One thing that needs to be pointed out here. Just because someone has a gun, and uses it for self defense doesn’t mean a shot is fired. There are cases when the perp turns tail and runs at the sight of an arm man defending him/herself. There are also cases where the person can be subdued with a lesser degree of force, even talking them out of the crime they were prepared to commit. A gun is only a tool, just like mace, or a taser, or even martial arts training and in the hands of a competent, law abiding citizen who has prepared themselves for the situation is no more dangerous than the poison that sits beneath your sink or the lawn mower in your back yard.
Only you can make the decision as to how you want to defend yourself or your family. I choose to prepare myself with multiple levels of force, to meet an aggressor where they are. I will not likely point and shoot if there is a barrier nearby, but will attempt to talk them out of the situation. If attacked, I will react as trained and have no moral issues to overcome. I wish we lived in a perfect world where this was not an issue, but we don’t. Also I take an attack with a knife the same as a gun. It depends on distance, if more than 21 feet or so I would like use the mace. If less than that deadly force would be justified do to the attack on my life and imminent death otherwise. With a gun 50’ + is the distance and mace is not an option.
I can shoot 13 rounds + into a target at 50’ each one hitting the center of the target on a law enforcement qualifying target. I rarely miss. This is the result of training and practice. If you are going to defend yourself, you need to know what you are going to do and develop the reactionary skills to do it. If you purchase a gun, go to the range regularly and take a few classes. If it is mace, a taser or something else, have a plan. Take martial arts classes to learn self defense techniques. Know when each one is appropriate and use the appropriate level of force.
