Home Invasion Aftermath

[XLMiguel]

Welcome to THR, Gooseberi. I'm glad things are working out and you're taking care of business. There's a wealth of good info and commaraderi here. Might I suggest you check into the Second Amendment Sisters when you have a moment [www.2asisters.org], as well as Pax's site.

The biggest problem for her has been the reaction of others. I know this will come as no surprise to those of us who are long term members of the gun fraternity, but there are many people out there who would rather someone die than be defended by a gun. While her family has been supportive of her, some friends, acquaintances, ands co-workers have been very critical of her, and by extension, me.

A little discretion goes a long way. Not to be a snot, but why do you tell anybody about your SD plans? They really don't ned to know you won firearms, it's your business. I guess it's good to know who your real friends are, but but all in all, there are those who will 'get it' and the rest never will, at least until it happens to them or 'natural selection' kicks in. AS teh old saying goes,

" A conservative is a liberal who's been mugged; a liberal is a conservative who's been arrested."

Anyway, welcome, and stay safe.

 

[jlbraun]

Welcome Gooseberi!

 

[Black Knight]

Gooseberi:

Welcome to the group, wish it were under better circumstances.

No one should have to be put in a life or death situation to find out whether or not their life is worth protecting. As a police officer I can tell you that 99 times out of 100 we will get there after everything is over. The only person there who can protect you is you. Glad to see you are serious about protecting yourself. Take as many courses as you are able. The more quality training you get the better. Don't just train in firearms take first-aid and some hand to hand type courses as well. If you consider pepper sprays try to get some from a police supply shop. Most of the stuff you find in the 7-11, grocery, or sporting goods stores are watered down to the point they are not much more than water.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

Well-stated, Gooseberi. You are on the path to becoming empowered.

Welcome to The High Road. Stick around -- it's addicting. And by all means, please do make the cyber-acquaintance of Pax.

 

[Gooseberi]

Thank you

Good MorningI want to thank you all for the kind welcome. I know I will have many questions and comments as time goes on. Right now I am just learning the *language* and reading previously posted comments in General Gun Discussions. I also have enjoyed the pictures that have been posted. Later this morning a friend is taking me gun shopping...this will be an exciting and very new thing for me to doLOL I positively hate shopping (yes some women do, but I have to confess I am looking forward to this. I am sure it will be another learning experience. I will share with you all what happens todayLOL Wish my friend good luck and me happy shopping

 

[Baba Louie]

Gooseberi,
Read Tamara's small essay on "racking" the slide of a semi-auto in her blog. It's titled "Boomsticks: Rack 'em up". Might come in handy since you're goin' a shopping.
http://www.booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/
Also, if you bookmark her blog site and do some reading in her links and blogs (right column), you'll find several other female points of view that might be of interest.

 

[gunsmith]

my mom the hero

I was about 6 years old, "big" sister was eight and little sis was 4
we were watching Green Hornet (shows you my age) when some
skell decided to try to climb through our window!
the sister screamed, I grabbed a baseball bat and Mom came in to tell us to be quiet, when she saw what was happening she left the room and reappeared with
dads "military assault weapon" an old Enfield with a giant bayonette attached.
she backed him out the way he came in!

 

[SniperStraz]

YAY Gooseberi!!! Whatever you buy, practice with it!

 

[Rachen]

Invite her to come within the secure border of the..

Republic of THR. Here, she will have friends, friends who will actually care about her mental and physical health. Her other friends care nothing about her, maybe her money thats all.
Home invasions can be devastating. To state a historical example of such horror, during the Taiping rebellion in my country in the 1860s, Imperial Qing troops make it their habit to slaughter entire households. The dead of 1861 total to over 4 million innocent people slaughtered by the barbarian Qing.
Household with firearms at least escaped, or formed militia units that fended off the Imperials and avenged civilian deaths.

Your friend is visibly upset by what happened to you. Talk to her, give her the most comfort you can give her. Trauma can affect people for a long time.

 

[Gooseberi]

Thanks

Baba Louie, I wanted to thank you for the link you suggest regarding racking
Read Tamara's small essay on "racking" the slide of a semi-auto in her blog. It's titled "Boomsticks: Rack 'em up". Might come in handy since you're goin' a shopping.
http://www.booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/
I not only read this I bookmarked it so I could refer back to the site again. It can be overwhelming trying to remember all the sites and advice I get, or the wonderful gems of advice I gain reading.
So thanks again

 

[jpk1md]

Sounds like she's making new friends already....and ones that will respect her personal decisions wrt safety.

Just remind her that big changes in life take time....she'll look back on these changes a year from now and be grateful that she was provided the opportunity to make changes in life without paying a big penalty (injury/death/rape) and also learn who her real friends are and are not.

 

[statelineblues]

Welcome Gooseberi!

Take as many courses as you are able. The more quality training you get the better.

I can't agree more - and I will throw in my .02 as well; along with training, be sure to familiarize yourself with the laws in your state regarding self-defense, use of deadly force, etc. A good CCW course should cover this, and many basic firearm courses as well.

The people here are great (as you are finding out ), so don't ever hesitate to ask questions or state your opinions.

Again, welcome!

 

[Archer1945]

Gooseberi, welcome to THR. I have to say you are one very lucky person to have a friend such as Nelson133. Not only was he willing to talk to you and answer your questions but, fortunately, was there where when a very definite need arose. I am one who believes such things do not happen without a reason but only time will tell what that reason is/was, if we ever do really find out.

I have to grin at the two guns you like so well because they are far from what most men will tell a woman to get. I learned long ago a person is going to do best by choosing a gun they like and not what someone says they should. While I have not shot the Ruger I have known their reputation for many years and don't think you will have made a bad choice if that is the one you finally choose. The P220 is a different story, I have shot that gun and thoroughly love it.

As many other before me have said a situation such as this will let you know who you real friends are. I also have to wonder about people who claim to be friends until a situation such as this happens talk and then they start talking as if they think a more violent outcome would have been the better scenario.