I do not own a gun, but my hubby does, would he use one to protect me,you can bet on it. Or any of my family. I grew up around guns and can i shoot one yes, can i hit what i am aiming for you, Would i use it to protect myself yes. . A month a go my brother was out of town and my sister-in-law woke up and heard someone in the house and grabbed my brothers shot gun, the person left in a hurry. My niece happened to pull in and saw him. She ran for the house for the gun, but by then the man had disappeared . She had an 8 year old girl in the house. Living out in the rural part of the country it is best to have a gun.