Mental anguish about how my gun may save me

THERE’S an ongoing debate about gun ownership in the US. From this distance, it seems pretty obvious there should be more control over firearms in the US, but that is not our problem. I often think about the pros and cons of owning a firearm as a self-defence measure in these rather dangerous times. I suppose having a gun does give a feeling of security.

Then I think of possible scenarios in which a gun would protect me. Would I carry it in my pocket, (or in my handbag if I were a woman)?

Then, when I’m strolling down the street and somebody confronts me with his own gun and demands my cellphone and my wallet (or handbag), do I reach for my weapon?

If I hand over my phone and money I’ll live. If I reach for my gun and he is already pointing his at me, I’ll probably be shot.

If I carry my gun in a handbag, that is the first thing a mugger will take from me, and means another weapon in the hands of a criminal.

The mugger could probably even get away with a plea of self-defence if I did reach for my own gun.

“Your Honour, I was only wanting to frighten him, but when he pulled a gun on me I had to shoot him in self-defence.”

What about in my home? Where do I keep it? In the bedside cupboard? In the gun safe which I am required by law to own? Under my pillow?

When I wake up at night and find an intruder at the foot of my bed pointing a gun at me, will I be able to say: “Please wait a moment while I get my gun out of the safe?”

I have known three people who have been killed by gunshots – two shot by criminals and one killed in a gun accident.

I have not known anybody whose life has been saved by his or her having owned a gun.

I am aware there may be several cases where guns might have saved lives, but I wonder whether there are any official statistics about the “good” and “bad” use of guns.

I was intrigued when I was travelling in the US state of Arizona and noticed many people openly carrying guns in holsters. I think it is the law there that it is illegal to carry a “concealed” weapon. If you do carry a gun it must be visible.

In a strange way this makes sense. No mugger is going to try to rob you if they can see you have a gun within reach.

I saw a delivery man filling up a cold drink dispenser while casually wearing a large revolver on his belt.

I saw a middle-aged lady riding a motorcycle while wearing a holster. People strolled through shopping malls wearing guns. I didn’t feel threatened at all.

Here in South Africa the police are among the few people who openly wear guns.

Last year, according to published statistics, 7 759 guns were stolen in South Africa and 6 602 of these were police weapons.

Do we need to review our own gun laws?

Last Laugh

I am told there is a taxi driver in Cape Town who is such a bad driver the metro cops have given him a season ticket.