Tim (Can I call you Tim?),
The fantasy is all yours, my friend. Like you, I will state my opinions as fact since that seems to be good enough for HuffPo:
Most law-abiding gun owners don’t fantasize about the guns-a-blazing scenarios you seem to dream up. Their wish is to have their guns and never be in a situation where thay are forced to use them. They just want to know that if they do need it, it’s there. They are not “imagining what would’ve happened if I’d been waiting there for the thief with a gun, soothing myself with pathetic little revenge scenarios of shooting the intruder.” Gun-toting posses really aren’t the fantasy of gun owners. They are simply the unsubstantiated nightmares of gun control advocates . . .
But Tim, bad things really do happen. Ask the 14-year-old boy in Phoenix who saved himself and his siblings by shooting an intruder. Ask his father if he regrets that his son shot someone and he will certainly say that while he regrets the situation ever happened, NO, he doesn’t regret that his son took action. He’s glad his son is alive to regret the the necessity of the incident. He is thankful he still gets to see his face every day rather than be forced to lament missing what the boy’s life would be like had he had the chance to become a man.
You stated that you had been stabbed. I am glad you came out of it OK, but don’t you see? Disarming law-abiding citizens does not stop violent actions from occuring. It doesn’t even slow it down. If anything, crime rates seem to rise due to stricter gun laws (Chicago?). Are knives next on your hit-list for legislation? Do “the rest of us have to risk our lives” because you need that instrument of death to pare an apple or open up that box from Amazon on your doorstep? Do we then, perhaps, ban glass bottles…should they be replaced by softer, safer, gentler plastic? People should have the right to protect themselves and their families by any means necessary. Ninety-nine percent of gun owners obey the laws and never have to use their weapon for self-defense. But they have another avenue to take in the event something does happen.
“The unmarketable truth is that there’s nothing much you can do to protect yourself or the people you love, not buying a gun or moving to a gated community or building a survival shelter.” Tim, please. Have you surrendered so completely? Is your life so empty that you harbor no desires of feeling safe? I assure you that the American people are not so defeatist as to subscribe to your point of view.
The typical gun owner does not purchase a weapon and then simply strap on a holster and show it off to friends. He/she typically takes the time to learn the proper handling, safety and shooting techniques that may one day make a difference for them or someone else. The firearm serves little purpose if you do not know how to use it.
Guns are a tool, Tim. And much like a hammer, knife or screwdriver, they can be used in bad ways by bad people. The answer is to find and repair or remove the bad people. Don’t blame the tool because bad people will simply find another tool. I just hope that the tool I have is effective enough to give me or my family a chance if I ever need it.
“Bad things can happen any time. But mostly they don’t.” But sometimes they do Tim. Sometimes they do. The next time a crime happens to you or someone you know, I hope the outcome is in your favor. I truly do. It will not happen by luck, though. Eventually, you learn that you cannot rely on luck alone. But I wish it for you anyway.
Best of luck, Tim. I hope you find happiness and one day have a legacy you can be proud of. Your path is harder than most right now because of your misguided view of the world around you, but you can do it if you really try. Open your eyes and ears to other viewpoints. Visit different water coolers and listen to what other people are saying and talking about. You may find that the world is larger than what you read at HuffPo. And when you do, congratulate yourself. You’ll know you just grew up.