Is there any reason for me to not get a handgun?
Stuff about me:
College student, turning 21 in September. I would keep the gun at my parents' home, as I cannot have it on state property. Once I move off campus next year I'd just take the gun with me.
I live in California, and would probably try to convince the Orange County sheriff to grant me a CCW (good luck). I'd want a semi-automatic handgun and probably spend $300 - $500... Ideally I'd get my dad to come out to the range with me and we could take lessons together.
Frankly, with all the bull surrounding accidents/liability, it's maybe an arena I don't want to enter, but on the other hand, I have a right to self-defense, and I don't want to be on the wrong side of a gun in 10 years if I have a wife/kids and some asshat tries to break in.
My dad told me our cousin in Texas takes his everywhere he goes, up to ATMs, etc.
Are the odds better of me having an accident and killing myself/someone, or of me actually using the gun correctly and saving my life / family's lives in the process? I'm actually a pretty responsible person, and when I've been to the range in the past (.40 revolvers edit: .357 not .40) I haven't felt scared/nervous.
---
If I do get a gun, what should I be looking at? I would prefer something that can take a 9mm load (if it can take 9mm and a larger load, that's fine) and that is concealable so that if I do get a CCW (or if/when I leave California) I can carry it.
Stuff about me:
College student, turning 21 in September. I would keep the gun at my parents' home, as I cannot have it on state property. Once I move off campus next year I'd just take the gun with me.
I live in California, and would probably try to convince the Orange County sheriff to grant me a CCW (good luck). I'd want a semi-automatic handgun and probably spend $300 - $500... Ideally I'd get my dad to come out to the range with me and we could take lessons together.
Frankly, with all the bull surrounding accidents/liability, it's maybe an arena I don't want to enter, but on the other hand, I have a right to self-defense, and I don't want to be on the wrong side of a gun in 10 years if I have a wife/kids and some asshat tries to break in.
My dad told me our cousin in Texas takes his everywhere he goes, up to ATMs, etc.
Are the odds better of me having an accident and killing myself/someone, or of me actually using the gun correctly and saving my life / family's lives in the process? I'm actually a pretty responsible person, and when I've been to the range in the past (.40 revolvers edit: .357 not .40) I haven't felt scared/nervous.
---
If I do get a gun, what should I be looking at? I would prefer something that can take a 9mm load (if it can take 9mm and a larger load, that's fine) and that is concealable so that if I do get a CCW (or if/when I leave California) I can carry it.
Last edited: