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If the implication is that the innocent escalate an arms race by fearing the guilty, I reject it.

Hyperbole! The cycle ends quite quickly, with everyone armed.

And no evidence of that (increased risk). The 'bad guys' avoid getting shot at. Folks who are armed are at greater risk from themselves than from an intruder.

The biggest threat to humans is other humans. You can be friendly and cooperative but still wary of people you don't know.

In America, you aren't forced to have a gun. Freedom is our core ethos. You choose to have a gun. You are more than welcome to take it on faith you will never be in a situation where you need it, and thankfully most aren't.

Guns enforce civility. Physically stronger person can not bully a weaker person. The power is balanced. Thanks to technology.