it's official...

[Velisma]

I'm buying a gun. I almost got robbed tonight just a second ago by some idiot and his friends in what looked like a white car w/ 4 doors. He could only muster the words "fuck you nigga!!!" when I caught his dumb ass tryin' to break into one of my cars... any suggestions on what I can do or who it might be... This is Lubbock, not L.A. HOLY SHIT I'M PISSED!!!

[Techrebel]

1. Why did it take this event to make you want to own a firearm?
2. Just because you own a firearm, doesn't mean you can carry it on you.
3. If you post a thread stating that you are buying a "gun" you probably don't know enough about them to properly handle one.
4. You would be better off with a baseball bat.

[GamblerZ]

The best defense for auto theft/burglary in that instance is:

1. get an alarm for your car
2. install video surveillance wherever your car is parked
3. install a lowjack
4. install security/motion detection lights at your house

Or, all of the above.

Although, I will say that I would have my gun in my hand if that occurred to me as well.

[Velisma]

Thanks Peter! I was in total shock when it happened. I actually remember thinking to myself "I'm actually witnessing my cars being broken into!!!" It's like watching some one put their hands all over your wife and you can't do anything about it! HELL NO!!! The cars have alarms on them but I'm not sure if you can set the sensitivity higher or not... I actually hate guns (or rather the idiot usually behind them) but seriously am considering getting a license and purchasing one. If I would've had a gun last night and popped off a few rounds in the air or the ground, the guy probably would have freaked and fell on the ground crying and there would be one less person out there stealing sh*t and yelling stereotypical crap when they get caught and run off...

[GamblerZ]

The thing about holding a gun in your hand as a deterrent, at some point you have to be prepared to use it. However, you young guys are more computer/electronically capable than I am and I can imagine that setting video surveillance would be a snap. Chances are though, that they are going to try it again.

Were they trying to steal the car, or just burglarize it?

[G35SdnTTU]

Crime is becoming a major problem. Aparently my apartments are starting to see a rise in theft, and I've heard of some break ins to people's apartments here as well.

It's no wueno.

[Calum]

The best defense for auto theft/burglary in that instance is:

1. get an alarm for your car
2. install video surveillance wherever your car is parked
3. install a lowjack
4. install security/motion detection lights at your house

Or, all of the above.

Although, I will say that I would have my gun in my hand if that occurred to me as well.

5. Get a house with a garage, park toys in garage. Leave POS parked on the street.

The motion sensing lights do work and can be dead easy to install. If you've already got a porch light near your driveway you can just get a motion sensing screw in base for $10 at Home Depot etc.

If you do get a gun don't advertise that you got one (like make a post on a forum that you just bought one...). The less things that you own that people know about the better. Otherwise it's just giving someone an incentive to break into your house when your gone and steal your gun.

[tchunter28]

. If I would've had a gun last night and popped off a few rounds in the air or the ground, the guy probably would have freaked and fell on the ground crying and there would be one less person out there stealing sh*t and yelling stereotypical crap when they get caught and run off...

You can't do that. If you use a gun in self-defense or in protecting your property you CANNOT give warning shots. You have to shoot to kill. If not you can get in deep deep shit.

[pcruz88]

You can't do that. If you use a gun in self-defense or in protecting your property you CANNOT give warning shots. You have to shoot to kill. If not you can get in deep deep shit.

Hmmm that makes it alot easier then

[tchunter28]

Hmmm that makes it alot easier then

In theory I guess. Adrenaline really fucks with you when it comes time to draw on someone. Then there is the knowledge that you are trying to end someone's life. People talk a big game but you never know how you'll react until it happens.

[Pitcherman]

Popped off a few rounds to scare them? Do you think you're in a fucking action movie?

[GamblerZ]

You could always use an airsoft gun or paintball marker. I would think the latter would be the best. As he speeds off in his car, you can spray him with paintballs. The police could easily identify the suspect later. LOL

[pcruz88]

or buy a flamethrower, they are legal, i read an article about it the other day

[Pitcherman]

or buy a flamethrower, they are legal, i read an article about it the other day

They are legal to own, but not to sell. Thus he would need to make his own

[TexasTechX1]

is NOT intimidating...

[addictedpony]

Buy an airsoft gun if you just want to use it more as a means to deter them. However, don't brandish it thinking "ok Ill scare the shit out of this guy" because guess what? HE may have a gun, and then there your are about to be in a shootout.


But look at the situation you were in...you caught the guy while you were walking to your car...so realistically you aren't going to be carrying a baseball bat or airsoft/real gun on you while walking from your work to your car.

If anything just get an alarm.

[EJ1 B18C]

buy a shotgun, when you hear/see said intruder step out and give the shot gun a good pump that will get there attention for sure.

[GamblerZ]

Or, get a taser or pepper spray

[EJ1 B18C]

+1 pepper spray works very well.

[G35SdnTTU]

I vote for the taser.

[GamblerZ]

But with pepper spray you don't have to get too close to the suspect.

[Velisma]

Buy an airsoft gun if you just want to use it more as a means to deter them. However, don't brandish it thinking "ok Ill scare the shit out of this guy" because guess what? HE may have a gun, and then there your are about to be in a shootout.


But look at the situation you were in...you caught the guy while you were walking to your car...so realistically you aren't going to be carrying a baseball bat or airsoft/real gun on you while walking from your work to your car.

If anything just get an alarm.

both cars have alarms and this occurred at my house at around 4 in the morning, not my job.

Again, like I said, I'm not a big fan of guns but having a family to look out for really changes things for some of you young guys who have no wife and kids... The cop that came by the house said that more than likely these guys were just going down the block seeing who left their cars unlocked and was taking advantage of the weather since the roads are bad. It's weird because I grew up in this neighborhood and now being the head of the house hold to see stuff like this happen is unreal. This neighborhood is usually well patrolled too...

[G35SdnTTU]

But with pepper spray you don't have to get too close to the suspect.

..

[Velisma]

I completely agree w/ you on this Tchunter... People, (and it's mostly young H.S./college aged guys) talk a big game but holding a gun and using one are two very different things... This is why I hate them but when it comes to my family, life style and the things I have worked hard for, it's not a question anymore on what should happen...

[Velisma]

As for your question Peter on if he was trying to steal the car or something else....

I'm not really sure... when I looked outside, I thought somebody had tripped and fell in the road because the guy had his hand on top of the car and standing completely still like he was trying to gain his bearings but then he started looking into the driver side window so... not really sure :/