Originally Posted by wstar

People in very liberal places (like Canada, California, and NYC) don't really have the same grasp on this issue as those of us in the rest of the US, you'll have to allow some room for being in a vastly different environment. In TX, citizens are encouraged by law enforcement officers (the good ones anyways) to own and carry guns (although carrying must be concealed, and requires a license issued by the state). I've actually gotten out of speeding tickets because the officer liked my carry piece (we're required to disclose the carry license when asked for a driver's license) and we got into a firearms conversation, etc. It's a different world down here than where you're at.

Armed citizens reduce crime, the statistics are clear. There are now few states left in the US that don't have shall-issue concealed carry licenses, and the number continues to drop. (shall-issue means they can't deny you arbitrarily as long as you meet all the basic requirements: take training, pass a shooting test, no felony record, no higher-level misdemeanors within X years, no record of mental health issues, no restraining orders, etc, etc... it's actually quite an extensive list of checks).