Yes, I carry a cell.

 

I'm not sure whether you mean to imply that I don't care about my safety or not, but I can assure you, I take care to ensure my safety. I happen to find that is possible without a weapon.

 

Personally, I have taken the approach that the best defense is to have a plan. So, if I'm approached, what will I do? I've made a plan. I have taken self defense training. I plan my routes and know the areas where I will be in advance of leaving the house. When encountering someone on the street I make sure to look directly in their face and speak to them. I also make sure I'm aware of who is behind me. This has been my SOP for the last 10 years or so. And it may sound insignificant, but it's served me well. I've avoided several accidental encounters, not dangerous, but ones that could have been awkward...like physically running into someone, etc.

 

I know my neighbors and interact often with them. We watch out for each other. I know a lot of the business owners in my neighborhood. I am familiar in the area around my house and know various individuals throughout the extended neighborhood.

 

I also have my dog, who has a big bark. :lol: And, he's VERY protective of me. My kids can't even hug me without him going bonkers.

 

Those are a few things I do.

 

Rockmom, I do many of the very same things that you do. However, I also have a gun and don't use it as a safety crutch. I only take it with me when I will be traveling via interstate for more than a few miles or on a few other select occassions. As for home defense and protection, I'll be getting Broadband Security installed next week - but that's mostly to protect my house when I am NOT at home, due to a series of robberies in my neighborhood and the fact that I work (not rob) to make my living every day and am not at home.

 

If they break in at night, well, they'll be looking down the barrell of a .38 Special, Smith and Wesson, with someone not afraid to use it on the other end.

I'd rather be judged by twelve than carried by six. I think I heard that somewhere. :sssh:

:sssh:

Rockmom, I do many of the very same things that you do. However, I also have a gun and don't use it as a safety crutch. I only take it with me when I will be traveling via interstate for more than a few miles or on a few other select occassions. As for home defense and protection, I'll be getting Broadband Security installed next week - but that's mostly to protect my house when I am NOT at home, due to a series of robberies in my neighborhood and the fact that I work (not rob) to make my living every day and am not at home.

 

If they break in at night, well, they'll be looking down the barrell of a .38 Special, Smith and Wesson, with someone not afraid to use it on the other end.

 

Just so I'm perfectly understood, I'm not against anyone owning a gun at all. My position on gun laws has nothing to do with taking guns away from people.

 

And I respect anyone's right to own one. But, I'd be dishonest if I didn't say that I don't understand the feeling of security or the feeling that owning a gun is necessary for everyone.

 

I'm a firm believer in "alternative" defense, just as I usually seek "alternative" methods of treating illnesses before I ever go to the doctor. :lol:

 

It's not for me, and I don't personally believe it's necessary for a lot of people who say it is. But, at the end of the day, as long as each of us is comfortable with our methods, I guess it's OK. I will say the likelihood of me accidentally wounding or killing someone or myself is much less using my methods than if I did own a gun. :lol:

:sssh:

 

 

And to that saying, I don't trust our justice system more than 60%. I'd rather be buried than unjustly punished.

And to that saying, I don't trust our justice system more than 60%. I'd rather be buried than unjustly punished.

The :sssh: was for another reason.

 

If you'd rather die, that's your prerogative. Me, I'd rather live and take my chances in court.

The :sssh: was for another reason.

 

If you'd rather die, that's your prerogative. Me, I'd rather live and take my chances in court.

 

 

Maybe it's because I don't fear death. I hate being falsely accused, and i do fear losing my freedom because of that.

Maybe it's because I don't fear death. I hate being falsely accused, and i do fear losing my freedom because of that.

Fine not to fear death, I'm just not willing to let some scumbag hurry the process.

From reading the story the weapon was a 9 mm, thus, almost certainly an automatic. Complete conjecture here, but something I have often thought about in these incidents. If they popped the clip they probably thought it was unloaded. Of course, with an automatic that is not the case and chambered round is still there. Hence why even kids who think they know what they are doing can get into trouble if they do not have formal, specific training on firearms and how they actually work.

 

Just to be clear, there are indeed some semi-autos which become disabled when the magazine is removed (magazine disconnect). Certainly the ones used in law enforcement do not have this feature, for obvious reasons, but they aren't uncommon. But your point is well-taken in that kids often think they know more about weapons that they really do and inaccurate information with something like a handgun can be deadly.

The owner of the gun speaks out

 

O’Bryan said he had always kept his three handguns loaded and on top of an entertainment center, near the door, in the home’s living room

 

O’Bryan said he had the guns for protection but never had safety locks on them or had them locked up.