Mad as Heck at Wal-Mart!!!!!!!!! but calm now

[NFLnut]

You know, I keep thinking about getting a gun. After H. Charley last year, I ended up with major roof damage. The storm had barely passed and along came a Hummer with a search light blasting rap music checking out the neighborhood (we don't live in a bad part of town!)I don't know .. maybe they were good Samaritans seeing if they could help anybody else, but I kind of got the creeps.

Then along came Frances and Jeanne, all the while I had two 9' holes in my roof (like a funnel open to the sies). I kept thinking that if further major damage occurred -- like a wall caving or something -- what would happen?

Ever since then, I've felt the need to have a gun just for instances like that. My wife and I don't have kids, so there's not that concern. The situation in NOLA has me pretty much convinced. I felt okay having a metal baseball bat, but a gun would make me feel a little safer. The stories from NOLA and of scum going into homes in MS and AL and stepping over dead bodies, taking whatever they want, makes me realize that society these days is getting full of bags of scum!

[LSU2001]

First of all I am not by any means defenseless. I had and always have adequate ammo for my pistol. I simply wanted a little extra firepower. I am trained to use fire arms and have kept firearms in my home my entire life. My wife and kids are trained to use firearms. I do not keep shotgun or rifle ammo simply because I no longer HUNT. I injured my back a number of years ago and had to stop sitting in trees shooting deer. However, I have used guns all of my life and the comment about me being better off without a gun was uncalled for. You have no idea about what you are saying.

With all of that said, I did not post the original message to incite a flame war about the merits of gun ownership. I was simply stating my feelings. We have been sitting in our neighborhoods for 4 nights without street lights, without adequate police patrols, spotty phone service, and it is very dark in Livingston parish. we hear of numerous instance of hooliganism around BR. I do understand that some of this maybe rumor but the incident downtown yesterday was no rumor. My ex-wife who is a sherrifs deputy, called my current wife to tell her to lock herself inside and to make sure she and the kids were safe. THis was 25 miles from downtown. I guess I reacted with anger when I was denied the right to purchase AMMO for a SHOTGUN not a firearm or a handgun. I said in my original post that the idea of restricting GUN PURCHASES was quite understandable.
To whoever wrote about being angry when Wal-mart has donated a lot to the victims. I have had nothing donated to me and I don't need it. I feel that I have a right to be angry at anyone I please and for whatever reason I please no matter what they have done for "relief efforts" All of the media is focused, and rightly so, on the coast and NOLA but there is an extremly large area that is without power, and criminals did not disappear since the storm. There are those who seem to be trying to take advantage of the chaotic situation and committing crimes. I am not trying to start a debate nor discussion about firearms I simply wanted to get the word out and maybe vent some of my anger. I guess I accomplished this and after my venting I went to my Brother-in-Laws house and got all the Shotgun shells that I wanted. I am fully armed and ready JUST IN CASE Remember it is the person behind the gun that kills not the gun.
TIm

[streetsoldier]

I've been "trained to arms" since I was 14...more in RVN service (USAF) and even more so as a STL patrolman.

I cannot conceive of living w/o the means to protect myself and mine, and as long as I hold breath I will do so...guns, knives, "weapons of opportunity" (vases, clippers, scissors, etc.), bare hands, even to my fingernails if it comes to that.

As to that "3-foot club"? Adequate IF your intruder isn't armed...the old-style burglars weren't, as all they wanted was the booty. Today's are NOT "pros"...more likely druggies looking for something they can trade in for a quick fix. And, they ARE armed, and won't hesitate to kill anyone who gets in their way.

[Windsong]

I recently purchased a .357 magnum with laser. I have a shot gun and a 22. If someone means to harm me or my family, I will shoot to kill, no questions asked. I feel like Ma Barker or Annie Oakley, but hey...if it comes down to some thug or my family, you can bet that I will do what it takes or die trying.

Windsong

Damn - that sounds so not like me. Oh well, times change, and I change with the times.

[JQ Public]

Guns will probably just escalate the situation. Especially if the looters have guns. Just lock your doors and take all other necessary precautions. I'm sure you'll be fine.

[Canebo]

Guns will probably just escalate the situation. Especially if the looters have guns. Just lock your doors and take all other necessary precautions. I'm sure you'll be fine.

Locked doors only keep out the honest people. Those that want in can and will gain entry. Protecting yourself and your family is a personal decision. How we do it is up to each of us. I feel very safe with the arms I have to protect my family. Whatever methods you choose, just do not believe for a minute a locked door will keep out the bad guys. That could be a fatal error in judgement.

[JQ Public]

All i'm saying is that its just a suburban arms race. They'll just get bigger guns and so forth. If they did rob all the walmarts and pawn shops I doubt any one would be a match against a gang of these folk. It is just material possessions.

[Canebo]

I agree completely that there are not any material possessions worth risking your life to protect. Just keep in mind that a good number of the people that are roaming the streets at night shooting at rescue helicopters and boats trying to save others are very dangerous. Many are drug addicts that have not been able to get there fix for days now and are mentally unstable to put it nicely. There are many good, innocent victims that are left there, but there are a good number that are there for other reasons.

There are many who stay behind when ordered to evacuate, so they can steal while the hen house is empty. These people are the ones who prey on others and find the situations ripe for the picking. The problem is they are now stuck and cannot get away with their lot. They have to steal whatever drugs they can from hospitals, aid workers, pharmacies, etc. These are the people that you need to be afraid of. These are the ones who rape and kill w/out malice. These are the ones the National Guard will hopefully seek and destroy before they kill others, either directly or indirectly by keeping the rescuers at bay.

[x-y-no]

[streetsoldier]

All i'm saying is that its just a suburban arms race. They'll just get bigger guns and so forth. If they did rob all the walmarts and pawn shops I doubt any one would be a match against a gang of these folk. It is just material possessions.

JQ, my plans are made with these things in mind...

IF the thugs restrict themselves to the first floor (which is where all the "goodies" are...PC, TV/DVD, etc.), they can have them...material stuff can be replaced.

ONCE they start up those stairs, they are after US...and the best place to make my defense is at the upper landing (they'd have to get in each other's way on the stairs, plus I have "interior line" and better knowledge of the lay of the townhouse).

What's most important is that I am "willing" to engage...they may not be.

From that standpoint, I can easily defend/send packing any group of miscreants who'd TRY to get at us (and I'm assuming multiple attackers).

[caribepr]

First of all I am not by any means defenseless. I had and always have adequate ammo for my pistol. I simply wanted a little extra firepower. I am trained to use fire arms and have kept firearms in my home my entire life. My wife and kids are trained to use firearms. I do not keep shotgun or rifle ammo simply because I no longer HUNT. I injured my back a number of years ago and had to stop sitting in trees shooting deer. However, I have used guns all of my life and the comment about me being better off without a gun was uncalled for. You have no idea about what you are saying.

With all of that said, I did not post the original message to incite a flame war about the merits of gun ownership. I was simply stating my feelings. We have been sitting in our neighborhoods for 4 nights without street lights, without adequate police patrols, spotty phone service, and it is very dark in Livingston parish. we hear of numerous instance of hooliganism around BR. I do understand that some of this maybe rumor but the incident downtown yesterday was no rumor. My ex-wife who is a sherrifs deputy, called my current wife to tell her to lock herself inside and to make sure she and the kids were safe. THis was 25 miles from downtown. I guess I reacted with anger when I was denied the right to purchase AMMO for a SHOTGUN not a firearm or a handgun. I said in my original post that the idea of restricting GUN PURCHASES was quite understandable.
To whoever wrote about being angry when Wal-mart has donated a lot to the victims. I have had nothing donated to me and I don't need it. I feel that I have a right to be angry at anyone I please and for whatever reason I please no matter what they have done for "relief efforts" All of the media is focused, and rightly so, on the coast and NOLA but there is an extremly large area that is without power, and criminals did not disappear since the storm. There are those who seem to be trying to take advantage of the chaotic situation and committing crimes. I am not trying to start a debate nor discussion about firearms I simply wanted to get the word out and maybe vent some of my anger. I guess I accomplished this and after my venting I went to my Brother-in-Laws house and got all the Shotgun shells that I wanted. I am fully armed and ready JUST IN CASE Remember it is the person behind the gun that kills not the gun.
TIm

Long day...just got around to seeing your post. Sorry that your original post did not have the above information in it, but it sounded quite different.
I still don't have a problem with WalMart deciding not to sell guns or ammo, but as stated before, I figure those people trained in the use of firearms (take that with the proper grain of salt, I guess plenty of unlawful people consider themselves *trained*!) would be prepared. I think you got the gist of my response.
I'm glad to hear you are one of those well trained and responsible in gun ownership and use, hope you do NOT need the extra firepower...and hope your ex-wife stays safe - what a hellish job at this time.

[huricanwatcher]

Guns will probably just escalate the situation. Especially if the looters have guns. Just lock your doors and take all other necessary precautions. I'm sure you'll be fine.

and all i have to say.is GOOD LUCK WITH THAT....

[JQ Public]

Thanks, but I don't need any luck. Those there do. I've lived in my house for 21 years never needing a gun or ever thinking to use one. Thats all I'm saying. But i guess these are desperate situations, and I understand the dilemma.

Bill that sounds like a solid plan to me.