What Really Threatens You and Your Family??

[Gary H]

I've noticed that most of us are greatly in favor of some old Boy (Girl) Scout adages. We believe that we should "be prepared," but prepared for what?

I sometimes wonder if my attachment to guns as a form of self-defense stems, in part, from all of the things that I can't defend myself from. For example, I would be bankrupt after defending myself from an unwarranted lawsuit, dead after a head-on with a drunk driver, or severely debilitated due to bad health. I increasingly feel that attorneys, victim-hood and lack of personal responsibility are threatening me and my family. I don't see anyone rushing to put a limit on an attorney’s ability to ruin an innocent person's life. I can eat fewer french fries and drive a large vehicle, but who/what protect us from attorneys, politicians and the teacher's unions? My guns seem to give me the illusion that I have some ability to confront "evil," but I know that the most likely threats will not come from a mugging..at least not from a mugging out of court. **Gotta get back to the movie, "Ruby Ridge." end of rant..

 

[RikWriter]

For me, it's not like that. I own guns and carry a gun because it addresses a possible threat. I also carry full load car insurance, have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in my house, wear a seat belt and have a fire extinguisher in my car and house. I also keep a change of clothes. jumper cables and some tools in the car.
I do these things because there might come a day I need them and I would feel stupid if I didn't have them. That's the same reason I carry and own a couple more defensive guns.
It doesn't make me feel more secure in general, just addresses a possible need.

 

[10-Ring]

When my son & I 1st moved into our present house, we used to get people just going over the back wall or just going through the gate. I have also answered the door to meet a drunk neighbor, a beligerent door to door sales guy & a husband and wife who just wanted to see my newly completed landscaping.
In a nutshell, I've prepared myself to handle the "unannounced" or late night guest.

 

[Boats]

As I am an attorney, I have mine in part to protect me and mine from those who'd "go postal" about attorneys. There won't be any idiot spraying my firm with a Tec-9 and having the luxury of killing himself. One whacko is pretty much like another, and my CC 1911 and .45+p JHPs won't give a whit about the threat's motivations or perceived oppression. Of course everyone ever served a civil lawsuit or a divorce "didn't do it," just like everyone convicted and serving time in prison is "innocent," right?

Those "evil teacher's unions," (wasn't that a horror movie or something?) are on their own for defense, as I can scarcely imagine a more pro-sheeple group.

 

[Gary H]

Boats:

I think that you know which attorneys and what types of legal action I'm referring to. I've managed to get myself into trouble with attorneys when referring to them as the modern day gunslingers. My business attorney is an upstanding person and I suspect that you have some moral fiber; unfortunately, not everyone of your profession (nor mine) can make the same claim. Was it a Tec-9 in San Jose???

 

[444]

.

 

[Poodleshooter]

Drunk drivers. I can avoid dark areas, bad neighborhoods and the ghetto, but I can't avoid roads if I want to get anywhere.
Not much you can do about bad driving and other people's irresponsibility.
Probably cancer and disease is another one. Not too much you can do about that, but to have another spoonfull of broccoli. You can't protect yourself from everything.

 

[Gewehr98]

What stopped me from riding my Harley in SpaceCoast Florida...

Old folks. Seriously old folks, with blue hair. And "Overshades". With a death grip on the steering wheel, both elbows jammed into the bottom of the wheel. That's assuming they can see over the dashboard. They live here a few months of the year, under the deceptively cute name of "Snowbirds". Driving Lincoln Town Cars, Continentals, Mercury Marquis, Cadillacs, Mercedes, and the like. Well, not driving them as much as wantonly maneuvering them, across several lanes of Highway A1A. Their fused neck vertebrae don't allow them to look over their shoulders before they merge right into you. Ever lock up the brakes on a Big Twin when a Mercury Marquis pulls out right in front of you, while they're looking straight at you? Well, with the overshades, maybe only their face was turned towards you. Then they plod along at 20-30 mph, in a 55 mph zone, and you watch in disbelief as they run a red light at that speed!

When I was stationed in Florida from 1986-1989, there was a state law passed that mandated yearly driving tests for those aged 65 and older. Of course, AARP had a fecal hemorrhage over the whole thing, and when I returned for my second assignment to Florida, the law was no longer in visible existence.

(Can you tell I almost got schmeared, again, by a Snowbird today?)

 

[Art Eatman]

Gewehr98, there's an ancient rule in My-yammi: On February 2nd, if Missus Nussbaum can see through the steering wheel of her Oldsmobubble, there's gonna be six more weeks of winter.

In 1957, I watched multi-star generals quiver and quake at the idea of ICBMs on us, there in Paris, as a result of the politics of the Hungarian Crisis. Later on I wound up pointed the wrong direction at ridiculous speeds in various race cars, from time to time. Somehow or another, after all that, there just ain't much that scares me.

Well, 'ceptin' for do-gooders and Gummint. It's less fear than disgust as to what they can mess up.

, Art

 

[cheygriz]

I believe that it was Henry David Thoreau that said: "If I knew that someone who really wanted to help me was coming, I'd run for my life."

I actually fear those who wish to "help" me far more than those who wish to harm me.

IMHO, liberal "do-gooders" are more dangerous than most other types of fruits and nuts.

 

[Pendragon]

I think my biggest threat is my computer job and all the fast food restaurants around here

If I die from a 308, it will be my cholesterol

 

[AK103K]

For me I think it must be some sort of past life bug in my brain. Must have been an American indian, or a German Jew or something in a past life. Ever since I was a kid I always had some kind of weapon on me, and I always will. History shows us what to expect and that some laws dont apply if you want to survive, or at least have a chance to. I worry less about criminals these days than I do those who are supposed to be watching out for them , from the top on down. I have no control over accidents other that to try and pay attention, and absolutly no control over the economy, etc, so I dont worry about it. But no matter what happens, I'll always have a gun on. No matter what the "rules" say.

 

[dinosaur]

Gewehr98

That`s what old lugnuts are for.

 

[Kharn]

Those peices of paper at 7 yards with human outlines (some even have guns pointed at me!) printed on them really, really scare me. I shoot them at least 20 times each, but they dont fall down or surrender. Sometimes they retreat, other times they advance. I'm scared...

Other than my target-phobia, I'm just like everybody else.

Kharn

 

[Kahr carrier]

The Economy or lack of it and street crime .

 

[ACP230]

At the moment, a nasty upper respiratory infection.

Continually, federal, state and local taxes.

I have been overtaxed by all of the above since I cashed my first paycheck and the per hour on it was $1.25. A whole lot of the money they took from me was poured down a rathole.
I could have got a lot more guns and ammo with that cash!

 

[Steel]

What Really Threatens You and Your Family?

Democrats,
er, uh...Democrats,
rather, Democrats

 

[Tempest]

What really threatens me and my family? Dumb politicians.

Although I'm not sure the smart ones are much better.:banghead: Lose-lose situation.

 

[BigG]

I would say confiscatory taxation is right up there at the top of the list.

 

[DonP]

You mean besides Chicago? Civil unrest or breakdown

Aside from an entire State run by the Chicago Democratic machine with a sever anti gun owner agenda, what do I have to worry about?

I live South of Chicago and have three daughters that live in or near the city.

In the event of any real widespread unrest, power grid down etc. I'd have to go in and get them out.

I believe I'm far enough away from high density population areas to miss all the excitement. With a generatyor and some back up fuel, my well and other basic needs would be covered for some time.

Now all I need to worry about is Daley deciding my 1943 Garand is an assault rifle.

Don P.

 

[hops]

I only fear the 'STUPID' People.

They are everywhere. In gov.org they make laws, they drive cars, they vote, they make life hell for me at work, they have access to guns and on and on and on. Worst of all, they can reproduce and spawn more stupid people. Althought not being able to remove them from society at will might be worse than their abillity to reproduce.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Regardless of the current international issues and threats of terrorism, pretty much most of us here in the US are still being threatened by the same things we were before 9-11. These are the typical types of things that we have been faced with for long periods of time. There is still a very high chance that if you are going to be murdered, it will be by somebody you know such as a family member. Signs of opulance tend to attract being robbed more so than looking like a broke college student. Women are still threatened by rapists of all shapes and sizes. Your house or apartment building may catch fire somehow.

Personally, I am inclined to believe that I am more likely to be shot at the gun range by some idiot mishandling his gun in some manner than by some bad guy. It has only been at the range when I have known loaded guns that have been pointed at me.

hops is right, stupid people is a very real concern and the worst part is that they are not always readily apparent as being stupid people until after things go wrong.

 

[David Park]

Here's one of my favorite links.

http://rateyourrisk.org/

I found it when I first started to realistically evaluate the threats around me, before I became a gun owner, and my "risk" score has been dropping ever since. I'm sure some of you guys will have negative scores, which means criminals are at risk from you.

 

[Shalako]

I am afraid of the ramifications of an ever expanding welfare state. It reminds me of a bugs bunny cartoon where Elmer Fudd keeps pumping up his bicycle tire, and pumping, and pumping, until it gets so huge you just know it is going to burst. Witness California. It is no suprise that some folks get hooked on the dole, like a drug. With the way our economy is going here, those handouts may be impacted....
I personally understand that I have to work for every scrap I and my family get in this life, many folks don't operate under that limitation. That's what scares me.

How's that tune go? "Don't worry, be happy", ya that's it.

 

[Rickstir]

I drive 50 miles one way through the Meth capital of the country, NorthEast Missouri. I have seen very irratic driving and wonder if that guy or gal is on Meth.

I work two 14 hour days and three 12 hour days each week. That is a lot of time away from the homestead. My wife is trained and has her sidearm with her most of the time. Naturally this time of year I leave in the dark and get home in the dark. On the nights when I teach it is really late when I get home.

The worst fear in driving is deer. They are all over the place. This time of year they are "herded up". Bunches of 10 and 12 all the time. Just last night I came over a hill and had 8 sets of eyes looking at me from the middle of the road!

I work at a college that has a "no firearms allowed" policy. We don't have CCW (it's coming though ) but not even the guards have guns. There is a half-way house next to our campus just across the street. Not the safest neighborhood. I do open carry and I am forced to leave my gun in my car (well hidden) but it is there none the less. That's the only way I can carry now. I don't like it but it is the only way I can have some protection on my long rides home.

Naturally home defense in the land of dope heads is paramount. We carry all the time at home and in town. The bar/rest we eat at have given me permission to carry, but I don't because of the law. Everywhere else in town is fair game though. Anyone walking down our hallway at night, if they get past the four dogs ranging in weight from 75 to 105, they may hear the unmistakeable sound of a bolt action shotgun feeding a round.

I worry about what I can see and 'feel". The other stuff, that over which I have no control, does not occupy my mind. I'm 56, figure I got 15 - 20 more years and then I can sleep.