First, I think a double action handgun is out. i seriously doubt she has the strength to pull the trigger, much less accuratey. I also seriously question her mindset to flick off the safety on a single action and she won't have the strength to rack the slide. My Grandfather who looked great, was an active guy and very experienced with guns bought a Hi-Power and was unable to rack the slide w/o trouble. you also have to worry about mindset. Is she willing to use the weapon w/o hesitation when it matters? Rember she is scared to death and old, she is not thinking clearly. I think it is generally a bad idea, it could turn a very bad situation where she is hurt imto getting killed. get her a dog, a good alarm, and ask the neighbors to look out after her.
Handgun for Elderly woman
- Thread starter USGuns
- Start date
one with a gun....Ronto, that is the kind of thinking that gets folks killed! Outlaws take on multiple cops with pistols and rifles all the time.
It's o'dark thirty, the outlaw got drunk before he snorted his PCP, and he feels invincible. Grandma is not going to shoot HIM. He is a big, bad dude, so he will not run!
If your theory was 100% true, none of use would need loaded guns at all. But sadly the outlaws have not read your post, and don't know they are supposed to run at the sight of a double barrel.
We have to avoid that kind of thinking. We have to prepare for the worst case, not the best case.
It's o'dark thirty, the outlaw got drunk before he snorted his PCP, and he feels invincible. Grandma is not going to shoot HIM. He is a big, bad dude, so he will not run!
If your theory was 100% true, none of use would need loaded guns at all. But sadly the outlaws have not read your post, and don't know they are supposed to run at the sight of a double barrel.
We have to avoid that kind of thinking. We have to prepare for the worst case, not the best case.
some of you guys ought to be ashamed of yourselves. just because she's 83 and has arthritis doesn't mean she's helpless. the OP wouldnt have asked about guns if she was the invalid some of you are painting the picture of. i went to look at a job yesterday for a 92 year old man that could probably whup my ass. found out he was in WWII and the korean war. i'm just saying to give them some credit, she might be tougher than you think!
Jim Watson
New member
Agreed. She might be old and arthritic, but she is very likely tougher-minded and readier to shoot than most of us on this board. My dear old Mother was like that. The main requirement is to furnish her with something physically manageable.
What's your mom like?
People are different.
My mom, at 59, has never shot a gun, is kind of afraid of them, and is afraid it would be used against her. I'm working on her to come and shoot with me, and to get her card that will allow her to buy a gun if she so desires.
But for now, she's better off with a can of hornet spray at her bedside.
She lives in the second floor of an old, creaky house, and she's a light sleeper, so waking up in time to use a gun is no problem. But I just think she might hesitate at the moment of truth and get the gun taken from her and used on her.
How is your mom? Like mine? or is she one of those spry old ladies who grew up on a farm and isn't afraid of anything?
The absolute worst thing you can do is to just buy her a gun and tell her: "Here you are, Ma. Just point it at the bad guy and squeeze the trigger."
Also, how strong is she mentally?
Lastly, you said that she just started living on her own. If that implies that your dad just died, then I'm sorry for yours and her loss.
Oh, and I certainly wouldn't give a gun to an old lady whose long-time husband had just died. My great uncle died several years ago, and my great aunt couldn't think of anything but "going to be with him" for the last couple years of her life. My other great uncle, her brother in law, went and got the guns from their house as soon as it happened, and I think it was a good call. Again, hornet spray and a cell phone are the better answer.
People are different.
My mom, at 59, has never shot a gun, is kind of afraid of them, and is afraid it would be used against her. I'm working on her to come and shoot with me, and to get her card that will allow her to buy a gun if she so desires.
But for now, she's better off with a can of hornet spray at her bedside.
She lives in the second floor of an old, creaky house, and she's a light sleeper, so waking up in time to use a gun is no problem. But I just think she might hesitate at the moment of truth and get the gun taken from her and used on her.
How is your mom? Like mine? or is she one of those spry old ladies who grew up on a farm and isn't afraid of anything?
The absolute worst thing you can do is to just buy her a gun and tell her: "Here you are, Ma. Just point it at the bad guy and squeeze the trigger."
Also, how strong is she mentally?
Lastly, you said that she just started living on her own. If that implies that your dad just died, then I'm sorry for yours and her loss.
Oh, and I certainly wouldn't give a gun to an old lady whose long-time husband had just died. My great uncle died several years ago, and my great aunt couldn't think of anything but "going to be with him" for the last couple years of her life. My other great uncle, her brother in law, went and got the guns from their house as soon as it happened, and I think it was a good call. Again, hornet spray and a cell phone are the better answer.Glenn E. Meyer
New member
Folks:
1. Hornet and wasp sprays are neurotoxins and can be very dangerous. Goggle it and read the warnings. You don't want to be breathing it or getting on yourself.
2. In some states, using sprays other than OC have legal problems. You might claim in an emergency you grabbed it but if you have an outdoor spray in your bedroom - and it's not a "good spray" - like a "good shoot concept" - you might get into unnecessary trouble.
Stay with OC or a suitable firearm.
1. Hornet and wasp sprays are neurotoxins and can be very dangerous. Goggle it and read the warnings. You don't want to be breathing it or getting on yourself.
2. In some states, using sprays other than OC have legal problems. You might claim in an emergency you grabbed it but if you have an outdoor spray in your bedroom - and it's not a "good spray" - like a "good shoot concept" - you might get into unnecessary trouble.
Stay with OC or a suitable firearm.
I first of all agree with all those that suggest whatever she gets be manageable with consideration of all her abilities and inabilities.
BUT....I've only read one or two posts that mention a dog and upgraded home security.
If a dog is not an option, I hope you are spending time and energy on making her less vulnerable as a target of opportunity by making her home a hardened bunker of defense. Lighting and good door and window hardware will help. Once a need for a gun arises, the situation has already deteriorated due to a BG being inside her abode.
Keep 'em outside is my first advice.
BUT....I've only read one or two posts that mention a dog and upgraded home security.
If a dog is not an option, I hope you are spending time and energy on making her less vulnerable as a target of opportunity by making her home a hardened bunker of defense. Lighting and good door and window hardware will help. Once a need for a gun arises, the situation has already deteriorated due to a BG being inside her abode.
Keep 'em outside is my first advice.
Thanks!
Wow, I appreciate all the thoughts and great suggestions so far.
I've only "suggested" a handgun as an option to her and told her I'd leave it up to her if that was something she would be comfortable with. She's stewing on it now, no pressure from me whatsoever, it's up to her if she wants to pursue it further. If she does, we'll sign her up for some training and look at a LOT of firearm options to find something she's comfortable with.
She grew up on a farm but pets are not an option, she's not interested in that. The alarm system is fully functioning and the lighting/locks are good.
I appreciate the pets/pepper-spray suggestions but if someone breaks in with a firearm and the alarm system happens to be inactive then neither one of those options would be effective, only another firearm would be an adequate response.
We'll see what she says. Any more ideas are appreciated, keep'em coming!
Thanks!
Wow, I appreciate all the thoughts and great suggestions so far.
I've only "suggested" a handgun as an option to her and told her I'd leave it up to her if that was something she would be comfortable with. She's stewing on it now, no pressure from me whatsoever, it's up to her if she wants to pursue it further. If she does, we'll sign her up for some training and look at a LOT of firearm options to find something she's comfortable with.
She grew up on a farm but pets are not an option, she's not interested in that. The alarm system is fully functioning and the lighting/locks are good.
I appreciate the pets/pepper-spray suggestions but if someone breaks in with a firearm and the alarm system happens to be inactive then neither one of those options would be effective, only another firearm would be an adequate response.
We'll see what she says. Any more ideas are appreciated, keep'em coming!
Thanks!