When it comes to safety, we can’t know everything ourselves. We also consider the opinions and arguments of experts. These experts collect the wisdom of others, the distilled experience from thousands of lives. That said, we don’t have to be uncritical. We can try to distinguish solid expertise from purchased advocacy. I’ve read what the experts say about self-defense and gun free zones. Here is a short summary of what I’ve learned. You can weigh the issues for yourself.
From the Self-Defense Instructor-
These instructors teach basic firearms safety and self-defense. They see students every day. They see the benefits and dangers of having a gun. They say we should each decide for ourselves whether or not we should own a gun or carry a concealed firearm. They also say that unarmed individuals are killed by armed criminals with monotonous regularity. Of course the choice is ours, but there is a silent argument in the debate whether to go armed or not. At the bottom line, look at what instructors tell their spouses and their children. They want them to have a gun.
From the Police-
We call the police after we’re attacked. Then, in addition, the police need time to arrive. The police need time to evaluate the situation and stop the threat. Usually, the threat is long gone by the time police arrive. It is up to ordinary citizens like us to protect ourselves until the police get there. Most cops on the street are tired of getting there too late and seeing victims. Police officers tell their own families to go armed for their protection. The police know that there are guns inside most “gun-free” zones.
