I voted the 3rd option.
Nobody is going to want to break into a house if people have guns.
I think gun ownership is a good idea for home security.
Strictness should be applied for people wishing to get a gun license.
The only types of guns that should be allowed to be owned by civillians are rifles and large shotguns.
These cannot be concealed like pistols or in the case of small rifles and shotguns under a trench coat.
Guns not permitted to be outside the house of the owner.

Guns kept in the house are far more likely to be used to kill the owner of the gun than vice versa, or a friend/family member. A thief is going to go straight for whatever secure lockup facility you have, which means he may well have your gun in his hands when you stumble upon him half asleep.

but it seems that now they are readily available to criminals

It doesn't seem that way to me. The majority of store hold ups that you read about are committed with other objects like baseball bats, knives, syringes or spearguns. They often get chased away. This is a far preferable scenario than having guns everywhere.

Of course it would have to be well hidden from children and visitors. but with the amount of crime and break ins, it would be handy to have a small gun for protection. "

mantra I agree with that..used responsibly..why not?

If someone enters your house illegally, and has an expectation they could be shot, they will arm themselves accordingly. Applying the pro-gun argument, everyone will be entitled to arm themselves, so then all criminals will be forced to carry a gun to "defend" themselves against retaliation when they are illegally entering a property. Because a gun can inflict lethal force without being in immediate proximity of the target, a shoot first, think second mentality will ensue. The innocent occupant is likely to come off second best, because it is less likely they will have a loaded gun at hand, whereas the better prepared criminal is ready for action. Shoot first, think second... dead occupant.

In addition, if criminals don't have a gun, they will rob an easy target, such as the old lady who lives by herself.

By having a gun in the house, all you have done is raise the stakes of being killed in a home invasion, or moved the problem to those less able to defend themselves.

If your house is protected enough (bars on windows, alarms, Dogs etc), nobody should be able to break in.
perhaps new gun owners should attend training courses?
The only reason why people are talking about arming themselves is because the police are

They are too busy with their radar traps and other revenue raising activities.

Always have a window without bars as an escape route, which is hard to get into but easy to jump out.

Quote:


Penalties arent a deterrent... most crims believe they will never get caught!