So, anybody deciding its time to arm themselves?

[haele]

102. Nope, a gun in my household would be more dangerous to the residents.

Spouse has been suffering from seizures and is seriously depressed, there are two young children living with us, the youngest at age four having serious aggression issues and gets into everything, and no place to safely store even an unloaded weapon.
Not to mention I know myself very well. I couldn't shoot an idiot, I'm not a sniper that is willing to take someone out in a distance without actually knowing their intentions, and if I was close enough to engage with or shoot someone if armed with a handgun of my own, I'd rather take that idiot's handgun away from him/her, if they hadn't already shot me from a distance.
Someone who is enraged or paranoid is more wrapped up in their rage and paranoia than they are aware of their surroundings. If forced into close quarters fighting, the advantage is always to the person who is most aware and calm, once the luck factor is removed.
I would rather de-escalate than shoot. I was trained in shore patrol (of all duty training in the military!) that the best way to win a fight is to avoid the fight.
And I always carry a cane and my wits, if it comes to violence.

Haele