Do we NEED guns? (evolution, America, pagan, Zen)

[angellous_evangellous]

Yes,

I would like to think that we live in a world in which some people do not force entry into other people's home with the intent to harm, and in which governments do not choose at times to foolishly fight against their own people. Both cases require the people to be armed.

I prefer my Mossberg home defense model (very short barrel but legal shotgun- I would have a pistol grip, but o well). I think it has capacity seven rounds, but I normally keep four in the magazine. If I need more than four rounds, I pretty much consider myself screwed. I can't understand why folks think that they can defend themselves with pistols- it's just nonsensical to think that you can aim one of those things in the middle of the night and hit anything. I would simply prefer to point and shoot.

EDIT: Then again, if people try to take it away, I will add seven rounds with intent to reload and add the pistol grip.

[Dr. Nosophoros]

prepared for what? You just said armed conflict could not happen between citizens and the goverment here.

No I didn't, please point out where I said that.

Conflict between civilian and "insert your word here for those that resist controlling powers" is inevitable IMO , it's just a question of when and where, it may not happen in my lifetime or my childrens lifetime but teaching the means and attitudes of resistance to the inevitable is a noble task IMO, History shows this again and again- best to be prepared and prepare others than ignore and stroke the sheep.

[robtex]

AE, tell us about a time where you had to defend yourself with your shotgun and what you learned from it.

Nosophoros I would insert the word revolutionaries. call a spade a spade. What does IMO mean? So you do feel you are arming yourself against the goverment and training others to do the same? Why? Do you see them training to fight you? I don't.

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by robtex

AE, tell us about a time where you had to defend yourself with your shotgun and what you learned from it.

Nosophoros I would insert the word revolutionaries. call a spade a spade. What does IMO mean? So you do feel you are arming yourself against the goverment and training others to do the same? Why? Do you see them training to fight you? I don't.

Thank God, I haven't had to use it. I shoot mostly old TVs, stuffed animals, wild hogs, and deer.

EDIT: I have had someone break into my home on two occasions when I was not at home. Most people who do stuff like that don't want you at home when they break in, and for good reason. I live in an area of Ft. Worth, however, that has had a serious of home invasions with people being phsyically abused and robbed, sometimes raped and killed by the invaders. If a break-in occurs while I am home, the invaders will be shot and killed if I am able to do so. When you break into another man's home, you forfiet your right to the persual of life and liberty. I have the right to defend myself and my family, I will do so accordingly.

[robtex]

Originally Posted by angellous_evangellous

Thank God, I haven't had to use it. I shoot mostly old TVs, stuffed animals, wild hogs, and deer.

that was my point. I kinda figured you had not. I would say that you likly never ever will and if you do get assulted you will either not have the gun or not be able to get to it in time. I have a better idea. How about pepper spray? Non lethal easy to carry and has a higher probablity of working with you when you need it. Not to mention you get to skip the big legal proceeding that follow many shootings. Why a gun for protection and why a big bulky gun that you can't carry with you? Does it seem like a practical solution to you if self defense is an issue?

[angellous_evangellous]

Ah, but we can carry guns with us. In Texas, as you know, we can carry concealed handguns. I did not say that I did not carry a gun on me, simply that I keep a shotgun beside my bed. I am also a blackbelt (I think that you are too), but still I would rather not tangle with someone in the dark in my own home.

I realize the improbabilty of being able to reach my gun, which is why I keep the safety on and no rounds in the chamber, so I at least need time to pump the gun and throw the safety off. If I cannot do that, I have a variety of other weapons at hand. However, home invasions in my area usually happen in the garage and the idiot homeowners get up to check the commotion unarmed and are defenseless. I will check the commotion with a shotgun, not pepperspray or my staff or any other Oriental farm weapon.

EDIT: I still prefer shotguns to pistols, but pistols are much better for travel. Again, as you point out rightly, nonlethal resistance is likely preferred, but I like the added security of my glock. BTW: these hands are lethal, baby!!

Also, if you have time for pepper spray, you have time to fire a gun.

[Dr. Nosophoros]

I know you were talking top A.A. Robtex, but I defended myself with a shot gun in Oklahoma once while camping with OOO buck shell inserted. After I got out of the military, I travelled quite a bit on my motorcycle. A cutoff Savage-Stevens single shot shotgun broke down quite nicely into three pieces and stored well wrapped in a oiled towell and bunjee corded between the exahust pipes underneath my bike (only place cops didn't look!) I placed my site well away from others but eventually others camped. I had no problem until I heard an RV that was pulled up next to my camp, it was late-I heard them wrestling (I think they were drunk) and cursing each other inside the RV, there was a female and male voice which pleaded with him to not go out "there" I knew I was in trouble at that point. I grabbed my blanket and shrouded myself in it with the assembled shotgun, loaded and cocked and sat before my small campfire and waited, before long a male came out of the RV (with pistol in hand) it seemed to be a .357 mag SW due to the full moon. He camer closer slowly, in my mind I envisioned a "space" or circle of which if he entered he would die, he did not breach that circle. I slowly moved the barrel of the shotgun through the blanket and had the trigger about half pulled, when that barrel came through I have never seen someones eyes get as big as that and with gun limply at his side back peddled. He went back to the RV, and I heard nothing else but silence, I packed my gear (though it was night) and found another place to camp. Was I afraid? Hell yes! but its what you do with fear is what counts, let it parylize you or spur you on.