self defense and self control

[Dreamline]

My dad hides the guns from me because I have tried to kill myself.  I could go buy one but not sure I would trust myself in an episode...I suppose I could always have somebody hold on to it for me, until I am well.   I would like the added protection and security...but at least I have my pet "police dog."  I am not sure what to do about this.

[Phyllis]

I answered "not sure". I think it depends on the individual. I mean, I know people who don't have BP, have guns, and well, probably shouldn't. I am not against guns. My dad taught me how to shoot when I was in the 6th grade, and we would go target shooting in the desert when I was in High School. I just think some people shouldn't have them.

[Paz]

 My 2 brothers shot themselves....so NO. And I also want to know why regular people feel the need to have a gun, the power to kill. and yes people, that's what they are for...for KILLING. Why do people feel the need to be able to kill another person? And the talk about protection is BS...you can have a Big dog, a baseball bat, a taser, and I believe that would be enough protection.
And what about taking a self defense class so you are able to kick ass & defend yourself?
 Why are people so fucking paranoid?  

[Dreamline]

If the intruder has a gun, I am probably fucked unless I have one...and there is the saying "don't bring a knife to a gun fight."  Now that taser... ...not a bad idea if you ask me(don't know much about them though).  Sadly, most dogs will not actually physically protect their owners under attack...but they are great deterrents.  I think any criminal that is willing to try and get past a barking shepherd, dobe, chow, rott...etc.,...needs to be shot.  They will probably shoot a dog if they really want past it   If they want to get to you that bad I think their intent is to harm or kill you.   Shit anyone who breaks into my house is a potential rapist or murderer to me...when your life is at stake you don't have time to wait and see what they are going to do.   If they were "just" going to steal....too damn bad when I bash them over the head or let my dog get them.  Where I live, it definitely pays to be safe.

*off soapbox*

[Paz]

 You must live in a horrible place if you feel the need to be able to kill people....to defend yourself? Move the fuck away from there if you don't feel safe.

 BIPOLARS SHOULD NOT HAVE GUNS, NOR SHOULD ANYONE ELSE.

 Have you traveled much? Been to Europe or to Central or South America? Hey, there are problems everywhere, but in those countries problems with guns are miniscule when compared to the USA. And you certainly don't hear about people going postal or sniping at people just for the fuck of it....just because they have a gun. And you never hear about some kid finding daddy's loaded gun and they think it's ok to play with and they wind up shooting their little sister or themselves by accident...and I can leave a bunch of links to stories talking about just those sorts of tragedies...and they mostly happen in the south....wonder why that is?

*off soapbox as well*

[Dreamline]

I have only traveled the USA and Canada when I was in a drum and bugle corps.  Other than that, a few trips I made myself during episodes.  That said, I don't have the funds to travel anywhere...but do desire to.  I know somebody who lives in Costa Rica, from what he tells me, it is a violent place and the cops don't help you (people get beaten and raped and the cops let it go)...there is also what he said about when he moved there, he had to pay thousands of dollars to cross certain borders or something like that...like they wouldn't let him pass through if he didn't pay them off.  I can't remember but it was fucked up and corrupted.  Other than stuff like that he said its paradise.  Didn't you live in Costa Rica too Paz? 

I want to go to Ireland, New Zealand, Alaska, Canada (again), a bunch of places in Europe, North Africa, Japan, India, China, Thailand, Mongolia, Siberia,....etc.   

On violence, people all over the place have hate in their hearts, no matter if they use a bomb, a gun, a knife, their fists, words....its sad.  

[Paz]

 If your friend who was in Costa Rica lived anywhere near San Jose, then that doesn't surprise me, no one goes there, it is an ugly city, and there are a lot of pickpockets. Guns are extremely difficult to get there, which is a good thing. I lived in La Garita, in the province of Alajuela, one of the nicest and peaceful spots in the country. It is paradise for sure, and the Pacific Coast and Nicoya peninsula are much nicer than the Carribbean side.
 As far as traveling across borders, no problem as long as you have a passport & itinerary. No fees to speak of, just the $25 airport leaving tax that they give you a receipt for after they stamp your passport. Sounds like your friend got ripped off, or was maybe staying in a bad place? Our experience was much different from your friends.
  It is a sad world that we live in where there is so much violence and hatred everywhere...we try to shield our son as much as possible...and we are lucky that we are able to do that, and to travel safely. We want him to see how beautiful different parts of the world are before everything becomes too fucked up.
 I only hope that those of us who are still young can make a difference environmentally and stop the cycle of hatred and sadness.    We want our son to grow up and be able to live on a peaceful and cleaner planet.

[Dreamline]

Yeah I'll have to ask my dad where he is near, I can't remember.  He said this lady asked him for money one day and he said no (beggars everywhere).  From that day on she threw rocks at his truck and at him...she nearly busted his head open with a big rock.  So he got fed up and ran over there and punched her in the face.  She doesn't bother him anymore.  He said the police didn't care about her throwing rocks...on the other hand they didn't care about him punching her either.   

I was in the grocery store last night and walked over to get a basket.  There was this lady and her husband walking really slow towards me.  I walked over to the baskets and the bitch tries to then turn in front of me, instead of behind me, even though I clearly by common etiquette had the right of way.  Then she made stopping a big gesture and her husband said "wow".  I said "WOW" and walked away.  I KNOW they did it because I am white...why the hate?  I don't get it, beyond just rude, its about hatred. 

[Paz]

 No matter where you go in the world, you will always find assholes....sad but true.
  I try to have faith in humanity, as we have met very kind people during our travels, but basically people suck. And that is not my BP1 talking, that is just me....sometimes.
If we all give up hope then the world is truly fucked....and I don't want that for our son. We BP's live with a disorder that seems hopeless at times, yet we somehow survive[even when we don't want to]. If we can deal with people, then mentally well people should be able to, you know what I mean?
 I am sorry that your friend doesn't like Costa Rica, He must be in a sketchy area. We have a friend named June who had no problems taking the bus from Costa Rica to Nicaragua, then to Belize, then to Cancun, and back again with no problems or fees....she also took the bus from Costa Rica to Panama, crossed the Canal, and continued her bus ride into Colombia[Cartagena] She had no problems that trip either, and like I said, neither did we, but we flew....she took the bus there & back and had no problems.
 Does your friend speak spanish? We have a friend who has been going back & forth to Costa Rica for over 20 years...he has friends in Cartago. He speaks spanish, and he even owns a place down there[a farm] in the 20 years of him going to & from, he has not heard of the type of shit your friend has been thru....except in San Jose, which is a bad place for pickpockets & barfights, but he has not heard of anyone having to pay thousands of $$ for anything...especially border crossings. 

[Dreamline]

It may not have been Costa Rica where there was border issues...I think it was when he drove through either Panama or somewhere.  But overall he is happy with staying there in Costa Rica for a while, other than the lady and stuff like that, he said it was paradise. 

I know what you mean with all the shit we deal with and still manage to get through it and deal with people.  Yet perfectly "sane" people will just choose to treat others like shit, just because??   

[tomcat13claws]

Well, I'm new here.  I'm not so sure I understand bipolar because I feel that I'm not BP 2, but ADHD. My dx's are BP2 and ADD.  Anyway, I voted yes, as long as you aren't psychotic, and even then, you have a natural right to defend yourself. No, I don't own a gun. I don't know anything about them really.  Could I kill someone (self included)?  It would be very hard to do. 1. Say some maggot walked through my front door with a bat, and he came at me--that fucker would have to die. At least I sure hope I'd have the balls to put a hole in his chest. But, I'm almost more afraid of the fucked up laws.  If I kill in self defense, it may be ME that goes to prison--then I would surely consider suicide. I have enough pain just living free.

Anyway, everyone has a right to self defense.  It's a fucked up evil world. It is now, and it always has been. That's a fact. I don't like it, but I can't change it, and I can't pretend it's a good and safe place.

And I'm considered mentally ill because I have depression and anxiety (amongst other things)...Like I said--It's a fucked up evil world.