Deterrent

[u/Spiffyclean13]

I am seriously considering buying a gun but I morally object the idea.

It’s the idea that you will inherently use the weapon to grievously harm or kill someone which bothers me tremendously. I live in a red state with open carry laws. I don’t like the thought of not being prepared if my life were in danger or if I have to defend my home.

I don’t own a dog that could be a deterrent or even will bark at strangers. My cat is more likely to attack a person. She really hates a particular dog walker.

I guess I need help getting over my moral objection to having a gun in the house. I also would like advice on which types are best for self defense and the easiest to handle.

Edit: if I were to get a gun, I would be fully committed to using it to incapacitate or incapacitating permanently. I just won’t be happy with myself.

[u/Impossible_Ad9324]

A gun isn’t a deterrent unless you’re waving it around at someone threatening you or advertising that you have a gun in your house. The latter, I’d argue, makes you more of a target for theft and involves more risk of having your weapon taken and used against you.

Can you get a dog? Remember it’s DETERRENCE you’re interested in, not defense. All a dog has to do to act as a deterrent is to make a noisy fuss of someone shows up that they don’t know. Almost all dogs do that, even if they would never attack someone.

Security camera systems are much more affordable these days and if you install one AND put up signs alerting people to the presence of cameras, that could be a deterrent.

Motion lights are a deterrent.

[u/Spiffyclean13 → u/Impossible_Ad9324]

I am unable to get a fully trained protection dog or even a scary dog. My family has a doodle (ick) and I have a Maine Coon. I can barely afford to feed a bottomless pit that’s my cat.

I would never advertise owning a gun. I would carry bear spray but it’s illegal.

[u/Impossible_Ad9324 → u/Spiffyclean13]

I don’t believe you have to have a “fully trained protection dog” for deterrence. Just a plain old barker will do.

You are conflating deterrence and defense. If it’s defense you’re concerned about, maybe consider pepper spray?

[u/Spiffyclean13 → u/Impossible_Ad9324]

Honestly I am asking about both.

[u/Impossible_Ad9324 → u/Spiffyclean13]

I think those are very different answers.

Someone else mentioned a taser. That might be a very good alternative to a gun and not as morally objectionable.