This is partly true. Also, contrary to mall-ninja rhetoric, one doesn't and shouldn't primarily carry to go be a vigilante hero, but as a last resort for their own protection. I'll admit my original comment was coming from strong emotion. Lol

I think the discourse on self-protection has taken a bizarre turn during our lifetimes, where the right and the NRA turned firearms into an unhealthy fetish, and the liberal politicians turned them into frightening campfire stories by spreading fear and ignorance. Both just using it as another tug-rope to "Be opposite those other guys."

Shockingly, there are plenty of normal, responsible armed people who fit neither category. Even socialists. They're just quiet and respectable so they go unnoticed.

But on the whole, this cultural propaganda has resulted in a heavily skewed situation where those with the means to deter tyranny are in lockstep with it, and those with the will to deter tyranny get a bit flummoxed when clever signs aren't enough.

I'm very torn myself, because clever non-violent solutions are obviously preferred, but at the same time these thugs are bullies and cowards, who tend to be confused and frightened when they actually encounter resistance from their would-be victims.