I deliberately waited until now to post a comments on this subject to get a feel of comments. I notice that almost all those commenting here, pro or con, have never had to use a weapon for self defense, nor asked someone who has used a weapon about their opinion. U.S. Justice Department reports indicate that close to one hundred thousand Americans do use a weapon, usually a gun, every year in the U.S., to prevent or lessen a violent crime against themselves, their family and others.
I am a retired LEO (41 years service) and have interviewed, and have visited with a number of individuals who used a weapon to defend themselves and others. I am not counting police officers with my comment here. My own experience matches those victims and potential victims that I have interviewed and visited. Three times in my own life, not counting any my time on duty, I did use my handgun to prevent a crime. Fortunately, each time, just drawing the handgun in my hand at the early situational time, was sufficient to prevent what was almost certainly a violent felony developing. None of these three could have been prevented by even a fast response by police. All three happened in a matter of seconds. I was prepared and willing to fire but fortunately, early action defused the situations.
I have never interviewed or visited with any one who used their gun to defend them self or others, who told me that they were sorry that they had the gun when needed. I did work on the investigation of many dozens of homicide and violent assault victim's over 40 years on duty, many of which, I am sure, had they lived, would have been sorry that they were armed when they were confronted by a violent criminal. They were perhaps very sorry in their last living moments. Some who lived have told me that after their experience they immediately obtained a gun and learned to use it. And, at some requests, I assisted them and trained them, as was the policy of ourthree police departments.
The choice is for everyone to decide for them self. As a career LEO, I am somewhat saddened by many of the comments that I read by obviously some who have not thought through the potential situations. It is everyone's responsibility for everyone to decide how, if at all, to defend them self against potentially harmful situations, including common, life threatening criminal actions. The police can never do it for you.
