Gun use: Make "rules of engagement" decisions before needed

[bandplayson]

Gun ownership for an individual is like nuclear weapons for a nation. Ownership indicates a willingness to use lethal force, under at least the most extreme of circumstances. It is crucial to think carefully about the ethics and morality of gun usage under every possible scenario you can imagine or think of, and make usage decisions, prayerfully, in advance. And keep trying to imagine other scenarios constantly, and plan ahead what your gun usage decision would be for that scenario. It is also important to consider the possibility of non-lethal gun usage, and the technical limitations and risks of successfully implementing such an intent for the various scenarios. The decision on what kind of gun(s) to get, and

Your ahead-of-time gun usage decision should be influenced strongly by your religious beliefs regarding life after death. Carefully consider how your (potentially) end-of-life actions, decisions, and beliefs in this life affect your personal life after death outcome - as well as that outcome for the person(s) you use the gun against. As such, for Christians, there may be many scenarios in which your own death might be preferable to killing someone else. This is because a Christian goes to Heaven, while the evildoer's fate in Hell is sealed once killed.

Secondhand reports abound that the psychological effects of killing another human being, even when justifiable, are serious and permanently transforming. As such, it is important to accompany gun ownership with alternative non-lethal methods for defense. Mace, tear gas, tasers, and even strong animal-strength pepper spray should be part of personal emergency preparation. True defensive measures, such as Kevlar type body armor and attack-resistant shelters at home should be seriously considered. All of these, as well as guns, require maintenance. Chemicals such as mace and pepper spray have limited shelf life, so don't overdo stockpiling these. Most gun ammunition, by contrast, keeps almost indefinitely if properly stored.

[idmedic]

I agree with some of what you have to say. The psychological effects of taking a life are greatly overlooked and far reaching. I strongly disagree that my consideration for the use of lethal force has anything to do with the theological beliefs of my attacker. A layered defense is, of course, an important part of ANY plan. Lighting, a dog, pepper spray and batons are all valuable tools, but no more or less so than a firearm and the proper mental and physical preparation to employ it.

[rlewis581]

If you turn on the light, hit them with the baton, spray them with pepper spray or whatever other means of non lethal force you chose to use, there is the chance that they will just come back or worse come back for revenge. If you want a situation to end, end it! If you draw the firearm you intend to kill, not to injure. Don't knock down my front door and expect to get a few bruises. You won't be coming back. I agree with training your mind to be ready in advance. Practice will make you act and not stop to think while you are the one being killed. Just my thoughts.
Rog

[idmedic]

An excellent point that you make in that once someone has taken the steps necessary to get into my home, they have also decided on the consequences. There will be many, however, who will not prepare as well as they should have and will end up in a government camp or shelter (death aside, worst case scenario). If you look into New Orleans, Galveston and many of the mid-west communities that have implemented similar facilities, you will see that what you would consider your option for defense is not permitted. Now I will never be found in a government camp, but many will. Layer your defense and prepare yourself with the knowledge necessary to employ multiple layers.

[DisasterGuy]

As a Federal Firearms Licensee I taught ladies how to shoot. Never once did I teach or tell them to kill.

Instead, I taught them that the use of a firearm should occur when they were just about ready to wet their pants because they were so scared.

I taught them not to aim the firearm, but to point it as they would point a finger.

I taught them to shoot at the center of mass -- roughly from the crotch up to the neck. As soon as the firearm was pointed there, they should shoot, and keep on shooting until the threat was removed.

After the threat was removed, I taught them NOT to go near the person they had shot, but to keep that person covered with the firearm and call 911. And keep the firearm pointed and ready to shoot again as needed until law enforcement officers arrived.

Perhaps I am pragmatic. I don't think religious beliefs have anything to do with these rules of engagement. It comes down to recognizing a potentially lethal threat and removing that threat through the use of a firearm. Anything else you can worry about later.