.38 palm pistol (single shot) bad idea?

**Devil** · Posted On: 4/07/2011 12:17pm

Originally Posted by gregaquaman

Zip gun?

Well, I've got to admit. It's pretty fucking intimidating. If someone pulled it out I'd immediately assume they were batshit crazy and wouldn't hesitate to blow my head off.

**Devil** · Posted On: 4/07/2011 12:54pm

By the way, if you guys get a chance - take a few minutes to read through some of the comments on the article the OP posted.

There are some real gems there posted by complete retards.

**Robstafarian** · Posted On: 4/07/2011 2:36pm

Originally Posted by devil

If you're too feeble to pull a trigger on a revolver, you have no business handling any firearm.

I agree completely; I guess no one swayed by that talking point has ever considered the phrase “free recoil energy.”

Originally Posted by devil

I've heard people make the statement before "Don't pull out a gun unless you know you're going to use it." I think that's complete bullshit. If you're able to use your gun as a deterrent instead of killing someone, then it's a good day.

I agree with the statement you put in quotation marks, but it's a matter of safety and legality. Safety wise, the Second Rule of Firearms Safety pretty much says it all: “Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.” With regard to legality...

My state has a crime called “brandishing,” or some such, of which I assume you're automatically guilty if you pulled a gun and then didn't defend someone's life. A person may be far less likely of being prosecuted if they pulled a gun and interrupted a violent crime, but the theoretical basis in law still exists.

My brother once said that I shouldn't need to ever pull the trigger; the sight of my gun alone would do the job. I replied, “if someone or something doesn't need to be shot, I have no business pointing a gun at it.” I keep the gun close at hand if I may need to use it, but it's never on target until said object can be legitimately labeled a target.

**ChenPengFi** · Posted On: 4/07/2011 2:55pm

Originally Posted by Permalost

A girl I've been seeing has three guns, and the one she carries is a little pink-framed number. My first thought was that if she points it at someone, they might not even think it's a real gun:

That would be unwise, after all:

Pink Pistol-Packin' Beauty Queen Shoots Home Invader

The fiance's an "arborist?"and her ring is $60k? Hahahahaaa..

**Devil** · Posted On: 4/07/2011 2:57pm

Originally Posted by Robstafarian

I agree completely; I guess no one swayed by that talking point has ever considered the phrase “free recoil energy.”

I agree with the statement you put in quotation marks, but it's a matter of safety and legality. Safety wise, the Second Rule of Firearms Safety pretty much says it all: “Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.” With regard to legality...

My state has a crime called “brandishing,” or some such, of which I assume you're automatically guilty if you pulled a gun and then didn't defend someone's life. A person may be far less likely of being prosecuted if they pulled a gun and interrupted a violent crime, but the theoretical basis in law still exists.

My brother once said that I shouldn't need to ever pull the trigger; the sight of my gun alone would do the job. I replied, “if someone or something doesn't need to be shot, I have no business pointing a gun at it.” I keep the gun close at hand if I may need to use it, but it's never on target until said object can be legitimately labeled a target.

There's a difference between being willing to kill a person and being committed to killing a person. I wouldn't pull my weapon unless I was willing to kill a person. But that doesn't necessarily mean I've already decided to shoot when the weapon comes out.

If the weapon comes out, that just means I'm in a dangerous situation and I feel like the need for deadly force may be imminent to protect myself. But if the sight of the weapon de-escalates the situation, it's a win-win.

As far as safety goes, there's nothing unsafe about drawing your weapon unless you're an incompetent idiot. Drawing and pointing aren't the same thing.

I'm not a lawyer, so I won't sit here and argue the legal aspect. I will say from my limited training on the subject (concealed carry course is pretty much the extent) that I would feel comfortable drawing my weapon any time I felt threatened to the point that I thought it was possible I may need to shoot. That doesn't mean I stick it in some dude's ear but if I need it ready, I'll get it ready. I'm confident I could deal with any potential legal ramifications from a situation like that.

**Permalost** · Posted On: 4/07/2011 2:59pm

Originally Posted by ChenPengFi

[URL="http://nation.foxnews.com/home-invasion/2011/03/23/pink-pistol-packin-beauty-queen-shoots-home-invader"]The fiance's an "arborist?"and her ring is $60k? Hahahahaaa..

More surprising is that a beauty queen is married to an arborist. My best friend is an arborist, and the earthy, hippie girls like him but the high maintenance beauty type don't.

**ChenPengFi** · Posted On: 4/07/2011 3:04pm

I think arborist may have a slightly different interpretation over there, as in "I have a large fast boat and do frequent trips out pass the Keys just for fun..."
Of course i haven't priced a ponytail palm in a while so who knows.

**Lord Skeletor** · Posted On: 4/07/2011 3:44pm

Yeah, my two cents--it's a gimmick gun that's very old in design. Appears that they're just updating an old idea for its inherent "weird/coolness" value. Not sure I'd want to spend money on that ****.

**Robstafarian** · Posted On: 4/07/2011 11:49pm

Originally Posted by devil

Multi-paragraph clarification which isn't quoted because it'd look silly next to my tiny reply.

Ah, so you're talking about having the pistol in the ready position rather than on target and ready to kill (in other words, in the middle of the holster -> ready -> on target continuum). In that case, I'm with you—and I think the laws of my state aren't clear on the subject.