> It's not like a criminal is going to give you a call letting you know that they're getting in so you get prepared.

It's late and I'm tired, so I must be missing the point you're making here. How does knowing whether a criminal is coming affect the argument for or against firearms for defense? It takes me about 2 seconds to ready a firearm, and I have this excellent living burglar alarm called a "black labrador retriever" who will give me at least that much warning. :)

> Fun exercise: did guns save more lives or took more away?

Took more away, definitely. What's your point? We can't magically un-invent firearms, unfortunately.