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BeebopandBuddy · September 2013

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BarefootContessa · September 2013

I have nor want any experience with guns.

MomtobeNJ · September 2013

My husband carries a gun for work. When he's not working he keeps it in a locked case that is hidden, and the key is hidden somewhere else. It is close enough that if God forbid someone broke in while we were home, he could get to his gun pretty quickly. He would like to have another one that is more easily accessible for personal protection, but I am not comfortable with that at this point. We may discuss it again further down the road.

BeebopandBuddy · September 2013

MomtobeNJ said:

My husband carries a gun for work. When he's not working he keeps it in a locked case that is hidden, and the key is hidden somewhere else. It is close enough that if God forbid someone broke in while we were home, he could get to his gun pretty quickly. He would like to have another one that is more easily accessible for personal protection, but I am not comfortable with that at this point. We may discuss it again further down the road.

Have you learned to use it?

jenndub · September 2013

My dad was a Marine, my brother is a Marine. There were always guns in my house. We were taught gun safety early on and I have a healthy respect for guns. I do not have guns in my house now. I have always been very uncomfortable handling guns and my dad told me that if I don't have what it takes to use it than I shouldn't keep one in the house. I don't have what it takes.

I think that if you took a gun safety class that would help you figure out whether or not you could handle keeping a gun.

Pokedot · September 2013

So sorry to hear this and thank god you weren't home! Bastards! I live in the UP of Michigan where everyone has a gun or guns. Hunting is a right of passage here. My dad and brother have multiple guns and I've shot several however neither DH or I own one. I was terrified of them in the beginning and while I have no desire to own one I at least know how to use it. I think the unknown of it overshadows the actual use and sometimes need. If you are able to take some handgun safety classes I think you'll feel much better about it and more comfortable! GL!

BPer · September 2013

H has guns, several of them, rifles & handguns. I've gone shooting with him, but I'm definitely still anxious about them. I have this fear of freak accidents where the safety is on, but malfunctions, or something along those lines.

But it was pretty fun shooting with him at the range.

MomtobeNJ · September 2013

No. I haven't touched it. He wants me to, and I have thought about going to the range with him. He did walk me through all the parts and how it works when he was cleaning it one day.

I should know how to use it in case I ever needed to, but usually if the gun is home so is my husband. So he would be the one using it on an intruder. If we make the leap and get a second gun to keep in the house at all times, THEN I would learn. I just have really mixed feelings about it. I would want it locked up because of the baby - it's not going to be in a drawer or under my mattress or something. And I feel like I would be so panicked is someone broke in, and worrying about calling 911 and hiding with the baby that I would never even think or have time to unlock the gun. I don't know.

MomtobeNJ · September 2013

And I just want to say again that I'm very sorry this happened to you. We were robbed 2 years ago in broad daylight on a weekday while we were at work. All my jewelry was taken, including my engagement ring (which was too big and waiting to be sized), my parents wedding rings, all my grandmother's jewelry, etc. Very special family memories that can never be replaced. The feelings of anger and outrage and violation are devastating. I still don't think I want a gun.

Hyaline · September 2013

My experience with guns is only with antique and reproduction weapons. Like modern guns, they are loud, they have a bit of kick, and they can certainly kill you. That said, I don't feel that my experience there translates to modern guns, and I won't have a modern handgun in our house until I have time to take a firearms class and learn to use it. I'm a huge advocate of not having a gun in your home that you don't know how to use, and to certainly not try to use it if you're not comfortable. I see guns and cars in a similar vein--you need to learn to use them safely before you should be trusted with one or trust yourself with one.

Honestly--I don't mean this as offensive, but--the "guns scare me" argument is about the worst I can think of for not handling one or learning about them. "I have no interest/I don't ever want to pull the trigger/I don't want that responsibility"? Fine. But I feel that the fear of the unknown surrounding guns is part of what makes them so powerful for people who want to use them against you. If you understand and respect what a gun can do, but also know their limits and know how they work, you can better educate your kids about guns and gun safety.

Were you comfortable the first time you drove a car? Of course not--learning and practicing made you comfortable. I'm not saying you have to learn more about guns or try using one, but I would encourage you to go to a range and take a class or have someone experienced teach you once--and if never again, that's fine, and you know never to pick up that gun in an emergency because you won't know what you're doing and would risk hurting yourself more than helping.

BillyMollyEmmy · September 2013

We don't have any guns. I don't want any guns.

noloveintennis · September 2013

When DH got his gun, I wasn't comfortable with it at all. I'm still not real comfortable with it, but I had him teach me how to use it, how to check the safety, load and unload it, etc. I shot it a couple times, and that was enough for me. I think I'll have him give me another refresher course. It's the only way I am comfortable with it I. The house, knowing I know how to handle it, if something happens, or somehow it's not where it's supposed to be, I can make sure it's safe.

MarisaKathleen · September 2013

You might be more comfortable with a taser. I am comfortable with guns but still prefer a taser. You still have to attend a conceal and carry class with that, but it's still debilitating in the moment but won't (usually) cause any permanent damage.

LuvSD · September 2013

jenndub said:

My dad was a Marine, my brother is a Marine. There were always guns in my house. We were taught gun safety early on and I have a healthy respect for guns. I do not have guns in my house now. I have always been very uncomfortable handling guns and my dad told me that if I don't have what it takes to use it than I shouldn't keep one in the house. I don't have what it takes.

I think that if you took a gun safety class that would help you figure out whether or not you could handle keeping a gun.

This is great advice. My brother is in the Navy and has several guns. He took me shooting once. While it was fun, I know I don't have what it takes to feel comfortable with having a gun in the house.

I would take a gun safety class and then go from there.

KTC926 · September 2013

I have been around rifles and shotguns my entire life. I was raised that they are not a toy and took many lessons of proper gun handling and safety. They are always locked up when we are not hunting. I have a lot of respect for gun safety and ownership. DH has handguns and he is very educated on safety and self defense. We make sure all of our guns are locked away and out of the reach of children. I feel very very safe in a home of firearms.

I encourage more people would take gun safety courses. I hope we never ever have to use them in self defense but I know if someone broke into our home, DH and I have gone through situational practice just to be prepared.

bosha711 · September 2013

I'm so sorry that happened to you! How scary!

I hate guns & it's one of the very few things I can say "never" about. I will never have guns in my house.

Unknown · September 2013

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MomtobeNJ · September 2013

MarisaKathleen said:

You might be more comfortable with a taser. I am comfortable with guns but still prefer a taser. You still have to attend a conceal and carry class with that, but it's still debilitating in the moment but won't (usually) cause any permanent damage.

This is interesting. I never considered a taser. Dumb question - you don't actually have to touch the person with the taser, right? Can you do it from a distance?

hmp1 · September 2013

We don't and won't have guns in the house. My husband enjoys shooting on occasion at the range with friends but has no desire to have one in our home and he does not want to hunt. I don't feel the need to learn to shoot a gun.

hmp1 · September 2013

MomtobeNJ said:

MarisaKathleen said:

You might be more comfortable with a taser. I am comfortable with guns but still prefer a taser. You still have to attend a conceal and carry class with that, but it's still debilitating in the moment but won't (usually) cause any permanent damage.

This is interesting. I never considered a taser. Dumb question - you don't actually have to touch the person with the taser, right? Can you do it from a distance?

Guess you've never seen Hangover

linzeek44 · September 2013

We won't have guns in our house. DH and I both do not want to learn how to use one and don't want to use one.

MomtobeNJ · September 2013

hmp1 said:

MomtobeNJ said:

MarisaKathleen said:

You might be more comfortable with a taser. I am comfortable with guns but still prefer a taser. You still have to attend a conceal and carry class with that, but it's still debilitating in the moment but won't (usually) cause any permanent damage.

This is interesting. I never considered a taser. Dumb question - you don't actually have to touch the person with the taser, right? Can you do it from a distance?

Guess you've never seen Hangover

I have, but is that how it is in real life?! LOL

MarisaKathleen · September 2013

MomtobeNJ said:

MarisaKathleen said:

You might be more comfortable with a taser. I am comfortable with guns but still prefer a taser. You still have to attend a conceal and carry class with that, but it's still debilitating in the moment but won't (usually) cause any permanent damage.

This is interesting. I never considered a taser. Dumb question - you don't actually have to touch the person with the taser, right? Can you do it from a distance?

There are different kinds. The one I have, yes, you actually have to touch someone with. Mine is a high powered taser with an LED flashlight built into it, which is quite handy. :-) I believe the ones you actually shoot a la The Hangover are for law enforcement, but I could be wrong. This is the one I have: https://www.kotulas.com/deals/ProductDisplay?url=ProductDisplay%3FcatalogId%3D10602%26storeId%3D10152%26productId%3D36203%26langId%3D-1%26ci_src%3D14110944%26ci_sku%3D32395&device=c&ci_sku=32395&network=g&catalogId=10602&productId=36203&ci_src=14110944&langId=-1&cm_pla=none&matchtype=&gclid=CIqXkN3W5LkCFXRp7AodJhIAkQ&cm_ven=PPC&cm_cat=none&storeId=10152&affiliateId=rkg&affiliateId=rkg&ddkey=http:MarketingAttribution

LyndseylovesHugh · September 2013

My H has always had guns, he grew up around them and is very careful and safe with them. We have a gun safe in our garage and we have a small one in our bedroom. I was not raised around guns but since he had them I decided to learn how to use them so I took a class and we will go to the range to keep up on it. My H's hand gun was really had for me to shoot so we got me my own more manageable one. My H is gone often (he is in the Army and goes away for training, deployments, etc) so I feel safer knowing that it is there and I can shoot it well. I am confident that I could use it in an emergency and that is because I took a course and learned how to use it properly and safely.

ETA: The bullets we have for the guns in our bedroom safe are for home defense, they will kill an intruder but they do not go through walls My big fear has always been that if I needed to use one in an emergency and I missed it would go through the wall and hurt someone in another room or out on the street, so these bullets really eased that fear.

redneckmomma25 · September 2013

I love them. I have fired many. Semi-auto, single shots. Many different rifles and shot guns. DH is a designated marksman and hunter. It came with the package. I was raised around them. I know gun safety. I have a healthy respect for them. Grace will be brought up with them. Taught how to use then and gun safety.

BeebopandBuddy · September 2013

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redneckmomma25 · September 2013

The sound of a pump shot gun can scare off a lot of people. Doesn't have to be loaded. Or to look down a double barrel. That's pretty intimidating as well.

Hyaline · September 2013

JMHO here, but you should never use a gun as a prop. It can escalate a situation and then you're left with a gun you can't shoot. Either use a gun properly or don't get near one. Yes, sometimes all it takes is seeing or hearing a gun, but if it doesn't, you have to be willing, IMO, to go the rest of the way with it.

kdsmith43 · September 2013

We have 2 semi-automatic pistols and a rifle in our home. Both are locked,secured, and placed up high way out of reach. I have always been raised with a weapon in the home for protection, so I don't really know any different.

I have a question, and this is not meant to be snarky/smart ass in ANY way.

Those of you that don't have guns or don't believe in them - what is your plan of defense if someone were to break into your house with you there/rob you/etc.?

watercolor5 · September 2013

My experience with guns was no experience at all until I joined the army. They just hand you a rifle in basic training and you spend 4 weeks learning its ins and outs, taking it apart, cleaning it, putting it back together, and learning how to shoot it. They make you sleep holding onto it.

I was never freaked out by guns, I just hadn't been exposed. It was weird the first time I was handed one and responsible for it. While in the army I went to all kinds of ranges- rifle, pistol, crew served weapons- the big stuff. But complete comfort only came with the weapons that I qualified in- so shot regularly enough that I was able to be precise and accurate on the range.

I'd encourage you to go to a familiarization course at a range so you can just practice shooting a few weapons to get yourself over the fear and shakiness of it all. You can decide after a little exposure if you want to keep going enough to be comfortable shooting your husband's gun, or if it's just not for you.

DH also has a pistol in the house, but I haven't shot it, and it feels big and uncomfortable and not like the pistol I was issued. I may someday buy one I'm more comfortable with, but I'd have to commit to actually shooting it enough to really feel comfortable before I bought it. We're also strong believers in fingerprint safes, esp with babies in the house.

hmp1 · September 2013

kdsmith43 said:

We have 2 semi-automatic pistols and a rifle in our home. Both are locked,secured, and placed up high way out of reach. I have always been raised with a weapon in the home for protection, so I don't really know any different.

I have a question, and this is not meant to be snarky/smart ass in ANY way.

Those of you that don't have guns or don't believe in them - what is your plan of defense if someone were to break into your house with you there/rob you/etc.?

First, we have an alarm system. My reaction will be to get out of the house with my kids. If that is not possible, locking us in a closet with a phone. We have two phones in our bedroom so I can use the house line to call 911 and call my neighbor with the cell phone to come and bang on our door and try to scare them away.

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