Home Invasion Gooseberi
I am new here and I will post more about me at a later time, for now I wanted to respond to Nelson133 Post:
I understand the views of many of you. Basically you are of *like mind* here when it comes to guns and protection. I value your likemindness and even bask in the warmth of it. But saying this, I also understand those around me who fear guns and do not comprehend the need for them. After all we have TV, movies and anti-gun groups flaunting the dangers and negativity of them. All the while street punks continue to revel in our collective fear.
My friend Nelson133, didn’t share with you that this was a second invasion into my home. The first happen a year ago Christmas, by a young girl who came armed with a box cutter. I was attacked and suffered several wounds. That experience frightened me and has imprinted me greatly. It no doubt sat into motion my desire to learn to protect myself.
A well-meaning friend *gave* me a gun after that. With this gun came 6 bullets and nothing else. No instructions, guidelines, suggestions, nor clearly any sense of responsibility regarding passing a potion ally dangerous weapon to an emotionally battered woman. First thing I did was to hide the dam gun, (whoa) put the six bullets in a box in a dresser drawer in another room (wow! Now I was safe huhJLOL) Far from it. When I finally realized I needed to at least know how to load the dang thing, I found out the gun wasn’t a safe weapon. The chamber for the bullets did not click into place , (I am sure all of you know the technical terms for this...all I knew at the time was this didn’t seem right. I was more afraid of hurting myself with this weapon than I was being hurt by anyone else).It was only after talking to a co-workers husband who was a police officer did I realize what a mess I was in. I didn’t own the gun even though it was given to me. Nor did he have the right to give it to me since he didn’t legally own it either (was part of his fathers’ items when he died). The gun was old (which isn’t a bad thing), dirty, and not operating properly, yet it was in the hands of a woman unsure of what to do with it if faced with a situation I might need it for. I gave it back to the friend who gave it to me along with all the instructions and comments the police and I had to say. And decided I would keep a hammer by my bed and a can of bear maceJ
Then something nice happened…Nelson133. He took the time to talk to me about guns and safety. He never pushed but welcomed my many questions and desire to learn more. He took it upon himself to take me shooting, thus introducing me to many kinds of guns, under his watchful eyes; he helped me to get over my fear that just touching a gun could be dangerous. I have a healthy respect for guns and their power, but I have a bigger respect for myself and my willingness to be responsible for myself and perhaps those around me.
I don’t feel I have really lost friends, I simply feel I have friends who aren’t very well informed, nor have they ever been put in situations where they have to face uncertain outcomes. Nelson is right in saying I have had major reactions to this last home invasion, but it hasn’t been all negative. It has just underlined my awareness and made me more convinced I am doing the right things.
Thank you for your kind words and suggestions, any perhaps more for your support to a stranger.
Gooseberi
