the pros, cons/risks of keeping weapons for self protection

[rolypie]

Well done, exellent input all round

Oh and its green like youre envy

I think the point taxexile was making is that every man and his dog has a Vigo, and it is hardly likely to be pin-pointing you to the local criminals as a man of great resources.

If you are indeed wealthy and your life is at risk, why not simply move? It would be the safest option.

There are Vigos and there are Vigos and i never said my life was at risk.

Thanks for youe input.

[taxexile]

There are Vigos and there are Vigos

...... and you cant polish a turd , however hard you try.

[rolypie]

There are Vigos and there are Vigos

...... and you cant polish a turd , however hard you try.

Oh look another helpfull comment. Ive read your other posts and all you do is abuse and generally write flippant remarks to everyone about everything.

I no longer require your snidey remarks Numbnuts, get a life

[A_Traveller]

Link to my post based on then current information. I don't believe that there have been substantive changes since then.

Regards

[taxexile]

rolypie , putting snideness, abusiveness and flippancy aside for a moment , which i have to admit is hard to do after reading your initial post , do you really expect anyone to take seriously a poster who inquires about acquiring and using an illegal firearm in thailand to protect against the theft of a pickup (albeit a top of the range one) or a motorcycle.

as another poster suggested in a polite and helpful way , just let them take it , get out , walk away and inform your insurance company.

when your other brain cell resumes full functionality , i'm sure even you can see the sense in that.

[jimmybkk]

OP, have you ever considered a BB pistol???

Tokyo mauri make several models that look VERY real

They are easily available here and will cost around 5000 baht

It could be carried in your car, and would certainly scare most people who saw it.

The most the police could do is confiscate it.

you don't have to worry about the safety aspects, and as a last result, will sting like hel_l from close range......check out their desert eagle!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, and no offence to the poster coz I understand he was trying to offer constructive advice, but this is terrible advice. It presumes that the other guy's gonna run a mile at the first sight of a gun. What if he doesn't? What if he's standing there with a knife, off his head on yaba, not thinking particularly rationally and decides the best course of action is to stab you in the neck ASAP before you can let off a round? You manage to ping him on the cheek with your BB gun as he lunges and just assuming he misses.... well, the cat's kinda out the bag by then huh? Even worse than bringing a knife to a gunfight - you've brought a toy gun to a knifefight and now you both know it.

Likewise, what if your assailant has a gun too? Not a good scenario. Reminds me of a scene in Snatch: "And the fact that your gun says 'Replica' on the side and mine says 'Desert Eagle .50' should precipitate your balls into shrinking along with your presence. Now <deleted> off.

[Pushit]

Too many "accidents" involving firearms, think on that.

If your'e living in a gated community I'd make sure home physical security is high spec and keep the security guards happy with the occasional tip.

Buy a gun at your own risk.

[Ulysses G.]

as another poster suggested in a polite and helpful way , just let them take it , get out , walk away and inform your insurance company.

when your other brain cell resumes full functionality , i'm sure even you can see the sense in that.

By all means, but what happens when they have all of your lovely stuff and remember that leaving no witnesses is their policy?

[rixalex]

By all means, but what happens when they have all of your lovely stuff and remember that leaving no witnesses is their policy?

Not saying it couldn't happen, but the chances of a car thief or home burglar killing to protect their identity seems a bit far-fetched - it would after all be counter-productive - yes they leave the scene with no witnesses, but in doing so they commit a crime that is guaranteed ten times the exposure and ten times the police resources in apprehending them - and then of course there are the consequences of being convicted of murder as opposed to simple theft.

I just don't buy it. The odds are so long. Yes it might happen, but then thousands of things can happen if you want to look at every conceivable eventuality. How many of us wear a parachute when we take a flight? How many of us wear a helmet when walking past tall buildings with open windows? How many of us wear a flourescent vest when crossing the street at night?

[Lizard]

I have purchased a handgun, but did it all legal, permit, put it in my wifes name she is Thai, and have it in the house for home protection. One thing though, I know how to use it, have had guns ever since my young age, so no problem there, but to have it to carry in your car "FORGET IT"

That'll bring you nothing but trouble-

[MiG16]

although a different post, perhaps based on different circumstances and reasoning to consider the option, Im still going to merge this with the other 'pros /cons/risks of owning weapons for self defence'

we have a policy of no condoning of violence on the forum, so this is in very grey area. however, given that some may have very legitimate concern Ive let the other thread run. but Im very reluctant to let lots of them floating around on the forum.

please keep your comments and discussions sensible.

[Ulysses G.]

By all means, but what happens when they have all of your lovely stuff and remember that leaving no witnesses is their policy?

Not saying it couldn't happen, but the chances of a car thief or home burglar killing to protect their identity seems a bit far-fetched - it would after all be counter-productive - yes they leave the scene with no witnesses, but in doing so they commit a crime that is guaranteed ten times the exposure and ten times the police resources in apprehending them - and then of course there are the consequences of being convicted of murder as opposed to simple theft.

I just don't buy it. The odds are so long. Yes it might happen, but then thousands of things can happen if you want to look at every conceivable eventuality. How many of us wear a parachute when we take a flight? How many of us wear a helmet when walking past tall buildings with open windows? How many of us wear a flourescent vest when crossing the street at night?

I hope that you are right, but it seems to me that during home invasions, the odds are against a foreigner.

I have heard many stories over many years about home invasions in the Northern provinces where the foreigners were killed. Someone just got his throat slit a few weeks ago during a robbery in Chiang Mai and there was the monkey preservation man who was shot in his house out in the boonies a few years ago.

It is always blamed on the Burmese, so who knows if the real criminals are ever apprehended?

[TAWP]

we have a policy of no condoning of violence on the forum, so this is in very grey area.

I would protest against giving tips and instructions on how to best carry out self-defense in any way would be condoning violence.

Often proper self-defense can limit and reduce it.

[rixalex]

I hope that you are right, but it seems to me that during home invasions, the odds are against a foreigner.

I have heard many stories over many years about home invasions in the Northern provinces where the foreigners were killed. Someone just got his throat slit a few weeks ago during a robbery in Chiang Mai and there was the monkey preservation man who was shot in his house out in the boonies a few years ago.

It is always blamed on the Burmese, so who knows if the real criminals are ever apprehended?

Sad to hear. It would be interesting to know whether in any of these cases the victims actually attempted to flee, or whether they had tried to put up a fight. If it was the later, it might explain their terrible fate. Either way, i hope they R.I.P. now.

[Robby nz]

Something I didn't mention"

How confident are you in the Thai Justice system?

If you were to shoot an intruder even in self defence how sure are you that you wouldn't end up spending the rest of your days in the BKK Hilton or a worse provincial version?

Forget the gun

[Ulysses G.]

We will never know the true details of these crimes.

The Kristy Jones murder case has gone on for years even though many of the people involved are known to police and they have sperm and DNA. A Westerner was originally charged with the crime and only a campaign by the Bangkok Post for justice kept him from being shanghaied into being convicted of the crime. The criminal justice system is downright scary.

Edited April 3, 2009 by Ulysses G.

[Geekfreaklover]

Most theives in Thailand are after two things - Gold and Money. They normally arrive on a motorbike break into the house and steal gold and cash that already know is inside the house. They aren't going to try and drive off with a 30 inch plasma TV or a desktop computer on a Honda Wave.

If you have a Thai wife that walks around the village with big chunky gold bracelts or necklaces and blagging about how much money her and her husband have then chances are you will have a break in, or a visitor snooping around during the day.

Try to not flaunt your wealth. A Thai theif is not going to kill you unless you have already upset him or there is something in the house he wants to steal, like cash, gold, or an expensive gun.

[MiG16]

we have a policy of no condoning of violence on the forum, so this is in very grey area.

I would protest against giving tips and instructions on how to best carry out self-defense in any way would be condoning violence.

Often proper self-defense can limit and reduce it.

not sure what you are saying

what do you want to protest?

as said, the first thread stayed open, and I have to say all posts in the first thread were sensible discussions. and I hope this combined thread stays that way.

[TAWP]

we have a policy of no condoning of violence on the forum, so this is in very grey area.

I would protest against giving tips and instructions on how to best carry out self-defense in any way would be condoning violence.

Often proper self-defense can limit and reduce it.

not sure what you are saying

what do you want to protest?

as said, the first thread stayed open, and I have to say all posts in the first thread were sensible discussions. and I hope this combined thread stays that way.

I thought your description of this thread being in the gray area was 'mis-coloring' it.

[soundman]

No need for argument about the pros and cons keeping weapons for self protection when you in the coutryside. If you are in business that deals in reasonably large amounts of cash, a firearm is almost an absolute necessity. 90% of the established business's (including ours) in the small town where I live will have a gun behind the counter.

[keestha]

Reading this thread gives me the shivers, so many people feeling threatened and in some cases seriously considering to buy a firearm.

Maybe as a counterweight a poll should be started running like:

Did you ever consider buying a gun:

1) No, are you crazy?

2) I have thought about it

3) I am seriously considering it

4)Yes, I want to buy one

5) I already have one, or better said my wife has.

I trust 97% will vote for option 1.

The poll should be set up in such a way that people can only vote and not add comments (if technically possible), we don't want another gun thread I am sure.

[Heng]

If the thief or burglar is someone you know (and there are fewer degrees of separation in society here), it's a good bet that they won't want to leave any witnesses.

[rixalex]

No need for argument about the pros and cons keeping weapons for self protection when you in the coutryside.

Beg to differ. Not argument, but there is a need for thought and discussion on this issue because make no mistake, there are both pros and cons to arming yourself, wherever you may live (with the possible exception of a war zone!).

[balo]

I never owned a gun and I never will .

Less guns around means less violent crimes , sure knifes can kill too but its just not the same.

There are ways to protect yourself without using guns .

I think most of the world agree.

[Ulysses G.]

When you wake up in the middle of the night and three young Thai thugs with metal pipes and knives are breaking down your bedroom door, see if you can remember all of those "ways to protect yourself without using guns".

I bet you can't.

[Livinginexile]

Pros....you could shoot someone.

Cons....you could shoot yourself.

[LooseCannon]

Anybody care to comment on the legality of a farang with no licence for a firearm shooting dead an intruder with a firearm that is legally licenced to a Thai national?

[LooseCannon]

I am a reasonably affluent man married to a Thai, whos extended Thai family say i need to think about purchasing a fire arm for protection,due to the fact i have several new motor bikes and a top of the range Hilux and which hasnt gone unoticed ( what does ) when travelling around the Pattaya and Sakeo areas.My home is on a secure comunal estate so it would be for traveling around with, especially in the car. Ive been told it is really easy to purchase said item, any advice as i feel this is not really my cup of tea..

You have answered your own question.

Best to forget about it.

[Pierrot]

Anybody care to comment on the legality of a farang with no licence for a firearm shooting dead an intruder with a firearm that is legally licenced to a Thai national?

Shooting dead someone is a big thing, the main problem will be did the shooter had a VERY GOOD reason to kill the other man, the ownership of the gun won't be the main issue here.

One other thing I find very disturbing is to assume that the police will side with a thug, because he's Thai against an honest man because he's a falang. I wouldn’t live in such a country.

[Heng]

Anybody care to comment on the legality of a farang with no licence for a firearm shooting dead an intruder with a firearm that is legally licenced to a Thai national?

Give him a knife after he stops breathing. If you want to be a little more dramatic, place your unloaded gun in his hand and kick him around a bit like you were both fighting for the weapon. In all likelihood, you're not famous enough to have Khunying Pornthip show up so no need to worry about the forensic evidence not quite adding up.

Self defense.