Let me add that a recent attempted break in (less than a year ago), I did not have time to get my pistol, I just yelled "Call 9-1-1" and ran out the front door to try to catch him coming around the corner (adrenaline can make you do stupid things). I was afraid for the longest that he would come back. I knew exactly what he looked like! We looked one another right in the face, so he knew who I was, too. I just kept thinking that if I had my pistol, I could have at least fired it in the air, so he could hear that this house could be deadly if he returned. And... I don't live in the projects... but instead in an affluent neighborhood. So it does not matter where you live, criminals do not discriminate. (He was eventually caught)

 

And i must honestly state that i do agree with that very highly. However his reasoning behind stating this was specifically due to the reason that it is common for an intruder to press charges if shot, and i know this, because he specifically said so. Now whether or not he was right in stating this to the class I will not comment. There are much better ways he could have gone about stating this. But he did mention prior to and after.. you can choose to have a pistol, you can choose to fire a pistol, but you have to choose to live with the consequences of your actions as well(in so many words)

 

call your local PD and ask them what the rules are exactly, do not go by the word of a "friend", "roomate", or "a guy that knows a guy".

in MS, your car is considered an extension of your home, and as such, you have reasonable expectation of privacy to anything you have concealed in your car.

basically, if you can legally have it concealed in your home, you can have it concealed in your car. i don't need any special permit or license to keep a firearm hidden in my car, no matter who can reach it. fully loaded, one round chambered even. that's how i keep my S&W sigma 40.


for personal wear, you must have a CWP, i keep mine in a "small-of-back" holster.

don't bother with a leather one, get a rigid plastic holster, most of the time they have adjustable tensioners to hold the weapon in the holster even if it's held upside-down and shaken. i'd say $30-$80.

i've had to use mine before, and i'd do it again. had a break in, surprised him. he shot first, hit me in the neck. i returned fire 9 times. yes, me having a gun saved my life, because if i had not shot him, he could have finished me off easily, but i'm still here, he is'nt. if my right to keep firearms was ever threatened, i'd use it again.

 

[quote name='EviL inside' date='Feb 12 2005, 06:04 PM'] i've had to use mine before, and i'd do it again.

 

All you folks in the colonies only need guns because you are scared in case we decide to set up the empire again and take over the whole dammed world once more. A bit like GWB is trying at the moment but we'd get it right

 

I'm British and the no-gun situation is just fine - however with the US culture slowly making its way over here (music, style, food, language etc.) I believe that gun crime is on the increase albeit slowly.

I am happy I don't feel the need to own a gun, and I like the fact I am shocked when I see one (airport police, overseas) and I hope things don't get like it is in the US - I feel sorry for you guys who live in such a place where it you feel it's necessary to be armed in order to defend yourself from others.

I have only been to the US 3-4 times; once was to LA for a conference when we were told we couldn't walk the 5 minutes from the hotel to the conference centre because it was too dangerous, and one girl got picked up by a police car and taken back to the hotel when attempting to do so.

I find some of the attitudes scary to be frank - UppityChick if your burglar didn't know you were carrying a gun how did it help you defend yourself? Why be proud to carry a gun (not aimed at you UppityChick), and the guy who's fiance didn't know he owned a gun - did she not have the right to know there was a gun in the house? And what if you had shot your friend thinking he was a burglar

I'm not wanting to get into a debate about the American constitution but it seems to me like it's a situation of amplification; the guns are legal therefore the bad guys can get their hands on them, therefore the good guys carry them, therefore the bad guys get bigger guns and so on so on.

No idea how to stop it, but it doesn't seem like a good situation, and it's one I fear will be in the UK eventually

 

During the second experience, fortunately we scared one another. I heard the pool fence rattle and flipped on the light. He was standing right at my back door. You never know what that criminal is going to do or what they have. It would be nice to know upfront if they are carrying a weapon or not, but unfortunately, that is something you only find out when you encounter them. It could be a burglary or a home invasion. Who knows? As for the second experience, the gun shot in the yard would be a deterrant, not a defense.

 

All handguns require regular maintence.

I'm not sure what you mean by "wet gun" but if it's good enough for the Navy SEALS, then who am I to argue.

 

[quote name='ruexp67' date='Feb 12 2005, 12:30 PM']All handguns require regular maintence.

I'm not sure what you mean by "wet gun" but if it's good enough for the Navy SEALS, then who am I to argue.

 

Not trying to take this thread any further off-topic than it already is.. but oh well

After reviewing this thread I am personally pondering the idea of purchasing a new more compact handgun. I have heard numerous good things regarding the H&K, SIG, and Glock Pistols. However i need something that is really compact with not much recoil, please do keep in mind i'm 5'6" 125lbs with very small hands. I need something that I will feel comfortable with.