I hope it's okay! As long as the conversation stays away from being antagonistic, then I really hope we get lots of back and forth over the issues. That's the best way to actually come up with an opinion, IMO, by actually discussing the issue and seeing all sides. (And, I hope that this community doesn't end up an echo chamber, so, thank you for commenting!)
To jump in here, personally, I agree that it's kind of weird that handguns are just left out and about (well, in a 'known' location that anybody can get to) because that goes against what I believe is the safe and proper respect of a firearm. While I don't think I want people to be required to have gun safes (I don't yet) I do think that people should be expected to treat them with care like any weapon.
As to the benefits of carrying a handgun: while I personally have not had the experience of being mugged or assaulted, I have had friends who have. I have one friend who used a handgun to successfully halt a situation where a man was threatening a woman in a parking lot. In that situation, if he hadn't had the weapon he wouldn't have felt comfortable stepping in to stop the situation and it's unknown what would have happened to the woman if all my friend could do was call 911 and pray.
Of course, the counter argument I've heard is: what if the man had had a gun, and what if the situation escalated, what if, what if... well, personally, I think that options are good. I would rather have the ability to defend myself than not, and if the other person is unstable enough that they are willing to escalate to violence, my having a gun or not wouldn't have changed that fact. Given that I know I'm sane, I'd rather have more options at my disposal when it comes to dealing with situations.
One thing that is taught to most drivers (at least in my experience) is that "you are responsible for your own safety", i.e., the concept of defensive driving. This is especially true for motorcycle riding (which I do) -- you can't trust that cars are going to do the safe and sane thing. You take responsibility for your safety into your own hands, and you do your best to ensure that you make it to your destination in one piece.
I view guns (and weapons in general) in the same light. I think that it's my responsibility to, as much as I can, protect myself and my family. Gun ownership is one part of that for me.
Re: Probably coming down to the left of where you intended...
To jump in here, personally, I agree that it's kind of weird that handguns are just left out and about (well, in a 'known' location that anybody can get to) because that goes against what I believe is the safe and proper respect of a firearm. While I don't think I want people to be required to have gun safes (I don't yet) I do think that people should be expected to treat them with care like any weapon.
As to the benefits of carrying a handgun: while I personally have not had the experience of being mugged or assaulted, I have had friends who have. I have one friend who used a handgun to successfully halt a situation where a man was threatening a woman in a parking lot. In that situation, if he hadn't had the weapon he wouldn't have felt comfortable stepping in to stop the situation and it's unknown what would have happened to the woman if all my friend could do was call 911 and pray.
Of course, the counter argument I've heard is: what if the man had had a gun, and what if the situation escalated, what if, what if... well, personally, I think that options are good. I would rather have the ability to defend myself than not, and if the other person is unstable enough that they are willing to escalate to violence, my having a gun or not wouldn't have changed that fact. Given that I know I'm sane, I'd rather have more options at my disposal when it comes to dealing with situations.
One thing that is taught to most drivers (at least in my experience) is that "you are responsible for your own safety", i.e., the concept of defensive driving. This is especially true for motorcycle riding (which I do) -- you can't trust that cars are going to do the safe and sane thing. You take responsibility for your safety into your own hands, and you do your best to ensure that you make it to your destination in one piece.
I view guns (and weapons in general) in the same light. I think that it's my responsibility to, as much as I can, protect myself and my family. Gun ownership is one part of that for me.