Pro-Gun Experts Prove Handguns Are Ineffective Self-Defense Tools(VPC BS ALERT)

VPC - ^ | November 19 | Naomi Seligman

[Dan from Michigan]

Pro-Gun Experts Prove Handguns Are Ineffective Self-Defense Tools, New VPC Study Reveals

WASHINGTON, DC—In response to the reported spike in handgun sales since the September 11th attacks, the Violence Policy Center (VPC) today released Unintended Consequences: Pro-Handgun Experts Prove That Handguns Are a Dangerous Choice For Self-Defense. The 90-page study demonstrates through the writings of pro-gun experts the ineffectiveness and dangers of handguns as alleged self-defense tools.

"While the gun industry has greedily hawked its wares in the aftermath of the September 11th tragedy, they have worked even harder to keep hidden from the American public a secret they readily share among themselves—handguns pose grave dangers to their owners and families," states Tom Diaz, author of Unintended Consequences and VPC Senior Policy Analyst. "This study is comprised substantially of writings from pro-gun experts who readily admit handguns are basically impossible to use effectively in self-defense."

For example, Massad Ayoob, a legendary firearms instructor and respected pro-gun author has cautioned, "The uninitiated tend to make two kinds of mistakes with firearms: they either use guns when they shouldn't, or do not use them properly in the rare circumstances when they should." Ayoob has pointed out that, "The average American has more misconceptions about lethal force in the home than in any other self-defense situation. He not only has little understanding of his legal position under these circumstances; he has no idea of how to conduct himself if, by infinitesimal chance, the day comes when his home actually is turned into a battleground he must defend against armed criminals."

In fact, in 1998, for every time that a civilian used a handgun to kill in self-defense, 51 people lost their lives in handgun homicides alone. Yet, there have been an increasing number of news reports that women are a prime target for the gun industry as first-time handgun buyers. Left out of those reports is the fact that in 1999 for every one time a woman used a handgun to kill in self-defense, 120 women were murdered with handguns.

Handguns in the real world—as opposed to the industry's fantasy world of virtuous defensive gun use—make people who own them much less safe. The study reveals that according to leading pro-gun experts the overwhelming majority of people who own handguns:

are ignorant of—or ignore—basic handgun safety rules;

do not have the necessary handgun combat marksmanship skills to effectively defend themselves without harming innocent others; and,

are not prepared for the extreme physiological and psychological effects that the experts, many of whom have on-the-street law enforcement experience with firearms, agree inevitably occur in an armed life-or-death confrontation (the only situation in which lethal force is justified in self-defense).

[hoot2]

"As for Ayoob's comments, his solution isn't banning guns. Knowing what I know about him, his solution is TRAINING"

thanks dan, but they're sorta right about "pistols"

Audio

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

Yours is a fairly common story, although the morons who start these confrontations rarely get prosecuted. But there are a LOT of retards running around this country (some on drugs, but not all) who have little or no control over themselves, and will beat you to death over a parking space. Sad, but true.

Then tthere are the "aggressive panhandlers", like the gorilla who suddenly appeared out of an alley next to a liquor store I had just come out of (with my 12-pack of Coors in my left hand- I never carry anything in my right hand- especially not in dark parking lots at night). He was demanding that I give him some money to "hold" when I reached under my jacket and got a grip on my S&W. He decided that he needed to be be back in the alley very quickly...

Now, I did not SHOW the weapon, I did not threaten anyone, and I certainly didn't shoot anyone- but if this had gone to court for any reason, some slime lawyer would have been sure to say "This poor unfortunate was ONLY asking for a little money for food!"

I will not be the victim of a shakedown- period. (One reason I hate L.A. is that they have so many of these losers down there- you can't walk a hundred feet without being hit up for money).

[Brownie74]

Touche!!

[butter pecan fan]

In fact, in 1998, for every time that a civilian used a handgun to kill in self-defense, 51 people lost their lives in handgun homicides alone. Yet, there have been an increasing number of news reports that women are a prime target for the gun industry as first-time handgun buyers. Left out of those reports is the fact that in 1999 for every one time a woman used a handgun to kill in self-defense, 120 women were murdered with handguns.

Damn, Dan, this is such statistical horse$hit that they've just about convinced me to jump off the fence and buy a handgun.

I mean, even ignoring the devious "flaw" that the kill rate has nothing to do with incidents of effective deterrent use, their "supporting point" has absolutely no relationship to what they're trying to prove. It's about as meaningful as saying,

In fact, in 1998, for every time that a civilian used a handgun to kill in self-defense, 51 people personally witnessed policemen purchasing donuts at the local 7-11. Therefore, handguns are ineffective and dangerous.

If this is the best they can do, it would seem there's no longer any reason for me to hesitate about getting a handgun.

[americalost]

Very good story. Congratulations and WTG. We're glad you told us (and were here to tell us) about it.

In case you haven't yet, consider sharing your story with Operation Self Defense: http://www.keepandbeararms.com/opsd/default.asp

[IncredibleHulk]

GEtting a handgun and a good training course is a good idea but don't forget a long gun, in case the perp gets out of range.

[elbucko]

"This study is comprised of......

Depends on what the meaning of "is", is.

[.38sw]

...there's no longer any reason for me to hesitate about getting a handgun.

Or several. When I bought my first one, I thought that was the only one I'd have. Then I discovered I like to shoot, so I now have a nice variety!

[xm177e2]

according to leading pro-gun experts the overwhelming majority of people who own handguns:

are ignorant of—or ignore—basic handgun safety rules;

do not have the necessary handgun combat marksmanship skills to effectively defend themselves without harming innocent others; and,

are not prepared for the extreme physiological and psychological effects that the experts, many of whom have on-the-street law enforcement experience with firearms, agree inevitably occur in an armed life-or-death confrontation (the only situation in which lethal force is justified in self-defense).

It should be noted that the experts are trying to convince people to come to their expensive self-defense classes.

[norton]

They said it,
it will be repeated,
and repeated,
It will become 'truth' because it' s been heard so often.

They're really good at that.
They have the entire DNC backing them up,
unless you want to take the guns away from their bodygurads as well.

PS, does anyone know if Dianne Feinstein still carries?

[Syncro]

I like that shotgun.

Do you know the laws for owning guns if you live on your own boat?

This shotgun is perfect for all weather conditions.

[copycat]

If handguns are "ineffective", why do so many police carry them?

Great point.

[maxwellp]

When we lived in Queens, NY I defended myself with a handgun. One night when my husband was working at night, some guy rang our apartment bell. Because I wanted to watch a particular show on TV that night and did not want to talk to neighbors, I just didn't answer. The bell rang again and I realized my neighbors were not home - so I tiptoed to the door and opened the tiny part of the peephole and saw some black dude and heard him trying to pick the lock. I quietly ran to the bedroom and got my husband's handgun, which I didn't know how to use, ran back to the door, opened the larger part of the peephole and shoved the gun through. The guy screamed and ran to the staircase and jumped the eight steps down and kept going. I'm a thinking person - I was in my own home and all I wanted to do was watch a TV program. When some individual decides he wants to enter my home and rob me or do me harm, I become very enraged. Very enraged. Later I learned to shoot a handgun. I missed the TV show I wanted to watch and I'm still enraged, years later.

[JohnD9207]

All I have to add is Practice, Practice, and more Practice.

Don't concern yourselfs with any group that spouts CRAP! GUN CONTROL IS HITTING WHAT YOU ARE AIMING AT!

John Danforth

LIfe Member , NRA

SSGT USA (ret)

[Syncro]

PS, does anyone know if Dianne Feinstein still carries?

I don't know if she carries or not, but she and one other "privileged" San Franciscan have permits.

She is also the proud owner of an AK-47 which she showed a crowd of people with her finger ON the trigger...

[2Trievers]

BTTT

[yarddog]

I have several I could tell but will only go with one. This story was told about a year ago but it won't hurt to repeat it.

I was spending a few days in a cabin owned by my parents. This cabin is relatively isolated yet still is only a couple of hundred yards from a paved road.

I was asleep and about midnight heard noises outside. It sounded like someone was trying to get into a camper parked near the cabin. I suspected someone would try to come into the cabin and got a flashlight and Browning Hi Power.

Sure enough, in a few minutes someone started trying to open the locked door. I jerked the door open and hit the outside light at the same time. I immediately stuck the muzzle of the loaded and ready pistol right between his eyes, touching his forehead. This guy looked like he could have come out of central casting. He had long black hair, a beard and was dirty.

To my surprise, he was not affected at all. He calmly said that his car was in the ditch and he needed help.

I called the Sheriff and an off duty deputy heard the call and came right by. It turned out the guy really was in the ditch. The deputy and I both agreed he was high on drugs. He had stalled his car and run the battery down. He had been trying to get into the battery compartment of the camper. Probably just looking for whatever he could find.

I came across the deputy a few days later and he told me the guy was on marijuana. They kept him in jail for the night and let him go, since I didn't press charges.

BTW the deputy was killed a few weeks later during an armed robbery at a rural liquor store.

[TEXASPROUD]

Henderson,

Bad call my friend, old Mass is a New Hampshire cop who knows more about judicious self defense than Carter's got pills. He is a damn rightous individual whose commitment to the Constitution is unquestionable. I for one have met him a few times and he is a god-fearing, God Bless America, dyed in the wool AMERICAN, and happens to love this country more than his own life. Do not, I repeat, do not bad mouth this damn good constitution loving cop.

If anyone out there knows Mass you can imagine the string of expletives he would be using right about now.

[copycat]

".....handguns are basically impossible to use effectively in self-defense."

What a crock. Every American,who has grown up in this culture, has a good working knowledge of what a handgun can and can't do....and they KNOW it is effective for self-defense.

Every American in this country can see through this statement. I am embarrassed for those who are reduced to making it.

[jonathonandjennifer]

In fact, in 1998, for every time that a civilian used a handgun to kill in self-defense, 51 people lost their lives in handgun homicides alone.

Can you find any meaning in this sentence? Do they mean that I'm 51 times as likely to commit homicide as defend myself if I carry a handgun? Statistics can be taken WAY too far. Classic "guns kill people" illogic.