I hope that this can spark some legitimate discussion of what I feel is a valid conversation.
I have spent some time here on THR in the spirit of learning to protect my family. My initial reaction was to arm myself and become legally able to conceal carry a firearm to protect them. As I've further considered, I've become more aware of the liability I might be entering to have a handgun. ND, discovery, dressing different, fending off casual embraces and (heaven forbid) actual use of the handgun. Life is about weighing risk and determining your best option. I am fortunate to live in a relatively "safe" area and in all of my 40+ years -- never been mugged, robbed, kidnapped, or assaulted. Let's assume that I'd been carrying that last 20 years --- lots of risk and never needed. How do you weight the risk vs. need? Is the "safest" thing for my family to avoid the risk of carrying a loaded handgun daily? Has anyone else considered this as an issue?
What about a loaded handgun in the house. I've never had a home invasion situation. In 40+ years, never need a gun within 30 seconds. The risk of having a loaded handgun (with kids in the home) are great. How do you weight those risks? Thanks for any insight you can provide on how you deal with this issue.
I have spent some time here on THR in the spirit of learning to protect my family. My initial reaction was to arm myself and become legally able to conceal carry a firearm to protect them. As I've further considered, I've become more aware of the liability I might be entering to have a handgun. ND, discovery, dressing different, fending off casual embraces and (heaven forbid) actual use of the handgun. Life is about weighing risk and determining your best option. I am fortunate to live in a relatively "safe" area and in all of my 40+ years -- never been mugged, robbed, kidnapped, or assaulted. Let's assume that I'd been carrying that last 20 years --- lots of risk and never needed. How do you weight the risk vs. need? Is the "safest" thing for my family to avoid the risk of carrying a loaded handgun daily? Has anyone else considered this as an issue?
What about a loaded handgun in the house. I've never had a home invasion situation. In 40+ years, never need a gun within 30 seconds. The risk of having a loaded handgun (with kids in the home) are great. How do you weight those risks? Thanks for any insight you can provide on how you deal with this issue.