I grew up in Canada where no one, other than law enforcement
officials, carried or kept a firearm for personal or property protection. We
had friends who hunted and displayed their guns on a rack in their basement,
but this always made me uneasy. However, I know that it is commonplace for
Americans to carry and keep firearms in their homes for protection. According
to the 2007 Gallup Poll, 67% of Americans keep a gun in their home for protection.
Not in My Home
This is not the case in our home where we have chosen other methods of home and personal protection. A home alarm monitoring system, a strong neighborhood watch program and a feisty Chihuahua make up the security task force for my family and our home. Besides a personal objection to having firearms in the home, there are other reasons why a gun should not ever be your first choice for home security. While the Second Amendment permits Americans to keep and bear arms, it is worthwhile to consider whether they are actually the best form of defense available.
Accidents Happen
Although it may seem obvious, guns are dangerous and even tragic. This is true even when they are in the most skilled hands. Over 34% of American children live in a home with at least one gun. While many gun owners are responsible and keep guns locked up and away from children, there are still many accidents with guns in the hands of curious children each year. Even one accident is one too many. Sadly, in 1998, over 1200 American children used a handgun from their home to commit suicide.
Guns Don’t Protect When you Are Away from Home
A gun cannot fire itself or frighten off a robber. No matter how safe a gun makes you feel when you are home, it is of no use as a form of property protection when you are not home. More crimes against property occur when property owners are not home.
A Gun Can Be Used Against You
If someone threatens your home or property and gets to your gun before you or wrestles it from you, terrible things could happen. Not to mention that many guns kept in the home for defense end up being used in spousal or arguments with neighbors.
Security Systems Don’t Murder
A home security system will not kill anyone, but it will protect your home, your valuables and your family. Security systems take very little skill to operate and are a much safer and effective choice for property and personal protection within the home than a firearm. Other ways to protect your home and your family include getting a dog, taking a self-defense class and joining a neighborhood watch program. All of these are much safer alternatives to keeping a firearm in the home.
Not in My Home
This is not the case in our home where we have chosen other methods of home and personal protection. A home alarm monitoring system, a strong neighborhood watch program and a feisty Chihuahua make up the security task force for my family and our home. Besides a personal objection to having firearms in the home, there are other reasons why a gun should not ever be your first choice for home security. While the Second Amendment permits Americans to keep and bear arms, it is worthwhile to consider whether they are actually the best form of defense available.
Accidents Happen
Although it may seem obvious, guns are dangerous and even tragic. This is true even when they are in the most skilled hands. Over 34% of American children live in a home with at least one gun. While many gun owners are responsible and keep guns locked up and away from children, there are still many accidents with guns in the hands of curious children each year. Even one accident is one too many. Sadly, in 1998, over 1200 American children used a handgun from their home to commit suicide.
Guns Don’t Protect When you Are Away from Home
A gun cannot fire itself or frighten off a robber. No matter how safe a gun makes you feel when you are home, it is of no use as a form of property protection when you are not home. More crimes against property occur when property owners are not home.
A Gun Can Be Used Against You
If someone threatens your home or property and gets to your gun before you or wrestles it from you, terrible things could happen. Not to mention that many guns kept in the home for defense end up being used in spousal or arguments with neighbors.
Security Systems Don’t Murder
A home security system will not kill anyone, but it will protect your home, your valuables and your family. Security systems take very little skill to operate and are a much safer and effective choice for property and personal protection within the home than a firearm. Other ways to protect your home and your family include getting a dog, taking a self-defense class and joining a neighborhood watch program. All of these are much safer alternatives to keeping a firearm in the home.
Resources
The Morning Call: “Should
I Keep A Gun in the House?” October 13, 2003. (http://www.mcall.com/features/family/all-4430045sep15,
0,1753270.story)
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