Would you ever own a gun?

[veggiemomma]

Alrighty, then. My DH is going to have to start traveling a lot for work. He says he is concerned for the kids and I to stay in the house alone, and there is no where else for all three of us to stay while he is out of town.

He wants to purchase a gun and get some shooting lessons for me so that I could use the gun for home defense. He also wants to get one because we are getting chickens in the spring and there are lots of possums (which can be pretty mean) and raccoons (which really love fresh chicken) around here and he would like to have one for poultry protection.

I have never fired a gun, and I used to think that I never would. But, I think I might be starting to change my mind. I mean, if I get chickens for pets, it will be my responsibility (or DH's) to keep them safe. And, although I can never see myself shooting anyone, I suppose if it came to someone hurting or taking my child, I could do it.

So, would you ever consider having a gun? If you have one, where do you keep it?

***I am really not trying to start a huge ugly discussion, but I know this is an emotional issue. Please try to remain as civil as possible.***

[Lemon Juice]

No way, for me. I lived in a house filled with guns and was nervous b/c of that growing up. That is just something we don't and won't consider here for our family now. Not even for pretend play or as toys. I teach my children what I know, that guns kill people and animals. Imo, that is what they are made for and used for, not for "protection".

I have a dp who travels a lot. We live in an area that isn't so great, not so bad either (compared to a mile down the street) and I have not thought about needing a gun for protection at all. I keep lights on inside and out and feel safe enough doing that. I have also lived in different states from him while he was at a new job. Last year I lived 2 months alone and this year (in April/May) I lived 2 months alone and never felt I needed a gun to keep my children and myself safe. As for poultry, we had many when I was young and the guns were not for keeping them safe (father was a hunter and had some for "protection" that never needed to be used for "protection", ever.) We did have a rooster who protected the hens and kept them safe. I grew up on 10 acres (surrounded by others who also had 10 acres...and lots of nothing behind us but acres upon acres) and we had coyotes, badgers, racoons, opposums, snakes, etc. We never needed to keep them safe with a gun either. While I know most people would not want a rooster for obvious reasons...if you feel you must keep the chickens safe a rooster seems like a much safer alternative than getting a gun.

Good luck with your choice, mama.

[thepeach80]

We have a gun, but it's not for protection use. My Dh inherited it when his dad died and it just sits in our closet now locked up. I'm not sure I could get a gun for protection purposes, that just scares me w/ young children. You're supposed to keep ammo seperate from the gun and them locked up etc, what good does that do if you need it for protection, kwim? I hate being here alone w/ the kids, I do it once a week b/c of DH's work schedule. Hopefully I won't feel as apprehensive when we move in a few mos to a better (hopefully) area. I have no idea about the chickens, that's too country for me. lol

[MaterPrimaePuellae]

Yes, absolutely. We have lived in areas with fairly high crime, and we had a shotgun which we kept under the bed (we had no children and didn't even know anyone with children at the time. No children were ever in the house, and we would have moved it if there had been). I knew how to shoot it, but honestly I hoped that the sound of the racking-- a very loud and distinctive sound!!-- would be enough.

We have a 20 mo now, so we have changed our method.

We keep one, in a case, with a trigger lock (the key hidden elsewhere, shells elsewhere) out of her reach and sight in the closet. You also have to hold down the safety to rack the shells. She has never seen it, and guns are NOT ever, will never be, toys for her. We don't do bb guns, either. When she's older, we educate her age-appropriately.

Just today the dog started barking oddly while I was in the shower. I got out to see what was up, and noticed that the front door was unlocked and looked slightly ajar. I immediately--in a towel-- went through a plan in my mind-- send dog to check/distract, get the baby, lock the bedroom door, rack the shotgun, hope all is well. I never got beyond sending the dog downstairs; As it turned out, I think the wind blew open the door and the dog was freaking out about that... but I have to say, I was skeptical about the gun until I thought someone was in the house, looked in the closet, saw the case, and thought, "Okay--- I can defend my baby." Seriously, that's exactly what went through my mind.

I am not sure what we will do about the guns as she gets older/more explorative. I think we will probably invest in a locking gun cabinet that we keep in our bedroom closet. It needs to be accessible for home defense but obviously not accesible to children...

Shot guns look scary, but one "good" thing about them is that it would be basically impossible for my DD to shoot *herself* with it (or probably even lift it)--it is a lot longer than she is tall. It is *difficult* to shoot (coordinating pushing the safety, the difficulty of racking, etc) I actually feel *much* better about that than a pistol.

ETA-- I will prob. delete this post in a few days just bc we don't publicize the gun thing, much-- they are popular items for thieving.

[jjawm]

I don't have a gun, and I never will. My thoughts are this - you need to keep the gun locked up to keep it safe. If there's a home invasion, chances are you won't have time to unlock your gun and load it. Plus if the invader got your gun, that would be really bad. And it seems like there have been a number of children killed by guns lately, one a two year old of a police officer. I'm not willing to take that risk.

We have an alarm system we set when we're gone, and at night. It provides me a sense of protection knowing I'll be alerted if someone comes in.

Regarding the chickens - I have no idea. A gun seems sort of drastic, though, but that's just me.

[ladybugzz]

Nope - just no reason for it as I see it.

Good luck with your decision momma. It's a tough one.

[kriket]

no.

[grniys]

Yes, absolutely. But I know without a doubt that if someone comes into my home with the intent to harm my children or I, I will shoot them. If I didn't truly believe that, I wouldn't allow one in the home.

[MaterPrimaePuellae]

Originally Posted by grniys

Yes, absolutely. But I know without a doubt that if someone comes into my home with the intent to harm my children or I, I will shoot them. If I didn't truly believe that, I wouldn't allow one in the home.

Yes.

Honestly, I probably would not have one just to protect chickens. I agree that a dog would be better for that.

[midnightmommy]

I grew up with guns, and I am comfortable with them in the house. We don't have any, but we don't hunt. My husband is gone for work several nights. I personally like our security system. My 76 pound, well trained black lab. She is way scarier to a potential burglar than the possibility that we might have a gun. The dog is a constant reminder of teeth and an instant burglar alarm. They also keep raccoons and possums away pretty well. My mom has six dogs and several guns. She never locks the doors to her house, but it has nothing to do with the guns.

I grew up to believe the same a PP guns are made for killing animals and people. If your going to shoot a gun it is with the intent to kill. So if your not comfortable the fact that you could potential kill someone a gun is not for you. Gun should always be stored with a trigger lock, in a locked case, and unloaded. Ammo should be stored separately from the gun. These safety measure make it less useful to protect your home, but they protect you kids. Not to mention it gives you time to identify exactly what is going on before you stroll out there with a loaded gun. That brings up more questions...Do you feel that you could keep that gun under your control if ambushed? Are you going to be too scared when you walk out there to clearly identify who is in you home? More accidents happen when people shoot first and ask questions later. I'm sorry I just get nervous when I here people are getting weapons to protect their homes. Like I said I don't take issue with guns in the home. I just worry about people getting them for the wrong reasons.

[veggiemomma]

Originally Posted by kriket

I never come to Family Safety but I will post here for this, I'm kinda nuts about this topic.


No.

Never in a kazillion years.

You can kill (or scare off) a possum with a pellet gun. Or a dog, honestly, the dogs work better.

When someone shoots their face off don't act surprised.

First of all, dogs kill chickens. They don't usually protect them.

Secondly, I think I asked for people to be civil.

[kriket]

Originally Posted by veggiemomma

First of all, dogs kill chickens. They don't usually protect them.

Secondly, I think I asked for people to be civil.

Post edited

[midnightmommy]

Originally Posted by veggiemomma

First of all, dogs kill chickens. They don't usually protect them.

Actually, that's not true of all dogs. We had a husky growing up that used to nap with our rooster, and our Australian Shepard used the heard them to the pen every night but never hurt them. Just stay away from hunting breeds that are supposed to kill birds.

[veggiemomma]

Thank you all for posting. This is a hard decision for me. I appreciate the idea of a dog, but seriously, any dog that I have ever known has considered chickens to be feathery toys for them to hunt. I'm not sure how to train a dog not to chase chickens, but to chase possums...this is something I need to look into.

I realize that there are a lot of people, children included, who are accidentally killed by people misfiring guns every year. That is part of why I feel conflicted about it. To post links about children mishandling guns is beating a dead horse, so to speak.

[Artemnesia]

No. I guess I won't state my reasons!

[S.Lee]

If you decide to get one, definitely take the classes, especially the advanced ones with emphasis on self defense. And practice practice practice! When you aren't comfortable handling a weapon is when accidents are most likely to happen. Shop around til you find an instructor you are comfortable with. And the answer is yes we actually own several. I second the pp's thoughts on teaching the children age appropriate info. about guns.

[sapphire_chan]

Owning a gun for anything other than the fun of shooting targets would make me scared.

[mamatoakd]

No.

[MaterPrimaePuellae]

[QUOTE=S.Lee;12653092]If you decide to get one, definitely take the classes, especially the advanced ones with emphasis on self defense. And practice practice practice! When you aren't comfortable handling a weapon is when accidents are most likely to happen. QUOTE]

This is very good advice.

[veggiemomma]

Originally Posted by Artemnesia

No. I guess I won't state my reasons!

I never said you couldn't post your reasons.