I guess I somehow missed this whole discussion when it started. The different viewpoints and opionions are very interesting.
As one who has spent my entire career in law enforcement I've seen quite a few scenarios where armed citizens have used firearms to defend themselves. I've also observed people that own a gun that aren't prepared for what may be a life or death situation
Proficient use of a firearm at a firing range is quite different than being in a really high stress situation where you may have to decide in a split second to shoot someone or not. People react quite differently to stressful situations(even cops).
Over the course of my career I have had thousands of hours of training with many different types of weapons. This is continuous training month after month and year after year. This training is intended to simulate real life scenarios. The idea is that it gets ingrained into your psyche so that you respond instinctively to what you have learned in your training.
I know from experience that it works. I also know that given all the hours of training from professionals ; in a real life and death situation you experience things physically that no scenario prepares you for. Your heart rate soars, you develop tunnel vision, Your fine motor skills diminish. This is when you have to react instinctively.
I wholeheartedly believe that people should be allowed to use firearms to protect themselves. Calling 911 is great but violent crimes often occur in seconds and when law enforcement shows up it's usually Going to be after the crime has occured.
I don't discount the effectiveness of dogs, pepper spray, locks, etc.. They are effective and so is situational awareness whereby you avoid putting yourself in a situation where force may be needed.
With all that said, Hopefully I've added something to this discussion. The point I wanted to make is simply that if you choose a firearm to protect yourself make sure you do much more than take a basic course. If you have a firearm in your home for self defense it should not be thought of a something you'll use as merely a deterant. The mindset to use deadly force should be established well before It's needed.
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