General Discussion

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)

81. Thank you.

Mon Dec 24, 2012, 03:00 PM

Dec 2012

I'm even older than you are, 64, and as you might guess from my screen name, a female. I have lived alone much of my adult life. Never owned a dog, but have had cats, although currently companion animal free.

I absolutely do not understand the mind set that is convinced that guns are "needed" because who knows when someone will break into your home. It's never happened to me. Nor have I ever been robbed. I even use to ride public transportation in the DC area, frequently coming home very late at night or in the wee hours of the morning. Never felt unsafe.

It really is the guns.

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A shotgun is all you really need for home defense [View all] Taverner Dec 2012 OP

Most shotguns hold more than two shells former-republican Dec 2012 #1

Double barrel was what I was thinking Taverner Dec 2012 #4

I would think if a burglar even heard the sound of a shotgun being cocked they would run away. JaneyVee Dec 2012 #2

This, is true Taverner Dec 2012 #5

They won't hear that with a double barrel former-republican Dec 2012 #7

Then they'll have to see the gun Taverner Dec 2012 #9

Don't they make automatic shotguns too? nt ElbarDee Dec 2012 #11

Semi-automatics. But the recoil prevents one from shooting very quickly. rhett o rick Dec 2012 #27

Actually you can get a 13 shell magazine exboyfil Dec 2012 #76

Yikes. that's crazy. nm rhett o rick Dec 2012 #80

lol former-republican Dec 2012 #84

Especially in your own home where you know all the best hiding spots. JaneyVee Dec 2012 #16

They would with the old-fashioned kind. Jackpine Radical Dec 2012 #26

If I shot that gun, it would break my wrist and probably smack me in the face. nm rhett o rick Dec 2012 #28

Actually that gun would not be illegal. Travis_0004 Dec 2012 #45

That's a lever-action rifle. Not a shotgun. Jackpine Radical Dec 2012 #63

not illegal, but must registered as a NFA item. aikoaiko Dec 2012 #46

In my youth, a neighborhood kid did that to one of his stepfather's 12 ga. ... adirondacker Dec 2012 #87

I once had a 28-ga. shot pistol Jackpine Radical Dec 2012 #90

If I remember correctly that's why pump-action shotguns are recommended for home defense. (nt) Posteritatis Dec 2012 #25

The sound of a shell being chambered by a pump shotgun is very distinctive .... Botany Dec 2012 #58

I sure as hell would. or shoot first pasto76 Dec 2012 #59

Well, Sherman A1 Dec 2012 #3

Yep - I remember for a while TakeBackTheNight was suggesting this Taverner Dec 2012 #6

not quite DonCoquixote Dec 2012 #14

Possibly, however Sherman A1 Dec 2012 #62

depends on the situation. some smaller people find a handgun easier loli phabay Dec 2012 #8

LEO's Daninmo Dec 2012 #86

shotguns Crepuscular Dec 2012 #10

Illegal in my state. NT NYC_SKP Dec 2012 #18

That is exactly what they found in the trunk of Lanza's car. n/t Bonhomme Richard Dec 2012 #32

Lord, mom got some serious firepower! nadinbrzezinski Dec 2012 #40

It was an extended magazine and not a drum exboyfil Dec 2012 #78

Shotguns don't work like you might think they do. Lizzie Poppet Dec 2012 #12

That would be pretty funny making the invader dial the police for you. JaneyVee Dec 2012 #22

My dad once had an employee who did that Shrek Dec 2012 #89

Sometimes you need more than two shells for a shotgun former-republican Dec 2012 #13

An aluminum ball bat and a large dog work fine for me! mysuzuki2 Dec 2012 #15

I have read that on here several times but to speak frankly former-republican Dec 2012 #21

I think that one of the dangers of a gun of any sort, at least for me, would be mysuzuki2 Dec 2012 #29

I'm not advocating a firearm in the home for anyone that feels uncomfortable with one in the home former-republican Dec 2012 #38

I could care less about my stuff exboyfil Dec 2012 #77

I said the same thing and was burned at the stake here. NYC_SKP Dec 2012 #17

Plus you can use them for hunting or skeet shooting. gulliver Dec 2012 #19

Without condeming or condoning anything, I'll say that the sound of a pump shotgun pumping is... Poll_Blind Dec 2012 #20

Especially if done slowly and deliberately. RC Dec 2012 #66

Shotguns do not spray - especially at close range. hack89 Dec 2012 #23

My trusty flame thrower is better than any shotgun. hunter Dec 2012 #24

I don't like long guns for home defense. Deep13 Dec 2012 #30

this one reason i like the m4 carbine its short enough to cut the pie without showing the barrel loli phabay Dec 2012 #35

I would not suggest anyone clearing their home , let the police do it former-republican Dec 2012 #44

i don't need a gun barbtries Dec 2012 #31

locks only buy you time and what good is the phone if help is thirty minutes away loli phabay Dec 2012 #34

odds are barbtries Dec 2012 #73

Thank you. SheilaT Dec 2012 #81

it really is, barbtries Dec 2012 #83

I live in a rural area. A half hour is good response time for police. appleannie1 Dec 2012 #41

i agree it's different in a rural area. barbtries Dec 2012 #72

When seconds count... Lizzie Poppet Dec 2012 #42

pppffffttt barbtries Dec 2012 #71

I agree. TwilightGardener Dec 2012 #33

Shtoguns have more firepower than an Uzi. So, what's your point? OneTenthofOnePercent Dec 2012 #36

Try finding one in stock. Lizzie Poppet Dec 2012 #43

Don't have to, already have one. OneTenthofOnePercent Dec 2012 #55

Yep. Unquestionably devastating. Lizzie Poppet Dec 2012 #56

This message was self-deleted by its author slackmaster Dec 2012 #37

That's my plan Taverner Dec 2012 #47

edit former-republican Dec 2012 #49

The best-case legal, social, and psychological consequences of shooting someone are horrible slackmaster Dec 2012 #50

Yep - best case scenario of a baseball bat is they run Taverner Dec 2012 #51

The worst is you have inflicted a sub-dural hemotoma that could result in permanent disability... slackmaster Dec 2012 #75

Go for the knees Taverner Dec 2012 #82

I sleep in my high-capacity pantry stocked full of bean-cans. OneTenthofOnePercent Dec 2012 #57

I have my great-grandfather's ceremonial Freemason's sword Poiuyt Dec 2012 #65

I have scared intruders off twice just cocking a shotgun. The sound says (run or be shot). appleannie1 Dec 2012 #39

Keep in mind I am not advocating everyone run out and buy a shotgun Taverner Dec 2012 #48

Why? Crepuscular Dec 2012 #52

No but if we ban all semi auto weapons Taverner Dec 2012 #54

I don't think "compromise" means what you think it means. OneTenthofOnePercent Dec 2012 #60

Unless I missed it, absolutely no one has mentioned any neighbors or people in the next room or apt. RC Dec 2012 #68

That's why I use an AR15. Marinedem Dec 2012 #85

Hollywood movies are not good sources for gun knowledge. ManiacJoe Dec 2012 #53

I agree. Plus for me.......... socialist_n_TN Dec 2012 #61

What, exactly, am I defending? LWolf Dec 2012 #64

Everything has its pros and cons. protwodem Dec 2012 #67

I own an old-school revolver Eric the Reddish Dec 2012 #69

For many a semi automatic pistol is a more effective approach ProgressiveProfessor Dec 2012 #70

At home distances shotguns don't spray shot. ileus Dec 2012 #74

I prefer the 10/22 Fla_Democrat Dec 2012 #79

My .38 snubnose and my wife's 9mm pistols are for home defense. Wolf Frankula Dec 2012 #88