Hey everyone, I’m debating if I should get a handgun for self-defense. I live alone, so I’ve been wondering if it’s a smart move or if I’m overthinking it. Could it lead to accidents? Or maybe I should just take up boxing or jiujitsu instead. Am I watching too many thriller movies? Would love your thoughts!
I’d say yes, but it depends on a few things:
- Are you in the right mental space to own a gun responsibly?
- Will you invest time and money in proper training?
- Are you willing to learn your local gun laws?
Owning a gun is a big responsibility, but it’s also a lot of fun to shoot at the range. Maybe start by renting a few guns at the range and see how it feels.
As a woman who lives alone, I’ll say my sleep improved a ton after I got a .38 revolver for my bedside table. Then I added a shotgun, and it got even better.
But seriously, TAKE GUN CLASSES. Once you know how to handle and use it safely, you’ll feel a lot more confident having one.
@Haven
Preach it!
Shotguns are great for home defense. The sound of racking a round (that iconic chk-chk) is enough to scare most intruders. Plus, with buckshot or birdshot, you don’t have to aim as precisely as you would with a handgun. There are small models that are easy to store, too.
@Rowen
Just a heads up, shotguns don’t spread as much as people think—especially at close distances like in a house. You’re looking at maybe an inch or two of spread.
@Rowen
Haha, this escalated quickly. I’m leaning towards a shotgun now, but I’ve never fired one. Do I need to worry about hitting someone accidentally with the scatter shot?
Harlan said:
@Rowen
Haha, this escalated quickly. I’m leaning towards a shotgun now, but I’ve never fired one. Do I need to worry about hitting someone accidentally with the scatter shot?
If it’s an intruder, it’s unlikely you’ll have anyone else around. The spread isn’t as wild as you might think, and buckshot is less likely to go through walls compared to other types of ammo. Just make sure you’re comfortable with whatever you choose!
Get a dog.
Sage said:
Get a dog.
And a gun.
And a gun.
This is the way.
Yup, this combo works perfectly for me.
Do you live in a high-crime area or have poor security in your home? It sounds like you’re skipping over basic preventative measures and jumping straight to the last resort. Focus on preventing break-ins first.
@Vern
What are some good ways to prevent break-ins?
Harlan said:
@Vern
What are some good ways to prevent break-ins?
Start with good locks and make sure you actually lock your doors and windows (especially on the ground floor). Add things like timed lights, an alarm system, or cameras.
@Vern
Locks don’t mean much if your door frame is weak.
@Vern
Thanks for the tips!
Harlan said:
@Vern
What are some good ways to prevent break-ins?
Replace the screws in your door’s hardware with longer ones for better reinforcement. Get an alarm system like Simplisafe, and don’t forget the stickers on your doors. A dog and a gun won’t hurt either!
It depends on where you live. If you’re in a relatively safe area, the biggest danger might come from people you know. Living alone can actually be safer in some cases.
If you decide to get a gun, take safety and home defense classes first. Before jumping straight to a gun, try motion-sensing lights, strong locks, alarms, and security cameras. Self-defense classes are also great for building reflexes in high-stress situations.