objects that could be used to make much more powerful means of self defense than a gun ever could. I honestly believe that while yes, a gun can always be a way to keep those who could break in at bay, it's also means that you have to be more aware of the gun, and the people in your family who could use it to harm themselves or others.

 

[TMAN10112]

my family always had alot of guns in the house, weather they were for hunting or self protection and ever since I was little. We could never stress enough the importance of knowing how to handle and be safe around them. nothing would ever piss of my father more then
someone doing something stupid with a gun. A gun can't hurt people unless there is an idiot holding it. Guns can and have been used in self defence and when people point out that you are more likely to hurt yourself or someone els rather then a criminal, sometimes they'r right but this varys from person to person. If you are responsable and smart about guns then you are no more likely to hurt yourself or anyone els then you would driving to work every morning.

 

[jamesworkshop]

I think some distictions need to be made because rifles used for hunting are hardly for use inside a house whereas handguns are hardly used for hunting

 

[gunnnnkjkjkj]

I would say having a gun in your house depends on wich conditions you live under, if you live in a ganster infested area i would say yes(although gansters isnt the only danger). But in more calm places i would see it less needy to have gun. I dont have a gun planted in my house , but then again i live in a calm area , i cant see the need for it. but in a overall i would say that a gun is NOT something that you must have in your house.

The danger of a gun depends on the person using it.

if the future turns out to be like the video game future i would have a gun , something big for fighting off Combines and Aliens or something. Although i guess that wont be happening at all , atleast not in my lifetime

 

[asiepshtain]

People, the question is it good to have good to have a gun at home or not, no-ones telling you you can't have a gun, just that it's a bad idea.

My opinion on the matter is this: If you've had military/police training it's a good tool, if you just know how to shot then definitly not. A weapon needs much more then operational skills. It needs restraint, respect, and the many more values taught by military/police. In the hands of a person that doesn't have these skills a gun is much more dangerous then use full.

Hell, I was in the military, and I still don't want a gun in my house. All it can do is escalate a situation, and I'm not willing to shot someone over any of my stuff. For self-defense I have a club in my bedroom.

 

[Cheesus333]

tazer or somthing gay)

Tasers being well known for their tendency to dress in pink spandex and say 'fabulous' twice every sentence. Sorry for the stereotype, by the way.
What's wrong with tasers?

 

[Quick Ben]

In most cases I'd say no. A gun has nothing to do in an average houshold. If you have a rifle or shotgun at a farm or outside urban areas, that should be fine as long as you meet some requirements (not mentally unstable, criminal etc.) Because in those circumstances, the gun would have a reasonable purpose like hunting.

However, nobody should have guns for self protection. That just leads to accidents and other things mentioned by people before me. Keep in mind, why do people get guns for self protection? Because they don't feel safe. Then the criminals get guns (often bigger,) to stay confident that they've got the upper hand. And then you've got the vicious cycle going.

When people get guns they're fighting the symptom of somthing thats wrong with society, and at the same time, making said symptom worse. Fight the disease, not the symptom. The government and the police should make sure people don't feel the need to protect themselves. Not encourage them to get guns.

In my opinion, any other gun that hunting rifles and shotguns have nothing to do in the hands of anyone else than the police and military. If revolvers, hand guns, assault rifles, pump action shotguns, etc. are unavailabe legally less criminals will have them, since the only way to get them would be smuggling, theft etc. Something which is easier to control than all owners.

Also, if a criminal broke into your house, would it hurt you so much to call the police and stay where you are without interfering. The reason he/she is there is 99% certain money. Just let them take what they want and go and none gets hurt. The police can pick them up later and return your stuff, and everybody is happier than if it got violent.

 

[philios82]

To answer the op, I don't agree with keeping guns at home for protection. I think that the risk of having the gun is greater than the risk of not having one, especially since if the intruder thinks that the occupants might be armed then it follows that they will be more likley to bring a weapon

To all of the people who advocate keeping guns in the house to protect them in case of a burglar. Have any of you, or anyone you know for that matter, ever been burgled? Were you home, was the home securely locked and what was the result?

Also (and this isn't sarcasm but an honest question), if you were burgled which of these would you prefer as the outcome? Some of your possesions being stolen or the intruder getting killed?

Also, to the guy a couple of pages back who sleeps with a pistol under his pillow and a shotgun under his bed; You have brass balls my friend, I can't get to sleep for wondering if I left the oven on!

 

[mike1921]

Also (and this isn't sarcasm but an honest question), if you were burgled which of these would you prefer as the outcome? Some of your possesions being stolen or the intruder getting killed?

Intruder getting killed.

 

[teh_gunslinger]

I would prefer not to have a gun in my house. Also, as I live in Denmark, I would have to break a couple of laws to get one.

I know that a burglar could be armed. However I choose to believe that it is in his best interest not to shoot me as it is in mine not to do a damned thing to stop him. If he only robs me he would not be punished as hard if he is caught. If however he chooses to shoot me all kinds of hell would break loose and the sentence would rise from about a year to 10-14.
The same arguments goes for a mugging. If he knows that I can't shoot him there is no reason to up the stakes to homicide. If nothing happens he gets some lame ass loot and I get to live. I have no interest in getting killed preventing someone from stealing my PS3, however much I love it. I can get a new one. That's why I'm insured.

Recently there's been a lot of shootings in Copenhagen and it gets huge headlines. Some gang shit going down it seems. But as they keep it somewhat to themselves there is no casualties from bystanders. For now. There have been, like, 8 this year, and it feels quite insane. People just don't get shot in my world.

If only criminals and cops have guns they can shoot it out and leave me the hell alone.
Actually more people get killed with knives than guns in Denmark each year. Everybody and their dog is freaking out over a recent peak in stabbings.

 

[klakkat]

I prefer to keep a gun handy. And I feel everyone should be allowed to arm themselves with basic anti-personnel weaponry. Obviously, some countries don't and that's their affair.

Some issues though: First, background checks on all gun sales. Gun shows shouldn't be exempt. Second: Know how to use your freaking gun. know the ins and outs of it, know the safety, know the pull strength of the trigger by feel alone. Know how to shoot it accurately. If you have kids, make sure they know about it too; perhaps not where it is, but make sure if they can get to it, that they know how to use it safely, and the dangers associated with it. Third: (part of safety, I guess) Ingrain this in your head, and your children's (if any): Never point a gun at anything you aren't prepared to kill/destroy. Doesn't matter if you think it's loaded, or the safety is on. Never point it at something unless you are fully prepared to deal with the consequences of that gun going off. (the only exception being if it is physically impossible for the gun to go off and this is openly obvious, such as the bolt being removed or the firing chamber open and the gun is unloaded. I.e. you can see into both ends of the barrel)

Some of you may not be of this mind, but if someone breaks into my house, I will kill them. No ifs or buts about it. That is actually legal here, thankfully. My policy is this: I must kill anyone who shows intent to kill me, if I am able (flee, otherwise). If I cannot determine intent to kill, but perceive them as an enemy, than I will kill them if legally allowed.

 

[gamebrain89]

I think some distictions need to be made because rifles used for hunting are hardly for use inside a house whereas handguns are hardly used for hunting

That depends on the area you are in. its fairly commonplace for hunters to carry a side arm in my area for protection against bears, and to help put down a wounded animal. There are also quite a few hunters that use pistols as there primary hunting weapon, as its lighter, and easier to handle in heavy brush. I notice alot of common thoughts here, that anyone who wants a gun should be required to take a saftey course and have a evaluation done. I applaud you guys. well rounded thoughts all around.

 

[KimMR251]

Guns aren't necessarily bad; it is the idiot who possesses it who utilizes it for the wrong reasons; be it lack of education or whatever.

I grew up with guns in the household and our family didn't find it taboo or anything of the sort; rather my sister and I were educated that they were not toys and we do not touch them. Plus, they were locked.

 

[the protaginist]

Is it safely locked in a safe where no one other than you(and possibly wife/roommate) can reach it?then yes.

 

[klakkat]

Now that I think about it, fully-automatic weapons should be restricted. Not illegal, but require much stricter evaluations and background checks, as well as a special license that can never be renewed if lost. And I would consider infractions such as DUI, reckless driving, negligence, and a number of other crimes not related to violent crime or gun misuse to be grounds for loss of license or denial to get one. Anything that puts others in danger.

Military grade explosives and anything of full machine-gun class (i.e. belt-fed, etc) or larger should plain be illegal to own or use without authorized military supervision (hell, those things are still FUN, but you can't justify using them somewhere where you can't be escorted by military).

As far as I know, it IS currently legal to own full-auto weaponry, provided you have a special license. I've heard from a local SWAT officer that even they need the special license for one, which naturally costs a lot of money. So they stick with a AR15, usually. Then again, I don't live in a particularly violent city, so our SWAT team doesn't need too much firepower.

 

[Gaiseric]

I say yes as long as it is kept in a safe place without kids, obtained legally(background check and waiting period), and the residents know how to properly and safely use it. And preferably with a flashlight attached to it or stored with it so there is no "Oops I shot my roommate because I couldn't see who it was"
Guns can be used safely as long as you know what your doing. I have one for this purpose in my house.

 

[klakkat]

Guns aren't necessarily bad; it is the idiot who possesses it who utilizes it for the wrong reasons; be it lack of education or whatever.

I grew up with guns in the household and our family didn't find it taboo or anything of the sort; rather my sister and I were educated that they were not toys and we do not touch them. Plus, they were locked.

I'll confess, growing up I did play with my dad's guns without supervision sometimes. However, I had been taught how to use them, so I unloaded the thing (including checking the chamber) before doing anything else, and was always alone. I'd never point a gun at someone in jest or idle threat, even as a kid. Knowing how to render the gun as harmless as possible is the most important thing you can teach your kids.

 

[one-shot-finch]

Quite frankly no, the gun is not a useful tool.
Lets take a look at the uses of a humble spade for a second.

The humble spade:
-diggin'
-Shovelin'
-pattin' down upraised dirt
-Whackin' Pinata
-hittin' things
-Plantin' into the ground and leaning against, just because it makes you look like someone who actually works for a living.
-Stavin' off the zombie apocolypse.
-Killin' people

The gun:
-Killin' People
-Killin' Animals
-Killin' Zombies, but no-where near as many as would be possible with a spade, unless you had infinite bullets or something (which you don't)

You forgot killing chavs which fit into none of the above
Really thought only the military should have guns and even then a mgs4alike id system wouldnt hurt