Why do people rely solely on guns as a form of protection?

[Anonymous]

People seem to make a big deal about owning a gun and being licensed to carry but what does that matter when they’re plenty of other people with guns as well? Not to mention most people are fools with guns and will shoot for any ridiculous reason. Plenty of people have been murdered by guns despite the fact they have one of their own. It’s almost like, someone pulls a gun out on you first and while reaching for yours, you’re shot down and killed with your hand at your waist.

[WhiteSteve]

I think it’s often one of or a combination of these reasons:

-Many people are terrified of the idea of a fistfight, sometimes to an irrational point. They’ll start telling anecdotes of “this guy” who got punched and fell and cracked his skull on a fire hydrant, or talking about what someone “might” do, and bring up some extreme scenario where they might get KO’d and then get stomped into a coma. I’m not saying these things are out of the realm of possibility, but the way people talk, it’s almost like it’s a certainty. So a gun is the ultimate situation diffuser to a lot of people. They’re not going to box it out, they want to scare people off.

-Related to the previous reason, guns can be used from a safe distance. Most other ways of killing someone leave you in a position to fail and get your ass beat. Now it has to be a gun. Bazookas aren’t really practical, hand grenades are dicey to work with and hard to come by, running someone over with a car only works in certain places…. anything else, you might get nicked up in the process.

- Also related to all that stuff…. do you really have the heart to stab someone, in close? I feel like shooting a guy from 15 yards away is easier to handle than just jamming a blade into a dude’s gut, likely multiple times. You need to have the heart of a killer for that shit. I think a lot of these guys, the loud ones anyway, are just wannabe tough guys who can’t fight but still want to feel tough, haha, and if it came down to life-and-death, i’d wager it’s psychologically easier for most to shoot someone than it is to stab someone, beat them to death, strangle them, smother them, drown them, etc, let alone having confidence in one’s own ability to do it.

Overall, I think it just boils down to “Guns make ordinary people feel supremely powerful.”, and the feeling of power is like a drug. And it seems like a lot of times, the people who probably feel powerLESS most of the time can become the most addicted. People who cut you off to go racing by you when you’re driving…. similar concept. They’d never race in front of you to be first to a doorway if you were on foot, they might have to answer for that. But a car, like a gun, gives them power, the power to say “ME FIRST! FUCK YOU, BRO!!!”, and zip off unaccountable. Or that manager at your shitty retail job in your teens or 20s….. they make $35k a year for 70 hours a week, lmfao, then probably go home to a shitty family that just wonders you’re going to do for them next. THAT’S why they’re a huge asshole on the job. They have no fucking power anywhere else, this is the one artificial environment where they get to flex on people. Then it’s back to their miserable life. That job is their gun.

[WhiteSteve]

Oh, forgot to include, more related to the details of your question: there’s a certain amount of delusion…. like I think I’ve almost never heard anyone be like “well, they might have the drop on me and have a bigger gun, so I’ll say a prayer and go in shooting”, it’s always some Clint Eastwood shit, the “fuck around and find out” mentality. These guys never miss in their fantasies.

[Asker]

The tough guy sayings always get me too. Like it’s nice to own a gun but when people say tough things like “Playing with me, you’re gonna meet your maker.” once they’re owners of a gun as if they stopped making guns when they got one, I never understand it. I guess it makes them feel more powerful like you said. Like you said you never hear someone say “They might have a gun too.” Or “They’re gun might be bigger and better than mines.” And I never hear them saying anything about God/prayer when mentioning possibly having to use their gun. It’s always that delusional, “I’m invisible.” mentality of “I have a gun so if someone tries me they’re dead.” And it’s simply delusional because they could be the one who ends up injured and dead despite having a gun.

[BeMuse]

I see people with concealed firearms all the time where I live and no one goes around flashing their guns. Every Sunday is gun day and I hear people shooting off rounds next door in their backyards. That said you generally only see people pull a gun out in public in response to a criminal with a gun unless they are the criminal themselves, or if they are hunting or at the range. Most people that carry guns out in public don’t want to get in physical altercations to begin with and tend to try to mask the fact that they are carrying... Why do you assume people are all getting in gun fights? Most people are civil with each other and follow the laws. They don’t want conflict... You shouldn’t be going around starting shit with random people.

[Aerissa_Jade]

Most gun owners can walk around here open carrier or concealed carry. We even allow them in public schools and guess what, no mass shootings. No more violence either.

I happen to carry one concealed but I also have a stun gun, 2 million volts and all.

The good thing is you don't have to carry or own one if you don't want to, just leave the rest of us alone.

[OlderAndWiser]

100% agree!

[Asker]

For one I never said it mattered if you own one or not my question is why rely on just that for protection considering you’re not the only one with a gun. Just like you can use it to protect yourself someone else can too and one of you can still end up dead and the both of you had a gun. It’s not bad to own one, Or to not own one but my point is people think that a gun and a gun alone is gonna keep them safe. It’ll be smart to learn other ways to protect yourself as well because a gun won’t always and never has always worked in the favor of the one who owns one. I don’t know why you got offended by a simple question that not one person has answered yet. All I got is a bunch of people thinking I’m trying I tell them not to own a gun and that I’m picking on them and missing the whole point.

[OlderAndWiser]

Gee, if EVERYONE missed the point, what do you think the problem may be?

[Aerissa_Jade]

It isn't my only method, I have taken several self defense classes to. Having only one method means if it fails, your screwed. It is nice having gun in that method though.

[whirled_up_girl]

Because thinking you can trust anyone else but yourself to keep you safe is not always the safest bet, particualry in dangerous areas.

[OlderAndWiser]

Do you own a gun? Have you ever handled a gun? Do you know anyone who owns a gun?

[MCheetah]

You've clearly never handled a gun before, never been in a position to actually defend anyone from danger, and have no clue what you're talking about.

It just annoys me when people who'll never actually have to protect anyone or be brave against those who could kill someone, think they know better about public safety than all the men they rely on for public safety.

Unless you happen to be the one female cop or soldier who is anti-gun. And if you are, then I apologize. Otherwise, stop talking about things you have no experience in let alone never have to participate in yourself. Your argument makes no sense. Good people with guns stop bad people with guns. Simple.

[DCooper]

Well, considering I spent half the morning copying footage of someone putting 6 rounds into his buddy off my front window cams for the local police, yeah I don't think keeping a couple home defense pieces within reach is over the top.
Go ahead and choose to be defenseless if you want. No one cares if you find yourself unprepared in an emergency. But don't pretend to tell grownups what's reasonable.

[Asker]

Okay so you have a firearm in your house, someone breaks in. You shoot at them, they shoot back but you’re the one who ends up in a critical condition or dead or maybe you both end up dead or in critical condition, you might as well say you were still defenseless even with a gun right? I’m not saying don’t own one I’m simply saying what the question asked, why depend on just a gun to protect yourself? Why not find other ways on top of owning a gun? You guys read the question, part of the description and took it offensively for no reason at all.

[DCooper]

Okay, 1) I would still have had a fighting chance in that situation, and 2) I did not say the only measure I had was a firearm. That's simply the last line of defense. The officer this morning asked me to come out and talk, rather than stepping in out of the cold for a minute. Know why? Because of the 100 lb Rottweiler nosing at the door and the sound of loud barking (that was actually coming from my Springer Spaniel).
And no, it isn't just a protocol thing. I have had officers stop by previously, and asked if it was okay to talk in the entrance because it was freezing out. He talked shop, asking if I had heard from a former house guest lately, for like 90 seconds, then wanted to know if it was ok to luv on the Rottie and ask some advice. He said he was looking for a Rottweiler pup at the time.
Thirdly, my house is designed like a pillbox, with long narrow windows placed high up, concrete block walls, a very heavy door with deadbolts, and a blind entrance that comes to a 'T' at the hallway, and motion cams at every potential entrance that ding my phone when triggered.
It might sound like an annoyance, but you just get accustomed to such safety measures. Most of those are in place to prevent having to use the last line of defense. But they are, by no means, an excuse not to have a last line of defense.

[The_Maphio]

THat's America for you. You're slowly but surely going back to the far west times, all thanks to the social involution you suffered in the last two decades. Be wary while out in the streets, for flying bullets are very much a threat, just as a dumbass who swerves the steering wheel with the ultimate purpose of running you over. Best of luck.

[Astarlessnightsky]

its mostly an American thing, mainly because people who sell guns tell other people they need to buy guns.

Here in germany we got a similiar thing with cars and everything car related, not for protection but it has the same "freedom" narrative attached to it.

[NamerOfStars]

Because unlike knives or swords or bodily martial arts, it doesn't take years of training to use a gun effectively. A few to a few dozen hours of training is much easier to accomplish. Nor do you have to be in excellent physical condition to use a gun well.

Guns also WORK, with brutal effectiveness. What else would they use?

[animesenpai]

I can understand both sides of the argument as someone who lives in rural America where the police can be 15 to 30 minutes away if not longer.

With that being said most of those crazy gun owners don't practice nearly enough to be ready for an actual emergency situation where they would need it

[buddysboy16]

A lot of times it's because their insecure and/or scared. They probably think that because of how strong a gun is, they're more likely to escape a bad situation unhurt.

Just a guess as I'm not one of those people personally.

[Miristheiss]

Since a criminal, carjacker, home invader, rapist, robber, murderer... is more than likely going to have a gun or knife... a gun is the only weapon to actually stop any attack cold.

[Celtero]

Because they're the best form of protection... not many people actually carry them so you're at a huge advantage if people try to mess with you.

[BrosephBrostar]

Because it's the most effective weapon available to civilians. If there was a more effective weapon, we'd use it.

[acooke-13]

Because they're too cowardly to fight? I don't know, if they wanna use a gun stick them in the army.

[Anonymous]

So what's your plan if someone breaks into your house? Even if you call the police it's going to take 5-10 plus minutes for them to get there you could be murdered and raped in that time.

[angeltiny0]

Guns are made out of steel beans and sugar and things like that come in a steel can. Quote it's man in a can a gun

[anylolone]

If most people with guns were fools, you wouldn't have living people.

But I agree that gun nuts should be nuts for all kinds of self defense devises.
Like pepper sprays, tasers, etc.

[Snakeyes7]

I'm pretty sure metal casings colliding with you with the speed of at least 820mph isn't exactly good for your health.

[Anonymous]

If your city won’t arrest violent offenders or your city has a police department that has been defunded, a firearm is your only reliable option.

[LegendaryIcon]

cause the ones who do. are pathetic weaklings, who need guns just to defend themselves

[najekim]

Simplest tool to use when out & about trying to stay out of harm's way.

[msc545]

People always overestimate their skill with guns based on how they shoot at a range.

[notwoke]

because the government frowns on me owning grenades, mines or rockets

[OddBeMe]

It’d be nice if we could do something about guns everywhere.

[WhiteBoyChill]

Maybe because they are the best form of protection?

[yknow156]

Because it's the most efficient as a deterrent.

[jasco]

What else would you use as a form of protection

[FunkyMonkee]

It does the trick!

[joeldalton]

Because they work.

[Asker]

Yea they do. A bullet is harmful and doesn’t discriminate meaning just because you own one doesn’t mean you’re excluded from being a victim to gun violence.

[joeldalton]

You’re not excluded from being a victim of gun violence if you don’t have one, either. What’s your point?

[Asker]

My Point is people always say “get a gun, everyone should be licensed to carry.” When something bad happens as if that’s gonna stop it from happening again. My point is literally the question, why rely solely on guns as a form of protection when you can still be killed by one despite owning one.

[joeldalton]

Because they work as a form of protection.

[Wise4myage]

Because they work?

[MountAverage]

Small dicks.

[Pterodon]

Because we can