[mkarnold1]

Originally Posted by replicant_argent

And if the assailant has a loaded weapon, in opposition to a useless (at distance) weapon, the assailant may be quite a bit more likely to shoot first when confronted with that very possible threat. Negation or defusing of the situation before it becomes hand to hand is infinitely favorable to "hoping your wife can use it as a club as a last resort." A baseball bat might be a better choice, I suppose in that case.

I do not mean any disrespect in any way, but as someone who views the presence of a firearm as a responsibility, and when presented in a confrontation, I am mindful that hesitation may cause either escalation, loss of initiative, or an instantly reduced safety zone, an attacker, if armed with a firearm, may shoot at the earliest opportunity if threatened with a firearm themselves.

It's a glass half empty supposition, I suppose, and I am no tactician, but looking at the lowest common denominator is necessary, I think, especially with criminals.

Out in a rural area of MN, I am making an assumption that an intruder would not be carrying a firearm. Given the scenario of an intruder with a gun, I would have to agree with you.