I’m the son of a Holocaust victim. I was raised in the full knowledge that there are evil people in this world. I grew up in Rhode Island. I was fully aware that there are evil people (e.g. murderous mafiosi) in my world. I never once thought they could legislated or policed out of existence. I eventually came to realize that I was responsible for protecting myself and my loved ones from people who would intimidate, injure and/or destroy us. With a smile on their face and a song in their heart . . .
Does that make me cynical? Oh yeah, I’m cynical. In fact, I believe you can’t always tell who’s good and who’s evil, and good people can become evil. So I assume that everyone is a potential enemy.
Gun control advocates consider [armed] people holding this view paranoid. They pity — and let’s face it — fear us. (Note: gun control advocates don’t “do” irony.)
Me? I couldn’t give a flying f. I’m Texas friendly and happy as Larry with my mindset. A mindset that almost requires carrying a firearm for self-defense.
How about you? How cynical are you? How does armed self-defense play into your view of other people?