I may buy a gun for when I volunteer at our local Democratic office. Seeking advice.

[hay rick]

Relevant facts:

I have never owned a gun, so I need to get basic information concerning what kind of gun fits my needs, safety precautions, etc.

I want to buy a gun to protect myself and other people in our office. We had somebody come into our office recently screaming that he "hated liberals." There were about 15 people in our office at the time, including half a dozen high school students. The man left because I screamed in his face..."get the fuck out..." We were able to identify him later and contacted the police, who issued a trespassing citation which is also equivalent to a restraining order in this jurisdiction. Sadly, this is not the only incident, so we want to be proactive. We are investigating "hardening" our office by making the front windows and doors bullet-resistant. We also want to install an automatic re-locking lock.

I volunteer almost every day. I have my own desk at the back of the office, about 40 ft. from the door. We often host campaign events and have our own network of volunteers who use the office. When other people are in the office, most of the activity takes place between my desk and the only door. Our office is in Florida. Lots of people have guns. Florida is famously a "stand your ground" state. Florida is not an open carry state. It looks like it is easy to get a concealed carry permit which I would likely do.

I don't like the idea of having a gun in the office and I am concerned that some of our volunteers will stop coming around when it becomes known. On the other hand, I despise the notion that we should curtail our activities due to intimidation.

[bobbieinok]

1. seems like a bad idea to have a gun unless you have a lot of training

[hay rick]

4. Also a bad idea not to have a gun if someone comes through the door with a gun and a grudge.

I will be 73 in a couple weeks. The opportunity for "a lot of training" is behind me. I expect I would get some training and some practice.

[Downtown Hound]

2. You'll get no flak from me

I'm a life long supporter of gun control but I also believe in the right to self defense. And we'd be stupid not to take the threat from these freaks seriously. I'm no expert but I do own a few guns. Where are you planning on keeping it? On your person or in a drawer somewhere?

[hay rick]

6. One of my basic questions.

I expect I would keep it in a drawer when I'm at the office.

[Downtown Hound]

18. Glock .45 or .40 cal

I would go for the .40 cal. Much cheaper ammo, and I really do recommend you take some lessons and do some target shooting. Only thing things that separate a professional from anybody else are training and practice. Get lots of both.

[leanforward]

3. Save your money

If you've never handled a weapon before. Go hunting. Start out a range with a long gun. Target shoot. Struggling to get your weapon out of your holster, you're a victum. Gun fights only work on movie sets.

Don't go to the polling place with a weapon. Use the ballot box.

We have to go to gun control.

[PBC_Democrat]

5. Longtime Gun Guy here ..

I recommend an M&P M2.0 pistol 9mm pistol.
It's light, 26 oz, easy to control and hold 15 rounds.

GET TRAINING, PRACTICE USING IT!!!
Fits easily in a purse or a pocket.
FL law says that your car is an extension of your house - No permit needed to keep it in the glove box or console.
GET TRAINING, PRACTICE USING IT!!!

The minimum I would endorse is 100 rounds per month.
Get a speed loaded, it comes with two 15 round mags, keep them both full.


I really, really, hope you never have to use it, but be aware --
Don't carry unless you're ready to pull it
Don't pull it unless you're ready to fire it,
Don't fire it unless you're ready to kill something or someone.

NEVER fire fire a warning shot
NEVER brandish it hoping they'll just leave
NEVER fire one or two shots - fire until the threat is stopped

Never pick a fight, try to take cover first
If you have to shoot, stop the threat - Period, The END, Hard Stop



The M&P M2.0 pistol, the newest innovation to the respected M&P polymer pistol line. Designed for personal, sporting, and professional use, the M&P M2.0 delivers an entirely new platform, introducing innovative features in nearly every aspect of the pistol, including trigger, grip, frame, and finish. Highlights of the M&P M2.0 pistol include an extended stainless-steel chassis and a low barrel bore axis for reduced muzzle rise and faster aim recovery. The M&P M2.0 pistol further improves performance with a fine-tuned, crisper trigger, lighter pull and a tactile and audible reset. The pistol includes an aggressively-textured grip and four interchangeable palmswell inserts for optimal hand-fit and trigger reach. Includes two magazines, a limited lifetime warranty and a lifetime service policy.

[Runningdawg]

27. Longtime gun girl here

I agree 100% with the above. He and I just prefer different pistols. I carry a Bersa Thunder 380.
Here is the point - You need to try on different styles and sizes to find the one that is right for YOU. Don't simply go with what was recommended or the cheapest, or the one that looks cool. Buy the one that feels like it was made for you and practice with it until it becomes a natural extension of your arm.

[The Mouth]

30. Truth. All of it.

I have guns. I grew up with them, and neither fetishize them nor fear them; just tools, like my sawzall, except tools for defending my life, like a motorcycle helmet or safety belt (yes, this means that I am depersonalizing the individual who would try to take my life to the level of a cockroach or rat, something I'd still regret killing but would do so if the alternative was danger to myself)

Nothing I own is worth killing someone over; but I have to assume that anyone attacking me in my house or car won't stop with merely taking my stuff.

In the event you need to use force everything PBC_Democrat writes in the above post is solid truth.

I like a small .38 revolver, myself; simple, safe and unless they are wearing body armor they are dead; if they ARE wearing body armor you are probably dead.

Practice, practice and practice some more. Unless and until you can put all of your shots into a human shaped and sized silhouette at 5-7 yards every time you are a danger to others, regardless of best intentions, IMHO.

[spin]

61. Like you, I prefer a small .38 revolver. ...

Revolvers are considered obsolete by many shooters today but they are extremely reliable and easy to use.

I legally carry a S&W Model 642 Airweight. For an inexperienced user this revolver packs a lot of recoil which can make practice more difficult. I also own a S&W Model 60 which being a little heavier is a pleasure to shoot.

[Thomas Hurt]

7. Don't bother unless you are prepared to know how to use proficiently...

that means learning how to clean it, carry it, store it, use it and practice with it....all of that safely.

Guns aren't for security or protection, they are for when the security and protection of our society fails.

[Wellstone ruled]

8. In 2016 we had a Security Guard during office hours.

Plus several Security Cameras 24/7.

Please don't go the Gun route,bad image to start with.

[hay rick]

10. Camera is a good idea.

Security guard is probably too expensive.

[WhiteTara]

9. I wouldn't volunteer.

Would you have been able to stop the killer of Bill Gwatney without killing someone else? I think the tension would be so high in you that you won't be able to focus on your tasks at hand.

[hay rick]

11. It's a difficult situation.

If we have more threatening incidents we will lose volunteers. If we have a gun in the office, that will also discourage some volunteers.

[Phoenix61]

12. Hardening the office is a much better idea

Along with lots of security cameras.

[FuzzyRabbit]

15. I agree. Securing the office is a better idea than carrying a gun.

You might try researching what schools are doing.

[Wellstone ruled]

16. Have the landlord install a digital lock.

[FuzzyRabbit]

13. Preparing for a shooter.

Watch this video. It is very good. Produced by the City of Houston.

[The Wielding Truth]

54. Thank you, FuzzyRabbit. This is informative.

[StTimofEdenRoc]

14. Since you have never shot a gun, you probably can't accurately shoot.

Put a big ass knife in your lunch bag or backpack, hope you will never need it.
You can also use it to cut cake.

[hay rick]

17. I have shot guns, I just haven't owned one.

I would only use a gun to defend against a gun. Not liking a knife in that circumstance.

[Straw Man]

42. Knives are very deadly.

Not only that, but to use one effectively requires skill and physical strength. The notion that you should opt for a knife because a gun requires too much skill is laughable. I'm sorry, but that's the simple truth.

You should absolutely be ready to use your gun in the event that there is a knife attack. If you don't, people will die.

You should keep your gun concealed on your person, and no one should know that you have it. If it has to come out, it should be a surprise to everyone but you. Keeping it in a desk drawer is asking for trouble. First, there is the possibility of unauthorized access. Second, you may not be able to quickly access it yourself when you need it most.

For a relative beginner, a 9mm pistol is preferable to a .40 or a .45 since the recoil is more manageable. Furthermore, due to the slightly smaller size of the round, 9mm pistols generally have a larger ammunition capacity than .40s or .45s. For reasons of concealability and ease of shooting, you might even consider a .380 pistol.

A gun that is simple to operate is the quickest and easiest to learn. For that reason, striker-fired pistols like the Glock and the S&W M&P series are the most appropriate for beginners, IMO. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need a manual safety with this type of pistol. Manual safeties were designed for light-triggered single-action pistols like the 1911, and are not needed on double-action pistols or striker-fired pistols.

Get training. You may have to rub elbows with NRA folks to get it, but NRA-certified instructors are generally well trained and quite professional.

Get in the habit of practicing regularly. Try to shoot at least once a week.

Learn the three rules and follow them religiously.

--Keep guns unloaded until you are ready to use them. (Use includes carry.)
--Never point a gun at anything or anyone that you are not willing to destroy.
--Keep your finger off the trigger until the moment that you are going to shoot.

My short list for a new pistol shooter would include the following:

Glock 26 (9mm)
Glock 42 (.380)
S&W M&P Shield (9mm)
S&W M&P Compact (9mm)
S&W M&P EZ (.380)

I would avoid the tiny pocket pistols (Ruger LCP, et al) until you gain some shooting proficiency. They are easy to carry and conceal, but are considerably more difficult to shoot accurately.

Finally, realize that use of the gun is going to be a last resort and only a last resort. The gun is not going to forestall or defuse anything. The only situation it is going to resolve is the one in which everyone is going to die if you don't use the gun. Active-shooter training teaches "Run, hide, fight." If you can run, then run. If you can hide, then hide. If you can't do either of those, then fight. When it's time to fight, it's better to have a gun in your hand than a fire extinguisher.

[sarisataka]

19. First question is who is in charge of the office?

It may be legal for you to carry however you may lose your position if you violate the code of conduct, or whatever the office guidelines are called.

Second issue, you talk about discouraging volunteers; why do they need to know? I have friends who have known me for years and they would be surprised, not that I carry, but that I am carrying in their presence. I do not advertise and on the rare occasion the subject of carrying comes up I will admit to having a permit. After that, concealed means concealed.

Your description of the office places you at the rear of the office with most people between you and the door, the likely position of an attacker. That places a lot of innocent people in your line of fire, not a situation even a well-trained, experienced shooter would envy.
40 ft. is a significant distance for firing a handgun under stress, also not a situation favoring a novice.

You indicated you would keep the gun in a drawer- that is a serious issue. Either the drawer is unlocked, which means you have an unsecured firearm in a busy office. It could be found by anyone looking for the stapler. If the drawer is locked, it is an access issue in case of emergency and given the quality of desk drawer locks, it is "secure" in only the most cursory way. Murphy's law also would indicate that if you actually needed the gun, you would not be at your desk but elsewhere in the office, making the paperweight at hand far more useful. The only way to carry securely is on your person, preferably using a retention holster.

My advice is to look to other avenues than buying a firearm.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

23. That's some seriously good advice

For the most part, any knee jerk reaction about or involving guns probably a bad idea.

[hay rick]

24. Thanks for the thoughtful comments.

Office guidelines are not a problem- at least at this point.

I am concerned about other people being in the office. I would be very hesitant to pull or use a gun in that circumstance. As you mention, being away from the desk diminishes the utility of the gun. Also, the gun would be both my personal property and personal responsibility. Because I would keep it in my possession, it would be useless when I'm not there.

[Scruffy1]

20. You are safer without one.

Eventrained professionals only hit their target one in ten times in a real world situation. Most offices have some kind of security door so that would be the first line of defense. The next step would be to hire some security if they really feel the need for it. I started shooting when I was ten and stilll I feel i am safer without one. Like someone else said-They already have theirs out and you are reaching for yours.

[rwheeler31]

21. Would your office allow you

to bring in a dog or two? They would alert you to danger and you could have a set hiding or escape plan. I hope you will share your fears and ideas with the others and find a way to make you all feel safer without guns.

[Sedona]

22. If you need a gun, hire a professional

Seriously with zero experience handling firearms, you're going to be the good guy with a gun?

You're more likely to hurt yourself than any baddies who come through the door

Hire a trained armed guard

[oneshooter]

25. Yes, a highly trained armed guard.

With possably up to 10hours of training, including firing 12 rds to qualify.

[Sedona]

32. You get what you pay for

Pay for better than that

[friendly_iconoclast]

46. Why not train themselves to a higher standard? It can (and ought to if one is carrying, imo) be done

[oneshooter]

47. Expensive

training must be with qualified teachers, most are certified by the NRA. Ammo for practice is also costly. The time required to complete training to a active shooter level requires several months. Lots of money, and a willingness to do it.

[saidsimplesimon]

26. rick, first posted in RKBA?

Sounds like a troll message, which you are not, of course.

I do not support arming schools or political offices with guns. Wanted to go on the record with a strong disagree, as a gun owner.

[hay rick]

34. I posted here because I am seeking input from people who are knowledgeable about guns.

I do not support guns in schools. I am not remotely comfortable with the idea of keeping a gun in the office but I want to understand all the options and keeping a gun in the office is a last resort option. In the meantime, we are working on other ways to reduce the threat of violence and our vulnerability.

[JDC]

28. I would not want to volunteer with someone with a gun. Sorry, I vote No - don't do it.

[get the red out]

29. I am sure you can get training

I don't have a gun, but a good friend of mine does, she bought her gun and enrolled in a class and found that very helpful.

I don't blame you at all, the MAGAs are making things insane, there is no telling what some of them might do.

[Alea]

33. Glock 19 or small six shooter and a biometric pistol safe

that will fit in you desk drawer. If you have a gun store with an indoor range near you, they usually have different guns you can rent or test fire on their range, with their supervision to see what the best fit for you is. Having a gun knowledgeable friend go with you might be helpful. Safety nazi's will flame me but, a six shooter nor a glock have a safety to forget to disengage, which you will, if you ever have to use the gun for defense. Having a safety or not is a big issue with some people, but safeties don't make guns safe when someone "plays" with a gun. Safeties keep rifles from going off when the gun is leaning against the wall and falls over. I know, I know, there's more to it than that, but not much more.

As others have said, don't do it unless you are willing to practice for that moment you hope never comes. Also as others have said, don't tell anyone.

There's other guns out there that maybe be a better fit than the ones I mentioned. I'm a small female and my preference is a glock 19. I would be ok with a few others and would be ok with a revolver if I didn't want an automatic.

For the sake of argument, I'm not going to ague the safety, no safety argument in this thread. My personal opinion... if I carry a Colt 45 ACP, I want the safety. If I carry a Glock, which I do, I don't want the safety. If you get a gun with a safety, then practicing disengaging the safety is as important as any other part of your overall practice because in a high stress situation, an untrained person is likely to forget to disengage it.

I wish the world wasn't what it is, but it is.

[hay rick]

35. Thank you for your advice.

I would not have considered bringing a gun into our office two years ago. The times they are a changin.

[Alea]

36. Before you thank me

I also have to agree with some of the people saying it might not be the best idea. Mainly because you have done without so long. If you had always kept a pistol for the home and shot it a few times a year for many years, then I could easily say "yeah take it to the office if you want". In your case, you're not use to them so you have some catching up to do before you could do anything at the office with a gun against a bad guy without being lucky. Like maybe if you fired, the gunman runs off. You could probably do more with a large can of bear mace, the good stuff like fox labs, that would fog up the whole office in about 5 seconds.

Also there's not a whole lot of scenarios at the office where 1) you will need the gun, and 2) the gun will help even if you have it. Can't deny that 1 and 2 do come together, which is why you're thinking about this. I feel way better about one for the home than I do for the office though.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, despite offering hand gun suggestions in my other post, I'm not saying yes go buy a gun and defend the office. You've been on a non gun owner path and will be taking a different path once you do own a gun. Put a lot of thought into it. Especially the office part.

You may also become a pariah here on DU

[hay rick]

37. A pariah on DU?

Wow. That sounds like a deal breaker.

[Alea]

38. You will always be welcome here

but once your profile says "Favorite group: Gun Control & RKBA" you're officially a Gungeoneer haha

[hay rick]

39. OMG, I'm doomed.

I haven't posted a lot recently, so you guessed it- I just checked and thanks to this single thread my profile now says "Favorite group: Gun Control & RKBA."

[marshmallow_man]

40. my $0.02

Dear hay_rick, I have carried a firearm for personal protection for years. The people who are cautioning you to think this over are correct. This is a very big decision and it goes far beyond selecting a gun.

You definitely want to seek training from a qualified instructor. Shooting a gun a few times at the range is not the same as living with one on your person every day. Beyond that, you really need to harden the entrance at your office so you can decide who comes in, have a plan for people to evacuate or shelter in place, etc. When you really start planning for security you are going to find that your firearm is only a small piece of the puzzle. Your primary goal should be helping others get to safety, de-escalating a situation if possible and shooting only as a last resort.

If you do decide to get a gun, I would not keep it in a desk drawer, that is an accident waiting to happen. Get a holster and carry it on your person at all times. Keep it concealed and you won't scare away new volunteers.

As for the specific model to carry, the only way to find that out is to visit a range that rents guns (preferably with an instructor) and try them out. You need to find one that is small enough to keep concealed at all times but still easy to shoot at plausible self defense ranges -- and decide if this is really what you want to do.

Also, if you are going to be taking on the role of security, move your office up to the front. It does you no good to be 40 ft away when a bad guy comes through the door.

[True Dough]

60. For post #9 in your history here

this was a good one! Welcome.

[marble falls]

41. Very bad idea. I've been around firearms my entire life. I do not want you to ...

assume I would want you to protect me. I do not want to be protected by anyone writing to a forum asking for advice on how to buy a firearm believing this is all you need arm up and start patrolling.

Very, very bad idea.

I just quit my church because they have three armed parishioners "protecting" us.

The answer to gun violence is not arming up. Harden the front door, put an electric lock on the door, screen before allowing entrance. Do not for shopping for firearms, particularly if you're new to packing.

[marshmallow_man]

43. good point

You are right. There is a world of difference between carrying a firearm to protect oneself and taking on the role of security guard for others. Even though I'm comfortable with guns and carry one daily I have never even considered taking on the role proposed by hay_rick.

I sincerely hope he has discussed all of these concerns with the other people in the office and they know and agree with what he is doing.

[fleabiscuit]

44. The Myth busters may help you make a decision.

If you are trying to protect yourself from a "Zombie Apocalypse" they tested the usefullness of some common weapons one might consider... semiautomatic pistol, axe, and chainsaw.

The results, "57 zombies killed for semiautomatic pistol, 67 for the axe and…wait for it… 190 for the chainsaw. Savage, with the chainsaw, was able to “kill” all 190 of the attacking zombies in just 4 minutes."

I would think that starting a chainsaw in a stressful situation could be a problem. Plus the nuisance of gas, oil, chain sharpening, etc.

I would suggest going with the axe, backed up with a few aerosol cans of pepper "bear repellent." Probably no-one would be intimidated in the office with some pepper spray canisters in a few desks. I'm not to sure how people might react if you sit at a desk sharpening you ax though.

Seriously, go with the pepper spray. The big dispensers.

[krispos42]

45. There are about a million ways a scenario could play out at your office

Everything from "random gunfire from passing vehicle" to "local militia attacks headquarters looking for child sex ring in basement".

Everything is variable because your hypothetical attackers will be amateurs. Motivation, determination, goals, plans, contingency plans, preparation, and equipment can range from "this seemed like a good idea last week when we were drunk" to "we are Christian warriors on a mission for the unborn". They may seek to avoid the cops, or seek to engage them in a high-drama, media-friendly hostage situation.

Regardless, your purpose in carrying concealed is to protect YOU. You're not Rambo, John McClane, Harry Tasker, or Martin Riggs.

And you're going to be surprised when this happens, whatever it is. Remember that. There will be no warning.


So, first question: are you willing to kill one or more people to protect yourself and others?

If the answer to that is "no", then I would suggest getting a big can of bear-grade pepper spray. Blasting the room full of choking gas will probably end whatever is going on, but will indiscriminately incapacitate people. Might be a good thing; your amateur attackers, facing this unexpected action, will probably abort their "mission" and run away before the cops show up. Panicked people streaming for the exits to escape the spray will deny them any control. This also gives you a chance to call 911.


If you answer "yes", then you should probably first review the rules that you volunteer under. It's very possible there's a "no guns" policy there. If you choose to break policy and carry anyway, then be aware you risk losing your position, at the minimum. This also means "concealed is concealed". Always have the gun on you, always, and never tell anybody you have one.

Your gun should be revolver-simple to operate because you don't want to be dealing with safeties and hammers when there's a crisis. The Glock pistol is the archetype of this: no separate safety lever to move, no hammer to worry about cocking, consistent trigger press shot-to-shot. There are lots of Glock-type pistols on the market. Or you could carry a hammerless revolver for the same reasons.

The gun should be as big as you can comfortably conceal. A gun with a single-stack magazine will be thinner than a double-stack magazine, so keep that in mind. It should be rounded and smooth so it won't snag on clothing.

There are lots of these types of guns available. Try several to get a feeling for what works best with your ergonomic needs. Gun ranges often have gun rentals, so you can try out several brands and models for fit and function right there at the range.

Once you decide what you want, don't forget to shop the used-gun market. You should be able to find a reasonably new used gun for a decent price.

Laser signs are very small and light nowadays, and generally help, especially shooting from a weird position (such as hiding behind a desk).

Caliber should be .380 ACP or 9mm Luger for a pistol. For a revolver get a .38 Special +P or a .357 Magnum, or a .327 Federal Magnum. The .327 will usually give you one more round of capacity compared to a .38/.357 (e.g., 6 rounds versus 5). You can go bigger but the recoil can start to get fierce.

Revolvers give you options for power levels for practice as well as carry because they do not rely on the power of the cartridge to operate a mechanism, and they are backwards-compatible with older cartridges.

.38 Special +P can also shoot regular .38 Special cartridges.
.357 Magnum can also shoot .38 Special (regular or +P).
.327 Fed Mag can also shoot lower powered .32 H&R Magnum cartridges.

Carry a reload, and carry a flashlight. Use defense-designed ammo from a reputable manufacturer. Make sure it's intended for a gun of your size; smaller guns have shorter barrels and a lower muzzle velocity. Ammo makers design bullets based on this now, so do a little research. For example, Hornady makes a 9mm Critical Duty cartridge (designed for guns with a 4" barrel, that is, a standard police sidearm) and a 9mm Critical Defense cartridge (designed for guns with a 3" barrel, that is, most concealable guns).

Practice! A lot! If possible, do some competitive shooting, where you have to shoot from cover and do tactical reloads and stuff.

Know the self-defense laws in your state! And if, god forbid you actually have to use the gun, lawyer up! You'll want time to come to terms with events before you make a statement, and you'll want your lawyer there to keep you from saying something dumb.


A sampling of guns to think about, in no particular order.

Springfield Armory XD-S and XD-E pistols
Ruger LCP, LCP II, EC9, LP9, and LCP380 pistols
Ruger LCR, LCRx, and SP101 revolvers
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, M&P Bodyguard pistols
Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 38, Model 640, Model 642 revolvers
Glock 43 pistol
Walther PPS, PPS M2, and CCP pistols

[ileus]

48. May I recommend a CZ PCR.

[sweetapogee]

49. I read

most but not all of this thread.

The first thing is if you think you would like to have a firearm for your personal protection then make the decision yourself forget what people, people you don't really know, including me, think about the subject.

Second. If you are going to purchase a handgun for personal protection it is the responsible thing to get proper training and have a regular practice routine. By regular I mean at a bare minimum once/month. More is better.

Third. To get started learning how to handle handguns my advice, free it is, is get a 22 rimfire pistol. For example a Ruger Mark 4 or S&W Victory. This will not work for protection but is great to learn on. Very little recoil and inexpensive ammo. Once you become proficient handling your rimfire then start looking at centerfire handguns for personal protection.

Fourth. Graduating to centerfire doesn't mean that you can skip training and regular practice.

Fifth. remember, concealed carry is just that no one should know you have a holstered handgun on your person. No one.

Lots of opinions on what handgun and what caliber to get. Caliber isn't everything. How the firearm handles or fits your hand is important also. Many options that is another reason why starting with a target rimfire is a good idea. When you are ready to purchase a carry gun you will have knocked the shine off and will be comfortable discussing, trying out and parting with more of your money than what you might now think is a reasonable amount. Even if you skip the rimfire advice, purchasing a quality carry gun, holster, belt, accessories and training and practice you are into some serious cash.

[SQUEE]

50. Don't do it.

I can't tell you how many ways this is a bad idea. But many others here have listed just a few.

Harden the office, be vigilant of all people coming and going, watch for people casing the location. If possible get security.

You would need MONTHS to years of training to be ready for any of the encounters you are worried about. You would spend thousands to do this. Perhaps find a like minded veteran that is up on their shooting and training, to volunteer... as you can see here in this forum they do exist.

I do not want you to kill someone while trying to save them, That should never be your intent in carrying a weapon.

[gejohnston]

55. You would need MONTHS to years of training to be ready for any of the encounters you are worried abo

Only in the minds of people selling training programs. Most police departments academies do little more than what is contained in a You Tube video and shoot a box of shells at a target. Most cops also do the bare minimum (and PDs have tight budgets) which is one reason citizens are less likely to hit the wrong person than cops.
http://web.archive.org/web/20060110172000/http://www.ncpa.org/pub/st/st176/s176d.html

[SQUEE]

58. I assume the poster will not being doing 8 hour days

And dropping everything to get his muscle memory and reflexes in tune.

I do not consider the average police officer to be in any way ready to safely do a solo take down of an active shooter in a crowded room. And the solo aspect is very important, SRT/SWAT/HRTs work in teams, and for good reason.

There are a lot of reasons citizens are less likely to hit an innocent than LEO. I am certain that the average CCW around here having far more rounds down range than most LEOs is not the only one.

[gejohnston]

59. it doesn't take that much

his "goal" is to be able to hit a man sized target at seven yards or less, not training for the Olympics or ISSF World Cup. It won't be a crowed room. Offices are not that crowded and people will be taking cover armed or not.

[saidsimplesimon]

51. hay rick, NO

"good guys with guns" is an oxymoron. Yes, I own a small caliber Smith&Wesson that packs a punch. I've used it for target practice and it is "dead on" accurate. I would never ever use it for other than target practice or to defend from an intruder.

[brewens]

52. Get one and a permit if you must. Do not ever tell anyone you have the permit or are

carrying. I like to keep that secret and have it be a surprise if a situation arises.

I figure if I bragged about my permit and carrying a "friend", someone looking to jump me would know to try and do it so I couldn't use it.

[Eko]

53. I would try going to your local police station

and ask if any of them are willing to volunteer at the office before you decide to carry a gun there.

[gejohnston]

56. just a few things

First, if you choose to, remember shot placement is more important than power of the round. Choose and train with what works for you. An example I give, Israeli air marshals were issued .22LR pistols in the 1960s-1970s. During one hijacking, the marshal took out three attackers armed with automatic weapons.

As for capacity or revolver vs magazine fed. Several criminology studies (including, ironically, the CDC under Clinton and Obama) citizens defend themselves 800k to 2m times per year. That tells us that 99.999 percent of the time, the threat is neutralized with zero shots fired. About 20 years ago, Firearms Safety LLC did a study that showed that from 1997-2002 out of the 486 citizens shooting someone in self defense, the average and median shots fired were 2. Only three required a reload, including someone with a .32 revolver against an African lion (I'm guessing it escaped from a zoo.)

Florida is famously a "stand your ground" state.

Most states are, as are most countries (no duty to retreat if you can do safely). If you are in your office, SYG vs DTR isn't relevant. One you are in a building (castle doctrine), and two, it sounds like you can't safety retreat.

If you carry, don't tell anyone anything. For all you know, you might be the only one who isn't.

[bottomofthehill]

57. .38 Wheel gun

Easy to operate and maintain, look at Smith and Wesson 638 and Smith and Wesson Bodyguard. They are both under $500.00

They both come in .38 special. They are so/do so you can cock and fire or just fire.

Shoot lots before ever taking to a situation where you may need it, familiarize yourself with the gun.

If you feel you must go semi auto, go Glock 19. 9mm ammo is cheap. TRAIN TRAIN TRAIN.

Shooting can be fun, but I must admit, shooting the little .38's is more of a task than fun after about 25 rounds

Take the time to learn and train. if you are not willing to take the time to train and learn, get some pepper spray.

LEARN THE LAWS OF YOUR STATE!

[gunsmoker]

66. Compact auto

I disagree with the small frame .38 revolver suggestion.
Such guns have tiny sights, with no colored dots or lines for fast sight acquisition.
Small revolvers are known for long heavy trigger pulls. A modern semi-automatic pistol will have a shorter and lighter trigger pull, which aids accuracy.
Finally, a gun that holds only 5 shots is probably not the best choice if a deranged gunman goes into your workplace intending on the public massacre.

I think a gun that holds 7 - 14 rounds would be a better choice, and that would be a semi automatic style not a revolver style.

[Kaleva]

62. Get the training first before carrying a gun. You don't have enough time for this election year.

[hay rick]

64. Thanks. I agree.

I am too busy working on elections to give this due diligence. In the mean time, we made our door self-locking and added a video system. The wild card is that the threats we received were related to a local court case. If that stays out of the news we could be ok...

[Kaleva]

65. I think you have made a wise choice.

After the election, you'll have the time to pick the gun best suited for you and your needs and the time to get the recommended training so you are proficient in its use and the knowledge of when to use it. This group will be of great help to you in offering advice.

[Kaleva]

63. I spent months doing research before making a purchase.

Everybody is different. What works for one person may not be a good fit for you.