Does Just Having a Gun Really Make You Safer?
Editor/Contributor: Joshua Garcia
The title might be misleading but I couldn’t think of a different way to word it. So before y’all start tearing into me, let me preface this article by saying that I am pro-gun and I am a huge advocate for having a gun for self-defense.
Now that that’s out of the way, let me clarify what I mean by the title.
I carry. But I also train. I go to the range and I dry fire at home. So I feel confident with the weapon(s) that I have on my person and in my home.
There are many people who simply buy a gun and then never touch it again, thinking that just having the gun will make them safer.
Let me tell you a story. My husbands aunt bought a gun right before Y2K. That was typical during Y2K, as lots of people feared the worst.
She stored the gun inside of a box, inside of her closet. Once she bought it and put it in that closet, she never touched it again.
Did it make her feel better? Not really. She had it, but she didn’t know how to use it, she admitted that she wasn’t even sure if she would use it if someone were to come into her home.
So does simply having a gun really make you safer?
In my opinion, no. It’s like having a fire extinguisher but never reading the instructions. Or like having an alarm system and having no idea how to arm or disarm it. It just doesn’t make sense to have something that is meant to help protect you, but have no idea how to use it.
I’m not saying that everyone who owns a gun should get hardcore tactical training. However, getting into an introductory class about how to shoot and then going to the range at least once a month, will give you the confidence that you need in order to wield that gun should you have to use it to defend yourself.
If you’re really dedicated to real-world training, getting into a couple defensive firearm training classes is extremely valuable. I’ve learned so much through defensive firearm classes that have made me far more confident with handling any firearm, especially my everyday carry.
So in conclusion, in my opinion, if you’re going to have a gun, get some basic training on how to use it. The more confident you are with using something that has the potential to take a life, can make all the difference when you need to use it for self-defense.
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Howdy! My name is Morgan I’ve been prepping for over 10 years and teach others to be prepared for emergencies and disasters. Learn more!
Just having it does NOT make you safer. I agreed to that statement 100%! My wife is slowly coming around to my side with firearms. She’s always been pro-gun, she grew up with her dad and brother having them, guns were a normal thing but just not for her. So, Gabriel and I convinced her to shoot with us one day, and then another day, and then another day, and now? She thinks shooting the AR-15 is fun. She likes the 9MM more than the .45ACP. WIN! Before now she had access to protection but had no idea how to load a magazine and send a round to battery. Now, watch out! Now she has access, KNOWLEDGE, and some experience! And just like the ol’ GI JOE cartoon would say “Knowing is half the battle”. And now? She’s safer by having a gun.
That’s a great way to make someone feel comfortable. Little by little, introduce them to shooting and overtime, they’ll feel more confident and actually want to use a gun and maybe even carry! Thanks!
If you don’t have training then having a gun makes you less safe as someone else might be able to use your gun against you.
I definitely agree!
Very good article! Totally agree with you too. I always relate firearm ownership and training to martial art training. Because really, it pretty much is.. And, in my humble opinion, If you want to be safe and effective, it’s all about the training, not the martial art – or firearm in this case.
Don’t think I’ve checked out your wordpress site before. I’m glad I finally did. Very nice!
Exactly. It really is all about the training.
It’s brand new, I’m pretty excited! :) Thank you!!