Maybe I Should Buy a Gun? (Phoenix: house, buying, living)

[Xica_da_Silva]

Maybe it's because I just discovered that someone stole my lawn mower (and some of you may recall I also had my house broken into last spring, so I'm either a moron, unlucky, or some combination of the two), but I am curious about buying and owning a gun in Arizona.

In my fantasy thinking, I imagine myself putting a decoy outside on my back porch, like maybe a nice fancy sit-down mower, so the crook will be enticed to try to snatch it. Then, once I see the crook trying to steal it, I could shoot him in the foot or arm, and then call the ambulance because I'm a nice person, and don't really want to kill anyone, even if it is a irredeemable meth-head. But then I'd probably get sued by the thief for damaging his/her ability to 'make a living', right?! Oh well.

Seriously though, I've considered getting a gun in case there's an intruder. I think if my life were in serious danger, I could shoot...and while aiming for the leg or arm, if it was God's will for that bullet to go into the thief's heart instead, then who am I to argue with God's plan?!! Since I've never owned a gun, I reckon I'd need to take shooting lessons. But do any of you own guns and have any sort of experience or advice related to guns you'd like to share? I'm just curious.

PS. I had my mower locked up but they still stole it. So what am I supposed to do, keep it in my house?! (they've already broken into that, too). But I refuse to have someone else mow my lawn when I am able-bodied...plus, I enjoy it! Anyhow, I didn't realize there's such a hot market for lawn mowers in Phoenix of all places! Geez! Live and learn! Is there nothing one can leave outdoors without fear of it getting stolen?! (BBQ, Patio Furniture, etc.)?

[Ponderosa]

I feel your pain. When I first moved to Phoenix, I was mowing my lawn and went in the house to get some water. When I came back the mower was gone - right in the middle of my strip!

Unless you are prepared to shoot to kill, you might skip the gun. Wounded intruders are like wounded bears. It is not a deterrent once someone is in the house. It has only one purpose then and that is to save your life.

[FireRx]

Gun laws in Arizona won't protect you from property theft. If you shoot someone to prevent a theft,you'll be the one in the sqaud car going to jail. Ponderosa has the correct thinking on the matter.

[MaxPower123]

Get a dog.

[FireRx]

Agreed! Safer for the owner. Guns ownership is a big responsiblity, and really doesn't help you of you not one to get your CCW, and carry it all the time.

[AzDreamer]

I would take some gun safety classes before using a gun for self defense. There are plenty of shooting clubs in the area to help you get started.

Handguns are easy to shoot but hard to aim unless you practice. There are some self defense shotguns that make hitting a target easier but again some training and practice are called for first.

[redjan1225]

I agree with AzDreamer in regards to gun safety classes. Also, having a gun in your home does nothing to protect your home if you're not there to use it. Make sure any gun you purchase is locked in a safe or is otherwise secured away from potential thieves. You'd rather lose a TV to a burglar than a gun that is registered to you.

[MotleyCrew]

English Mastiffs are pretty good deterants.

[Donalumni]

I'd get the gun and take lessons and aim for the center mass of the perp. Once you shoot, keep shooting until they are on the ground. That's what they teach our enforcement officers. Our emergency rooms can worry about putting humpty dumpty back together again and most important, you'll be alive.

[FireRx]

While getting a gun is always a good thing for a homeowner. I'd reseach the standing laws in our state. I learn a lot from my CCW class before purchasing a gun to determine if a gun would fit me needs. Shooting someone to "protect personal property" will land you in prison is the one thing that was hammered into us in the class. The laws are for personal protection only. "Fear of you life being taken" is the key phrase. If the incident doesn't cut the mustard. Your going to prison.