"I am not ready to own a gun yet." (Miss D.)
That's a very responsible attitude. Certainly there are lots of people who aren't ready to own a gun, but they own one anyway. If it makes you uncomfortable, which is understandable in your case, then don't rush into it. The decision to own (or not own) a gun is a very serious one. Continue your education, and take gradual steps. As you know by now, this board is possibly
the best place to learn about all kinds of firearms issues. And judging from your posts, you're obviously open minded enough to acknowledge that someday you
might own a gun. That's a big step. Follow through with it, and best of luck, whatever you decide.
On answering the door with a gun in hand, I do it. I'm fanatical about my privacy, now that I have some.
I live in a fairly rural area, which discourages casual visitors, and I put a "No Trespassing" sign at the bottom of our driveway. And I really, really mean it. Now there are only two kinds of people who drop by unannounced: the tragically stupid, and the Bad People.
Also, my front door is mostly glass, and the wife won't let me install steel doors (she's got this "thing" about having sunlight in the living room. Go figure!) In the event that someone at the door is a Bad Guy, they can come through the door, showering me with shards of glass, and have at me before I can take a step. More than a few house breakers use the break-in-the-door method, when they know their intended victim is right behind it. You don't even have to open the door to get into trouble.
So I go to the door with my evil-looking shotgun. I don't have a handgun, which would be more dicreet, so I take the opposite approach and make it unmistakeably clear that I'm prepared for Evil-doers, and don't appreciate trespassers. I try put on a nonchalant air (
not easy to do), and always hold the gun in a non-threatening manner. I'm polite, and listen to what they have to say, but always make reference to the "Keep Out" sign. Repeat offenders while be spoken to rudely. So far, so good.
Any weapon, such as a pipe, that requires you to be at arm's length from your assailant in order to defend yourself can be taken away from you and used against you. Especially if there are more than one Bad Guy. It can also give you a false feeling of preparedness, and make you vulnerable. Having it and making a stand can get you into more trouble than just trying to get away. For you, though, having a child to protect makes things a lot more complicated.
Don't misunderstand, I'm not trying to "flame" you on your choice of weapon!
(see,
two smiley faces!) You have the chutzpah to take care of yourself, and a wise "don't talk to strangers" policy. I just thought you should know the risks.
Actually, before I bought a gun, I kept a few "whacking sticks" around, just in case. I once chased an intruder out of my apartment with half a stainless steel microphone stand! But I was lucky. He was alone, unarmed, didn't know I was home, and only wanted to rob the place. He didn't want to fight, so he ran. I, like thaddeus, said "Never again!"
As for your friend's father, I wouldn't blame him for leaving the gun accessible. But I would blame him for not teaching his son some common sense and responsibilty.
BTW, It's great to have folks like you and Gunz-and-Rosie on the board. You ask the questions that a lot of us have come to consider obvious, simply because we delve into these issues all day, every day. You help us re-examine our opinions from a fresh perspective. Glad to have you here!
-boing