Why own a gun?

Muzzafar Siddiqui, the first South Asian on the Houston police force, feels guns will not protect you or bring more safety.

"Guns are part of everyday Texas life. Buying a gun is not a difficult thing there, if one's record is clean. Having a gun in Texas is like having a television or radio in your home. Since it is normal to carry a gun, it is not a status symbol. If you carry a more advanced type of gun it will not bring any more status," says Siddiqui.

He has seen shootings and robberies involving many South Asians, mostly convenience store owners. The victims are mostly South Asians. Many community youngsters  ask him about buying guns. He does not recommend it.

Says Siddiqui, "People mostly buy guns to protect their residence. Lot of businessmen also carry guns. Most of the convenience stores and 90 percent of gas stations in Houston are owned by South Asians. Most of them have guns."

There have been several incidents when the store owner shoots a trespassser/thief. Every death is investigated by the police and the case is presented to a grand jury. Most of the time the shooter is let free.

"When a person comes to a store, the owner does not know what he carries. If he steals money or things and leaves, don't try to fight [back]," he advises. "Obey his order. The money or property is not more important than your life and his life. In case you own a gun, stay away from it until you have proper training to handle it. If you have a gun you may use it. But even if it is legally justified, you will regret it later," he says.

Siddiqui says shooting at the legs of a thief may be particularly dangerous. "He may turn around and shoot you. Ninety-nine percent of the (time) robbers will leave after they achieve their aim -- that of stealing money or property. Very few will try to kill the store owner. But if the owner has a gun near him, he may be tempted to use it, even if the robber is (fairly) harmless," he adds.