Home Defense Shooting? Or Mistaken Victim?

[PaulW]

Why would a rape in Eden Roc that was reported to the police not be in the newspaper? Sorry if I prefer to base my opinions on verifiable facts.

"How does someone defend themselves when the cops may not get there in time?"
Okay, one more time just for you:
Even if you live 3 hours away from the police, you have to weigh the risk of an extremely unlikely situation vs the daily ever present danger of having a gun in your house. Many people overestimate the former and underestimate the latter, but in the end it's their decision. Having a gun in Ewa Beach is ridiculous, as the gun owner is hopefully about to find out. Again, his decision, I hope he thought about it beforehand.

[kalakoa]

Having a gun in Ewa Beach is ridiculous

I don't see that in the newspaper, is it a verifiable fact?

the daily ever present danger of having a gun in your house

Can you cite a study which reduces this to a statistical likelihood? I suspect there are many people who manage to keep guns in their homes without incident -- but these people never make the paper, so they (and their guns) are effectively invisible.

[Guest]

There is a nice write up about guns being used as home defense.

Just google "cdc report guns used in self defense"

I had the link but Rob took it down.

There is some enlightening info in it (IMO)

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Often, when I read about someone who was attacked in their home or robbed in Puna, someone will comment, "if only they had a gun." The implication is that if there's danger at the door the homeowner will be able to react quickly, grab their gun, and just like almost every similar scenario on TV or at the movies, the hero will successfully take charge of the situation.

It reminds me of people who play air guitar. They crank up the stereo to 11, shred some invisible riffs up and down the stealth fretboard like Eric Clapton or Jimi. But in reality, if at that moment you put them on stage and plugged a real guitar into a real amp in front of 10,000 people, the sounds emanating from the giant speakers would be atrocious.

So, back to Puna. What would the average response by an average gun owner look like here? Would the homeowner pick up his weapon and immediately turn into a member of Seal Team 6 on a mission to get Bin Laden? Possibly, if they're a highly trained member of the military or perhaps a police officer who's spent countless hours in training and target practice at shooting ranges. An Eric Clapton of the Glock 9mm.

If the person isn't military or police, but a casual gun owner who passed the mandatory Hawaii State training class and perhaps shoots once a month (or less) how would that person respond to a break-in? First, as a responsible gun owner, their weapon is safely stored in a locked vault or drawer. Quick, where's the key? This is not as easy as it sounds. I have watched people look for their car keys or sunglasses for 15 minutes at a time, with no idea where they last put them. That's a possibility for some gun owners. Then, let's say they retrieve their weapon. When was the last time they took a shot? Is the gun barrel clean? Is the gun already loaded? Can they hit the broad side of a barn with adrenaline pumping, their breathing rapid and irregular, perhaps hands shaking with fear? Although they've imagined the fastest, best possible outcome in this situation hundreds of times, this may not one of those times. It's nothing like they expected.

For the average Puna gun owner, the situation might resolve itself in a less than optimal manner. In many cases, an intruder might get to the homeowner long before the homeowner can even secure their weapon.

Portion of Hawaii’s drinking water that comes from underground wells : 9/10
Gallons of raw sewage that leak into the ground from Hawaii cesspools each day : 53,000,000 - Harper's Index

[Kapoho Joe]

We get it, you hate guns and cannot think of a legitimate reason for a civilian to own one. Any thoughts on the OT?

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

We get it, you hate guns and cannot think of a legitimate reason

If you meant me, I've owned guns. A rifle and a shotgun. I had a legitimate reason to own them at that time. I don't don't have a gun in my possession now. I might have my shotgun shipped to me in the future however. It's an old Winchester that my grandfather owned, a beauty, my sister is keeping it for me.

As I said earlier in this thread, there are responsible gun owners. My neighbor is one for instance. From what Jon has said about his experience and care in handling his guns, he certainly is too. I think both my neighbor and Jon should be able to own a gun if they choose. Me too.

[kalakoa]

For the average Puna gun owner, the situation might resolve itself in a less than optimal manner.

In which case it's their own damn fault for failing to be a "responsible gun owner" -- it's not just about safekeeping, it's also about proficiency. Much in the same way that a license is required in order to operate a motor vehicle, it's not enough simply to have a place to park it.

Unfortunately State doesn't require annual performance review as a prerequisite for maintaining licensure. Of course, this would require that gun ranges be available to the public...

[Rob Tucker]

Please keep it local folks or it will go away.

Assume the best and ask questions.

Punaweb moderator

[randomq]

RWR, I think you should forward that article (on the CDC report) to our Puna and state elected officials. I know I will.

[PaulW]

If you will then why does RWR have to do it?
In case you didn't know, the CDC isn't allowed to investigate gun deaths, such as been decreed by your Lord and Master, the NRA.
ETA: [link removed, getting too far away from Puna]