Should I purchase a Gun?

Timahani

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Hello everyone :wave:,

So about 2 weeks ago I was walking out to the car with my brother at about 1 am. When I noticed a white guy, who was under the influence , in all black loitering around my car. We now know via the police that he was a burglary suspect. I locked my car up, but the next night it was stolen.

Just a few nights ago, I was once again going to my car and right by my new car there was a young black man who was standing in the dark literally watching me and staring at me. In the dark by the bushes. It freaked me out and I rushed back into the house and ordered pizza. I hate my parking space because its by bushes, theres a fence, but the a lot of bums walk outside of the fence or travel into our compound.

Now, I pay $800 dollars a month, for a one bedroom.Everyone in these apartments are working people with nice cars. But the traffic is coming from the apartments next to us. The problem is: When my car was stolen, I had letters with my address and apartment number on them. Since then, I have not been able to sleep. Seeing that black man watching me freaked me out. I am afraid when I hear noises at night. I think that I really need protection. I have no family here to live with me. I just feel that if someone were to break in that I could not protect myself. and I definitely need protection walking in the parking lot to my car. What do you think?
 

High Fidelity

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I think there are steps you should take before resorting to that, personally.

Have you got an alarm fitted on your property?

Have you spoken with your landlord about the incident and asked what they plan to do about it?

Have you mentioned to the police what happened this second time? Maybe ask them if they can put some extra street lighting around there.

Basically deterrents. Criminals may be criminals, but they aren't stupid. If it becomes too risky to operate in that area, they'll move along.

If none of that is possible then I'd consider a firearm, but make sure you get training otherwise you will likely just increase the risk to your life by pulling out a weapon you aren't trained to use.
 
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Timahani

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I think there are steps you should take before resorting to that, personally.

Have you got an alarm fitted on your property?

Have you spoken with your landlord about the incident and asked what they plan to do about it?

Have you mentioned to the police what happened this second time? Maybe ask them if they can put some extra street lighting around there.

Basically deterrents. Criminals may be criminals, but they aren't stupid. If it becomes too risky to operate in that area, they'll move along.

If none of that is possible then I'd consider a firearm, but make sure you get training otherwise you will likely just increase the risk to your life by pulling out a weapon you aren't trained to use.

Yes, I just bought a $400 dollar alarm for my new car.
I talked to the neighbors , we now look out for each other.
I also reported the incident to the police - the stolen car.
I also reported the incident to the manager who had nothing
to say about the incident.
I got the locks changed on my apartment.
Those are the things that I did thus far.
Lastly, I plan on going to the gun range to get training.
 
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High Fidelity

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I also reported the incident to the manager who had nothing
to say about the incident.

That's a shame. I'd consider going around your apartment block asking for signatures for a letter demanding he address security on his premises. With the amount he's charging there's no way he can't afford to make that happen.

I'd do that whether you go the firearm route or not. Ultimately all other steps serve to limit the necessity of firing a weapon in anger.
 
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Dave G.

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Why are you going out at 1 am ?

Your car is alarmed, your apartment is refitted with locks, I assume with a deadbolt. The guy staring at you by the bushes maybe was hungry, you have no idea. But it is true that alcohol, drugs, prostitution and other things of the dark side are most prevalent at that hour of the night, so why be out there then in an area where you know that is lurking about ? You can do a lot more for yourself by living smart and with The Lord, letting Him be your guide than you can with a gun that has limited use.. Incidentally, never pull a gun unless your direct personal life is at stake and then only use it knowing the intent is to kill another person. Is your stolen car that you weren't on site to witness happening anyway, worth that to you ? And do you think criminals don't have guns oftentimes too ? Are you ready for a firefight ?

I own guns, you have to stay on top of gun ownership, keep up the practice and care. I have better and more interesting things to do in my time remaining on earth, so my guns are locked away. Guns are very dangerous in unpracticed hands. I once found, even though I had removed the clip and put my gun in it's case, a few days later when I took it out and checked in the chamber, there was a round in there. It gave me a chill . Even with the best care mistakes can and do happen with firearms.

That said if to do it ( as a legal citizen you have that right) :
A 9mm pistol with expanding hollow point bullets and a laser sight would be my minimum suggestion. Never use practice rounds with solid ball ammo for self defense. With laser sights, where the beam hits on the body is about where the bullet will too, given a good steady handling of the gun of course. It could just as easily miss if shaky or recoil tends to uncontrolled.. And a 45 is most steady and harder hitting *( 45s offer more impact but a steadier push into the hand when fired than some other round do). Forget all the little jr guns with lighter rounds, you could end up ticking off a serious attacker and have a worse situation than you started with. Hand guns to be really effective should used at close range, like around 10-12 ft. The lighter the round the closer in your attacker should be. Sorry, it's just the facts.

Inside the apartment a home defense shotgun is best, gives some spray/spread of lead shot, deadly but doesn't penetrate walls with deadly force to the next room through wall material with the right ammo.

Some people aren't ready for the bloody cleanup of killing someone by gunshot. The blood pours uncontrolled into into big puddles. They don't show that part on tv.
 
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Timahani

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Dave my brother was with me because I was picking him up from work. He works the night shift and there was no buses that run in our area so I had to pick him up. Otherwise I dont leave my house after like 8 pm.

Secondly, I have 2 degrees, I am responsible member of society.I work, I volunteer.

There is no reason why I should not be able to exercise my constitutional rights.

Your post comes off a bit judgemental. You take the stance that I am not street savvy, that I dont understand criminals, and that I am going to aimlessly pull guns on people. Come on now. Thats ridiculous!

I am simply wanting to protect myself and i have that right to do so. Other than that, thanks for the info.
 
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Timahani

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I feel the world is so unsafe and if anyone were to come into my home as a female I would be defensless and thats scary.

Please! Please!Please! dont flood my thread with crazy comments. As a christian I would never aimlessly hurt or take the life of anyone. That goes against my nature and my character.Like I said I just wanna sleep in my apartment peacefully and walk to my car without harm. Thanks.
 
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Dave G.

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Dave my brother was with me because I was picking him up from work. He works the night shift. Otherwise I dont leave my house after like 8 pm.

Secondly, I have 2 degrees, I am responsible member of society.I work, I volunteer.

There is no reason why I should not be able to exercise my constitutional rights.

Your post comes off as judgemental. You take the stance that I am not street savvy, that I dont understand criminals, and that I am going to aimlessly pull guns on people. Come on now. Thats ridiculous!

I am simply wanting to protect myself and i have that right to do so.
I just put it out there is all. And I said it's your right. I wasn't judging you, don't take it that way please. Heck I even gave some recommendations !
 
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Timahani

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I just put it out there is all. And I said it's your right. I wasn't judging you, don't take it that way please. Heck I even gave some recommendations !
Yes I edited my post to be more clear. I appreciate your recommendations.I never heard of a home shotgun.I just wanted to emphasize that I am not a lunatic wanting to harm people. Thats not my hearts intention at all.I just want to feel like I have some sort of defense.Thank you!
 
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Dave G.

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I feel the world is so unsafe and if anyone were to come into my home as a female I would be defensless and thats scary.

Please! Please!Please! dont flood my thread with crazy comments. As a christian I would never aimlessly hurt or take the life of anyone. That goes against my nature and my character.Like I said I just wanna sleep in my apartment peacefully and walk to my car without harm. Thanks.

Firearms in this household as adults started with my wife who had to close stores as store manager at midnight and she never did end up carrying a pistol. For a gun to be effective in the home it needs to be at the ready at your side. You have no time to dig it out from someplace and load it etc. Just so you know is all. As a fellow Christian, I Love You in the sense of a sister Christian, I'm only trying to be informative. If I'm missing the mark, I'm sorry about that.

I would just give one seemingly crazy recommendation, it's amazing how much peace and protection is derived from God The Trinity and I mean that seriously. Trust in the Lord and you shall not want.
 
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Dave G.

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Yes I edited my post to be more clear. I appreciate your recommendations.I never heard of a home shotgun.I just wanted to emphasize that I am not a lunatic wanting to harm people. Thats not my hearts intention at all.I just want to feel like I have some sort of defense.Thank you!
I knew that from the get go Timahani, that you weren't nuts ! I did not know that you were a female in fear though. Well, I can relate with that through my wife's experience. But she had this idea about carrying a 357, it never panned out, life moved on and she was totally out of that situation anyway.
 
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aiki

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As a former self-defense instructor, I can tell you that purchasing a gun without going through solid training in how to use it is a waste of your money and can give you a very dangerous false sense of safety. It's actually very difficult to draw a gun and fire it accurately when you are afraid and an attacker is rushing you. It is far better to train yourself to be aware of your surroundings, and to learn to carry yourself with an air of confidence and purpose, and to anticipate and avoid potentially dangerous situations.
 
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Poppyseed78

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I would get pepper spray or a taser, something that isn't lethal force, but would at least give you time to escape if necessary. I carried pepper spray when I was in school and had to walk back to my apartment from the bus stop after night classes.
 
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PeaceB

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I do not have one myself but I would consider getting one, depending on the circumstances I was living in. As others have posted above, if you get one then you should invest time in taking courses to learn how to use it for self-defense.
 
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Kit Sigmon

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Having two degrees is nice but they don't provide much safety.
I'm surprised that you'd be stepping out without some sort of protection
since you have a long history of being attacked/abused/manipulated by
the majority of your family...including your brother.
In this thread as in many other of your threads, you are still showing the
bad habit of continuing to put yourself into unsafe or toxic situations...
not good and I do advise that you work on breaking those habits.

I don't recommend that you get a gun at this time.
What I do recommend: take a self defense course/personal safety course.
Purchase /Learn how to use pepper spray and or a tazer.


Here's you a link for personal alarms:
Amazon.com: Vigilant PPS-22BL130dB Personal Alarm with LED Flashlight and Keyring Key Chain: Camera & Photo
 
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Darkhorse

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I would recommend these actions:

1) Take a basic self-defense course. Many police departments either offer these or can refer you to someone who does. It doesn't have to be expensive - maybe free!

The big thing to learn is "situational awareness"; knowing who is around and what they're doing. You seem to be practicing this already, but there is always more to learn. There are some great books on the topic also.


2) Go to this website:

Cornered Cat | If you have to fight, fight like a cornered cat.

It's all about gun issues for women, from a woman's perspective, and has great information and links to other sites.

I'm a guy, but it's one of my favorites.


3) Examine yourself: if you find yourself under a threat of death or great bodily harm by another person, are you willing to defend yourself with deadly force?

If so, get a gun and learn how to use it effectively.

Local gun shops can refer you to basic courses, and community colleges sometimes have them too. Expect to pay $100 or so for the course.

Handling and using your gun must become as natural and automatic as riding a bike or driving a car; fortunately, it's much easier to learn!

I have fired guns since I was 5, and when I took a course (required for my permit), I learned some improvements on my grip and accuracy. There's always more to learn.

Fortunately, you live in a gun-friendly state and don't need a permit to carry a concealed gun. However, you must truthfully answer any law-enforcement officer (in your state) during any official contact (like a traffic stop) that you are carrying a concealed gun, should he/she ask. Learn all important gun laws for your state at:

Handgunlaw.us

NRA-ILA | Gun Laws


Just for perspective, my mom was a single mom with 3 kids (in between husbands) in Dallas in the 1940s. She was an R.N. and worked in a hospital, sometimes being called in the middle of the night. She often carried a gun at night, and sometimes had to draw it, but never had to fire it. She wasn't "putting herself in dangerous situations", she was trying to provide for herself and her kids.

PM me ("conversation") if I can be helpful...
 
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Dave G.

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As I already mentioned, it's more than just learning to handle the gun but keeping up with it. You get out of practice pretty easy. But I am now done with this thread, I don't think the OP took my info too willingly before so I'll bow out now. .
 
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Can you commit the time and money to training at minimum once a week? Do you, as an ambassador of Christ, believe that there are circumstances where you can righteously take a human life? And can you name those circumstances?

If the answer is "no" to any of these, do not get a gun. If the answer is "yes" to all of these, then look further into where you can train.
 
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