Do you carry anything for self-defense?

OhLook wrote in post #15980420
Tom, your list doesn't include even one urban area. No wonder you feel safe!

I shoot on the streets of Chicago all the time. In fact I was out for a couple of hours today.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #15980431
I shoot on the streets of Chicago all the time. In fact I was out for a couple of hours today.

If I recall from other posts, you're a big guy, and you have significant military experience. Those are blessings when it comes to freedom to roam.

OhLook wrote in post #15980470
If I recall from other posts, you're a big guy, and you have significant military experience. Those are blessings when it comes to freedom to roam.

I do have friends that aren't so big and Bruce Davidson is not a big guy nor is Joel Meyerowitz.

When I get up and go out, I have a pistol on me at all times.

mpix345 wrote in post #15980210
It might be, if that fire extinguisher is unsecured and could be used to kill a bunch a people by the owner's mentally impaired child, for example. Otherwise, no, not a bad idea.

Back in the day an acquaintance and I were discussing the pending seatbelt laws. We both agreed that it wasn't the state's place to create such a law but, while I always wore and wear my seatbelt he insisted that he'd never wear one because he might some day be trapped in the car by the thing.

I consider his and your arguments to be roughly the same.

Erik S. Klein wrote in post #15980883
Back in the day an acquaintance and I were discussing the pending seatbelt laws. We both agreed that it wasn't the state's place to create such a law but, while I always wore and wear my seatbelt he insisted that he'd never wear one because he might some day be trapped in the car by the thing.

I consider his and your arguments to be roughly the same.

If I agreed with your apparent premise that a gun is a safety device then I suppose we'd be eye-to-eye on this. That's a pretty big "if" though.

Your vintage computer site is very interesting, btw.

Rstanford wrote in post #15979938
On average 200,000 women defend themselfs yearly from violent attack with a handgun, thats more than 500 a day, where do you live? in a bubble.

What's your source for this figure?

umgrizz wrote in post #15980976
What's your source for this figure?

Here's a source. If you meant to ask about a credible source I can't help you. Sorry.

Here's another great stat:

That gem is from a firearms dealer website. If you scroll way down and check the footnotes it says that only 22 kids were killed on school property by firearms. No chance that quote gets repeated as simply "football kills more kids than guns" though, is there?

Tom Reichner wrote in post #15980159
...It is difficult for me to consider something a very real, present threat if I have never even seen it happen - not even once - after 45 years of life....

I understand your overall point, but the fact that I've never seen anyone hit by a car doesn't mean that I don't use caution when crossing a busy street.

I've been taking class taught by Jason Bourne, James Bond, and Jackie Chan. Featuring Indiana Jones.

I carry a 9mm Glock, either a 19 or 26, every day, every place I am legally allowed. I have a concealed weapons permit and have taken numerous courses in the defensive use of firearms.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #15980159
It is difficult for me to consider something a very real, present threat if I have never even seen it happen - not even once - after 45 years of life.

I was 46 when it happened to me.

mpix345 wrote in post #15980967
If I agreed with your apparent premise that a gun is a safety device then I suppose we'd be eye-to-eye on this. That's a pretty big "if" though.

I guess it is a matter of perspective, but I've never quite understood the other side of that one...

mpix345 wrote in post #15980967
Your vintage computer site is very interesting, btw.

Thanks!

mpix345 wrote in post #15980998
Here's a source. If you meant to ask about a credible source I can't help you. Sorry.

I don't have the source for the study from which the stat comes but here is the author of that study.

His credentials and the credibility of the study are both quite good.

I've never felt the need to arm myself for any reason, but I do have a Swiss army knife in my camera bag.

Great for peeling fruit, opening the odd bottle of beer and occasionally for the quick repair.