Stop Lying to yourself About Being That “Good Guy With A Gun” by STEVE MARMEL

[Bazinga]

129. Perhaps it is there that we differ.

I've never actually been in a fight. I am non-confrontational by nature and would avoid any sort of altercation that could potentially escalate. I agree that someone who looks for or gets in fights should not be armed, as escalation is inevitable. But if I ever find myself in a fight, it will be because all other options have failed, and I am truly defending myself against an attacker that I cannot avoid. I'm sure you would agree that in a life or death situation, you would prefer to have every possible advantage.

I am truly sorry to hear about your neighbor. It is sad to think that her lapse in judgment has such grave consequences. I don't deny that firearms are dangerous, and they require a great deal of responsibility. Your friend learned the hard way that their use in anything but a life-threatening situation is inappropriate. I only assert that citizens are capable of responsibly bearing arms, including concealed in public, despite tragic anecdotes like this one.

I realize I am displaying the "gun owners never think this will happen to them until it does" mentality that you warned about in your post. But just as I am confident that your neighbor faced charges and was held responsible for her decisions, so too would I take responsibility for the manner in which I bear arms. I prefer individual choice and individual accountability to the pro-control philosophy that would require me to depend on an external force for protection that may not be adequately timely.