I never really like/enjoy guns, but during my early 20s I bought a .40 handgun for protection. Its been boxed up in my closet for years, I've only used it 3 times at the shooting range. Last night someone broke into my house while I was asleep. I was awoken when my front door was being tamper with. I got up and ran into my closet to arm myself. When I walked into my kitchen, these theifs were walking to my back door(I don't know why?) When I asked them "who the f**k are you", one of them drew out a small knife(look like a pocket knife) I drew my gun at them and they just frozed. After about 10sec, they just took off running through my backdoor. I called the cops and they have no leads at all. Random burglary was what they told me.

The problem now is that I feel uneasy, I never pointed a gun(killing tool) at anyone. Now I feel unsecure and paranoid, will these theifs retaliate? Should I've had shot them? I had the superior weapon that night, but when it came down to pulling the trigger, I couldn't do it. I'm not a pussy, I just couldn't pull the trigger last night. This is whats bothering me all day, I feel like I did the right thing by not killing them? But then will my family and neighbors be safe with these thugs running free now?

Anyone with similar experience, plz chime in. I don't need a counselor, just closure, I'm not a killer

 

wow.

i probably would have done exactly the same thing you did, in reality, as much as shooting them probably would have been doing the community a service.

 

depending on where you live, should've popped off a couple shots, probably wouldn't have killed them, but they would've learned

 

You should NEVER point a gun at someone unless you are going to fire. Yes, you should have shot them as soon as they showed you they were armed and you would have been fully within your right to do so. I'm glad to hear however you are ok and everything (for the most part) turned out ok. But honestly... if you cant pull the trigger, you need to just get rid of the gun.

 

After someone attempted to break into our apartment the cop told us if you plan on shooting them, it better be shoot to kill. Apparently if you disable them with a bullet they can sue you (especially if they can't work to feed their family because you had to defend yourself )

He also said that a inside an apartment he doesn't recommend using guns. bullets can fly into neighboring apartments.
Knives and Samurai swords work better...


OP: I think if they had threatened your life you would have pulled the trigger without thinking. I don't think they are going to retaliate they know you have gun that is easily accessible to you.

 

 

You need to go to the range and practice. You want to make sure that if one day you do actually need it that you can hit your target. So you don't have randoms bullets flying around and possible hitting an innocent person. I agree with quick though. Never point a gun at something you don't plan on shooting.

 

No, hollow points work just fine.

 

thanks for the tip

 

That's true. That's what I have in mine. Except the 870. That one gets 00 buck.