I have a gun problem... need suggestions

[haasd0gg]

While I get where you're coming from, narg, I need to take a different perspective.
I need to assume that a person who unlawfully enters my house is there to conduct unlawful activities.
I need to assume that at least one of those activities would include doing harm to my family.
I need to assume that the intruder is armed and/or a stronger and/or better fighter than I am.
I wouldn't be able to live with myself if someone in my family were hurt or worse because I was trying to decide if the guy breaking into my house only wanted the PlayStation or wanted to commit murder.

[Darth Crater]

If you have a gun, the best way to keep your family safe is to take it out of your house.

[WD-40]

If you have a gun, the best way to keep your family safe is to take it out of your house.

That's...just stupid. Hell, I'm teaching my daughters how to shoot them!

[WD-40]

Alright, i'm gonna be honest here - if I was going to burglarize a house, I sure as hell wouldn't be planning on killing those people. Doing time for getting busted stealing is a hell of a lot shorter than getting busted for attempted or straight up murder.

Not all burglars want their identities known, and many kill those that witness the burglary if there's a chance they'll be caught.

I'm just curious for Americans here, would you prefer a burglar getting into your house, and both you and the burglar are armed, or neither being armed..MT

Not a choice MT. And without a Crystal Ball to tell you what a Burglar's intentions are, or what he/she is armed with or if armed at all, guessing simply isn't an option when protecting your home domain and your family. And if not guns, with what?? swords, ninja throwing stars, butcher knives, reinforced Star Wars Lightsaber toys, rubber hoses, stun guns...many ways to kill out there. Don't need a gun to do it.

[Darth Crater]

Not all burglars want their identities known, and many kill those that witness the burglary if there's a chance they'll be caught.

In some hypothetical world where people are burgled by emotionless robots, sure.

In any case, that doesn't change the fact that your family is much more likely to be hurt by your own gun than by a home invader.

EDIT: Source http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9715182 - "Guns kept in homes are more likely to be involved in a fatal or nonfatal accidental shooting, criminal assault, or suicide attempt than to be used to injure or kill in self-defense."

By the way, to keep this somewhat on topic - Nite, feel free to throw some of this information at your parents and brother.

[haasd0gg]

"In or around a residence"- it doesn't say if these are drive by shootings, robberies, neighbors fighting, home invasions...
I think a big conclusion was drawn from a small bit of data.

[Darth Crater]

Well, if you want to pick out one bit of language from the abstract and condemn the whole thing, go ahead. I'll just continue quoting it:

"For every time a gun in the home was used in a self-defense or legally justifiable shooting, there were four unintentional shootings."

[Admiral_Aeka]

swords, ninja throwing stars, butcher knives, reinforced Star Wars Lightsaber toys, rubber hoses, stun guns...many ways to kill out there. Don't need a gun to do it.

Don't forget martial arts! I could kick the [poo] outta most people in a couple seconds if they don't have a gun

[haasd0gg]

Crater, you can keep quoting that "study" til you run out of breath. Its agendized, as are every single one I could find. Some are done by gun supporters, some are done by haters. Neither are accurate.
"There are lies, damned lies, and statistics."
Also applicable is "Don't believe the hype"

[Darth Crater]

... Now you're just deliberately being stupid. If you have a legitimate problem with the study, go ahead and state it. I'll give you one for free - it doesn't count home invasions where criminals were deterred by a gun without actual shots fired. But don't throw around claims of "bias" just because you don't like the look of reality.