Packin' Poll: More Dangerous-Chainsaw or Handgun

[downeast]

As long as you started the thread on packing, let's talk reality.

Which is more dangerous from stats and your experience with both: chainsaws or handguns ? Serious personal accidents only ; no Wiki trollers allowed :zip: .

My opinion: chainsaws.

 

[Highbeam]

Chainsaws are much more dangerous. I have never been close to being shot but I have been close to being damaged by the saw.

Both are potential weapons. Both could be potential tools. Yet you can only own a handgun under certain conditions.

 

[JustWood]

It's a toss up !

 

[LarryD]

An ignorant person with either is my vote!

 

[WoodMann]

A chainsaw is more dangerous, of course. Guns certianly have their place, but I think the chaonsaw is by far more useful.....................

 

[wahoowad]

Chainsaw

 

[burntime]

Chainsaw, I have 5 stitchs to prove it. And it wasnt even running Guess when I reached accross it after sharpening it was definitely sharp. I own several guns both long and short. Never hit anything that I did not intended to. With a chainsaw you have the fatique factor. Uneven ground can also be tricky. Have you ever seen anyone at the range saying..."go ahead and use it but I am not sure about it?" I have heard neighbors say that while loaning out a chainsaw!

 

[kevin j]

you wwill NEVER EVER EVER see a permit system for chainsaws or a laws to try and outlaw chainsaws or etc etc and so on.
.......



Unless you live in the UK, already in force there. Spent time there for work, my boss went to help a guy cut up a blowdown in his back yard. Hand saw. what? can't have chainsaw for personal use unless have the safety training and get permission to buy. (didn't sayif there is a 10 day waiting period........)

so the big brother attitude is coming here way faster than we realize.
saws, motorcycles, firearms, liability, etc. etc.
think, vote, write letters, etc. etc. get involve

kd.

 

[ChrisN]

Chainsaws are only more dangerous to the user. Handguns are infinitely more dangerous to bystanders.

 

[snowfreak]

Not a hand gun but a bullet could have got me. When I was real young I wanted to see what was inside a .22 bullet. Of course the best way to find out is to take the bullet on a cement floor and hit the end with a hammer. Never did find out what was inside but learned that a hammer makes for one crude firing pin. Every now and again I get a ringing noise in my ear just to remind me of my childhood. To this day I don't have a clue where the bullet ended up but luckily it wasn't in me. So add hammergun to the list and that would be my pick.

 

[downeast]

Chainsaws are only more dangerous to the user. Handguns are infinitely more dangerous to bystanders.

From experience with bystanders injured or killed, or statistics ? Check out OSHA figures for chainsaw injuries and deaths compared to non-functional ( police action) dealths and injuries attributed to handguns.

I'm pleasantly surprised that in a generally left of center, "progressive/socialist" , America is "bad" site ( JMNSHO :coolsmirk: from reading the posts) , that there are some of you who responsibly understand and use firearms. And no, there is no "neocon" in this house...none of your flamming here boys and girls. %-P

 

[jeffman3]

This is my opinion on the handgun or chainsaw question.

Both can be very very dangerous! Also both can be used very very safely! A saw can be used in way that bystanders will be hurt, so can a handgun. I guess what I am saying that tools don't hurt people. People hurt people, by not fallowing proper safety practices. I don't loan out my guns,(long guns or handguns), or my saw. In my household, both are used for their intended purpose, and both are used with proper safety practices. We hunt, and shoot, for food, and recreation, and to bond as a family. We also cut, split, and burn wood to heat our home, and bond as a family.

I guess what I am saying, is IMO both can be dangerous if used improperly, both can be very safe, if used in a proper way. A healthy respect for both, and proper usage, will result in safe use of the respective tool. I don't see that one is more or less dangerous then the other, if used properly.

 

[BrotherBart]

Own several of both. Chainsawed my leg but haven't shot my leg. Yet.

 

[billb3]

Every accident I know of an opposable thumb was involved.

 

[Gooserider]

No personal injuries from either, but I've come closer with a chainsaw, and consider the saw to be FAR more dangerous... In fact I would say that the chainsaw is probably one of the most dangerous hand-held tools there is - a large cutting blade, moving at high speed w/ no guards, being used on a somewhat unpredictably behaving material, often under less than optimal conditions - hard to get much worse. Even a skilled and experienced operator can easily be seriously injured through only minor carelessness, or even simple bad luck. It takes considerable skill and understanding to operate safely, and requires that the operator understand some relatively subtle operating principles.

Firearms OTOH, are mechanically quite reliable and will function in a highly predictable manner 99.999% of the time - they have a simple "point & click" interface, and it is possible to operate one safely by adhering to only a few simple and easily followed safety rules.

As a few easily observed items - look at the amount of PPE required by OSHA for a chainsaw operator, compared to just about any other tool that doesn't involve seriously toxic chemicals, and especially the amount of recomended safety equipment for a firearms operator...

I have no idea about the number of chainsaws in the US, but I would be seriously surprised if it were anywhere even vaguely close to the number of firearms - but my understanding is that ACCIDENTAL firearms injuries are incredibly rare even on a raw number basis, let alone a "per-capita" one, however the same can't be said about chainsaws....

Gooserider

 

[Eric Johnson]

Chainsaws don't kill trees--people kill trees.

Neither one should be sold to people unqualified to operate one. Sadly, both routinely are.

 

[jebatty]

I think your family auto is far more dangerous -- a real killer.

 

[biggins08]

Chainsaws are only more dangerous to the user. Handguns are infinitely more dangerous to bystanders.

Unless the tree I cut lands on my neighbors house!

 

[Ken45]

Remember, we spend many hours with our "fingers on the trigger" of a chain saw. And it is in motion while our fingers are on that trigger. Chainsaw operation may cause unexpected results (binding, kickback, falling trees, etc.) Often the environment is less than ideal for safety (hillsides, uneven ground, clutter underfoot, etc.)

Proper operation of a firearm means that the ONLY time one's finger in on the trigger is when the firearm is pointed at an intended target and there should be no motion. Generally the environment is much more stable (good footing, no clutter, nothing unexpected falling toward us).

I have never operated a firearm except in a stable, safe environment. I rarely operate a chainsaw in such an environment.

Ken

 

[WarmGuy]

Might be that you're more likely to be injured by a chainsaw, but more likely to be mortally injured by a gun.

 

[Gooserider]

Might be that you're more likely to be injured by a chainsaw, but more likely to be mortally injured by a gun.

Arguable AT BEST... Most firearms injuries are NOT fatal - it takes a hit in one of a very limited number of areas to do major damage, and usually needs a fairly potent round. OTOH a chainsaw injury tends to involve MAJOR trauma, and while the injury itself is not usually fatal, lack of FAST and effective medical treatment can lead to death from blood loss...

Either way, I can guarantee that getting hit by either a firearm or a chainsaw will probably ruin your day...

Gooserider

 

[cornbread]

My opinion: chainsaws.

 

[johnsopi]

All I know is don't bring a chainsaw to a gunfight.

 

[Ken45]

All I know is don't bring a chainsaw to a gunfight.

I don't know about that, it would really"cut 'em down" ;-)

 

[Gooserider]

All I know is don't bring a chainsaw to a gunfight.

What, You've never played DOOM in chainsaw mode? Great splatter factor effects.... :sick: :coolgrin:

Gooserider