Will you keep a gun when living the Philippines?

A friend of mine who lived in the Phils in a remote place had a gun and used it one night when he waited up and shot a guy in the leg while trying to break into the back of his small store, apart from that I do not know of anyone else (ex pat) who owned up to having a gun. For the European nationalities the idea of carrying a gun with them is completely alien, to Americans it is easier, but if you carry one there will be a time that you will use it, and will you use it correctly? And is USA better for guns or not? seems as if everyone there is scared of everyone else? Ok thats my thought

 

Hello PhilT, long time no see, its good that your back, welcome back.
I won't have a gun, don't trust my self, might shoot my self in the foot.

 

tricky subject to discuss

PhilT,
I also was very interested to know more about this topic.
I realize more and more that people are hesitating to discuss (and confess) the ownership of guns here in the Phil.
This subject is on each forum having to do with the Phil. but always 'covered' like I do here
In private discussions you get a lot more to hear from people than on a forum. I guess that from the people who own a gun here, a part (mostly Americans, is my estimation) have less scareness to tell it than e.g. the Europeans.
But one thing I can tell you ...... in private discussions you get advices from officials (police chiefs and such persons) to have a gun at home and they even tell you on what way you can best use it when there are "unwanted" persons with certain intentions on your property.
But that inofficial advice from officials is also comon on more places in the world (e.g. South America and Africa).

 

Can't be said more plainly... It is stupid and foolish to have a gun here, if you feel like your in so much jeopardy here, why would you move here? It is an attitude of fear.

 

Better not to say "stupid and foolish to have a gun here" (or wherever) to people who are in an unwanted situation that they can't go where they could want to go and have the option to do nothing (no arms) or get themselves armed to be able to try to do at least something to protect their lives and their loved ones (if dogs and other more easily countermeasures are judged as not enough).
For me it has nothing to do with an increased level of fear in the Philippines but with certain situations people can get into wherever in the world.
Even in my own 'save' Europe there are quite some people who scare their lives because certain others (races, believers or whatever) have threatened them to death.
Some can hide (mostly very expensive and uncomfortable), some can move far away (too costly for a lot) and others get/buy security gards (very expensive). Some buy a gun. If these are the people who have no real other choise I have understanding.
Some have a gun which is not working, but they don't mind. They have it purely to let others know they are armed
But I DO agree with you that in GENERAL buying a gun is not a wise "solution".
I shouldn't put also the unlucky ones in the corner of the stupid and foolish, even when they live in the Philippines, born or not born here.
Understanding for some choises is only realy possible after well knowing their situations and alternatives.

 

RHB I saw your blog here is video clip for you of mine

YouTube - Battle of the Java Sea WW2 - MY Dads Story

 

Once I got invited to a barangay fiesta party I was chatting to all sorts of people, and there was a huddle of pinoy in the corner eyeing me, later they came over in a circle and one took from his pocket a.....P1000 note! He asked me if I could change it, I said sure if I can and delved thru my shorts pockets and came up with approx P25....after that they gave me a nickname "Poor Foreigner" suited me okay now they know it will not pay to mug me....it pays to play down ones self, do not mouth off you got money and this and that in fact tell them you aint got nothing!

 

Cool move PhilT.... Showing off will get you nowhere except trouble. By the way, glad to hear from you again. Welcome back.

 

Thankyou Chrissar lol the P1000 peso note incident was seen as very funny by all the family, not for what I did, but for the fact that they know me and were laughing at the guy trying to get an angle on me, how can he get an idea of me?...I do not even know myself yet! lol

 

Phil, thanks for the link, glad you liked the blog, I know you are proud of your dad. Nice tribute.

I also like your position by anecdote. guns money, wealth, if displayed or bragged about will, or shall I say could, get you in more trouble than it's worth.