Firstly, right off the bat - I will admit I am rather biased. I come from a long line of firearm owners as well as Military officers. While I know, understand and acknowledge that there are people out there who do have firearms who shouldn't (especially the criminals who purchase firearms on the illegal black market trade - many of which in this country are stolen from police and the army), I feel that responsible gun ownership should be available to those who are that way inclined.
I primarily want a handgun (which I will go through all the red tape to acquire even though I personally feel it is way over the top here) to be able to more readily protect myself and my daughter from a house invasion or hijacking which is far more common in South Africa than people would like to believe.
Of course I could do that without a firearm, however a firearm is a far more effective means at self defence in that kind of situation.
Many people may disagree and that's their right. Each to their own I believe. I feel that if those people don't want guns, nobody is forcing them to get one, however I think the same should be afforded to the people that already have or want to have a firearm, they should be provided the opportunity to have one, as long as they meet the legal requirements of safe handling and storage.
As for the Alec Baldwin story - the film set didn't meet the safety requirements and that is what the result was. The filmset firearms officer admitted as much - that shouldn't mean that every single person gets painted with the same brush.
Firearm discussions tend to often be similar to religious ones, it's sometimes safer to just not have them depending on the company of course.
You make a good point about the fact that firearms owners don't try and force Non-firearms owners to have them. Freedom of choice right?
Some person murders someone with a gun...Is an unrelated firearms owner bad because he/she also has a gun? A male rapist rapes a woman...Are all men bad because they have dicks? Hmm...
Anyway, freedom of choice. That's the main point.
Good luck with your firearms process. Any ideas what handgun you will go for? I assume 9mm to start, and then something you're able to handle from a hand-size perspective.
Exactly.
Thank you for the luck, I hate dealing with bureaucracy, but it has to be done.
Yes, I'd like a 9mm, but I'm not about to rush into choosing, I want to do some homework first, I do have a few ideas, but will be asking around on this community for opinions based on members personal experience as well 😀 Thanks Galen. Have a good one.
There's a lot to choose from and many factors. I'm sure you'll make an informed decision though.