MontyB... you live in a different nation with a different culture. Here in the US of A we are proud that we can defend ourselves. This great nation was founded on the principle of armed citizenry fighting a tyrannical government and gaining their freedom. It's our skill as marksmen and our arms that have kept us free from a despotic government.
In the United States of America, if you look at the crime stats you will see something. The States with the least amount of reported violent crimes usually are also the States that have the most liberal gun laws. While States with a higher crime rate has more restricted gun laws.
Washington DC and Chicago have a very high violent crime rate. Murder and Rape are very high. They are both major cities with a very large population. Miami is also a major city with a very large population. Yet we have a lower crime rate then the two listed cities. Why? Because in the State of Florida it is legal for the citizenry to own and carry a firearm on the person for self defense. In Chicago you cannot carry a firearm and are severely restricted from owning firearms. In Washington DC it is against the law to own a pistol after 1976 and if you wish to own a long arm you must have it disassembled and you cannot move it from room to room without Police Authority.
In fact, because of that there is a Case in the United States Supreme Court over that very issue and if the Washington DC is legal.
Self Defense is a right. Period. Sadly in today's world you have firearms, knife, and other weapons that criminals use. But why should you or I, the law abiding be restricted in our ability to defend ourselves? Our armed forces use the same level of force in it's self defense against it's enemies. Why should the people be restricted from using the same level of force against the criminals?
They should not. In 1987, when the State of Florida passed the Shall Issue Conceal Weapon Permit. People said that Florida and Miami would be a wild west shoot out. In fact they were dead wrong. The crime rate in Florida dropped like a rock being thrown from the Empire State Building.
Is everyone out there capable of defending themselves. I'm not talking about whether they can do it physically. I mean can they do it or are they cowards. Yes, some people are cowards and you know what. A knife of firearm in their possession would do them no good. Why? Because they are cowards and they cannot stand up for themselves. Sadly that is what the criminal scum of society preys on. The weak and timid.
But when you give someone that is not a coward the tools to defend themselves then I 100% believe that doing so is the correct course of action.
I've meet 5'1" 110lbs women that are meaner then junkyard dogs. They can kick ass and take names. But if you have them face off a 6'2" 250lbs guy. It would be a easy fight. She'd fight with all of her worth but the guy would win. Why would you restrict her from having a tool to defend herself with?
911 is a great thing. Call it and the police will be there in 5 minutes. Trust me.... it takes me five minutes to respond to a call. I cannot be everywhere at once and a lot can happen in five minutes.
God Created Man, But Samuel Colt made them equal.
Owning firearms is not just about recreational shooting or hunting. It's also about self defense from a unjust government to protecting one's self or one's family from criminal threats.