Husband wants me to have an air gun for defence

[assess]

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?

Your DH is a moron.
How does he imagine you are going to (illegally) deploy an airgun against burglars? What does he suggest you do when the burglars finish laughing at you, & easily take the airgun out of your hands?

If you are so concerned about security in your often-burgled but non police patrolled location, would it not be much more logical to move house?

@PinotPony

OP, isn't the real issue here your anxiety around the threat to you and your home...? If you've been the victim of burglaries at other homes too, then you're anxiety is understandable. But it sounds like no amount of security, alarms, lighting, etc is going to make you feel safe.

Rather than buy an air gun or a guard dog, your money might be better spent getting some therapy to address how scared you are.

I don't doubt that there is a very real threat of burglary and I don't wish to sound like I am victim blaming, but if you're not willing to move, you do need to find another way to feel safe in your own home.

I don’t think OPs anxiety is the true problem tbh. If I saw someone outside my door branding a machete I would be terrified. Forget counselling and look at moving house. If the OP was in a nice, low crime area then I would say maybe focus on counselling to deal with previous burglaries. But where they live sounds dreadful. I don’t know how anyone could sleep in that situation

‘ If I saw someone outside my door branding a machete I would be terrified’

Well who the feck wouldn’t be?? But is that what’s ACTUALLY happening f to the OP?

It’s very common now though isn’t it?

‘ In the latest example of ‘Wild West Britain’, statistics uncovered using freedom of information requests show that in the final two months of 2019 police dealt with 664 crimes involving machetes – an average of 11 a day, or one every 130 minutes.

It represents a dramatic rise from just three years before, when the deadly blades were used in only 100 crimes a month over the same period.

But the toll will be significantly higher because only 34 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales responded – with stabbing hotspots London and Greater Manchester refusing to provide data’

Just from google and newspaper reports. I thought it was common knowledge that machetes are being used frequently. Whether you think op is a troll or not, that part is relatable.

There's definitely been at least one guy running around with a machete near me in Angus, which is more or less the opposite of London.

I don't think he managed to harm anyone though.

I've read the best thing to do is leave your car keys out of sight but accessible once you are jn thr house, so if a burglar comes jn they take the car and leave. I know a fair few people lose a RR due to the keyless system thing

@AdobeWanKenobi

I think there are a few people on this thread remembering air guns of their youth. They have changed a bit. Mine is a gas powered glock replica that fires metal ball bearings, and whilst it’s very unlikely to be killing anyone I can see it doing a fair bit of damage if it were to hit you. I’ve also got an old air pistol from the eighties that couldn’t knock the skin off a rice pudding. The difference is enormous. That said i echo other sentiments, whilst it would bloody hurt it wouldn’t stop anyone and would likely put you in more danger.

Airguns today are fancier then back in the past, but still to be UK legal are powered within 12 ft lbs for a rifle and 6 ft lbs for a pistol. It will do damage on skin or thin material, but will just result in pain and an angry burglar. You might scare them off or you might

The fact that it looks like a Glock is irrelevant, and it being orange is nothing to do with the law in the UK.

It’s coloured by manufacturers to minimise the chances of you being shot by the police. The relevance of bright colours in UK legislation is under the VCRA to differentiate IFs and RIFs. An IF is an imitation firearm, a RIF is a realistic imitation firearm, and the colour allows people to buy them without a ‘valid use’ for the realistic looks.
An airgun is a firearm under UK legislation, and a low power air weapon (under 6 or 12 ft lbs) does not require a licence (in Scotland you require an airgun certificate)

If you wave it around to intimidate an intruder then you’ve a section 16a offence of the firearms act.

www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/crown-court/item/firearms-possession-with-intent-to-cause-fear-of-violence/

I think this is disgraceful. It's simply not appropriate to have a gun for this reason!

If it was to hurt them you could be arrested for having fired it at them!

Realistically, where would you keep an air gun where there is no chance of your children accidentally getting into it, but would allow you quick enough access once you already know someone is in your house?

Honestly, you're better off just putting your valuables somewhere not visible from outside, but easy to grab once someone is in. Burglars, especially if you have that much obvious security, will want a quick exit and if they don't have to go searching for valuables they won't venture into your part of the house.

People keeping weapons in their house is part of the reason burglars carry them in the first place.

An awful idea...you quite likely to be shot with your own gun
Better invest in security, strong door and extra locks, and an alarm system which deploys on the ground floor during the night, and internet based cctv cams, to watch front garden etc.
A gun is a ridiculous idea, almost as bad as carrying a knife around with you.