One of the most satisfying ways of dealing with "intellectual" anti-gunners who complain that "guns are made to kill people" is to agree with them.

They're expecting you to negotiate, you know, describe things in vague, genteel fashion... explaining that the "weapon is a tool", "guns don't kill people yadda yadda" and attempt to stay among the "civilised" (sp intentional) folks, so they can knock your argument down with "I'd just feel better" or "If it only saved one life" or another emotionally based - and thus irrefutable - argument.

So instead of arguing, say "You're absolutely right" and smile.

For a second after you say that you'll get the "WTF?" look.

In that moment it's time. <feral grin> Embrace your inner Neanderthal.

Tell them that many of mankind's greatest technological advances have been in the means of killing one another - clubs, knives, swords, axes, spears, arrows, gunpowder, cannon, muskets, rifles, handguns.

We've been improving our lethality since we first started using tools, and if another means that is more efficient and user-friendly as firearms is invented, I'll take advantage of that as well.

But for today? I choose a firearm.

Why?

As the "old west" saw goes, "G-d didn't make man equal, Colonel Colt did". There's no guarantee my potential assailant is someone I could overpower, nor is there a guarantee they're in the right mental state to discuss things. And one does not meet a lethal force incident without an adequate response. Tasers don't always work, and pepper spray not only takes several second - if it works at all - but it contaminates the entire area, and people train to fight through it.

Once a human has shown behavior that indicates enough of a threat of death or great bodily harm to another, the time for discussion and identification is over, as they have shown a willingness to abandon the Rousseauian social contract that allows us to interact politely and we have now jumped into Hobbes' natural existence.

So while I'm not eager about it, if it comes time to use a firearm, then the time for any sort of rational discussion or appeal to logic (like most anti-gunners favor) is out the window.

In that moment I want to be able to eliminate any threat or threats to me or my family's safety as quickly as possible.

No discussion.

No consideration of "feelings".

No contemplation of "societal pre-conditioning", "institutional denial of opportunity" or any other psycho-social bullshit excuses for criminality.

In the words of Captain Caveman "It's clobberin' time".

At that point all I want is the most amount of STOPITRIGHTTHEF*CKNOW to the bad guy for the buck, as well as any buddies he brought with him.

I don't want to engage in a bare knuckles fistfight with a crackhead who can't feel pain just because you think I can't be trusted with a gun.

I don't want my wife to try to get up close and personal with a criminal who is bigger or heavier than her because it makes you or anyone else who chooses not to own a gun "feel better".

I don't want to run out of ammo when I'm trying to stop multiple attackers because someone in Washington who doesn't even like guns chose an arbitrary number of rounds as "all I needed".

God forbid the situation presents itself for any of us. That said, if you want to get into a scrap with a home intruder feel free, but do not try to limit my ability to protect myself and my family because of your insecurities or unwillingness to assume the same responsibility. Ever since South v. Maryland in 1858, and in nearly three score of cases since, the courts have held that the government has no affirmative duty to protect the individual citizen.

I want to be able to eliminate the threat to me or my family's safety in the fastest, easiest way possible, and right now? That way, my choice, is a firearm.

Don't like guns? Then don't buy one, don't use one and don't associate with those that do; but if you allow your sense of moral or intellectual superiority to try to override my choice for the protection of myself and the ones I love?

Then you're no better than those that would do me harm for their own fun or profit.