I've had a lot of experience with firearms. I trust myself with them, think I know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. I'm rusty in the aiming department, but I will not shoot if I have to aim. I'm leaving Dodge in that case.

AND, I had a terrible experience one time about 10 years ago. I had loaned my car to a friend, and my girlfriend had given me a ride home rather than staying at her place. She had to get up early.

I was asleep in my bedroom, at the end of a 15 foot long hallway. I don't remember where the dog was. The dog had access to the run from inside, and I suspect he had been out there. About 4:30 AM I heard a sound in the hallway. There was more rustling, and clearly someone was there. Wherever he was the dog had not barked. It was winter, and very dark. I grabbed a pistol, got out of bed slowly, and jumped into the hall yelling, pistol in the fire position. There was a large figure standing at a cabinet, going through it. The figure screamed, and moved away. Had it moved toward me I very likely would have shot it.

It turned out to be my sister, who couldn't sleep and wanted to take the dog for a walk. She lived nearby, and wanted the dog for protection. She had bundled up in a down parka and trotted over. Not seeing my car and assuming I was gone, she came in and was looking for a leash.

After that I tore the gun down and put it into a closet. I now have a huge spotlight, one of those 3,000,000 candlepower things. If you hit someone with one of those in the dark they aren't going to be seeing anything for a while, long enough for the situation to define itself, anyway.

By the way, last summer I put 7 rounds through a 1911 .45 with a muzzle brake. As sweet as a .38 Special. Could hold it on target, didn't slam the wrist around, made it a useful weapon. (Due to a motorcycle accident I have a kinda sore wrist, two bones where there should be one. I'm sensitive to strong kicks.)

Arf