Why assume bait on a normal question?
Where do you live that you need such defenses anyway?
My wife drew the spray when our dog was getting mauled by a stray pit. I never have.
I’ve drawn my pistol once, no shots needed to be fired, but the other party immediately ceased hostility.
Is this a genuine question or bait?
phoenixz@lemmy.ca 1 week ago
FluorideMind@lemmy.world 1 week ago
It’s something anti gun people do looking for that “gotcha”.
Fecundpossum@lemmy.world 1 week ago
The other comment got the answer. Anti gun people regularly try to bait gun people into looking like idiots.
I’m not telling you where I live. But I will say that it’s a city in america that is notorious for violent crime, and my work takes me to places people of my complexion probably shouldn’t go. Think about one of the worst ones. It’s probably the one you thought of.
Peppycito@sh.itjust.works 1 week ago
Yes, I was wondering how often it justfied the hassle of carrying it around. I find pocket knives to be barely worth it.
Fecundpossum@lemmy.world 1 week ago
I’m sure you’ve heard the same old shit, it’s like a fire extinguisher, rather have it and not need it, etc.
It’s a lot at first. Figuring out how to carry with different clothes, investing in belts and holsters and realizing 90% of what you thought would work well for you actually doesn’t. After you figure out what does work, it’s a way of life. Like people that wear a watch every day (me) or people that carry a knife every day (me). You feel weird when you don’t have it.
Also, I carry a knife for cutting stuff at work, opening letters when I get home, and slicing open stubborn packs of fruit snacks. Pocket knives are not for self defense.
socsa@piefed.social 1 week ago
See, I don’t buy this argument, because you are far more likely to die from a head injury tripping on the sidewalk or in a car accident than in any situation where a gun might help you. But I’m guessing you don’t wear a helmet everywhere.
Like just say it makes you feel powerful. Everyone already assumes it, so just own it.
Fecundpossum@lemmy.world 1 week ago
That’s cool. You don’t have to buy it. Statistically it’s not all that likely my house is going to burn down either. Doesn’t stop me from having a more comprehensive than usual policy on my homeowners insurance, and a couple fire extinguishers. Why? I’d like to have a fighting chance when shit happens to go sideways, regardless of statistics.
And yes. I do feel powerful with a gun on my hip. There. I said it. It makes me feel like I have the power to not cower when someone decides to level violence at me or my loved ones.
It has already happened once. Someone tried to assault me in my front yard of all places, someone I didn’t know or recognize. He drunkenly hit my parked car, and when I pulled out my phone and started recording, he came out with a wrench in his hand and started ambling towards me. I drew, and he immediately went the other direction. And wouldn’t you know it, that statistic was never recorded. No statistician is aware of the unrecorded instance where a gun made an occurrence of violence not happen.
It happens WAY more often than you think it does.
That said, I don’t give a fuck what you think, and I don’t have to.
Earthwormjim91@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Well, no. Even by the most conservatively estimated study, there are a minimum of 60,000 defensive gun uses in the US each year. Up to 2.5 million per year on the high end.
There are around 40,000 deaths from all unintentional falls per year. Of those, 85% are aged 65 and older.
You’re more likely to use a gun in self-defense than you are to trip and die. Especially if you’re not geriatric. So you’re wrong immediately there.
And yes, owning a gun makes it more statistically likely for someone to die by a gun. That’s because nearly 100% of gun suicides were the owner of said gun. Suicide is a leading cause of death in the US. That’s pretty irrelevant to anyone not suicidal.
Like they say, there’s three kids of lies. Lies, damned lies, and statistics.
vardogor@mander.xyz 1 week ago
in the last three months, i’ve had an attempted robbery, an attempted burglary, and countless threats from crackheads. can’t say i remember falling on the sidewalk. roll your eyes all you want from the comfy chair, but do you honestly think i enjoy feeling like i need a gun to take out the trash? i’m stuck here. don’t conflate everybody with rednecks open carrying in their town of 400
HubertManne@piefed.social 1 week ago
this is me. I kinda like having a multitool but I can’t see having something on me every day that is likely to never be used.
FluorideMind@lemmy.world 1 week ago
It’s likely to save you a huge heartache at least once, if not your life. But I understand, I don’t carry my pistol everyday but pepper spray clips right on my bag.
P.s. be sure to change it out every other year, it does go bad.
HubertManne@piefed.social 1 week ago
im not sure about likely. Im pretty old and I don’t know anyone where they had a situation that would need one. That being said plenty have carried pepper spray especially women. That is much easier to carry on oneself. More like its possible to have an outside chance to save you a huge heartache maybe.
CaptainMan251@lemmy.world 1 week ago
I’m bipolar, and almost altf4’d myself before I sold my pistol. So I refuse to own another firearm for my own safety hehe.
magic_smoke@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 week ago
As someone who’s had their closest family member eat their own gun, good choice.
Your loved ones thank you for it.
CaptainMan251@lemmy.world 1 week ago
I think about it often, if my wife found me. Finding such things are so much worse than what we think.
I think about her reaction, what it would be, to realize so suddenly that her husband is gone. Forever. So quickly, with no closure, ever. And this is something that has kept me going.
I am so sorry to hear of your family. It never gets better, I hope you are doing well.
Hardeehar@lemmy.world 1 week ago
My heart goes out to you. That’s a really tough but ultimately good decision to put as much distance between you and a firearm. We need you, my friend.
Firearms aren’t for everyone which is where there are many decent alternatives.
Personally, I am a fan of home pepper gel spray. Unlike other things (like a pepper pistol, or taser, or knife), you can empty the canister on the offending person and if they manage to wrestle it from you somehow, it will be empty and they can’t do anything to you with it.
CaptainMan251@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Thank you very kindly. It is a battle to be sure, but a battle I am winning.
Maybe I can go duel pistol mode LOL. Launcher in one hand and pepper jell in the other!
Nah in all seriousness I wonder if the best thing would be is to pelt the door with the pepper balls and then spray with gel if they break the door down. We got meth heads squatting next to us and it is definitely a little scary. I know people tweaking can withstand a lot, but at least if they can’t see it would give us time to do what we need to do.
Fecundpossum@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Glad you’re sticking around partner. Stick to sprays, Saber red is the gold standard.