How Bad Is the Gang Activity (Portland, Gresham: preschool, gated, quality of life)

[Leisesturm]

I just read the links in question. Permit or not, to use a handgun as a response to any of those crimes, in this area of the country at least, would see the gun owner indicted on some kind of unreasonable use of force charge. Lets really put things in perspective. I've lived most of my young adult life in a particularly bad area of New York City. Of course I moved to safer areas when I was able but between the ages of 16 and 27 I was mugged three times. One of them was so vicious that to this day I have no recollection of what happened. I was unconscious for 15 minutes following the attack. Would owning a gun have made the slightest difference in the outcome of any of those attacks? No. Not at all. A handgun is not a defensive weapon. I smile when I read about the fear over 'crime' in places like Oregon. People who were residents of NYC in the '70's know crime. People who have lived in places like Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta, they know crime, violent crime, as well. Parts of L.A., St. Louis, even Indiana. But, please, good people of Oregon, get some perspective on this issue. A handgun purchased to protect ones property is far more likely going to end up taking the life of someone the handgun owner knew personally and really didn't want to see dead.

H

[John Shaft]

Originally Posted by SSIwillbebrokeby2010

I was wondering, can one still walk/stoll the streets of Portland and be safe? Or is it not a good idea?

You can absolutely walk the streets of Portland safely...just learn where the "good" and "bad" streets are. That being said, even the "bad" areas I've found don't hold a candle to the bad parts of Dallas--where I lived previously. My take is that for its size, Portland is a safe city. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't watch yourself just like anywhere else.

[SSIwillbebrokeby2010]

Oh Good! I really want to look at the Architecture there in the Old Town part of Portland. Take some pictures as well.
I am really also interested in Commercial Real Estate, like older classic architecture, example in mind would be warehouse's, to maybe convert.
That is done alot in Urban areas and one can make a real nice loft out of top stories in older buildings of that sort.
Say, is there much Gothic Architecture in Portland, any particular buildings or streets, parts of a block that come to mind anyone?

[Venusian_Artist]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

A handgun purchased to protect ones property is far more likely going to end up taking the life of someone the handgun owner knew personally and really didn't want to see dead.
H

This simply isn't true. Google "debunking Kellerman" to understand how his poorly executed study has given rise to this false impression in the popular culture. Hint: even he has distanced himself from it.

A gun isn't likely to kill anyone. I've used them successfully for self-defense. And the Department of Justice estimates that 99.8% of all successful self-defenses with a firearm, the gun is never fired. The presence alone leads to flight or capitulation on the part of the offender.

Buy one or don't buy one, just don't be misinformed. The more you know...

[succotash]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

A handgun purchased to protect ones property is far more likely going to end up taking the life of someone the handgun owner knew personally and really didn't want to see dead.

H

You don't believe in owning a weapon. That's fine. Don't get one. I do and do own several weapons. Our laws allow that.

And as already said, the above statement you made is a popular belief held by anti gun advocates which simply doesn't add up with the numbers. A weapon is a deterrent, even when NOT used. I know this speaking from experience. If you want to chance being beaten to death in your own home, that's great. I choose not to. One of the guys who attempted to attack me had already done time for murder caused by aggravated assault(funnily enough, there's an article in one of the links I posted about that!). Now he's in jail for just about good for violating his parole. Have a nice day.

[PDXJen]

"I just read the links in question. Permit or not, to use a handgun as a response to any of those crimes, in this area of the country at least, would see the gun owner indicted on some kind of unreasonable use of force charge."

This is quite possible considering that Portland is run by Marxists who hate guns.

"A handgun is not a defensive weapon."

BS on that one.

"A handgun purchased to protect ones property is far more likely going to end up taking the life of someone the handgun owner knew personally and really didn't want to see dead."

This is a garbage statement that is typical of anti gunners. If you want to whistle Dixie when someone breaks into your home that's fine. I'll be reaching for S&W. I guess that you can hide a closet and whimper until the cops show up to find your body.

[PeacePlease]

I'm anti guns not because of guns but because I'm anti violence in general. But this is just me. However I realize we live in a country where people have the right to arms. So my opinion is that we need laws on gun education and gun safety that are required to gain a gun license. Just like driving a car, you need a license to drive one. The person interested in owning a gun must take and pass training to get that license before purchasing. That person should be required to renew that license every few years, say 5. Doesn't sound reasonable?

[farside098]

Article in today's Oregonian . Seems it's not just contained to the N & NE according to this article it's in the SE & East as well OregonLive.com: Everything Oregon

[provincal b]

I'm just going to say this, I've been out in the streets all over eastside portland for the past 10 years (didn't own a car for 9 years) and never had a problem. If you didn't read the papers, you would never know there was a gang problem unless you were in the absolute wrong place and wrong time. Portland is a VERY safe city overall, so long as you aren't completely idiotic.

[oldtintype]

Originally Posted by farside098

Article in today's Oregonian . Seems it's not just contained to the N & NE according to this article it's in the SE & East as well OregonLive.com: Everything Oregon

Actually the area mentioned in North Portland is one of the worst for gangs, so to be expected, and the SE incidents are outer SE, in the areas also mentioned on here. Just to put it in perspective. Are you from here? If not it might be hard to understand that by saying "in SE" doesn't mean all of SE. SE is a HUGE geographic area.