LMAO, this topic just keeps growing. I agree that some people purchase guns for the wrong reason, but feel buying one for protection is a valid reason. A magazine, The American Rifleman I think its called, has 20+ news stories from independent sources for people using a firearm to defend themself. I'd prefer to be armed if my family is in danger rather than not armed. I've had a little experience in this matter.
My brother's family was the victim of a home invasion several years ago. 3 thugs scaled the fence of his gated community and hid waiting for them to get home. They caught my brother, unarmed and he ran toward the house to try to keep them away from his family. When he realized he couldnt make it, he turned and attacked them. 3 on one and one of them pulled a pistol, shoving it into his eye. His wife heard him screaming to lock the doors, and the robbers brought him up to the window for his wife and 8 yr old daughter to see, bleeding from the eye, mouth and head. They said they'd kill him in front of her if she didnt open up the door. The punks over 3 hours beat he and his wife, slapped around the girl, then pulled his 2 year old out of bed and drug him screaming by his feet down the stairs. They tried to shoot him in front of his family, but their gun misfired. I won't go into it more, it gets worse, but they all survived and the fxcking punks have been caught. Had he had access to a firearm, it could (maybe) have ended better. 3 dead pieces of shit would have been much better.
I've personally used a weapon for self defense several times.
1. Stopped to wash my car with my fiancee several years ago, and 4 drunks in a truck saw her and started talking shit to her. I told them to lay off, and they became even more aggressive. Finally one grabbed her by the arm and was trying to get her in the car with them. Its amazing how convincing you can be to leave someone alone when you simply show you are carrying.
2. Last year some mexican gangbanger was breaking into my neighbors car at 2 in the morning. We called the PD, and they asked if I could keep an eye on him. When I walked out, I grabbed the AOW I talked about previously. I followed him from house to house for 20-30 minutes (the PD was busy with other stuff, shift change, and to be honest, they have better things to do). When the tortilla eating bastage saw the PD coming he took off running. They would have never found his ass, but as one of the brighter posts earlier said, the sound of a shotgun racking a shell in is unmistakeable. He dropped his loot and hit the ground. The cops got him, thanked me profusely, as this little shit had a record a mile long.
Here the little beaner is:
http://www.co.gregg.tx.us/Scripts/UVlin … D193121598I also stopped a guy years ago from breaking into another neighbors house, held him at gunpoint until the cops arrived. He was armed with a shittly little pistol, but told me he had it when I cornered him with mine. What if I had encountered him with nothing? or with a stick? pitchfork (lmao)? I'd be dead [Here's your chance to be witty again dude]
Are these stories bullshit? Absolutely not. I have nothing to gain by lying about it. I'm sure there are other stories by other forum members as well. Am I bragging? No, but its important to dispel the stupid rumors that guns are evil and only used by criminals.
All that said, my main purpose to have a firearm is to shoot it and enjoy it. Seriously, if you are a member of this forum, you obviously enjoy shooting weapons in game (unless yer an engineer all the time and run around jerkin' yer wrench!) Its just as fun irl, except you aren't shooting a person, its paper. Or maybe an errant beaver (kidding). Don't knock it till ya try it.
My .02