[Milu]

CamB




"I really mean one or the other - you can't pick "me with a gun, criminal without". I would rather stand in front of a criminal with no gun virtually assured he hasn't got one either. My chance of being killed, or killing, in that situation is (so close as to be equivalent to) nil."

Sorry I misunderstood your post. A hard one. In a violent situation I think I would choose both armed, simply because in that case the playing field would at least be level. I disagree that if both sides are unarmed the chances of killing or being killed are close to nil. (Strictly speaking a handgun is a defensive tool, if one chose to go on the offensive there are better options)

"If you both have guns? What happens if the criminal pulls a gun on you? Does it become quick draw? Do you pull out your own gun and tell him to put his away."

That is actually an option. So is running away which I think can work very well and is usually a better option if one can put aside the macho BS.

"F%# it - I'm non-violent - I can't remotely fathom why anyone would want to hurt (or kill) anyone. Full stop. I don't think I am capable of understanding this part of the argument either."

I'm actually a very non violent person. I've just found myself caught up in a lot of violent situations.