I guess telling them "Hey stupid, YOU JUST got robbed less than 18 hours ago and here you are leaving all the same doors open, are you asking for it to happen again?" is controlling their life.
Statistics and Criminologists will tell you that someone burglarized once, especially when they encounter NO resistance and take very little are VERY likely to repeat their acts. It was easy as going shopping at Wal Mart and being directed out the front door without having to pay.
I am NOT against the gun...I had told them it would be a good idea to get a gun for a very long time. Truthfully, the only reason he did not get one for so long was because he is CHEAP! He thought anything over $200 was too expensive for something that will live in a dresser drawer.(I personally think, especially considering their and my income, there should be no budget on something that one day may be used to save a life, possibly yours or someone close to you.)I know this comment will catch me flak, but I would not trust my life on a $189 Hi-Point. Certianly not when I very easily could afford a GI 1911, Glock, S&W M&P, etc. (Yes, many will aruge that the Hi-Point is as reliable as the most expensive Colt, STI, Kimber or Rock River...I just do not trust them for anything more than shooting a piece of paper hanging on a target line)
He finally did get one after he spoke with some people at work and realized gun owners are not mostly right wing paranoid nutjobs looking to kill anything and anyone. And in FL, aspecifically our area, probably more "well-to-do-middle class" have them then not. but having very little experience I highly encouraged him to take a class from a professional. Prior to him doing so, despite me continually showing him how to operate, store, care-for and use a firearm he continued to mix up the mag release with the slide lock, continued to try and assist the slide forward resulting in it not reaching full battery. I assumed that it was his refusal to as the moderator said "not let his child "out-smart" him. After the course, he seems like he really understands the firearm. So it was a very good thing for him and was clearly very successful! (For me, well worth my $60 bucks or whatever it was)
BUT now after this incident he has come up with irriational opinions and comments on both sides of the fence (Over zealous, aggressive and confident as well as not willing to actually use the gun or risking more harm to himself because of it)
INSTEAD of taking a side, I have told him he either come to terms with the possiblity of having to use the gun when it is appropriate AND necessary to do so OR get rid of the gun or at least do not keep it readily accessible because running out to confront a burglar with an unloaded gun and making verbal threats to him is EXTREMELY reckless. This could result in him and his wife (my mother) receiving more bodily harm or death than if he just avoided the threat all together! If he is NOT prepared to use deadly force that is fine!!!, but he needs to just lock the bedroom door and call the police, hide in the bathroom until they tell him it is safe to come out. (While this is certainly not what I would do, it is the best option for certain people!!!).
Again, I am NOT giving him an opinion in either direction. I am just telling him he in fact NEEDS to take a direction because his current path is historically the dumbest and MOST dangerous one he can take.
Statistics and Criminologists will tell you that someone burglarized once, especially when they encounter NO resistance and take very little are VERY likely to repeat their acts. It was easy as going shopping at Wal Mart and being directed out the front door without having to pay.
I am NOT against the gun...I had told them it would be a good idea to get a gun for a very long time. Truthfully, the only reason he did not get one for so long was because he is CHEAP! He thought anything over $200 was too expensive for something that will live in a dresser drawer.(I personally think, especially considering their and my income, there should be no budget on something that one day may be used to save a life, possibly yours or someone close to you.)I know this comment will catch me flak, but I would not trust my life on a $189 Hi-Point. Certianly not when I very easily could afford a GI 1911, Glock, S&W M&P, etc. (Yes, many will aruge that the Hi-Point is as reliable as the most expensive Colt, STI, Kimber or Rock River...I just do not trust them for anything more than shooting a piece of paper hanging on a target line)
He finally did get one after he spoke with some people at work and realized gun owners are not mostly right wing paranoid nutjobs looking to kill anything and anyone. And in FL, aspecifically our area, probably more "well-to-do-middle class" have them then not. but having very little experience I highly encouraged him to take a class from a professional. Prior to him doing so, despite me continually showing him how to operate, store, care-for and use a firearm he continued to mix up the mag release with the slide lock, continued to try and assist the slide forward resulting in it not reaching full battery. I assumed that it was his refusal to as the moderator said "not let his child "out-smart" him. After the course, he seems like he really understands the firearm. So it was a very good thing for him and was clearly very successful! (For me, well worth my $60 bucks or whatever it was)
BUT now after this incident he has come up with irriational opinions and comments on both sides of the fence (Over zealous, aggressive and confident as well as not willing to actually use the gun or risking more harm to himself because of it)
INSTEAD of taking a side, I have told him he either come to terms with the possiblity of having to use the gun when it is appropriate AND necessary to do so OR get rid of the gun or at least do not keep it readily accessible because running out to confront a burglar with an unloaded gun and making verbal threats to him is EXTREMELY reckless. This could result in him and his wife (my mother) receiving more bodily harm or death than if he just avoided the threat all together! If he is NOT prepared to use deadly force that is fine!!!, but he needs to just lock the bedroom door and call the police, hide in the bathroom until they tell him it is safe to come out. (While this is certainly not what I would do, it is the best option for certain people!!!).
Again, I am NOT giving him an opinion in either direction. I am just telling him he in fact NEEDS to take a direction because his current path is historically the dumbest and MOST dangerous one he can take.