I certainly don't intend to flame anyone here, but it seems that you have completely missed my point, and your opinion relies more on emotion than logic.

It is bad enough in the US, where people are spoon-fed the notion that "guns are evil and can only be used for evil purposes", but Canada is even worse when it comes to this attitude.

You are lumping all law-abiding gun owners who choose to carry for their protection under the "whack-job looking to kill someone" crowd. Not only is it insulting, but it is flat-out not true. CHL holders commit violent crimes at a far lower rate than the general population. (Feel free to check out the records from various states.) Carrying a firearm does not change your innate personality - it is ridiculous, but people somehow believe it.

As far as guns stopping crime, I won't argue with that one way or another, as it is very difficult to prove ANY particular cause behind crime rates, because there are too many factors. But bear in mind that the CDC (a very anti-gun organization) could not conclusively prove that firearms restrictions helped to lower crime either. (Case in point, Washington, D.C...)

As for me, I would rather have my right to protect myself how I see fit, and allow those who are not comfortable with firearms to choose to not carry. I have been a member of the shooting/firearms community for a long time, and I don't know a single member who wouldn't go out of his/her way to AVOID a confrontation.