Guns aren't going to solve every problem. They've become to me, what they should always have been: the last resort. Obviously, there are some situations where they are the ONLY resort, realisitically, but most times I think there are other solutions.
So you've got a carry permit. Do you practice drawing? It's not that easy to get a gun into action in a hurry if it's tucked away sometimes. Have you practiced 'clearing leather'? I know a lot of people who don't. Those skills dont' appear when you need them unless you have them to begin with.
Would you really be able to shoot someone? Ever see someone's brains? Or watch them bleed out while they beg to live? That's a little different than saying you're going to take care of business and who cares. (no, I'm not an assassin LOL, just been present at an unusual number of gory, fatal accidents). That's just the reality of it: pull the trigger, bullet hits someone, now what.
Are you going to be able to deal with the huge adrenaline dump most people get, the one that obliterates all your fine motor skills? After the first time, probably, but what if you screw that up? I had a guy break in my house thinking he was playing a trick on his buddy, wrong side of the building... and I nearly threw up from the adrenaline, couldn't sit still for an hour. That was unexpected.
And then after that? Have fun in court..! You can be sued by a bewildering number of parties if you're involved in a shooting, and so what if you were right. Lawyers dont' work for free! Luckily, UT seems to have some sense in that arena of legal wrangling.
If after all that you think it's a good idea, great! Welcome aboard. Point being that it's pretty serious to carry a gun. I'd be willing to deal with all of the above, but I also view a gun as the absolute last resort. And if it comes to that, I'm glad we live in a country that allows me to preserve myself, my family, the stranger in mortal danger, etc. etc.
Personally, I'm all for it, but I think everyone ought to know what they're getting into. I took my class from a UHP officer in Ogden, and he made us listen to a shootout, showed us pics of the aftermath of shootings, etc etc... and a couple people decided Mace or a dog might be a better choice for them.
oh yeah, I carry a Colt Delta Elite or more often a SigSauer P228 w/night sights. :greg: