Are You Crazy To Carry A Gun....Or Crazy Not To?

[Norm]

by Dean Rieck

Recently, a friend of mine said that people who want a gun for protection are just plain crazy. My friend’s argument was that you’re a lot more likely to die in a car accident or a fire. The likelihood that you’ll be killed by a burglar who breaks into your home or a hoodlum who jumps you in a dark parking lot, my friend said, are about the same as getting struck by lightning. So thinking you need a gun means you’re afraid of an unlikely event and are therefore irrational.

I disagreed but couldn’t quote any statistics to counter the argument. And I had to admit, the idea of actually being killed by a bad guy did seem pretty remote. But I got to wondering what the odds really are, so I did a little research. And what I found was startling.

The National Safety Council is a nonprofit public service organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. On their web site (www.nsc.org), they publish a chart with the “odds” of dying by various means. You’re probably familiar with the concept of odds. If you flip a coin, your odds of getting heads are 1 out of 2. If you randomly choose a card from a full deck, your odds of getting the ace of spades are 1 out of 52. The lower the number, the more likely it is to happen. The higher the number, the less likely it is to happen.

One column in the NSC chart gives the odds of dying in a particular way over the course of your lifetime. So, for example, the lifetime odds of being struck and killed by lightening are 1 out of 180,746. That’s a high number, so it’s not too likely.

But according to the chart, the lifetime odds of dying by assault of any kind are 1 out of 221. That means you have a 1 in 221 chance of being killed in an assault with a knife, a gun, a beating, or by any other violent means.
And how does that compare to car accidents and fires? The lifetime odds of dying in a car accident are 1 out of 608. That’s right. The odds of being killed in an assault are higher than the odds of being killed in your car. And the odds of dying by assault are also greater than the odds of dying in a fire (1 out of 1,399).

So here’s the point. Your odds of dying in a car crash are 1 out of 608 in your lifetime, but no one would say it’s crazy to wear a seat belt. Your odds of dying in a fire are 1 out of 1,399, but no one would think it’s irrational to install a smoke detector.

And it’s not just your odds of being killed in an assault that you should consider, because the odds of being beaten or raped or otherwise injured are far higher since most assaults do not end in death. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, your lifetime odds of being a victim of violent crime are 1 out of 2. Yes, it’s a flip of the coin as to whether you’ll be the victim of violent crime at some point in your life.

The way I see it, having a gun handy is just as rational as buckling up or checking your smoke detector batteries. Pragmatic people know that bad things can and do happen and they take pro-active steps to avoid or survive those situations. Having or even carrying a gun is just one of hundreds of little things that responsible adults do to plan for unexpected events, especially when those events have dire consequences for those who are unprepared.

So it makes you wonder who’s really crazy—those who have a gun or those who don’t?

[04 commemorative]

These days crazy not to.

[Old Ben]

Originally Posted by 04 commemorative

These days crazy not to.

[MadInNc]

Nope.... always next/ on me

[Knooger]

Originally Posted by Norm

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, your lifetime odds of being a victim of violent crime are 1 out of 2.

What do they define as victim of a violent crime? I've never been the victim of a violent crime, I don't know of any story about someone I know being a victim of violent crime. Has anyone here been a victim of violent crime?

Obviously it does happen, I'm just skeptical about it being as high as 1 out of 2.
Maybe if you live in some shithole city, then I could see it maybe being true.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

Normandale won't see this because he has me blocked.

Some time ago, (At least a year) Sea Six posted about the consequences of using a gun to defend yourself. I don't recall the entire discussion but I do remember his claim it will devastate you financially. Better than being dead? Naturally. But if you were to shoot someone in self defense your life will be irrevocably changed.

[MadInNc]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Normandale won't see this because he has me blocked.

Some time ago, (At least a year) Sea Six posted about the consequences of using a gun to defend yourself. I don't recall the entire discussion but I do remember his claim it will devastate you financially. Better than being dead? Naturally. But if you were to shoot someone in self defense your life will be irrevocably changed.

Of course we hope if in those once in a life time positions we’d hope you’re alive... Umbrella policy ?

[Norm]

All good questions and statements, somewhat thought provoking.

[6spdC6]

Are You Crazy To Carry A Gun....Or Crazy Not To

That question depends on who you are, where you are, and what is important to you.

[Mike Mercury]

[Aerovette]

I think the two main requirements that apply to wearing a mask, apply to carrying a gun.

For everyone's protection

Just in case

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Normandale won't see this because he has me blocked.

Some time ago, (At least a year) Sea Six posted about the consequences of using a gun to defend yourself. I don't recall the entire discussion but I do remember his claim it will devastate you financially. Better than being dead? Naturally. But if you were to shoot someone in self defense your life will be irrevocably changed.

I think it depends on where you live and the circumstances. In Texas, if I shot someone that entered my house, I'd talk to an officer for an hour or so and be home in bed that night. Low lawyer expense, no guilt whatsoever.

If I shot someone out in public, it will be very messy for a long time while they figure out ways I could have acted differently and other possible means of avoiding the shooting. High lawyer expense and room for hindsight that impacts the conscience.

[Nox]

Even having a conversation about it makes it a “thing.” I wouldn’t leave home without one any more than I would leave the house without my wallet, cellphone, car keys or a knife. No one has ever asked me if I take my wallet with me when I leave the house in case I might need some money or my driver’s license. I kind of feel the same way about my gun.

[Mick]

Originally Posted by Knooger

I don't know of any story about someone I know being a victim of violent crime. Has anyone here been a victim of violent crime?

No, but my daughter once shoulder-checked a guy in a mall parking lot so hard that he bounced off a car, and smeared himself pretty good on the asphalt, does that count?
















He was a purse snatcher running away with another woman's purse.

[Knooger]

Originally Posted by Mick

No, but my daughter once shoulder-checked a guy in a mall parking lot so hard that he bounced off a car, and smeared himself pretty good on the asphalt, does that count?


He was a purse snatcher running away with another woman's purse.

Personally I would count purse snatching as a violent crime, assuming it's being carried when stolen. Any robbery I'd think is a violent crime.

If someone puts a gun in your face and demands your watch and wallet I'd think that's a violent crime even if there is no actual violence. The realistic threat of violence should count as violent crime.

[Iron Chef]

Originally Posted by Nox

I wouldn’t leave home without one any more than I would leave the house without my wallet, cellphone, car keys or a knife. No one has ever asked me if I take my wallet with me when I leave the house in case I might need some money or my driver’s license. I kind of feel the same way about my gun.

Now I think we can both agree that, generally speaking, a wallet doesn't have the same potential to get you in the kind of trouble or do the kind of damage that a gun can.

That said, I totally see your point. But would you not agree that because of your background, experience and training, your point of view is very different from the average person? Carrying a firearm requires maturity and discipline that clearly not all people have.

[Nox]

Originally Posted by Iron Chef

Now I think we can both agree that, generally speaking, a wallet doesn't have the same potential to get you in the kind of trouble or do the kind of damage that a gun can.

That said, I totally see your point. But would you not agree that because of your background, experience and training, your point of view is very different from the average person? Carrying a firearm requires maturity and discipline that clearly not all people have.

I suppose one shouldn’t carry a gun to be their “woobie.” It’s not there to be an emotional support device or safety blanket. It’s a tool and should be treated as such. Everyone should be trained to use one and then use it if necessary.

It’s painful when I see youtube videos of people drawing guns and making idle threats. For a civilian, the only time a gun should come out is just before you get that perfect sight picture and take the shot in the immediate defense of your life or someone else’s. If that doesn’t describe the mindset of a person carrying the gun, they have no business carrying one.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

I'll add another component to the discussion; Open carry. This seems like a 'Dick out' - or almost a challenge to me.

This summer I was out taking Bald Eagle photos on the shoulder of the road when this guy pulls up and asks me what I'm doing. I'm always a little cautious about these chit chats because when I've got all my shit out, I'm standing there with in excess of $20k worth of photography equipment.

Anyway, he was sitting in the drivers seat and we were talking through the open window on the passenger side of his truck. And there it was, just sitting on the seat, a handgun of some sort. I wouldn't know a Glock from a Ruger but it seemed completely unnecessary to have your gun on the seat of your truck.

He was nice enough and I didn't sense any threat but as he pulled away I thought: Yeah. OK pal. You've got a gun. BFD.

[Iron Chef]

Originally Posted by Thomas

I'll add another component to the discussion; Open carry. This seems like a 'Dick out' - or almost a challenge to me.

Very few people know if I own a gun or not. It's simply none of anyone's business unless I choose to make it that.

[Loco Vette]

Originally Posted by Knooger

What do they define as victim of a violent crime? I've never been the victim of a violent crime, I don't know of any story about someone I know being a victim of violent crime. Has anyone here been a victim of violent crime?

Looked down the business ends of 2 guns in 9 years while I was in Memphis. That counts. Another Dem controlled shithole.