Good post, JL. I feel very much the same way. I never owned a firearm till a few years ago when I started working as a hotel night auditor. Our security are all off-duty police officers and ALL of them told me to get my concealed carry permit and a good handgun. Every one of them believe in a responsible armed citizenry. They told me frankly that they can't be everywhere. I read everything I could on the subject and finally did just that. Interesting how much more in control of thoughts and emotions one is when one accepts the responsiblity of carrying deadly weapon.