Don Kuykendall_RIP
RIP :(
I hear Olympus cameras make good targets. Use them like skeets.
Protecting yourself
- Thread starter Steve B
- Start date
Phillydog1958
Senior Member
Compton's Population
Compton's Ethnicity
With ALL due respect, when we throw specific geographies out there, we have to examine and breakdown who and what they are comprised of. Let's look at Compton . . . We could take it a step further and examine why and how those circumstances developed and most importantly -- resolution. Also, we know that such communities are disenfranchised and impoverished. Drugs are often a source of revenue generation and escape in our ghettos and barrios. With that in mind, let's not assume that ALL people who dwell in these communities are criminals. Criminals come in many forms. They come from the backwoods of many states in the USA, where meth is also a source of revenue and escape from their realities. Personally, I don't think that everyone who lives in the backwoods of Missouri (The crowned meth Capitol of the USA) is a meth maker. Stereotypical thinking can be dangerous. This is why I haven't touched a firearm since 1984, which is when I left the Army and entered civilian life.
- 94,384 population in 2000, according to the U.S. Census
- 10.26 square miles
- 9,199 people per square mile, about average for Southeast and about average for the county
Compton's Ethnicity
Ethnicity
- The percentages of black and Latino people are high for the county.
- Moderately diverse for Southeast and moderately diverse for the county
With ALL due respect, when we throw specific geographies out there, we have to examine and breakdown who and what they are comprised of. Let's look at Compton . . . We could take it a step further and examine why and how those circumstances developed and most importantly -- resolution. Also, we know that such communities are disenfranchised and impoverished. Drugs are often a source of revenue generation and escape in our ghettos and barrios. With that in mind, let's not assume that ALL people who dwell in these communities are criminals. Criminals come in many forms. They come from the backwoods of many states in the USA, where meth is also a source of revenue and escape from their realities. Personally, I don't think that everyone who lives in the backwoods of Missouri (The crowned meth Capitol of the USA) is a meth maker. Stereotypical thinking can be dangerous. This is why I haven't touched a firearm since 1984, which is when I left the Army and entered civilian life.
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Always carry protection. Period.
I have been mugged twice. Both times they had numbers...i had sharp edged cutting tools. Both times I was in a "safe" area. Both times my threat of returned violence kept me safe. (I am not talking little folders here)
Plain and simple. You can't look in every direction at the same time. The bad guys don't fight fair. And no place is truly 100% safe.
And last but not least....proper gun control is two hands.....unless one is disabled....
I have been mugged twice. Both times they had numbers...i had sharp edged cutting tools. Both times I was in a "safe" area. Both times my threat of returned violence kept me safe. (I am not talking little folders here)
Plain and simple. You can't look in every direction at the same time. The bad guys don't fight fair. And no place is truly 100% safe.
And last but not least....proper gun control is two hands.....unless one is disabled....
Let me say up front that I absolutely and categorically believe every person has a right to defend themselves and their family.
One of the reasons I was pleased to leave South Africa was because of the violence.
I used tio sleep with a .38 under my pillow and a pump action shotgun (with one up the spout) under the bed. I also owned a fully automatic FN 7.62 (ex Rhodesian military weapon) - but that is another story.
One day it dawned on me that if I had to confront an intruder in or near my house at night (the entire section was fenced with an electric fence) I would have no hesitation in shooting and shooting to kill. I had heard too many stories where people had to sell up because criminals were released and returned for vengeance.
Yes I would have shot them even in cold blood with their hands above their heads. My two young children and my wife were more important to me than some scumbag who would harm them for a few dollars!
And then it dawned on me that I not only didn't want to be that kind of person but I didn't need to be. There were safer options and we voted with our feet.
Now settled in New Zealand I have no compunction to own a weapon and don't miss them at all (although like many of you I thoroughly enjoyed shooting).
Hell in New Zealand the cops (bar a select few) don't even carry guns but there is an ongoing debate as to whether they should as crime gets worse - and yes it is mostly drug related crime.
One of the reasons I was pleased to leave South Africa was because of the violence.
I used tio sleep with a .38 under my pillow and a pump action shotgun (with one up the spout) under the bed. I also owned a fully automatic FN 7.62 (ex Rhodesian military weapon) - but that is another story.
One day it dawned on me that if I had to confront an intruder in or near my house at night (the entire section was fenced with an electric fence) I would have no hesitation in shooting and shooting to kill. I had heard too many stories where people had to sell up because criminals were released and returned for vengeance.
Yes I would have shot them even in cold blood with their hands above their heads. My two young children and my wife were more important to me than some scumbag who would harm them for a few dollars!
And then it dawned on me that I not only didn't want to be that kind of person but I didn't need to be. There were safer options and we voted with our feet.
Now settled in New Zealand I have no compunction to own a weapon and don't miss them at all (although like many of you I thoroughly enjoyed shooting).
Hell in New Zealand the cops (bar a select few) don't even carry guns but there is an ongoing debate as to whether they should as crime gets worse - and yes it is mostly drug related crime.
kevy73
Senior Member
Thanks to the OP who made this topic, I find it fascinating. Coming from a country that doesn't allow guns to be carried I find the comments here amazing, insightful and (not directed towards the posters but the situation) kind of abhorrent. Let me clarify. I have nothing but complete respect for those of you who CC. It is borne out of necessity I am guessing. What I find sad, scary et al is that some of us live in places where this is required.
I can honestly say that in my 41 years of living I have never ever once felt my life has been threatened. I have been in brawls etc, but I have never been in a life threatening situation. I guess some of us are truly lucky to live in countries where up till now we have been very protected.
Of you that do CC, how many do you think if push came to shove would actually use it? Is it more a point it and threaten or do you think there would be a time / reason to justifiably use it? Again, I am not asking to judge, I am asking because I don't think I would be able to.
Also of you who do CC, do you think you would rather live in a place where guns were banned or are you happy with the "right to bear arms?"
No judging here, truly fascinated.
I can honestly say that in my 41 years of living I have never ever once felt my life has been threatened. I have been in brawls etc, but I have never been in a life threatening situation. I guess some of us are truly lucky to live in countries where up till now we have been very protected.
Of you that do CC, how many do you think if push came to shove would actually use it? Is it more a point it and threaten or do you think there would be a time / reason to justifiably use it? Again, I am not asking to judge, I am asking because I don't think I would be able to.
Also of you who do CC, do you think you would rather live in a place where guns were banned or are you happy with the "right to bear arms?"
No judging here, truly fascinated.
Phillydog1958
Senior Member
Well, if you pull it out, you gotta use it. You can't pull it out and threaten to shoot, and once it's pulled, everything changes . . . You make a very interesting point about not thinking you could shoot another human. Most people who speak of using weapons and claim they're willing to use it on another, have never shot another human being. I know people who have killed. Some were military and unfortunately, some were civilians who took the lives of other civilians. When you kill someone, be it right or wrong, it changes you, the shooter. I've been told that it's a slight haunting effect. It stays with you forever.
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@kevy73....In the US we have a very strong gun culture. It is actually pretty easy to purchase a firearm and honestly they are fairly common place items in our society. I can understand the views of those that have never been in such a culture. But from my standpoint from living in this society I understand the need for using a firearm for protection. I want to give myself the best chance I can get. I don't carry out of fear, I carry because I know there is a good chance that my attacker may be carrying a firearm too. A gun levels the field. Plain and simple. As the saying goes. Don't bring a knife to a gun fight....
As to would I use it? Yes. Without question. The only purpose of my CC firearm is to stop violence with a greater force of violence. If I draw and the person turns and flees....BY LAW....I can not fire. But if I can get sights on them and they are not running, then obviously they still wish to do me harm. Now that said. I pray I will never have to fire my gun at a human.
And Phillydog is correct. Violence is violence. Used for good or bad. A chainsaw will easily cut down a tree...killing that tree. But even as the chainsaw is doing the violence to the tree so is that same act dulling the chainsaw. Each act of cutting harms the chainsaw too. It is the price we will pay for GOING HOME to our families. But the other price would be to far too great for OUR families. I would rather pay that price than my family.
As to would I use it? Yes. Without question. The only purpose of my CC firearm is to stop violence with a greater force of violence. If I draw and the person turns and flees....BY LAW....I can not fire. But if I can get sights on them and they are not running, then obviously they still wish to do me harm. Now that said. I pray I will never have to fire my gun at a human.
And Phillydog is correct. Violence is violence. Used for good or bad. A chainsaw will easily cut down a tree...killing that tree. But even as the chainsaw is doing the violence to the tree so is that same act dulling the chainsaw. Each act of cutting harms the chainsaw too. It is the price we will pay for GOING HOME to our families. But the other price would be to far too great for OUR families. I would rather pay that price than my family.
Daniel Aegerter
Senior Member
Growing up and living for the most of my life in Switzerland, the gun culture in the US seems rather strange.
I have yet to be frightened walking around a city at night in Switzerland.
Not that we do not have no violence or crime, just very little.
Nevertheless, I do not loose the respect of the people here who carry a gun, concealed or not.
I have been to the US many times and spent a year in a high school in Houston and kind of understand the mindset towards guns and protecting oneself.
I have yet to be frightened walking around a city at night in Switzerland.
Not that we do not have no violence or crime, just very little.
Nevertheless, I do not loose the respect of the people here who carry a gun, concealed or not.
I have been to the US many times and spent a year in a high school in Houston and kind of understand the mindset towards guns and protecting oneself.
Don Kuykendall_RIP
RIP :(
Having no guns is no longer an option. It would be impossible to remove them all. If guns are banned the only guns left would be in the hands of those who will do harm with them. In areas of the USA the places with the lowest crime rates are the areas with the greatest legal gun ownership.
It would be like Prohibition. Take away our alcohol and we got bootleggers, Hot rods, and Nascar. Oh and we still drank.
It would be very different if they tried to take our guns.
Hmmm...I would say look back at our history. Without our gun culture....we wouldn't exist.
Phillydog1958
Senior Member
Americans would carry guns even if the world suddenly became a war-free zone with total peace and tranquility. Why? Because we like 'em. Why do we like 'em? Because it's at the core of our nation's DNA, if you will. Keep in mind that there was conflict when this nation was in it's infancy. The "Forefathers" were at odds with British imperialism, which is why the 2nd Ammendment exists. It justified a militia -- Civilians armed with guns to assist in the war effort.
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I have found this discussion very interesting, I now have a bit of an insight into a world that is very different to where I live.
Before gun control was tightened here in Australia I did own a couple of rifles that I used for recreational hunting, mainly feral pigs. I haven't owned a firearm for about 25 years now, in that time, and for the previous years of my life for that matter, I have never needed a gun for protection against humans.
I occasionally need a gun these days to protect my pets against wild dogs, I live in a rural environment where they are quite common, when I do need one, I borrow one off a neighbour who is a registered firearm owner, they take a risk of lending me the gun as I am don't have a gun licence. I deal with the problem and return the gun along with a few beers to show my appreciation.
I have never had any problem shooting to kill feral animals, but I don't think I could bring myself to shoot a human, though that might change if I were put in a bad situation where my life or loved ones were in danger, I hope I am never put into that situation.
Before gun control was tightened here in Australia I did own a couple of rifles that I used for recreational hunting, mainly feral pigs. I haven't owned a firearm for about 25 years now, in that time, and for the previous years of my life for that matter, I have never needed a gun for protection against humans.
I occasionally need a gun these days to protect my pets against wild dogs, I live in a rural environment where they are quite common, when I do need one, I borrow one off a neighbour who is a registered firearm owner, they take a risk of lending me the gun as I am don't have a gun licence. I deal with the problem and return the gun along with a few beers to show my appreciation.
I have never had any problem shooting to kill feral animals, but I don't think I could bring myself to shoot a human, though that might change if I were put in a bad situation where my life or loved ones were in danger, I hope I am never put into that situation.
Michael J.
Senior Member
Same goes for me
Thats the answer i expected and i honestly mean no disrespect in saying that.
A thought occurred to me today while driving,can you legally shoot J walkers
Phillydog1958
Senior Member
I agree and those middle-class areas also have higher median incomes, higher levels of education, higher levels of home ownership, etc . . . I don't know if we can equate low crime rates with just high gun ownership, without looking at ALL factors that might contribute to those low crime rates. We have to look at every piece of statistical data. Otherwise, it sounds like propaganda. Plus, in areas where crime rates are higher, those residents tend to victimize one another. They rarely go out of their neighborhoods. People who dwell in the Southside of Chicago and Compton, usually stay there -- Hence the terms, black-on-black crime and brown on brown . . .
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