I live in North Austin. there was a mass shooting at my neighborhood target.

[mahina]

71. Fair. So,

In my case, I do not own a gun because my friend’s mother shot and killed her, her baby sister and her father in their beds (and crib) during a mental episode. I understand how lives are lost and ruined in a few moments and for me, the risks outweigh any possible benefit.

People break into houses all the time and steal guns. People walk in during burglaries.

I also do not own a gun because I know that it is very likely that it will be used against me in my own home and that I am far safer using pepper spray or some non-lethal weapon. Updated with sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15522849/ "Guns in the home and risk of a violent death in the home: findings from a national study. Linda L Dahlberg 1 , Robin M Ikeda, Marcie-Jo Kresnow

also https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199310073291506 "Gun Ownership as a Risk Factor for Homicide in the Home"
Authors: Arthur L. Kellermann, Frederick P. Rivara, Norman B. Rushforth, Joyce G. Banton, Donald T. Reay, Jerry T. Francisco, Ana B. Locci, Janice Prodzinski, Bela B. Hackman, and Grant Somes

I grew up in a home with a Vietnam veteran who volunteered to go to Vietnam and served in the Special Forces in the tri-border region. He taught me how to defend myself. He taught me not to keep a firearm in the house.

Do you think I am not worthy of an opinion because I don’t meet your criteria? Is that rational?