Guns for self-defense… do they really help?

Honest question for the preppers out there: If you own a firearm (or are learning to use one), what do you realistically think it will protect you from—besides hunting?

I don’t feel like a gun would help against the government, and stats suggest firearms are more likely to be stolen, misused, or involved in accidents. I’m worried about the future, but I don’t think a gun would make me safer.

I live in a wealthy Baltimore suburb, mostly surrounded by liberals. I’ve never been around guns and always thought more of them just makes us less safe. But now I keep hearing from people who at least want to learn how to use them.

If you own a gun for prepping, why do you think it’s necessary? I’d love to hear different perspectives. Thanks!

I own a gun for self-defense, but I grew up around them and feel comfortable handling one.

I keep it in my nightstand since it’s just me and my wife in the house. She knows how to use it (theoretically), but she was super uneasy about it at first. I got an airsoft gun that looks and feels like the real one so she could practice with something less intimidating. That’s been helping, but I’m still not sure she’d be able to use it under pressure.

If we had kids, I probably wouldn’t own one. Having a gun locked away makes it too slow to access, and leaving it out is obviously dangerous.

If you’re considering getting one, don’t just buy it and stash it somewhere. Take a class, get range time, and maybe even look into a liberal gun club. You need to train regularly if you want it to actually be useful.

@Orion
100% agree with this.

I learned to shoot with my ex because I didn’t want to be afraid of guns. I also made sure my kids learned how to shoot safely.

That said, I don’t keep a gun in my house and never will. I have teenagers coming and going at all hours, and I don’t want to worry about a gun being accessible. Plus, I don’t see myself ever using a gun in self-defense—I wouldn’t react fast enough, and it would probably just be locked up anyway.

Lately, though, I’ve been thinking about getting a .22 rifle for small game hunting.

@Hart
Yeah, my biggest issue with guns for protection is that using one in a high-stress moment seems… really hard? You’d have to react quickly, think clearly, and handle a deadly weapon all at once. I’m actually considering a bulletproof vest instead—crime tends to go up when Republicans are in charge!

@Lian
Just a heads-up—bulletproof vests degrade over time. Most civilian models last 5-10 years, and they’re really heavy and uncomfortable. Also, they won’t stop high-velocity rounds unless you get military-grade armor, and even then, you can still suffer serious injuries from blunt force trauma.

As for self-defense, training makes all the difference. If you decide against a gun, that’s totally valid, but just know that in a true emergency, you’re more likely to run into armed civilians than a government force.

@Lian
Totally agree, but if you train enough, you can respond fast. It’s all about muscle memory.

A lot of gun safety stats are skewed in both directions. The main research group pushing gun control stats has a strong ideological bias, so take them with a grain of salt.

That said, if you’re a minority in an unstable democracy, the real threat isn’t necessarily the government—it’s extremists and vigilante groups. History shows that violent paramilitary groups (think Atomwaffen, Patriot Front, etc.) are much more likely to pose a danger than actual government forces.

An armed citizen isn’t stopping a government army, but they can stop an angry guy down the street who thinks new laws give him permission to target people he doesn’t like. A Glock 19 is enough to make a belligerent stranger rethink their actions. And if a group of Proud Boys decides to set up a checkpoint in your neighborhood, an AR-15 and a confident stance can make them back off real quick.

Of course, a gun isn’t magic. If you own one, you need training. But having that option gives you way more control over your personal safety.

If you’re left-leaning and considering training, check out the Socialist Rifle Association (SRA)—they have a chapter near you and focus on responsible gun ownership for minorities and women.

@Jory
Thanks for the suggestion.

I’ve thought about getting a gun, but I have a history of suicidal thoughts. It was over a decade ago, but still… I don’t know if having one in the house is a good idea.

Shai said:
I’ve thought about getting a gun, but I have a history of suicidal thoughts. It was over a decade ago, but still… I don’t know if having one in the house is a good idea.

I hear you.

Shai said:
I’ve thought about getting a gun, but I have a history of suicidal thoughts. It was over a decade ago, but still… I don’t know if having one in the house is a good idea.

You’re smart to recognize that risk. People with guns succeed in suicide attempts far more often, and if they fail, the injuries are devastating.

You’re making a thoughtful choice for your own safety. That’s good prepping—assessing risks and taking action accordingly. Internet stranger is proud of you for that.

I live in the country and my main reason for carrying a gun? Wild dog packs.

Irresponsible neighbors let their dogs roam, and in a disaster scenario, they’ll stop feeding them. Packs of hungry dogs will become a real problem when people aren’t able to care for them anymore.

@Vine
Yikes! If I had neighbors letting dangerous dogs run loose, I’d definitely get a gun. That’s terrifying.

The main advantage of owning a gun isn’t actually shooting someone—it’s making yourself a harder target.

If law enforcement can’t protect you (think post-disaster chaos like Hurricane Katrina), most criminals will go after soft targets first. They’re looking for unarmed people, because no one actually wants to be in a gunfight.

If you ever do need to use a gun, though, things have already gone really wrong. The goal is to avoid that situation entirely.

Are there guns that don’t fire bullets but use chemicals to incapacitate? That seems like a better option for me. I keep forgetting the brand name!

Lian said:
Are there guns that don’t fire bullets but use chemicals to incapacitate? That seems like a better option for me. I keep forgetting the brand name!

You might be thinking of pepper ball guns like the Byrna. But honestly, just get pepper spray. It’s cheaper, easier to carry, and less legally complicated.

Lian said:
Are there guns that don’t fire bullets but use chemicals to incapacitate? That seems like a better option for me. I keep forgetting the brand name!

Bad idea. Anything shaped like a gun will escalate a situation to deadly force. If an attacker has a real gun and you pull out a non-lethal one, you’re getting shot.

Either carry a gun or don’t—but don’t carry something that looks like one unless you’re ready to go all the way.

@CharlotteBaker
That’s a good point!