Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I own a gunsafe full of "I hope I never need any of these."

I hate carrying a weapon. Hate that the world has gotten to this point. I would love to just go "innocent" into things… But I know too much, seen too much, I like to be prepared. And there ya' go…

When those two hikers were murdered by that serial killer on a section of the Appalachian Trail that I had walked on hundreds of times, I got a lil' shaken.

When I had a neighbor murdered the very day I was moving in on Patterson in Henrico, I was a lil' concerned.

When I had someone stick a key into the door lock of my new apartment at 21:30 on a Wednesday night in my current neighborhood in Richmond, and it wasn't someone I knew… I was a lil' pissed off, and started carrying ALL the time.

I never wanted to carry a gun… but the world had other plans for me.

I like shooting, I like the Art of Firearms, I like the Science of Firearms. I just don't want to have to pull the trigger on someone. I'll defend myself, but I'm not "macho" about it. I'd rather they just go away.

Davis and Co. said the same thing in 1860.

It's just funny how all these Anti-gun folks, or uninformed folks, think all gun owners are just "itching for a gunfight".

Um... No. Not hardly. I would love to go for a walk in my neighborhood without having to look at everyone who approaches hands, then eyes. Without having to do a scan of the distance/hiding holes. Without making sure I have my weapons ready/throw away cash with me.

Just a simple God blessed walk for the love of Jesus. (sigh)

I have a spare tire in my car... Now I purposely go around looking for glass and nails to drive over. Just so I can use my spare tire and jack!

I have a fire extinguisher. I light fires on my living room floor, just so I can use it!

NOT!!!!!!

Just like those tools above. I have my carry weapon FOR AN EMERGENCY. Just like my driving and how I handle fires, if I can I avoid those things that would require me to use them. I don't look to use my gun, if I think a place I am going to is a place that I need to carry my gun, guess what I DON'T GO THERE!

No gun slinger here. Just a man who has a tool.

I do not like carrying a gun either, but I work for a real estate company and do alot of abandoned property recoveries for the mortgage companies. I go into some pretty scary houses in some pretty bad neighborhoods. A couple of police friends told me that I was crazy doing this unarmed. I eventually broke down and bought a nice basic handgun, a Ruger SP-101. I do feel alot safer knowing that if I do encounter a bad guy that I have the means to protect myself. I always enter the properties wearing the gun until I do a complete walk through. After I am pretty certain "all is safe" ... it gets locked up in my vehicle . I do not like to open carry because there are too many ignorant people who think that guns are evil. It doesnt help either with some of the idiots who open carry just for the "shock and awe". I have seen plenty of open carry around Hampton Roads. Mostly good good people, but I have seen some real immature types as well.

I must admit though, that I have become some what of a hobbiest since buying my SP-101 a couple months ago. I always look forward to my next time at the range, and meeting new friends.

I honestly hope I never have to use mine either but the world is full of evil people who would not think twice about doing me or mine harm...if I cant carry a gun then I carry a knife...if I cant carry a knife I almost always have expedient weapons available...and for close encounters while driving I keep a 12" crescent wrench on the floor...

Pumbaa wrote:I have a fire extinguisher. I light fires on my living room floor, just so I can use it!

sorry

My personal flowsheet:

1) Avoid trouble to begin with.

If that fails to defuse the situation, see below

2) Try and talk my way out of trouble should it find me. Possibly give trouble money if I think it will get rid of it.

If that fails to defuse the situation, see below

3) Run away from trouble.

If that fails to defuse the situation, see below

4) Punch, grapple, and bite (I fight dirty) trouble.

If that fails to defuse the situation, see below

5) Shoot bullets into trouble.

Not exactly the approach of a deranged madman I guess. I agree with the others, most gun owners are responsible and just want to be left alone. I haven't struck someone in anger since I was a child.

I cannot agree with part (b) of response 2. It's why I carry a gun. If I wanted to give a bad guy my money, I would not carry a gun in the first place.

Response 4 is more likely to get you killed than anything else. Never let the bad guy within 21' of you in the first place. The best idea is to put a solid object (car, park bench, etc) between you and the bad guy.

Situational awareness goes a long way, too.

wylde007 wrote:I cannot agree with part (b) of response 2. It's why I carry a gun. If I wanted to give a bad guy my money, I would not carry a gun in the first place.

Response 4 is more likely to get you killed than anything else. Never let the bad guy within 21' of you in the first place. The best idea is to put a solid object (car, park bench, etc) between you and the bad guy.

Situational awareness goes a long way, too.

Plus 1
Except for the rule of 21 inches, I don't let anyone that I have bad vibes on get closer then 36 inches and even then I am ready to go to nut city if need be or tap a trigger several times. ( hell the PK380 has 9 rounds in it) might as well get some use out of dirtying the weapon as I am going to have to clean it anyway.
Bill

SgtBill wrote:

wylde007 wrote:I cannot agree with part (b) of response 2. It's why I carry a gun. If I wanted to give a bad guy my money, I would not carry a gun in the first place.

Response 4 is more likely to get you killed than anything else. Never let the bad guy within 21' of you in the first place. The best idea is to put a solid object (car, park bench, etc) between you and the bad guy.

Situational awareness goes a long way, too.

Plus 1
Except for the rule of 21 inches, I don't let anyone that I have bad vibes on get closer then 36 inches and even then I am ready to go to nut city if need be or tap a trigger several times. ( hell the PK380 has 9 rounds in it) might as well get some use out of dirtying the weapon as I am going to have to clean it anyway.
Bill

I always thought it was 21 feet.

No way in hell am I letting someone I don't know and seems threatening to get anywhere close to 21 or even 36 inches of me.

Same way I feel. And I carry on my person only when I feel I may be threatened. Rest of the time they stay in my car. I know that's risky, but it's precisely because i feel the same way you guys do.

SgtBill wrote:Except for the rule of 21 inches, I don't let anyone that I have bad vibes on get closer then 36 inches

CoryB wrote:I always thought it was 21 feet.

No way in hell am I letting someone I don't know and seems threatening to get anywhere close to 21 or even 36 inches of me.

Refresher:

Apostrophe (') means FEET.
Quotations (") means INCHES.

Ain't nobody getting closer than seven (7) yards from me if I have anything to say about it.

My "Gun Fu" is good, but not 21 Inches good.

I have to agree with the seven yard rule of engagement. I LOVE to carry my weapons. This way I feel free to go anywhere I want to without having the second thoughts of, "should I be carrying a weapon?" Plan, improvise, overcome and move on! If you have a gun, and a concealed license use the damn thing. You obviously spent the money and time necessary to obtain them. This is just my HO.

Reverenddel wrote:I own a gunsafe full of "I hope I never need any of these."

We all do. Anyone who says otherwise is either lying or crazy. Being mentally prepared to use lethal force if you must is good and still isn't wanting to use them for that purpose. We prepare for all kinds of things we hope never happen.

Reverenddel wrote:Hate that the world has gotten to this point. I would love to just go "innocent" into things… But I know too much, seen too much, I like to be prepared. And there ya' go…

Hate to break it to you but the worlds been like that continuously since that incident in the garden. I wonder what would have happened if Able had been packing when dealing that Cain fellow? I don't mean to be irreverent and all lighthearted sarcasm aside, tis nothing new.

humor is always good irregardless of the subject

wylde007 wrote:I cannot agree with part (b) of response 2. It's why I carry a gun. If I wanted to give a bad guy my money, I would not carry a gun in the first place.

I'm young and typically carry between 3 and 10 dollars (cash is obsolete). If that keeps me from answering questions all night with the cops and commonwealth attorney, its a sound investment. Sleep is precious...a ten spot is not.

Response 4 is more likely to get you killed than anything else. Never let the bad guy within 21' of you in the first place. The best idea is to put a solid object (car, park bench, etc) between you and the bad guy.

I do not think a gun is the first line of defense against an unarmed attacker. Nor would many judges.

Kreutz wrote:I do not think a gun is the first line of defense against an unarmed attacker. Nor would many judges.

But I'm not going to wait to find out if they can best me in a scuffle before pulling out my gun, I hate to break it to you but by that point it's too late. Not to mention the fact that if they are that close to your person you have just given them access to your firearm. As soon as I feel threatened or that there is the possibility I will be attacked I am drawing my weapon because if they truly are unarmed chances are they will back off at that point.

Yep my mistake, I thought that it said 21 inches and did not notice that it said 21 feet. I also will be fully prepared to commence combat at 21 feet if needed and will defenitly put 2 in the chest and 1 in the head if I am jumped and they are within 36 inches. I do make mistakes on reading things now on the puter with the Med's that I am on and the brain damage from my accident I am going down hill slowley. So Sorry for any missunderstanding.
Bill