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Dell
Trad climber
New Paltz, NY
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Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 2, 2005 - 11:21am PT
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the thread about handguns was interesting to me, partly because it stayed on topic but more importantly because there it was -- climbers and others who love the outdoors talking sensibly about guns. And so I'd like to ask the group: what type of gun would you recommend for a person who has never owned (or shot) a gun in his life?
I'm 40, with two kids under three, and now live by the Gunks in a rural part of the Hudson Valley. Our next-door neighbor is more than a half-mile away, and I've been thinking about getting a gun for protection. (I would want to take a class at the local shooting range first.)
I'm not interested in hunting the many white-tailed deer in our woods; does that mean a rifle shouldn't be considered? Safety for my own family is absolutely paramount -- whatever we purchase must be able to be stored so that kids cannot possibly get to it. And finally, what is it we're looking to protect ourselves from? We've not had a break-in or burglary, and we're quite friendly with our neighbors. I suppose it's just being a dad and living out in the woods...I'm simply beginning to feel like we should keep a gun in the house.
any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Dell
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dirtineye
Trad climber
the south
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Forget a hand gun for home defense, get a Shotgun.
But take a course in gun safety, and swallow a big dose of common sense, cause you don't want your kids to find it and play with it, and you don't want to kill someone in your family either by accident or in a fit of rage.
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Shack
Trad climber
So. Cal.
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For general plinking, shootin' cans and target practice fun,
I would go with a Ruger 10/22. It's a .22 caliber rifle,
that is well made and very inexpensive.
(I'll bet most gun owners here have one)
For true home defense, nothing beats a shotgun.
A shotgun will effectively dispatch any threat,
with alot less of a chance of a stray bullet going through
the wall into another room.
Get a short barrel shotgun(20"). Easier to maneuver through doorways etc.
For a pistol, Ruger also makes a great .22.
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landcruiserbob
Trad climber
the ville, colorado
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12ga. pump shotgun.The pump action is harder for your kids to get into trouble.When they are old enough please teach them how to operate the weapon.Go out & kill something & show them how dangerous the weapon is.They will have tons of respect for it after that.I recieved my first shotgun(.410)when I was seven years old.
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Wrathchild
climber
right behind you
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Mossberg 500a pump 12ga. for home defense. Mount a flashlight with a pressure switch on the slide.
Ruger 10/22 for fun, and teaching the young 'uns.
Use trigger locks, prevent accidents.
If kids grow up with guns and gun safety, they will learn to use them properly, and to repect their power.
Guns are not evil, they are tools.
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Shack
Trad climber
So. Cal.
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Yes Bob, the great thing about the pump is the SOUND!
If a robber just hears you rack a round into the chamber,
he'll be looking for an exit.
Also, a good point about teaching your kids to respect guns.
I took my daughter shooting at 5 years old. I taught her all about how the gun works, proper handling, how to shoot, load,
etc. Take all the mystery out of guns and explain the dangers
to your kids. They will have respect for it and they won't be
curious about them later when your not there.
Me, Haley (at 5) and my 10/22 w/ Volquartzen Carbon fiber barrel and Hogue stock & Harris bipod.
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pud
climber
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you bring up some good points. one of which is
"And finally, what is it we're looking to protect ourselves from?"
currently you do not have to protect your children from playing with guns in your house but that will change if you buy one.
the reason i no longer own a handgun is the fact that i have two children under 4 years old in my home. if you are truly concerned for your safety and feel a gun is the way to aliviate those fears, then by all means get one.
a twelve gauge shotgun will clear a room of undesirables quicker than ANY handgun.
the fact is, most homeowners that try to defend themselves with guns become the shooting VICTIM.
proper training in the use of firearms as well as thier use in self defense is what may save your life in the unlikely event you are ever confronted with this scenerio.
gun ownership for the purpose of self protection is a big responsibility and should not be taken lightly.
i've had the unfortunate experience of knowing a family that lost a child due to lack of this responsibility and it is not something i will ever allow to happen to my family.
responsible gun owners do not carry concealed guns illegally, frightened people do. a bad combination.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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I'm a big shotgun fan too, BUT its a two handed weapon and going through doorways with a flashlight AND a shotgun can be unweildy. Therefore my "plan" deploys the shotgun like artillery, that is, from a fixed position into a known field of fire.
My bedside piece is a pistol with a Surefire Tactical Light attached. I can hold my weapon, my light, and still have a hand for opening doors and investigating noises.
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Ben Rumsen
Social climber
No Name City ( and it sure ain't pretty )
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" skip the shotgun, too unwieldly and sprays the whole room. "
Mine spins on a dime with that 18" riot barrel. And spraying the room is the whole point - buck shot is hot! One blast is all you need.......
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Fattrad, you ever use any rubber rounds?
How effective is that reduced lethality stuff?
(Kinda wonderin about that "proned out").
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JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Chatsworth
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Get some Dobermans. Great pets, very loyal, and love kids.
Will protect your family better than a gun. We once had a guy in our backyard with a rifle. I let the two dobermans out, and the guy ran so fast to jump the back wall he was injuried. The Torrance Police showed up with guns drawn and took him away.
Juan
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Juan I'm afraid to ask what this guy was doing there,but if he was a serious demento he might've shot your dogs.....
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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I wonder if fattrad is still with us.
Didn't he mean an Ithaca 37 and a Remington 870?
I'm sure hoping that when he butt stroked that Hell's Angel he meant hitting him with the stock.....
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Ithaca 37 featherlight, parkerized, 18" barrel.
My first scattergun, still have it, still works fine.
One of the few you can get like a trench broom, if you hold the trigger down you can fire by just pumping.
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Watusi
Social climber
Joshua Tree, CA
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Where we live out here in Joshua Tree there are a ton of psychos! Between all the methamphetamine and in-breeding, there has been an increase in these friggin' white supremist retards! We always joke about how they're up all night fixing stuff that isn't broken! Weapon of choice out here has definitely got to be a machine gun!
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landcruiserbob
Trad climber
the ville, colorado
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Pud, I understand your point & your friends loss; but what will protect your kids when they visit a house that has a weapon loaded under a bed?Knowledge & understanding is the only protection.Telling a child to stay away is like telling them not to go out & screw.I would rather my child understand how to unload or load a weapon rather than fear it.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Damn right Bob. You can't kid-proof a gun you have to gun-proof your kids.
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pud
climber
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understood.
i totally agree with firearm eduction being the best medicine.
my kids are 2 & 3. they don't go to peoples homes with guns. when they are older i'm sure i'll own another handgun and i will definitely teach them about firearm safety.
same reason we haven't put a pool in the backyard yet.
right now they are just too young.
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Brian in SLC
Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
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what type of gun would you recommend for a person who has never owned (or shot) a gun in his life?
I'd suggest to go to a range that has a few rental items, and ask someone to show you the different types, etc. Read a bit, watch a few videos. Post a question on a climbing forum...(ha!).
I'm 40, with two kids under three
I'd be pretty nervious about kids and guns under the same roof. I grew up with unlimited access, and, had fairly good firearms education, but, kids will be kids. Hard to not play with them. They'll find the keys or figure out the locks. Its in their nature. We seem to lose a bunch of kids here in SLC every year in firearms accidents, especially the type of accident where they are "playing". Sad. Go look up firearms on the CDC website. Kinda staggering.
Man, did we have some close calls (and not so close calls, I lost a young friend playin' Rambo with a 30-30, tragic).
I'm not interested in hunting the many white-tailed deer in our woods; does that mean a rifle shouldn't be considered?
I'd guess a rifle, especially a carbine, might be ok.
Safety for my own family is absolutely paramount -- whatever we purchase must be able to be stored so that kids cannot possibly get to it. And finally, what is it we're looking to protect ourselves from? We've not had a break-in or burglary, and we're quite friendly with our neighbors. I suppose it's just being a dad and living out in the woods...I'm simply beginning to feel like we should keep a gun in the house.
I think, odds are, the risk is too great. But, risk can be mitigated especially through discipline and education. So, depends.
Also, if whatever you have is stored and locked away, and you have it for some type of percieved threat, then, how useful will it be if you need it quickly?
Cheers!
Brian in SLC
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Shack
Trad climber
So. Cal.
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"the fact is, most homeowners that try to defend themselves with guns become the shooting VICTIM."
That is absolutely not true.
Where did you get that from?
I'd like to see the study that concluded anything like that.
What would cause that?
Too slow on the draw? Shoot themselves?
Please explain.
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