Thanks all for your supportive replies. I tried to convey some of my feelings to my wife, who believed that having more guns out there equates to having more people shooting each other. It's a difficult thing to get past when it's been ingrained by the various media. Fortunately there are states which have CCW laws and are prime examples of having private citizens carrying - without having daily shootouts. If such things actually occurred, the media would have a field day. But you don't really hear about a neighbor shooting another EVERY night on the evening news. They must be doing something right apparently. When I wrote about how I would conduct myself had I an opportunity to get a CCW permit, I knew I wasn't alone in my sentiments. On the various gun-related forums I visit, I don't see many militia types, or the rambo types. I find that they are folks with a sound mind who don't go out looking for trouble or brag that they can kill x number of people with their chosen firearm.
In fact, members of the Law Enforcement frequent those forums also. I especially pay attention to them because I wonder how they feel about having citizens carry. Just yesterday I looked in the 1911 forums and searched on that and found a post from a LEO who said that in general they support citizens having CCW permits. As long as the citizen declares to the LEO that he/she has a CCW and is armed/unarmed when in a traffic stop situation for example, all is well. What got me was how many LEOs consider you on THEIR SIDE when they find out you have a CCW permit. However, it was also mentioned that LE administrators often have opposite views from their own officers, and LE agencies in heavily anti-gun states will tend to follow the state's attitudes (hence what seems to be here in Hawaii).
Israel is an extreme example of why individuals need to have a right to protect themselves. Here, the hollywood types and the politico types who are for banning firearms most likely have their own bodyguards who are armed and follow them around everywhere. Of course not all do, but this makes it unfair for the average citizen who can't afford to hire their own bodyguards. Just because I am not rich/famous/powerful does not mean I should not have all the options to protect myself or my family. That sounds like elitism. I didn't know Israeli teachers are armed, but am not surprised. That must be another thing to mention to those who are opposed to carrying. Israeli teachers are not some specially bred and trained superhumans - they are just like any other teacher anywhere on the planet.
Thank you bounder for your candid reply. I actually do not own a firearm, having last shot ten years ago on my high school shooting team. I have a recurve bow set up for target shooting. However, I support the right to keep and bear arms because it makes sense. I want the option, the freedom to choose, on my own, whether I want to arm myself or not. I (and many, many others) are aware of the responsibilities that come with owning a firearm. Yes, it is exactly the same with being proficient in a martial art. They are taught (the good schools anyway) not to seek confrontation, to avoid it as much as possible not only because they are able to do more harm than the average citizen, but because it is the right thing to do.
My wife is still uneasy about firearms, but I think I did convince her that it is unfair that some of the folks on the tv screen (we were watching "Entertainment Tonight" - mostly she watches anyway) can have armed bodyguards to protect them whenever they wish and we, being poor relative to them, do not have that option. Although I can't carry here, I am still considering options to arm myself when we eventually move out of the condo and into a house. We will do everything we can to make ourselves a difficult burglary target. Whatever I decide, I do not ever want to find my family threatened by a bunch of idiots with knives and screwdrivers. If I do decide to arm myself with a firearm, I will try to seek as much knowledge as I can BEYOND the mandatory safety class. Maybe a trip to take a class at Gunsite. It will be a big decision and will entail responsibilities. However I am thankful that at least the option is still open for me.
mauser
