bumperm: I'm not telling anyone to not protect themselves, rather it's just the opposite. Look at the stats, consider the practical implications, and tell me otherwise-being armed is risky. Do you carry when you're flying, soaring, cycling or, visiting the grandkids? Or, can you imagine the myriad dangers of an accidental discharge in any of those situations? Also, do you rail againts the laws that may be currently in place that prevent it? If you had a discharge, it's exactly at that point that you'd likely wish you never even had your gun, realizing how unecessary it was. Also, as a cop, I'm sure you had access to better training and resources when on duty, confronting potential criminals. Additionally, it was your job to enter dangerous situations to defuse the risk to the rest of us and did so as a well-trained professional. Most people here would likely be caught off guard, disarmed, and in a heap of trouble (ironically, with there own gun). In addition, your idea of a "professional victim" seems to depict the seige mentality displayed by many gun nuts, it's an insulting, tongue in cheek, jab at others who don't share your opinion and not appreciated. I have much respect for your former profession and count on your contemporaries should I feel I need it, however, the evidence is overwhelmingly againts the idea of a gun as self-protection for the common citizen. It's that myth that keeps the NRA and gun manufacturers/importers in business.