>But yes, one could focus on the gun. A car has uses: it gets you from A to B, but it can cause death. A gun in this context has NO use other than to cause death (or to threaten). If you say "protection" then it's only really protection vs the other guy with a gun (whose only use is to threaten or kill you). OK the other guy could have a machete, granted, and so I'd drop the SOB myself!

That statement is not accurate and is as colored by your limited experience as my views are colored by my experiences. I won't repost my experiences, because I have already given more than ample reason for actually needing a weapon in this country.