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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:
ParkheadParadise · 06/01/2022 20:58

What a load of Pish.
🤪🤪🤪
Threads on MN get more bonkers every day.

RagzReturnedUnwrapped · 06/01/2022 21:00

@Lockheart

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.
DH keeps his under our bed, for easy access in case of emergency. I agree, I'd definitely use it for whacking people on the head rather than try and shoot anyone!
PeterPomegranate · 06/01/2022 21:01

“ they said people are much more anxious these days as security (particularly the Ring doorbells) are picking up a lot of activity that people were not aware of before because it was never visible.”

This makes sense. Also street WhatsApp groups where everyone can share their doorbell footage.

Our road gets burgled and cars stolen a fair bit too. Moderately well off area, not central London. I think it’s quite common to be honest. Lots of people round here who own Indian gold jewellery makes it a target I think. And people with nice cars (we drive a Honda so not us).

Sometimes I think having very sophisticated security systems creates the risk that burglars can’t break in when you’re out and they actually need your cooperation to rob you.

I don’t know what the answer is sadly.

But I do know it isn’t an air gun.

flakeymcflakeface · 06/01/2022 21:01

Just wanted to thank @OneTC for the reminder of the banging choon that is Bound 4 Da Reload... Grin

BakedTattie · 06/01/2022 21:02

Your best defence is a can of impulse or links Africa spray. Aim for their eyes. If the spray doesn’t blind them, the smell will surely knock them out.

ShadowGirls · 06/01/2022 21:02

An air gun lol. Is this for real? Marginally better than a spud gun

You should get a crossbow, legal and deadly unlike an air gun

NearlyAHoarder · 06/01/2022 21:06

Bad idea.

assess · 06/01/2022 21:06

I am not bonkers. I was posting U.K. ask a question. I am generally anxious to be honest. Yes, he has overreacted and it’s obviously a stupid idea, but I was just asking if anyone would actually do this, that’s all. It was just a question, that’s all. No need for people to be rude. Yes, I could go to a hotel and I’ve already thought of that. But I think this is dramatic and I we can’t be doing this all the time. Also (mainly) we have other pets (not dogs) and I wouldn’t want to leave them, in case. It’s when houses are empty that they get targetted.

OP posts:
Snoken · 06/01/2022 21:07

It sounds horrible to feel like such a target. My DH always wanted a nice car but I have always refused as I don’t want one on the driveway. Our house is nice, but not flashy, our car is old, we don’t have OTT security. We could afford an upgrade in all areas but I would just be worried all the time as I too have been burgled before (not where we live now), and I know how it absolutely destroys your sense of security, even in your own home.

DirtyDancing · 06/01/2022 21:11

This is indeed one of the more crazy posts I've read for a bit.

I mean, you're living in Fort Knox. It doesn't sound very pleasant. You're rich, just move to Wimbledon village, Dulwich or Richmond or somewhere but further out. Granted you won't be a stones throw from the Harvey Nicks sale or The Rosebury but you've got a driver. Honestly its not worth living like that OP.

chineybumps · 06/01/2022 21:11

Why are people always so bitter in the comments😂 it's like people are mad that they're poor as if that's somehow the OPs fault. Her and her DH sound like they have money, okay so what? No need to take the piss because the rest of us are all brokies🤷‍♀️

Offmyfence · 06/01/2022 21:12

@DirtyDancing

This is indeed one of the more crazy posts I've read for a bit.

I mean, you're living in Fort Knox. It doesn't sound very pleasant. You're rich, just move to Wimbledon village, Dulwich or Richmond or somewhere but further out. Granted you won't be a stones throw from the Harvey Nicks sale or The Rosebury but you've got a driver. Honestly its not worth living like that OP.

This ^

How would an air gun add to your security system?

AcrossthePond55 · 06/01/2022 21:13

Build yourself a safe room. It sounds as if you have the means to do so.

We have (legal) guns in our rural house and I would no more arm myself as defense against intruders than the man in the moon. I'd end up shooting my foot off. Or worse yet, they'd get the gun off me.

It's actually a standing joke with my DH and I. I'm terribly nearsighted so if we did keep a gun in the bedroom and an intruder did appear I'd have to say "Excuse me please, can you wait a moment until I put my glasses on so I can see where I'm shooting".

crankysaurus · 06/01/2022 21:13

Move house?

teacreature · 06/01/2022 21:15

Can't you have a security team patrolling the neighbourhood 24/7 if this is a ongoing issue concerning your neighbours too where they protect the whole street? I see them patrolling around certain streets in Notting Hill and Holland Park all the time.

jb7445 · 06/01/2022 21:15

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Tommika · 06/01/2022 21:16

@ShadowGirls

An air gun lol. Is this for real? Marginally better than a spud gun

You should get a crossbow, legal and deadly unlike an air gun

Both crossbows and airguns are legal Either of them chosen as a self defence weapon makes them illegal
BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 06/01/2022 21:21

Can't you just improve security on your front door? You can get ornamental wrought iron security grilles that nobody would be able to get through. Same for downstairs windows. You can release them from inside in the event of a fire.

Isaw3ships · 06/01/2022 21:24

I wouldn’t bother. You’re in central London so get a good alarm system, nice and loud. Or a dog.
Burglars are going to go for the easier house and that’s not the one with the noisy dog that will wake people up, the alarm that will alert the police and wake people up, or the lights that will shine.
You know in the U.K. you can get in a shit load of trouble for getting anything considered a weapon even for self defence not that I’m sure that would do much anyway.

BrightYellowDaffodil · 06/01/2022 21:24

I don’t know why some posters are being so sniffy - people do have different lives and they shouldn’t have to apologise for it or pretend that wealth means no problems.

OP, if there’s a problem in the neighbourhood generally, could you and your neighbours club together to pay a private security firm to patrol or keep an eye on CCTV footage?

whynotwhatknot · 06/01/2022 21:27

No dont use a gun it will either be taken and used against you or go dramatically wrong when you do shoot

BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 06/01/2022 21:28

www.londonsecuritygates.co.uk/

Security grilles here.

Isaw3ships · 06/01/2022 21:28

And ignore the idiots telling you to get crossbows etc you’d be absolutely fucked if you bought one and used it on someone. You’d be in jail a long time.
As incidentally so would burglars using weapons like knives, or anything else. Which is why they generally don’t. Carrying a weapon into someone else’s home makes the sentence if caught much, much higher - the weapons are illegal = more time, premeditation with a weapon = more time, using one against anyone = more time.

Isaw3ships · 06/01/2022 21:30

You e already said the houses are targeted when empty… not sure you have a lot to worry about…

VodselForDinner · 06/01/2022 21:30

I’d be terrified to leave my driver outside overnight in a high-crime area.

What if they stole the car AND him?

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