Reply #46: I agree with you for the most part,

[GA_ArmyVet]

I carry a weapon everyday (it is part of the job) but I would say 99.99 percent of all situations can be handle or resolved non-volently. But with that said, I do not want to be involved in the .01 percent that cant be, and not have a way to defend myself.
I have been trained in crisis negotiation and have used it in crisis situations, which were resolved with no one dying, but I was just a prepared to shoot the person who was threatening everyone.

I think the premise that just being prepared to defend yourself or others around makes you a gun nut, is wrong.
I agree that this society is too violent, I too wish everyone got along, but I personally refuse to roll over and allow the overgrown bullies, the hyper violent drug gangs, and take what they want and force me to live at their whim.

You want to end the violence then start teaching kids that there is no tolerance for assualting others, put violent criminals away forever. When the violence ends and we live in our "star trek" like utopia, then I will consider being unprepared to defend myself and trust everyone else not to do me or my family harm.