Current Events > Is it rational to own a gun as a self defense weapon against a home invasion?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I feel like its an irrational fear, and its used too often to justify gun ownership.

https://www.attn.com/stories/7160/odds-of-a-break-in-to-your-home

Im not denying it doesnt happen. Im sure victims have saved their own lives because of guns. But this is such a rare phenomenon, Im not sure gun ownership is worth all of the negative effects on society

what do you think CE? What am I missing here?

When it comes to safety, Ill take protection from possibility over probability any day.

cuttin_in_farm posted...

When it comes to safety, Ill take protection from possibility over probability any day.

What if the probability that the gun will be used to harm a child, friend, other loved one, or yourself is far higher than the gun will be used in the possibility of a home invasion?

Yeah. Of course. Especially if you live in unsavory part of town.

I'd rather have one and not need it, than need it and not have it.

A_Good_Boy posted...

What if the probability that the gun will be used to harm a child, friend, other loved one, or yourself is far higher than the gun will be used in the possibility of a home invasion?

That only makes me feel better since there's a 0% chance that will happen. At least personally.

A_Good_Boy posted...

What if the probability that the gun will be used to harm a child, friend, other loved one, or yourself is far higher than the gun will be used in the possibility of a home invasion?

This post.. isnt good.

Like, in your scenario, no. I wouldnt want it.

But I have a gun. And its not higher. Because I am responsible.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Statistically speaking, the average number of arms per human is less than 2, but I have two arms.

And I'm not going to use my gun to hurt anybody except for an intruder or aggressor.

Generalized statistics are basically useless as a method of determining the likelihood of a specific individual to do something.

My likelihood of using a gun to commit a crime is 0.00%

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


This post.. isnt good.

Statistically speaking, having your gun in a hard to breach location, unloaded, and with safety on completely reduces your what if.

How many tragic shootings happen if the conditions I listed are in place? Use that statistic.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Shut the fuck up. My gun is going to be used in self defense or at the range. No other reason. It's 100% absolutely certain. Search the entire multiverse and you won't find a single example otherwise.

Honestly, I feel like having cameras are better at preventing home invasion, but I don't fault those that want one for protection.

Gobstoppers12 posted...

Search the entire multiverse and you won't find a single example otherwise.

*looks at statistics*

Hmm I see

A_Good_Boy posted...

*looks at statistics*

Hmm I see

Have you seen the statistics for my gun?

Gobstoppers12 posted...

Have you seen the statistics for my gun?

I combed the multiverse and the statistics seem to be pretty consistent.

Congratulations on this iteration of yourself being an outlier though. You must be proud.

Turbam posted...

Honestly, I feel like having cameras are better at preventing home invasion, but I don't fault those that want one for protection.

Many gun owners also have cameras especially for evidence should they need to defend the home, loved ones, or themselves.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


Youre giving me Why get married? The statistics arent in your favor! vibes

A_Good_Boy posted...

I combed the multiverse and the statistics seem to be pretty consistent.

Exactly.

0% chance of any violent criminal activity coming from me.

Yes it's rational.

The number of people thinking that they are the exception to the trend is this topic is hilarious. If your gun is easily accessible (like it would need to be to be helpful in a home invasion), then it's also more likely to misused and/or involved in an accident.

Ryvell posted...

If your gun is easily accessible (like it would need to be to be helpful in a home invasion), then it's also more likely to misused and/or involved in an accident.

A small lockbox style gun safe is easy for me to access. Not so easy for someone else.

Gobstoppers12 posted...

A small lockbox style gun safe is easy for me to access. Not so easy for someone else.

*looks at stats for gun thefts*

Lol OK sure

So we should disarm people so that burglars and home invaders feel more safe and empowered to do crimes? Is that what you're saying, TC?

A_Good_Boy posted...

*looks at stats for gun thefts*

Lol OK sure

You really want to be right, don't you? Tell you what, when I'm saying my last words in my late nineties in the hospital, I'll be sure to say "Perfect record, 0% chance confirmed"

Pepys_Monster posted...

So we should disarm people so that burglars and home invaders feel more safe and empowered to do crimes? Is that what you're saying, TC?

Ridiculous take, considering that the US has drastically higher violent crime rates than countries with stricter gun controls. The idea that guns keep you safe is entirely fiction.

Ryvell posted...

Ridiculous take, considering that the US has drastically higher violent crime rates than countries with stricter gun controls. The idea that guns keep you safe is entirely fiction.

Australia's burglary rate is 911 per 100,000 the third highest in the world. The US burglary rate is 527 per 100,000 number 15 out of the 85 countries with available data.

Pepys_Monster posted...

Australia's burglary rate is 911 per 100,000 the third highest in the world. The US burglary rate is 527 per 100,000 number 15 out of the 85 countries with available data.

And Canada has approximately 325 per 100k. So why aren't the guns keeping you safer?

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


But, but statistics!!

I keep guns in my home and one in my car. I live in a place where it's super easy to get a concealed carry permit so at any given time any random person could be carrying, and you would never know. I make sure I'm on equal ground with people in my area. I've been fortunate enough to have never even needed to use any of my guns, but I'll be damn glad I have them if the situation ever calls for it.

while I don't know the numbers, I would imagine the chances of some bad shit happening with that gun are higher than you ever using it to defend yourself from anything.

If you live in a high crime neighborhood where you can't rely on the police to protect you then you'd be stupid to NOT have a gun! And I'm someone who is all for gun control. Just make sure it is stored in a secure place if you have kids. Don't be an idiot and brandish your gun as though you're some kind of badass for having one like some right-wing clown. Respect the gun............don't worship it. I have nothing against guns for home defense. It's gun culture that the NRA has started and cultivated is what I have a problem with.

And I think anyone (and I don't care who they are) who has survived a home invasion where they were close to getting killed or kidnapped would buy a gun after going through something traumatic like that.

The most recent example I can think of someone surviving a home invasion is the one about WWE wrestler Sonya Deville. A stalker broke into her home while she was there and had the intent to kidnap her. Luckily it was prevented but it freaked her out so much that she bought a gun afterwards. Can ANYONE here blame her for buying a gun after that?

Depends entirely on where and how you live. I don't like guns, but as I live in the middle of nowhere and the police have a like 20 minute response time, I don't really have a choice for example. Admittedly though, it is more for threats of the non human variety.

I was raised in a law enforcement and hunting home. I'm well versed in gun safety and what that means. I'm going to always own a weapon so that in the event something attempts to get in and harm my family we can protect ourselves.

Is it a slim possibility in the town I live in now? Absolutely.

Is it still a non-zero chance? Absolutely.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

I'm certain of it.

Gobstoppers12 posted...

Statistically speaking, the average number of arms per human is less than 2, but I have two arms.

And I'm not going to use my gun to hurt anybody except for an intruder or aggressor.

Generalized statistics are basically useless as a method of determining the likelihood of a specific individual to do something.

My likelihood of using a gun to commit a crime is 0.00%

You dont understand what a statistic is do you of course you dont

Yes it's reasonable. Even China allows people to keep guns at home for self defense.

Growing up my parents had a gun to protect their five children. they eventually got rid of the gun to protect their four children

I can understand the feeling of safety but rationally I don't think owning a gun for a home invasion makes a lot of sense, in most cases.

3AM, CEMan hears glass breaking downstairs

CEMan: Stop I have a gun!......in my gun safe.....unloaded.....really, just hold on a minute so I can go get it and load it and THEN you'll be sorry!

THIEF: *LOL* already gone with your laptop and wallet

Its a good idea to keep a gun for home defense.

Even better if you pair that with good locks and security systems.

Seems pointless to me. Keep one in a gun safe for proper storage and safety means you need to open said gun safe first. Not keeping it in a gun safe means accidents are far more likely to happen. Rather have a bat.

LightHawKnight posted...

Seems pointless to me. Keep one in a gun safe for proper storage and safety means you need to open said gun safe first. Not keeping it in a gun safe means accidents are far more likely to happen. Rather have a bat.

You can get a handgun touch safe that opens in literally 1 second that you can affix to a bed.

Of course it's rational. Not everyone has the luxury or privilege to live in nice neighborhoods where cops can be there at the snap of a finger.

i don't understand the OP. because people own guns for home defense, those same people and guns are responsible for the gun-related problems with society? do you think if people weren't buying guns from stores, that suddenly criminals would also not get their hands on guns one way or another?

furthermore, nobody said having a gun will prevent someone from breaking into your house. the gun's there to get them the fuck out without needing to fire it, ideally. better safe than sorry, and unfortunately in the US, that means defending yourself with a gun, in case the other guy has one

i don't have one myself, but the more i hear about gun-related crime, the more i want one so i can have the chance to defend myself if need be. it's a nasty cycle. i really don't think the average ceman is mentally or emotionally equipped to even discuss the US's relationship with guns, though, because "ban all guns" just isn't going to happen, and better solutions need to be brainstormed than what we see here

Absolutely. Unless you are rich the cops won't get there until the situation has resolved itself for good or ill. Ultimately you are responsible for protecting yourself and your family. Stuff I have insurance for, but if the intent is to come at me or my wife, that's why I own the weapons I do and train in the things I train in.

I do a decent amount of work with marginalized communities in my spare time, which brought me into physical altercations with local chud groups who have made actionable threats on my person. If you think I'm going to rely on the cops to protect me you are out of your mind.