In terms of crime my immediate neighborhood has gone down hill significantly in the last 18 months or so. Apparently one or more families moved in a street or two away and it is either their kids or their kids' friends who are causing problems. Cars broken into, garages broken into and thefts occurring. Vandalism. I'm considering trying to apply a little deterrence - maybe get a retention holster and start open carrying and walk my dog down their way. Let them know they are playing a dangerous game of chance. I know several of my immediate neighbors are firearms enthusiasts and 2nd Amendment supporters. It is only a matter of time before one of these punks gets in way over their head.
People who play adult games need to understand the risk before they get unlucky. I would rather have them learn than see them killed, but I would rather see them killed than see an innocent person victimized, even in a "property crime". Having someone break in is a life-changing event for a victim who feels helpless and have nightmares for years or even forever.
I've had no bad dreams at all, just a few unpleasant conversations with my wife. She doesn't want me to hurt a kid, but she does want me to shoot anyone who breaks in and poses a threat.
An armed society is a polite society.
My wife and I practice often. Her 96 year old father still has his farm and we go there to shoot very often. She is a good shot at twenty yards she could put your eye out, you shouldn't mess with her. She carries in her purse, her purse has a special place for a gun, its cool.
I always recommend to people to get a gun that they will carry. If you have to stop someone a great big 45 will do the job nicely but the only problem is that you won't have it with you because you will think it is too big.
38’s & 9mm’s both come in small enough and light enough sizes that they can be easily carried. Yes a 32 is small too but I think that is just too small a caliper to stop someone with. A 38 or a 9mm hollow point will slow anyone down with only one shot and the noise will startle most anyone.
Get a gun, train on it often and carry always.