Handgun training for self defense

[HoldAndBuy]

About a month ago someone tried to break into my place while I was here--luckily they ran away when they realized I was home. I know there are some gun owners on here--what is involved in training to effectively defend yourself with a handgun? I'm not sure yet whether I'll get one but I wanted to start finding out about it. Thanks.

[PositiveOutlook]

In the meantime, put an ADT security system in... and a sign in the front yard... stops them before they try to enter, wheter you are home or not...  They also monitor smoke detectors, and I got a discount on my home owners insurance for having it... Don't know if they'll give you one if you have a gun though...

BTW, I reference ADT specifically because they have the most advanced monitoring system (they all use alot of the same components), just look at their client list, and that says it all...

[Rich_in_CT]

Depends on the state.  In my state you start the process of getting a permit through the local police dept.  Check there first, they would have the information. 

[Hoosier4life2005]

In in Indiana, and although I still live with my parents, I own my own gun.  I do not have it registered because the Constitution says my right to own a gun shall not be infringed.  The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the land, so I could care less what my state laws say.

Get a gun, the government doesnt need to know about it, its not their business. 

Put a sign(like I do) in front of your house that says "Proud Christian Gun Owner, Nothing in my House is worth losing your life over"

[HoldAndBuy]

Thanks for all the advice. If I decide to buy it, it should be smooth sailing where I live, if I decide to do it.

[Rich_in_CT]

In in Indiana, and although I still live with my parents, I own my own gun.  I do not have it registered because the Constitution says my right to own a gun shall not be infringed.  The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the land, so I could care less what my state laws say.

Get a gun, the government doesnt need to know about it, its not their business. 

Put a sign(like I do) in front of your house that says "Proud Christian Gun Owner, Nothing in my House is worth losing your life over"

Transferring ownership without the proper paperwork is ILLEGAL.  Please do not tell members that they should break the law.  Everyone has the right to bear arms*.   The asterisk is that you need to follow the laws that regulate ownership.  You CAN have a gun, just play by the rules.

[propertymanager]

HoldandBuy,

As the others said, you first need to learn your state laws.  You can get a good start by looking on the NRA website at NRA.org.  Under the Politics and Legislation tab, select Gun Laws and then the state in which you reside.

If you aren't comfortable with guns, then I would recommend a gun safety course, or a concealed carry course if you want to get a concealed carry license.  The quality of these courses varies greatly and I would do a little research before enrolling in one.  Ideally, getting a personal recommendation from a friend would be ideal, but you can also do some research on the internet.  I would suggest calling the instructor and discussing your needs and desires with him to ensure that the course will fit your needs.

YOU are the ONLY one that can protect you.  Police investigate crimes after they occur and arrest the criminals - they don't prevent crimes!

Transferring ownership without the proper paperwork is ILLEGAL.

Rich, paperwork may be needed to transfer ownership between individuals in the socialist northeast, but not here in flyover country.

Good Luck,

Mike

[Rich_in_CT]

Transferring ownership without the proper paperwork is ILLEGAL.

Rich, paperwork may be needed to transfer ownership between individuals in the socialist northeast, but not here in flyover country.

Good Luck,

Mike

Hmmmmm, thought that was federal law.  I haven't a gun in a long time and at the time I bought the ones I had I was a minor and my father did all of the purchasing.

[HoldAndBuy]

Thanks Mike, this is kind of what I was getting at.  There is no point of having the gun if the criminal can get it away from me in close quarters or I'm not familiar with them.

HoldandBuy,

As the others said, you first need to learn your state laws.  You can get a good start by looking on the NRA website at NRA.org.  Under the Politics and Legislation tab, select Gun Laws and then the state in which you reside.

If you aren't comfortable with guns, then I would recommend a gun safety course, or a concealed carry course if you want to get a concealed carry license.  The quality of these courses varies greatly and I would do a little research before enrolling in one.  Ideally, getting a personal recommendation from a friend would be ideal, but you can also do some research on the internet.  I would suggest calling the instructor and discussing your needs and desires with him to ensure that the course will fit your needs.

YOU are the ONLY one that can protect you.  Police investigate crimes after they occur and arrest the criminals - they don't prevent crimes!

Transferring ownership without the proper paperwork is ILLEGAL.

Rich, paperwork may be needed to transfer ownership between individuals in the socialist northeast, but not here in flyover country.

Good Luck,

Mike

[John_in_NC]

Me personally, I got two of these baby's, with 40 round mags always full (but not in chamber). I actually feel very sorry for the guy that breaks in my place.

Imagine, you are a criminal, and break in. You hear the SHICK SHICK sound of a round cycled in. What are you goin to do? Doubt I'll get the chance to mow them over with my AKs.

[propertymanager]

Now John - the Chosen One isn't going to like you if you're going to own "assault rifles".  LOL!

Mike

[John_in_NC]

Check out my wife, shooting one of them. I still feel sorry for the fool who breaks in my house while i'm gone.

[fdjake]

CHECK YOUR LOCAL LAWS.....

Then FOLLOW them!!!

IF you live in a State that REQUIRES you to register a weapon.  You sure as hell better do it.   If you DON'T ...an you wound an intruder.  You could lose not only your FREEDOM but everything you own.

The military teaches soldiers to field strip their weapons BLIND FOLDED.  There's a very good reason for this......By the time you can field strip an M-16 without looking......You've become INTIMATELY familiar with that weapon.  You can tear it down in your sleep.  That builds very high levels of CONFIDENCE.  A privately owned gun is no different.   The amount of TIME you spend shooting it, and working with it ,
the harded it's going to be for some junkie to get the upper hand on you.

Last piece of advice.......

ALWAYS SHOOT TO KILL. 

[jfpen]

About a month ago someone tried to break into my place while I was here--luckily they ran away when they realized I was home. I know there are some gun owners on here--what is involved in training to effectively defend yourself with a handgun? I'm not sure yet whether I'll get one but I wanted to start finding out about it. Thanks.

HoldAndBuy,
              Stop by a local gun shop. They'll be more than happy to educate you on what you need to do to obey state firearm laws and be proficient in the safe operation of your firearm. I recommend an NRA membership as well. They are a great resource. 
               

JP

[Vader]

Word of caution here. THINK real hard before you pick up that thing to shoot at someone. As my younger self, if I had a gun half my close friends would be DEAD the way we played pranks on each other. I'm talking pranks like hanging out by the windows looking like a crook or banging on the door making a ton of noise. All that stuff was good for a laugh, but if I was freaked out, had a gun, and didn't realize what was going on....

Just be careful, you don't want to become a murderer just because you overreacted.