Many people don’t know that, in the U.S., the homicide rate has been decreasing steadily since the 1970s. (
Bureau of Justice Statistics)
With the 24/7 cable news networks and online news media, we’re convinced that the U.S. is a hotbed of violence. To be sure, some areas in the U.S. are extremely violent. But my town has a murder rate of zero per 100,000.
The U.S. Constitution gives Americans the right to own guns. So, it’s completely legitimate to own firearms as long as you know how to use them and if you keep them locked away from children, thieves, and irresponsible adults.
Note: I do not now nor have I ever owned guns.
The only reason to have a handgun is to kill someone. If you’re not willing to shoot to kill, don’t get a gun. Waving a gun in the air or trying to shoot someone in the knee is not smart. You have to aim at the chest, which is the biggest target.
If you want to bring an intruder down, a .22 won’t provide a lot of protection. (Hunters use .22 rifles to shoot squirrels or rabbits.) So you might as well have a .38 or 9 mm. And you should take extensive safety courses so you don’t injure yourself or an innocent person.
I’m scared of guns. I wouldn’t want to own one. But if I lived out in the boonies all by myself, I’d get a gun that packed a punch and learn how to use it.