Are you armed? If not, why not?

[Evvie]

When I get back to California I'm going to buy a Tazer gun and the kind of mace with permanent dye that fire alarms and banks have so when I mace some fucker in the eyes he'll have a huge-ass stain on his face.

I was considering getting a concealed carry permit when I turn 21, but I decided I don't want to put myself in a situation where I could end up killing someone on accident, as that would look bad on records (and probably hurt my soul a little bit). However I do plan to buy a Ruger 357 Magnum (probably GP100) when I turn 21, because revolvers are very easy to use and I feel much more comfortable at home with a gun I can use easily (Mr. Evvie just traded off his old revolver for a fucking massive AR that's nearly as tall as me, which made me very sad). I have been carrying a 4-inch lockback knife for some time, but I'm looking forward to something that doesn't require me to be standing four inches away from someone to use it.

I know a lot of people here are not from the USA and I'm really interested as to how people look at others who arm themselves with legal weapons in public. Do you guys carry weapons in public or keep any at home? If you don't arm yourself when you go out, why don't you?

 

[mynameisbob84]

Generally, I'm anti-gun. But then I grew up in a place where they're illegal and not at all commonplace. I suspect if I lived somewhere they were legal, I would want to own one, simply because everybody else did and I wouldn't feel safe without one.
Personally, I've never felt the need to carry any weapons while I'm out. But then I'm a big guy and I've got a beard so generally, I'm not fearful of being preyed upon by anyone :twocents-02cents:

 

[Anonymous]

I'm from Canada, and while guns are less common here than in the US, people certainly do have them. I grew up in a family where guns weren't frowned upon, but weren't really promoted either. My dad has a couple of rifles, but the only time I've ever seen him use them is when his business was broken into, and he thought the thieves might still be there...although while he carried it, it was never fired, and the crooks in fact were not still there.

I'm not anti gun, in fact I've gone to a range a couple of times and fired guns as a stress reliever, but I would never own a gun. Like you said, you're from the USA, and maybe crime is way worse there than it is in Canada, but I've never felt the need to carry a weapon...even after an assault when I younger. I think if you plan on carrying a gun, then you better also plan that if you're attacked that you are going to kill that person, and for me, that's not something I think I could live with.

 

[sweetiebatman]

My own opinion is that only people with the proper training to use guns i.e Armed Response Police should be allowed to carry them

I believe that the presence of guns can escalate even a minor situation to a murder investigation and this is where I believe the inherent problem with the right to bear arms lies, Idiots will get guns wherever in the world they are and sometimes situations are unavoidable but misunderstandings occur in tense and high pressure situations

However, I believe you should be entitled to do whatever the fuck you want to someone who breaks into your property, to defend yourself

 

[SatanJonez]

I have a hunting knife & a box cuter I carry whenever I leave the house. I plan to get some of that fancy pepper spray (if you can link me) & a taser soon.

 

[Mirra]

I've considered getting a concealed carry permit myself but haven't ever taken the initiative to get it done. I've owned knives ever since I started with Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts and began carrying a knife daily several years ago. My current daily-carry knife is a SOG Stingray 2.0. I've attached a couple pictures of it below.

 

[JickyJuly]

I carry mace and a switchblade whenever I leave the house. Growing up, my home was heavily armed. I'm not opposed to guns for law abiding citizens at all, but as my attention span and hand eye coordination are lacking, it seems like a bad idea for myself.

 

[Evvie]

Generally, I'm anti-gun. But then I grew up in a place where they're illegal and not at all commonplace. I suspect if I lived somewhere they were legal, I would want to own one, simply because everybody else did and I wouldn't feel safe without one.
Personally, I've never felt the need to carry any weapons while I'm out. But then I'm a big guy and I've got a beard so generally, I'm not fearful of being preyed upon by anyone :twocents-02cents:

Mr. Evvie, who is extremely pro gun and owns like 25 of them, doesn't carry a gun in public. His reasoning is that if someone wants to kill you, they're going to walk up behind you and shoot you in the head, so no amount of weapons or self-defense knowledge will help you. However, if someone is going to just attack you or mug you, a nonlethal weapon is more of a deterrent (because people are less afraid of using nonlethal weapons) and carries less risk of accidental death and therefore legal action.

However, this might just be because he feels more confident in his ability to take care of himself. He recently trained his friend's wife to shoot a 1911 and he's helping her get an open carry permit because she's going out to Texas by herself for school. Oddly enough, it is my dear old Protestant mother that has encouraged me to hurt people as much as physically possible if I feel threatened instead of Mr. Evvie. To quote a recent text from my mother, "what a good idea! You can taze them in the nuts and mace them in the eyes while they are on the ground!"

As far as gun use... I agree that it escalates situations, which is why I don't want to carry one in public. When adrenaline is running and people untrained in combat situations start using lethal weapons, that's a shitty situation. But I do want a gun for home defense, because I feel when someone breaks in to your home, the intent to commit a crime is pretty clear.

 

[Nordling]

If the trend continues, and more and more people start toting guns to funerals, weddings, the grocer's, etc, eventually the bad guys will assume everyone is packing and when they mug, rape, assault you in a million ways, they'll step it up to the ultra violent phase before they even ask you for your money or whatever. More people will die.

I want to live in a society where people can walk around without fear and without deadly force in their hip pocket. This is why, in most 19th century frontier towns, the local sheriff banned guns...too many people today think Spaghetti Westerns are an accurate portrayal of the "old west."

 

[LadyLuna]

I see a few questions here, so I will try to filter them and answer them.

Do you own weapons?

I have a bo-staff. My partner keeps a few baseball bats, a katana, and a bunch of knives around.

If you don't own weapons, why not?

Not applicable.

Do you know how to use your weapons?

No.

Do you carry weapons with you in public when legal?

No.

If you don't stay armed, why not?

Because I don't know how to use them, so I feel that I would probably hurt myself, or someone innocent, making a bad situation worse.

Also, I'm something of a pacifist, but not really. I say this because I *hate* engaging in violence myself, but I feel that sometimes it is necessary and am grateful for those willing to fight for me.

What are your thoughts on those who do stay armed?

I have no problem with it, if it's done legally and with intention of self-defense, or for hunting purposes.

(And due to new posts, I will be hitting the submit button for the third time.)

 

[Evvie]

If the trend continues, and more and more people start toting guns to funerals, weddings, the grocer's, etc, eventually the bad guys will assume everyone is packing and when they mug, rape, assault you in a million ways, they'll step it up to the ultra violent phase before they even ask you for your money or whatever. More people will die.

I want to live in a society where people can walk around without fear and without deadly force in their hip pocket. This is why, in most 19th century frontier towns, the local sheriff banned guns...too many people today think Spaghetti Westerns are an accurate portrayal of the "old west."

I don't necessarily agree with this. I've been told that countries like Israel, where everyone serves compulsory military service and every house has a gun, crime rates are much lower, because everyone knows everyone else is prepared to defend themselves.

Petty criminals will not necessarily escalate to match people. Most "nice guys" who assault and rape women do not believe they are doing anything wrong, and if a woman threatened them with a tazer, I would find it doubtful that they would return with a gun. In situations of career criminals and organized crime I can see that happening (because it does happen), but these criminals serve as a minority. Just because someone is a mugger doesn't mean they will be a murderer, just like a ton of people who smoke pot will never do heroin.

 

[Evvie]

I have a hunting knife & a box cuter I carry whenever I leave the house. I plan to get some of that fancy pepper spray (if you can link me) & a taser soon.

Most pepper sprays are "triple action" with a pain agent, inflammation agent, and UV dye. If you go to a gun store they will probably have some for sale there and you can ask questions about what variety would serve you best. If you tell them you have a repeat attacker and you need a way to mark or identify them with a dye they can probably give you some great options. But in any case the packaging will probably tell you if it includes dye, because it's a feature they want to advertise.

 

[SatanJonez]

I have a hunting knife & a box cuter I carry whenever I leave the house. I plan to get some of that fancy pepper spray (if you can link me) & a taser soon.

Most pepper sprays are "triple action" with a pain agent, inflammation agent, and UV dye. If you go to a gun store they will probably have some for sale there and you can ask questions about what variety would serve you best. If you tell them you have a repeat attacker and you need a way to mark or identify them with a dye they can probably give you some great options.

Thank you very much! I know where I have a trip to make this weekend. :thumbleft:

 

[sweetiebatman]

If the trend continues, and more and more people start toting guns to funerals, weddings, the grocer's, etc, eventually the bad guys will assume everyone is packing and when they mug, rape, assault you in a million ways, they'll step it up to the ultra violent phase before they even ask you for your money or whatever. More people will die.

I want to live in a society where people can walk around without fear and without deadly force in their hip pocket. This is why, in most 19th century frontier towns, the local sheriff banned guns...too many people today think Spaghetti Westerns are an accurate portrayal of the "old west."

I don't necessarily agree with this. I've been told that countries like Israel, where everyone serves compulsory military service and every house has a gun, crime rates are much lower, because everyone knows everyone else is prepared to defend themselves.

Petty criminals will not necessarily escalate to match people. Most "nice guys" who assault and rape women do not believe they are doing anything wrong, and if a woman threatened them with a tazer, I would find it doubtful that they would return with a gun. In situations of career criminals and organized crime I can see that happening (because it does happen), but these criminals serve as a minority. Just because someone is a mugger doesn't mean they will be a murderer, just like a ton of people who smoke pot will never do heroin.

Gun control in Israel is far far more stringent than in the USA, before being drafted they undergo a lot of physical and mental fitness tests, assault rifles are banned, ownership is limited to one handgun with the caveat that in order to own that pistol, They must for two years have been either a captain in the army or a former lieutenant colonel. Israelis with an equivalent rank in other security organizations may also own a pistol.

 

[Evvie]

If the trend continues, and more and more people start toting guns to funerals, weddings, the grocer's, etc, eventually the bad guys will assume everyone is packing and when they mug, rape, assault you in a million ways, they'll step it up to the ultra violent phase before they even ask you for your money or whatever. More people will die.

I want to live in a society where people can walk around without fear and without deadly force in their hip pocket. This is why, in most 19th century frontier towns, the local sheriff banned guns...too many people today think Spaghetti Westerns are an accurate portrayal of the "old west."

I don't necessarily agree with this. I've been told that countries like Israel, where everyone serves compulsory military service and every house has a gun, crime rates are much lower, because everyone knows everyone else is prepared to defend themselves.

Petty criminals will not necessarily escalate to match people. Most "nice guys" who assault and rape women do not believe they are doing anything wrong, and if a woman threatened them with a tazer, I would find it doubtful that they would return with a gun. In situations of career criminals and organized crime I can see that happening (because it does happen), but these criminals serve as a minority. Just because someone is a mugger doesn't mean they will be a murderer, just like a ton of people who smoke pot will never do heroin.

Gun control in Israel is far far more stringent than in the USA, before being drafted they undergo a lot of physical and mental fitness tests, assault rifles are banned, ownership is limited to one handgun with the caveat that in order to own that pistol, They must for two years have been either a captain in the army or a former lieutenant colonel. Israelis with an equivalent rank in other security organizations may also own a pistol.

Those guys are hardcore! I think that with many things, borrowing a concept with none of the context is a bad idea. I don't think handing everyone a gun in America right now would be a good idea, at all. But there are societies where a lot of people have military-level training and most people own a gun, and they seem to work out. If someone's intent is "I am going to take that person's money/life/whatever no matter what the risks or costs," I don't think much will stop them. But my main concern isn't dealing with those people, as at least here in America, the rate of crimes with intention to kill is pretty low. I am far more concerned with protecting myself from small-time offenders who recognize me as an easy target.

 

[BloodRed87]

I plan on owning numerous different firearms within my life span, but the "no money" problem isn't making things easier.

 

[gigolo_joe]

A lot of women I know will carry a gut buster when they go out.

It wouldn't bother me if the women I was with was carrying a gun.

Its different for a women than a guy though because we usually don't have to worry about being sexually attacked just mugged and I don't carry enough money to shoot someone over.

Even with a conceal to carry permit most establishment post signs making illegal to enter with a gun. The conceal to carry laws vary from state to state so even with a permit from one state it may not be legal in another state.

I have a .22 rifle and 410 shotgun that I bought when I wore a younger mans clothes but I haven't even shot them in ages. I don't have a pistol.

 

[Felicity]

I was given a glock when I moved out to the city. Not my favorite gun, but better than nothing.

And then I was given a shotgun when I moved out of state to the boonies. Hell yes! Home defense!.

Next on my list is a revolver, because that is what I feel the most comfortable with just like you Evvie.
I also want a few hunting rifles because venison is delicious, and I would not mind having a freezer full.


Because I believe in the "prepper" lifestyle, that when SHTF it's not going to be pretty. The people who are going to try to steal my food/water/shelter will most likely have guns. I don't want to be put into that helpless position.

I hope I never have to use my guns except killing poor little bambi's. I don't plan on toting around my guns, but I plan on getting a conceal and carry license just in case. I believe in being prepared for the worst even if the worst never happens.

 

[sweetiebatman]

If the trend continues, and more and more people start toting guns to funerals, weddings, the grocer's, etc, eventually the bad guys will assume everyone is packing and when they mug, rape, assault you in a million ways, they'll step it up to the ultra violent phase before they even ask you for your money or whatever. More people will die.

I want to live in a society where people can walk around without fear and without deadly force in their hip pocket. This is why, in most 19th century frontier towns, the local sheriff banned guns...too many people today think Spaghetti Westerns are an accurate portrayal of the "old west."

I don't necessarily agree with this. I've been told that countries like Israel, where everyone serves compulsory military service and every house has a gun, crime rates are much lower, because everyone knows everyone else is prepared to defend themselves.

Petty criminals will not necessarily escalate to match people. Most "nice guys" who assault and rape women do not believe they are doing anything wrong, and if a woman threatened them with a tazer, I would find it doubtful that they would return with a gun. In situations of career criminals and organized crime I can see that happening (because it does happen), but these criminals serve as a minority. Just because someone is a mugger doesn't mean they will be a murderer, just like a ton of people who smoke pot will never do heroin.

Gun control in Israel is far far more stringent than in the USA, before being drafted they undergo a lot of physical and mental fitness tests, assault rifles are banned, ownership is limited to one handgun with the caveat that in order to own that pistol, They must for two years have been either a captain in the army or a former lieutenant colonel. Israelis with an equivalent rank in other security organizations may also own a pistol.

Those guys are hardcore! I think that with many things, borrowing a concept with none of the context is a bad idea. I don't think handing everyone a gun in America right now would be a good idea, at all. But there are societies where a lot of people have military-level training and most people own a gun, and they seem to work out. If someone's intent is "I am going to take that person's money/life/whatever no matter what the risks or costs," I don't think much will stop them. But my main concern isn't dealing with those people, as at least here in America, the rate of crimes with intention to kill is pretty low. I am far more concerned with protecting myself from small-time offenders who recognize me as an easy target.

But if, and I agree with you, the rate of crimes with the intention to kill is low, does the issue not then become people in fear of their lives armed with no training? The Travyon Martin case (On the face of it at least, I know its much much more complex than I am surmising for the purposes of this) is a case in point

 

[Evvie]

If the trend continues, and more and more people start toting guns to funerals, weddings, the grocer's, etc, eventually the bad guys will assume everyone is packing and when they mug, rape, assault you in a million ways, they'll step it up to the ultra violent phase before they even ask you for your money or whatever. More people will die.

I want to live in a society where people can walk around without fear and without deadly force in their hip pocket. This is why, in most 19th century frontier towns, the local sheriff banned guns...too many people today think Spaghetti Westerns are an accurate portrayal of the "old west."

I don't necessarily agree with this. I've been told that countries like Israel, where everyone serves compulsory military service and every house has a gun, crime rates are much lower, because everyone knows everyone else is prepared to defend themselves.

Petty criminals will not necessarily escalate to match people. Most "nice guys" who assault and rape women do not believe they are doing anything wrong, and if a woman threatened them with a tazer, I would find it doubtful that they would return with a gun. In situations of career criminals and organized crime I can see that happening (because it does happen), but these criminals serve as a minority. Just because someone is a mugger doesn't mean they will be a murderer, just like a ton of people who smoke pot will never do heroin.

Gun control in Israel is far far more stringent than in the USA, before being drafted they undergo a lot of physical and mental fitness tests, assault rifles are banned, ownership is limited to one handgun with the caveat that in order to own that pistol, They must for two years have been either a captain in the army or a former lieutenant colonel. Israelis with an equivalent rank in other security organizations may also own a pistol.

Those guys are hardcore! I think that with many things, borrowing a concept with none of the context is a bad idea. I don't think handing everyone a gun in America right now would be a good idea, at all. But there are societies where a lot of people have military-level training and most people own a gun, and they seem to work out. If someone's intent is "I am going to take that person's money/life/whatever no matter what the risks or costs," I don't think much will stop them. But my main concern isn't dealing with those people, as at least here in America, the rate of crimes with intention to kill is pretty low. I am far more concerned with protecting myself from small-time offenders who recognize me as an easy target.

But if, and I agree with you, the rate of crimes with the intention to kill is low, does the issue not then become people in fear of their lives armed with no training? The Travyon Martin case (On the face of it at least, I know its much much more complex than I am surmising for the purposes of this) is a case in point

I feel there is a little similarity between "I am prepared to kill someone to carry out this crime" and "I am prepared to kill anyone who threatens me." In both cases there has to be a willingness to take a life present. Not everyone has that desire, and even people who decide to arm themselves choose nonlethal weapons because they do not want to kill someone. But I also think there is a difference between someone highly paranoid with a gun willing to shoot at whoever spooks them, and someone who is trained to use a firearm, understands the consequences, and understands self defense is not "that guy who walked by me looks threatening, maybe he needs to die for my own safety." I would consider the first case to be the actions of someone looking for an excuse to kill, not an action of self-defense.

 

[Felicity]

Interesting...

 

[SweepTheLeg]

I plan on owning numerous different firearms within my life span, but the "no money" problem isn't making things easier.

If only you had a gun, then you could rob someone to get money, but you need money to buy a gun. Oh what a conundrum!

Oh and for the topic at hand- No I'm not armed. I don't want to be armed. I try to keep myself out of situations. and I fear that if I was and those situations still arose it would only escalate the situation even further far quicker and do more harm than anything.

 

[sweetiebatman]

Interesting...

That next to a gun crime graph per head of captia would be interesting, The US is defiantly top, we all know that but the rest of the correlation would be intriguing

 

[southsamurai]

any one ever noticed my signature? 2 .45s and a samurai sword? its literal lol. i dont carry all 3 all the time, but some version of them i do. everywhere its legal i carry knives. usually two or three (im a bit paranoid) i qualed as expert with a few rifles and handguns, but .22s and .45s were the calibers that i grew up with that my grandfather taught me to shoot, so they are my faves.
my main carry piece is a ruger .45 semi auto.

as far as less lethal weapons im trained with knives, swords (japanese and western styles) staff ( bo and quarter) short staff, nunchaku, spear and the old stand by of a club/singlestick.

my best skills lie with the knife and short staff, though sword play is a close second. i suck at traditional fencing though(bad knees)

i was bullied as a youth so i went a bit crazy with learning how to never be a victim again. alas that since i got disabled my martial arts work is semi useless, so i have to rely on weapons as my first line of defense. im too fat old and crippled to fight, so ill have to slap kill anyone that attacks me

 

[MrRodry]

We have a very restrict gun regulation law here but it don't work, it is a mix of active corruption + smuggling + a sense of impunity, so shit like this - Six Bodies Found in Brazil - keeps happening.

Despite that, I don't plan to buy a gun because, if you know the city, you know the places you should avoid or, if you have to go to those places, I think I know how to carry myself.

Some of the security measures for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics are already taking place (UPP aka PPU) but I have no ideia if they will be in full effect until the games and how/if they will continue after the games.

There is a feeling that things are changing but it is not for the whole city and definitely not for the whole country.

 

[sweetiebatman]

We have a very restrict gun regulation law here but it don't work, it is a mix of active corruption + smuggling + a sense of impunity, so shit like this - Six Bodies Found in Brazil - keeps happening.

Despite that, I don't plan to buy a gun because, if you know the city, you know the places you should avoid or, if you have to go to those places, I think I know how to carry myself.

Some of the security measures for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics are already taking place (UPP aka PPU) but I have no ideia if they will be in full effect until the games and how/if they will continue after the games.

There is a feeling that things are changing but it is not for the whole city and definitely not for the whole country.

I was going to say, Brazil was one of the countries that I was interested in when I saw the were low down in the ownership table posted, I hope and prey that it is sorted for 2014, Brazil holding the worlds showpiece sporting event followed by the Olympics 2 years later, People from across the world will be descending on your beautiful country. Rio (from what I saw in 3 days is beautiful) but I would not be surprised if it got rough with the mainstream press as they have smeared South Africa (last w/c) and Ukraine/Poland for the last Euros only for both to pass off without real incident

 

[Nordling]

If the trend continues, and more and more people start toting guns to funerals, weddings, the grocer's, etc, eventually the bad guys will assume everyone is packing and when they mug, rape, assault you in a million ways, they'll step it up to the ultra violent phase before they even ask you for your money or whatever. More people will die.

I want to live in a society where people can walk around without fear and without deadly force in their hip pocket. This is why, in most 19th century frontier towns, the local sheriff banned guns...too many people today think Spaghetti Westerns are an accurate portrayal of the "old west."

I don't necessarily agree with this. I've been told that countries like Israel, where everyone serves compulsory military service and every house has a gun, crime rates are much lower, because everyone knows everyone else is prepared to defend themselves.

Petty criminals will not necessarily escalate to match people. Most "nice guys" who assault and rape women do not believe they are doing anything wrong, and if a woman threatened them with a tazer, I would find it doubtful that they would return with a gun. In situations of career criminals and organized crime I can see that happening (because it does happen), but these criminals serve as a minority. Just because someone is a mugger doesn't mean they will be a murderer, just like a ton of people who smoke pot will never do heroin.

When Canada and Mexico proclaim they want to wipe us off the face of the Earth and start lobbing bombs at us from across the border, I might see an equivalence. Apples and oranges to the max.

What I'm saying about muggers, rapists and the like is that if they were to ASSUME everyone is carrying deadly hardware, they would escalate from the beginning. Most nasties want to get what they're after with the least possible damage to themselves. Certainly this will vary from sociopath to sociopath. But, remember, the US is one of if not the most heavily armed country in the world...and it's also the most violent. There may be no logical correlation, but something sure is going on here.

 

[Anonymous]

But, remember, the US is one of if not the most heavily armed country in the world...and it's also the most violent. There may be no logical correlation, but something sure is going on here.

I think it stands to reason....more guns equals more violent crime. When it's more difficult to get a gun, when you have to wait 2 weeks or more to get that gun, and when your choices of types of guns are limited...there will be less gun crime. It's that simple.

 

[Bocefish]

Muggers, rapists and other lowlife criminals prey upon the weak. If they think somebody is armed or can possibly hurt them... they'll just move on to the next victim. It's natural instinct.

Firearms aren't for everybody, but if that's your decision for personal protection, get professinally trained and practice in different situations so much that it's almost like second nature.
:twocents-02cents:

 

[Jupiter551]

I have a turret with a mounted minigun for home defense, hermetically sealed with its own air filtration system, it can chew up anything smaller than a tank in the front yard and if they get inside I've rigged the air-con unit to fill the entire house with mustard gas, then filter it out again after a short period. I keep the turret stocked with magazines and a tv if I need to wait in there for the gas to dissipate.

Out and about I generally tow a 155mm howitzer.