Some advice on gun ownership.

Contrary to what you may have surmised, I am not opposed in principle to gun ownership. In today's crazy world, we do have a right to defend ourselves. I will offer you some unsolicited advice, you can take it or leave it. I have found it works for me.

First, don't get a gun unless you are trained in its safe use and basic maintenance. There are NRA courses to teach you this, or you may have knowlegable friends to help you. Don't be afraid to take advantage of them.

Second, once you get a gun and learn how to use it, practice with it occasionally, at least several times a year. If you ever need to defend yourself with a firearm, you will probably be terrified. It is important you are thoroughly familiar with the piece and feel perfectly comfortable handling it and its behavior (recoil, flash, report, etc). The last thing you want when you're in mortal danger is any surprises or second thoughts.

If you have any children or unstable relatives, find some other way to protect yourself. Many more people are shot by accident or by a family member than there are criminal intruders stopped by a gun owner.

For the same reason, don't lock your gun away, or disable it, or leave it unloaded around the house. It defeats the whole purpose of having one, and still can be stolen from you, found by a child, or otherwise find its way into mischief. I keep mine by the bed with 6 rounds in the magazine (I leave one out so the spring is not weakened) and one in the chamber--with the hammer down.

It is ready to rock and roll, all I need to do is pull back the hammer and shoot. I do not use the safety, Every gun should be considered hot, a safety is just going to confuse you, especially if its dark and you're sleepy and scared. My pistol will not fire until it is deliberately cocked (the hammer pulled back). That is the only safety I need, and one who's condition I can determine by feel, even in the dark.

If you're one of those people who are just terrified of guns and can't stand to handle one, or even have one around, then you are better off without one. Unless you have a reasonable expectation of being able to use it, a villain will just take it away from you and use it against you. You will freeze. Remember, he's made the decision to risk an encounter with you already. He also has the element of surprise, and has mentally rehearsed what is likely to happen. Unless you are psychologically ready as well, you are better off without a gun. This is why you need to go to the range and practice. Familiarity with a weapon means you will be able to devote your mind to thinking tactically. You won't have time to think strategically.

No one really knows how he will react to this situation. I don't, I've never been in it. All I can do is what the military did to prepare me for it. Train, and hope the training takes.

I do not take my gun anywhere (except to the range). I feel meeting an intruder in your house is full justification to defend yourself. Road rage or an argument with a stranger is not. If I hear someone trying to break into my house, I will call 911 first but shoot him if he gets in before the police arrive. If he is vandalizing my car I will call the police, not shoot him, or go out and challenge him. I have made the mental committment that the weapon is a last-resort personal defense. That is the only excuse I have for taking a life. My property is insured.

And one more thing. If you do shoot, shoot to kill. Shooting him in the leg is as impractical as shooting his gun out of his hand. It only works in the movies. Shoot until he stops moving.