Do You Have a Gun You'd Lend To Someone in Need?

Status
Not open for further replies.
I

Ian11

Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2003
Messages
339
Quick! Your father, brother, sister, or your best friend who lives alone has just called and he/she needs to borrow a gun for protection. He/She suspects someone has been trying to break into their house/been stalking them/received death threats several times. They have no experience with guns but now they suddenly seem to have a change of heart. :neener: :banghead: They'll be over in 15 minutes so go to your safe!!

So which one would you let them borrow out of your collection? The one you'd feel they can best handle after cursory instruction in safe handling, loading, unloading, and shooting.

For me either my S&W Model 60 with a box of 130 grain SXT +P's or my SIG P228 with a box of Winchester Ranger 147's if I felt they could handle an auto.


*Yes, there are serious legal complications in lending someone else your gun.
*And I'm not sure if I'd actually do it because you can never be sure if people are really prepared to pull the trigger when they need to.
*This is meant to be one of those "What if..." "SHTF" type scenarios for amusement purposes only. But its good to know you're prepared ;)
 
I'd toss them the old Mooseburg 500 12 guage. The sound of the slide racking makes a big impression to all nearby. Plus if all else fails it makes a decent bat. :what:
 
Yeah, thought about my 870 PM too but I think most newbies would feel intimidated by them. But if they really wanted it. For sure.
 
If they have no experience with guns to begin with, and suddenly are in dire need of one, the most likely outcome of this scenario would be that the gun would be:

1- taken away from my inexperienced loved one while in a state of panic, and used against him/her because they panicked and couldn't get the gun to work.

2- used successfully, but the consequnces legally would be detrimental not only to my loved one, but to me as I loaned the firearm to said loved one. I may end up in prison and at the least never have the RKBA again plus a crapload of legal fees.

3- taken away from loved one, used against loved one, stolen by the perp and used in other crimes invloving many other lives. The gun will be found, and the NICS papertrail leads back to me. Back in the slammer I go.
 
Point taken agony,

I probably wouldn't do it either. I'd tell them sorry and tell them to hope the police could come in time.:rolleyes: Even if they were crying and pleading with me. I respect that decision.

Again, I did this for amusement purposes.
 
If I knew in advance that said person was firearms competent then I would ''unbury'' my wife's (well my gun, but .. ) ..... Taurus M66 revo .. only loaded with .38 spl HydraShoks but ... very easy gun to use.
 
I would let them borrow a Makarov and an H&R single barrel. But I probably wouldn't lend guns to people just because they say they need them. Guns don't equal compentency. Therefore I would suggest they stay at my place until things calm down. All the while I can train them to learn some things as quickly as possible.
 
To the people who are saying they would not loan a gun to someone in their own family whose life was in mortal danger because of lack of training, or failure to be responsible enough to own a gun in advance...

I have to ask, how will you sleep at night knowing you could have prevented their needless death????


Come on, do you not read the newspaper? Have you never seen a story about a little old granny who whips out a rusty old 38 left behind by her husband who died 20 yrs ago, and then scares off, or shoots, someone entering her home.

Training is nice, but it is not a prerequisite to the right to self defense.

And to answer the question, I would loan the person a 38 caliber revolver with a 4 inch barrel, loaded with at most 38+P ammo.
 
As a matter of fact, I keep several guns for precisely this reason. I came through eighteen years of civil unrest (a de facto civil war, in all but name) in another country, and often saw the situation where someone needed a gun right here, right now - but their family's defensive weapons were all in use, or elsewhere, or down for maintenance. I developed the habit of keeping a couple of simple, easy-to-use, no-specialized-knowledge-required weapons for "loaner" use under such circumstances, and I keep half-a-dozen such weapons handy here as well. Old habits die hard! :D

For my money, the easiest and quickest-to-learn firearms for such situations are pump-action shotguns, lever-action carbines, and revolvers. Handguns are often not the best choice, as they're much harder to shoot accurately than a long gun (for untrained shooters, that is - if an experienced shooter needs a gun in a hurry, I have better options...). I keep a couple of 20-gauge and a couple of 12-gauge shotguns, and a few revolvers, for "loaner" use. The shotguns are easy to learn in terms of manual of arms, and light loads in them are VERY effective at close range (heck, even low-base light target loads of no. 8 shot will cause havoc to an intruder at a range of 10 feet!). With light loads, recoil isn't too much of an issue. As for the revolvers, they're .357 S&W's, which for untrained shooters will be loaded with .38 Special +P 158gr. LSWC-HP rounds - relatively easy to control, and as effective as .45 ACP hardball if they hit what they need to.
 
Depending on the person, and what he or she could comfortably carry, it would be either a 2 inch, J-frame S&W in .38 Special, or a 4 inch, Model 10.

I would give a minimum of 30 minutes, hands-on training, with dummy loads.

I would teach:

Loading and unloading.

Trigger control with dry-firing.

And the basic safety rules:

1) Don't let the muzzle cover anything that you are not willing to destroy.

2) Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

3) All guns are always loaded.

4) Know your target.
 
Well I guess I feel the same as the majority, I would loan one of my revolvers with38 +P loads.

Why do some folks think they would go to jail if they lend a weapon and someone either uses it or misuses it?

I guess if you live in a state that requires a license for possession and they don't have a license and you provide them a handgun you are it deep kimche.

No licnese required for ownership in Texas, so I just can't see we I would be going to jail.

Even if the gun is stolen, then you report a stolen firearm.
 
A can of pepper spray, a cell phone, and my Colt .38 Detective Special loaded with 125 gr. JHP's.
 
As a matter of fact, I keep several guns for precisely this reason.
Click to expand...

Good for you Preacherman, I also do this.

This is a situational ethics question and I've been in this situation a few times. I've denied the request and handed guns over. It depends on what the circumstances are, the mindset of the people asking, and the perceived severity of the potential threat. Lots of things. I've said yes to this more than no.

First pick for a loaner? The 870 of course.
 
My closest relatives are mildly anti. Despite that, my parent's arsenal exceeds mine by quite a bit, since my grandfather was definitely NOT anti. :D

But, hypothetically, it would be my Mossberg 500. Very easy to teach them to use it, I think easiest to use in a tight situation for someone not really familiar with firearms.

Second choice would be the .38 revolver. But I think teaching them enough to get them to hit their intended target would be really, really hard in say, 1/2 hour.

Shotgun, they'd hit their target alright.
 
If the danger was that imminent, I'd just go back with them. I don't loan guns.

For the people who ask how I could live with myself, it's easy.

1. They had the same opportunity as I to acquire guns and learn to use them.
2. If they're anyone I'm close to, I've told them on more than one occasion that having and knowing how to use a gun is a very good idea.
3. Guns aren't magic, and they're not a security blanket. They're tools, and require a certain level training/acclimation/skill to use safely--even so, many experienced, trained, skilled shooters screw up and kill or injure themselves or others. Giving an untrained, unskilled person a gun in a high stress situation isn't a good idea in my opinion.

For someone who I knew to be competent with a firearm or who I trusted to behave rationally under stress (hmmmm...), I'd loan a shotgun and give them some low recoil buckshot and a short safety course.

There is absolutely no way I would give a non-shooter a handgun and ammo and send them on their way without some serious training that would include range time.
 
Here right now? No.
Mom has a shotgun, we keep tabs on one another. I'll get that one back--umm--not in a hurry, if you know what I mean.

The model 37 is at my dad's,another shotgun and handgun at a brother's. There is a handgun at my ex's. Due to the situation with family I doubt I'll ever get any back. I didn't feel right leaving the ex without a gun-despite what some might say, and if truth was known, she is more likley to return that one moreso than my own family. Everything else I sold for another reason--no regrets--It was for a good thing IMO

Family made a decison. I've made mine...I sleep well knowing I'm in the right, frankly don't care how they sleep.
 
I'm glad I don't have any close friends of family I don't trust with guns (with on exception, but she can't be trusted period). To those that say that they don't lend guns, I respect and understand your decision. I would loan a gun to family or friend in a heartbeat, and I have several fit for that purpose. Getting it back would be the least of my concern. People before things, always. Last time members of my family had reason to be afraid, by the time the sheriff came around, there were 4 of us with 5 handguns, 4 shotguns, and a pair of rifles. The sheriff sat and had a cup of coffee, said "You boys look like you can handle it. If you have to to shoot at anyone, call me at home." Then he left. Sometimes it's good to live away from the sheeple, with family and friends you can depend on. I miss it.


David
 
Being in California & potentially criminally liable if that borrowed gun is used in crime, my answer is NO, I don' have a gun I lend out.
 
Originally posted by JohnKSa:

If the danger was that imminent, I'd just go back with them. I don't loan guns.
Click to expand...
Hello John,

If the danger was that imminent, why would you go back or let them go back?


There is absolutely no way I would give a non-shooter a handgun and ammo and send them on their way without some serious training that would include range time.
Click to expand...

In an emergency, there is not always time to go to the range to get live fire instruction.

A couple of years ago, a good friend called me in the late afternoon.
He had just purchased a house, and during the day, someone broke in while he was at work. The electricity was not yet turned on at the house, and he was concerned that the burglar might return that night.

I drove over to his house, and lent him my Model 10, and 12 rounds of .38 Special. I gave him a 30 minute operation and safety course in his living room. He was able to sleep that night.

Over the next few weeks, I took him to the gun shop, where he purchased a police trade-in Model 67, and I took him shooting three times for a total of more than 6 hours. He has become a pretty good shot, and he feels good that he has the means to defend himself.

I don't think that 30 minutes is adequate time for teaching self-defense with a handgun, but, in an emergency, it's enough time to teach the basics with a revolver, and how to be safe.
 
Ruger Speed Six 4" .357 loaded with mild .357mag or .38+P. Most of the people in my family have a basic idea of how a gun works and I would trust them to do the right thing.

My sister was thinking about getting a gun after her divorce because didn't like the idea of being alone without a man around if something happened. I told her to get a small frame revolver after she checked out many of my handguns. She seemed to like my Charter Arms Off Duty but had second thoughts about having a gun in the house with her 6 year old.
 
Of course if it was a friend or loved one I would already be by them. Other wise yes I have done this with 2 of my guns depending on the person.
A smith 686 and my Taurus 92
 
I'm with Mark IV Series 80 on this one. But I'd make it at LEAST an hour of instruction & drills. And at least one day at the range mandatory....

As for the gun, I suppose I could lend out my Stoeger 12ga. double. Easier to learn & operate than a pump--and visually intimidating, to say the least...:what:

But, more often, I'd have that person stay with me or go to the police. No use in sending them BACK into a bad situation... :scrutiny:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
  • Locked
Need a shooting game.
Replies
24
Views
1K
AZ Desertrat
A
A
  • Locked
How do You ask Someone to give up Their Gun?
2
Replies
38
Views
2K
Beetle Bailey
B
S
  • Locked
A gun discussion YOU can weigh in on...
Replies
1
Views
426
Jorg Nysgerrig
J
Rockrivr1
  • Locked
Have you ever taken a class?
Replies
8
Views
884
Trebor
T
Trey Veston
  • Locked
Have you sold a gun for charitable reasons?
Replies
23
Views
906
Alte Schule
Alte Schule
Back
Top