Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband wants me to have an air gun for defence

210 replies

assess · 06/01/2022 20:02

Hello MN. Unfortunately. I live in a street in London that is frequently targeted by burglars, particularly during the Xmas period when they can tell if people are away. In the last few weeks, there have been 2 burglaries on the street (daytime ones while people were out). But what worries me more, is several videos (captured by security cameras) of burglars coming up to neighbours front doors in the early hours. It’s not just this road, but also round the corner.

I am very freaked out at the actual sight of the burglars. More so than I was following the two occasions we were actually burgled (because both of these break-ins were in the day). My husband has set up very good security since then, but still I don’t sleep if he’s away on business. Last time, following our actual burglary, he got his driver to sit outside when he has to go away for a few nights, but this is not sustainable going forwards. Now we have an alarm system that shines mega bright lights in their eyes and also releases smoke on them if they get in, but I’m still highly anxious because one of the burglars on the CCTV had something that looked like a machete and I don’t think they even care about security. Possibly they are high on drugs, I don’t know? The police say they don’t have the resources to patrol the area. Now my husband has told me he has ordered an air gun - specifically for self-defence. Does anyone have such a thing and would you / have you used it if so?

OP posts:
OneTC · 06/01/2022 20:03

Shit idea. It's an air gun, it's likely to just make sometime very angry

OneTC · 06/01/2022 20:03

*someone

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 06/01/2022 20:04

I don't think you would be able to buy a weapon in the UK for the purpose of shooting people.

My dad had one for pest control. Non human pests.

I used to shoot for leisure and it's not as easy as it looks to shoot accurately when stressed.

Lockheart · 06/01/2022 20:05

An air gun? You'd do more damage hitting them over the head with it. At least, you would with mine. It's a heavy enough air pistol but unless I was at point blank range I don't see what use it would be, unless he's hoping it would scare them off.

RunningFromInsanity · 06/01/2022 20:06

You are more at risk when you have a weapon yourself.

What a stupid idea.

merryhouse · 06/01/2022 20:06

To be honest, I think I would move.

You've obviously got a decent amount of money. Do you need to be in London?

gettingfedupagain · 06/01/2022 20:07

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Wrenna · 06/01/2022 20:07

Wouldn’t work. I know because I have a gun savvy friend that laughed at me when I told her my plan to do just this. Baseball bat or mace if it’s legal where you are at (it’s legal here) would be a better option.

BrocolliHamster · 06/01/2022 20:07

I think if burglars broke in whilst you are in the house the safest thing to do would be to let them take what they want rather than attacking them. Keep anything particularly irreplaceable/valuable in a safe that's hidden.

assess · 06/01/2022 20:08

He says it fires a certain type of pellets at them or something and it would hurt if they were hit? I’ve no idea about aiming guns though and I would just panic anyway, I think.

OP posts:
Thewolvesarerunningagain · 06/01/2022 20:08

That’s insanely dangerous! You are far more likely to get stabbed or shot yourself if you are wielding a weapon.

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 06/01/2022 20:08

In London if it was a bb that looked like a pistol I would be worried about the police shooting me.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jul/28/what-are-the-rules-governing-the-use-of-air-guns-in-the-uk

There is a link from here to home office guidance.

PonyPatter44 · 06/01/2022 20:10

This is a very, very bad idea.

Moving out of London to somewhere a bit less crime-ridden, or even to a less ostentatious part of London would be a better idea. Getting a big dog would also be a better idea than pretending to arm yourself.

EssexLioness · 06/01/2022 20:10

Wow, a machete! Even the thought of that would have me looking to move. That’s no way to live!

Maireas · 06/01/2022 20:10

Whereabouts in London do you live? It sounds hellish. Like pp said, moving sounds like the best option. If you can't, just rely on your security system - don't get any kind of weapon.

MrsWooster · 06/01/2022 20:10

They WILL take it from you and use it on you.

LondonQueen · 06/01/2022 20:11

Isn't that illegal?

SisterAgatha · 06/01/2022 20:12

I think you need a license for them anyway. To transport you do.

Anyway, you are better to hit them with something from the home. A policeman who visited us after a burglary told us a bat if you don’t use it recreationally is considered premeditated, as is any kind of sport equipment that isn’t a sport you partake in and keep kit by your bed when you are sleeping. You should also aim for blood for forensics.

I said so basically I need to hit them with an ornament and make them bleed. I’ve got a nice brass fox heavier than my baby for this purpose that’s next to my bed. Would probably do more damage than a bat tbh.

SilverHairedCat · 06/01/2022 20:12

Arming yourself is not a good idea. An air gun won't work. If you want to use any thing, use a strong anti-bug spray and aim for the face, but frankly if you're at the point of spraying someone in the face with machete, it's a very stupid idea.

Get better locks.

TheHamburgler · 06/01/2022 20:12

That would put you in a lot of legal jeopardy...

FourTeaFallOut · 06/01/2022 20:13

An air gun? Either you won't do any damage and just annoy the shit out of them or you will hurt them and then you'll have to explain yourself and face the legal consequences. Shit plan.

MarshaBradyo · 06/01/2022 20:13

Terrible idea

They will more likely take it from you and use it

Yummypumpkin · 06/01/2022 20:14

The thing i really like about your husband is that he is quite sweet and innocent.

Sadly, making decisions on weaponry probably isn't his strongest point.

Neighbourhood Watch seems to have died a death. Ring doorbells, CCTV, panic buttons, light and noise producers, locks on internal doors, ...I think there better deterrents

Crabwoman · 06/01/2022 20:14

Stupid idea. It could potentially be grabbed off you and used as a weapon against you (pistol whipping etc.). I'm pretty fiesty but don't fancy my chances again an grown man with adrenaline.

Stick to the deterrents. My plan if anyone breaks in is to let them take what they want and hopefully no one will get hurt.

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 06/01/2022 20:15

@assess

He says it fires a certain type of pellets at them or something and it would hurt if they were hit? I’ve no idea about aiming guns though and I would just panic anyway, I think.
He's not very smart for all his money, is he? If somebody is robbing your house, you're safer hiding than waving a pellet gun at them, as it won't scare them, it'll make them really angry.

I'd possibly go and stay in a nice hotel if I were that wealthy and worried about being in the house alone at night.