School Shooting Newtown CT

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by adpimiz

I guess I should have clarified. I was talking more about break-ins that would be threatening to my family's life. If a criminal broke into my home with an intent to kill (rare, but it does happen to people), the only way for us to protect ourselves would be with a weapon. Sorry, that's reality. Police simply can't be there in enough time to protect citizens who live out in the boondocks. You really can't expect people who live out in the country to not be able to defend themselves.

But under that scenario, the situation is likely to be the same whether you live in the boondocks (and there are boondocks on the East and West coasts, so yes we do understand) or in the middle of a city. Unless the police station is next door, there is a strong likelihood that the police can't get there in time. So I don't know how much of that is a true East/West Coast vs average Middle America difference. (I do recognize that there are places that are a long way from civilization.)

I get why you feel the need to have guns for protection, and I respect that.

I've never had guns in the house, whether as a child or an adult, which I also think is a choice that warrants respect. There are risks and benefits both ways, and either choice can be a reasonable and informed one.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

I grew up in such an area, and never felt that firearms were a solution. Stuff can be replaced. People die.

So if someone breaks into your house, you're really going to assume he has the best of intentions?

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by Kevin

So if someone breaks into your house, you're really going to assume he has the best of intentions?

No, I'm going to look at the statistics that show it is far more likely that I'd be accidentally shot by a member of my own family who owned a handgun in the house than for an armed intruder to show up and try to kill me.

[adpimiz]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

No, I'm going to look at the statistics that show it is far more likely that I'd be accidentally shot by a member of my own family who owned a handgun in the house than for an armed intruder to show up and try to kill me.

Wow, that's ignorant. My dad keeps his firearms locked up - not accessible to anyone but him, but accessible enough that he could easily get a hold of one in an emergency. Nobody has gotten accidentally shot in the 30 + years that my father has owned handguns.

Sorry, but if someone comes into my home and wants to murder me, I'd like to know I'm protected.