New research reveals gun owners more likely to be shot.

[Gyrogearhead]

Apparently there is a new research paper from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine that indicates that gun owners are much more likely to be shot than people who don't own guns. The study, which I think was deeply flawed, was released online this month in the American Journal of Public Health, in advance of print publication in November 2009. Here's the URL to the article that appears in Science Daily:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 121512.htm

Here's the URL of a liberal news site I follow to see what the other side is up to and where I ran across this info. The discussion relating to the news of the study is not as left leaning as you might expect and raises some interesting perspectives.

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/rights/14 ... 8#c1338711

The most interesting comment, in my humble opinion, is from a women on the above dicussion board and it brings up a topic that I believe we all should read and seriously think about. Here is her comment on this Pennsylvania study in its entireity:

"My husband has rifles which he uses to target shoot. I am capable of hitting my target 98% of the time with both a 9mm and a 30-06 rifle. Yet, I know that if I am taken by surprise by someone with a gun, that my reflexes are such that I probably could not get off the first shot, could not react quickly enough probably to even remove the safety before I was shot, and I know I would have real difficulty shooting someone even if my own life was in danger.

"Having been the victim of an assault, I can tell you that no matter what you think you can do, sometimes what the reality is and what the desire is are two very different things. Unless you practice everyday with the intention of being able to kill another human being, whether with a gun, a knife, or your hands, the reality is that you are never prepared for that eventuality. You may want to kill your assailant or home invader, but unless they go after your children, you will probably find you cannot do so. Protecting your children is the only reason I have ever had to feel I could kill without thought or reason.

"The Average American is not trained to kill and does not have the reflexes necessary to kill to protect themselves, even if they are carrying a gun. We are not James Bonds or paid assassins. We respect life, all life, no matter how violent it is towards us. We are raised to believe this about ourselves, and it takes a very special kind of person to be willing to kill another human being, even in the middle of an assault.

"So, if you take away the will to kill and the ability to act instinctively and reflexively to kill, having the use of a handgun for personal protection leaves you vulnerable no matter what you may feel or believe you are capable of in that kind of situation. Often, if you manage to pull the gun, the other person already has their gun drawn as they approach you, and any attempt at heroics may very well get you killed before you even draw your weapon.

"So, a cautionary tale: this study offers some thoughts to consider, but introspection and wisdom coupled with common sense may offer you a better way of deciding. Ask yourself this: could I kill another human being under any circumstances? If you cannot answer yes to each and every scenario you can possibly imagine, then the gun for personal protection is a waste of your time and your money, and very possibly your life!"

We Talk a lot here about being able to take care of ourselves but how many of us know in our heart of hearts that we could blow out another man's or a teen aged gang banger's brains without any hesitation in one smooth draw and fire?

Just some food for thought.

[mymojo]

We Talk a lot here about being able to take care of ourselves but how many of us know in our heart of hearts that we could blow out another man's or a teen aged gang banger's brains without any hesitation in one smooth draw and fire?

Just some food for thought.

With the high percentage of veterans that gun boards normally draw I would say the percentage is pretty high actually.

I wonder if you took a poll how many people on this board have already had to face that decision (I.E.combat)

Not to be a "one-up" internet commando,but I've been faced with that question twice in my life.

[Keith B]

Thread already running over here http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... 59&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;