Buying a Gun

I'm a single female and my friends think I would be safer having a gun. I have a psychiatric background so they said I would not be allowed to probably carry a concealed weapon. I don't know. I'm afraid of guns but I would like to protect myself. Maybe go to the shooting range first or buy a taser? I don't think I would try to shoot myself. I am stable now.

You don't think you'd try to shoot yourself, but even stable people do just that when in the throes of a sudden depression. I don't have a gun because I do feel suicidal at times and, even if it could possibly make me safer from other people (which I doubt), it would still be dangerous for me to have. Please don't do it.

ETA: I grew up around guns and, believe me, no one who is afraid of guns should own or even handle one. Having a deep respect for what guns can do is necessary, but being afraid of them means you won't be able to use it effectively should the need arise to defend yourself.

yeah ive done some stuff, and now I have to send in some paperwork to the ATF so I can even buy a gun right now. but even if I jumped through the hoops I don't know id buy one.

If your questioning whether you would be safe yourself having a gun .. you should not have one.

The state I live in had politely requested, after my 51/50, that I not be allowed a gun. This is probably safest, as in my case, my depression can cause a type of compulsion where a gun would be no such a good idea.

Psychiatric background no gun for you. It's high in the yellow form. And it has been for many years. The background for carrying is even tougher. Don't waste your time and money.
Unless it's a private sale. Even then it can create a big problem in your case.
Please, get trained in other arts.

as a lifetime shooter and years as a NRA instructor with boy scouts .... I have locked my own guns away .... my advise to you would be to stay as far away as possible from a gun .... contact your local PD or ymca and ask if there are any self defense classes offered in your area .... the confidence and skills you will learn is far superior to a gun ....

I think it's a bad idea too. Guns are scary even when you aren't ill

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A good self defense class is a much better weapon as you carry with you where ever you go and don't have to check it at the airport. The class I had taught methods to kill, cause that's what it comes down to. The class I took was many years ago in college and I've never forgotten it, once a week for a semester and taught me to throw guys much larger than me. It's not about strength it's about tactics.

I have a snub-nosed .38 that's locked away from me, and I don't know the combination to the gun safe. It was given to my son for safekeeping before I left the psych hospital in November 2014 and I haven't seen it since. This is a good thing, even though I haven't been seriously depressed since then and I wish I could have it in my possession. I just don't trust myself.

I know I could never trust myself with a gun.

Yeah I could never trust myself. Not after being psychotic.

No guns for me.

My husband and I have a few. Generally we just keep a shotgun handy, we live in the middle of nowhere.. Lots of coyotes and other critters that do not need to be wandering about my home.

If I am feeling a bit off.. going up or down I have my hubby lock that one up also.

I have huge insight into my Bipolar shifts.

Owning a gun is a huge responsibility.

perhaps get a big dog...I have two labradors and even though they are in general very gentle, I find that people will not approach me when I have each of them with me on leash, esp when they are staring down the stranger. my boy is made very muscular and can be somewhat menacing.
I absolutely refuse to have a gun, I felt that way even before I became mentally ill. I raised sons and read WAY too many articles about kids getting hold of a parent's gun and killing self/sibling/neighbor kid. I didn't want that to happen in my house.
with the bipolar diagnosis though...I def don't need to have a gun in my possession. mixed episode, depression predominant, that is my most dangerous state of mind.

Self defense classes are the way to go

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Do you need to hunt to feed yourself? Are you competitive marksman? Do you race biathalon? You then have no excuse to get one.

If you've ever been committed against your will, you cannot buy a firearm. Other than that, are you certain you'd never use the firearm to harm another or yourself? There are too many people out there who are unstable who have guns. When I was single, I had baseball bats located through out my apartment, and a machete. I didn't have a gun. Better and safer for me -- and you shouldn't get a gun unless you're going to go to a range and practice A LOT, so you're comfortable with a gun as if it's another hand.

I agree with what most of the other have said. If you are scared of guns you should absolutely not have one. Fear creates mistakes, and when guns are involved mistakes can be fatal. I'm a lifelong gun owner, but I left my guns with my mom in the states when I moved to Europe (an AR15, Romania FPK, Walther P22, Makarov 9mm, and a Glock 19)

I was what you could call an 'enthusiast'. But now, after my BP1 diagnosis I wouldn't trust myself to have them again even if I could import them to Sweden. There are plenty of other ways you can learn to defend yourself. I've always been a little paranoid and always felt the need to know how to defend myself. I have 10 years of martial arts training in several different styles: Ninpo Taijutsu, Kali Sikram and Muay Thai. It's very empowering to know you can defend yourself without the need for a firearm. I also have two huge, well trained Dobermans. There are plenty of ways to make yourself safer without buying a gun.

I wouldn't buy a gun. Not because I'm worried I'd use it on myself, but because they freak me out. I'd rather learn how to kick someones ***.

I know I can't have a gun around. I've had too many close calls. At the very least, I know I would obsess over it. In certain states of mind, I would probably have constant intrusive thoughts of using it on myself, even if I weren't overtly suicidal.

Just learn some good self-defense skills. Much safer.

I wish to add that I think you need to work on your self-confidence.

My cousin shot himself in the head and lived many years back. My great cousin just shot and killed himself recently. I think guns and a certain kind of depression are a recipe for disaster. But if you do go forward, definitely get gun training. You can even train and borrow guns at the range before committing to buying your own.

Please don't get a gun. There are plenty of other options which present less danger to you.