I'm sure a lot of you have read this book, but it describes what a gun owner should do and be ready to do in various situations. In The Gravest Extreme (1980) - Massad F. Ayoob. This book has great ideas on how to avoid or neutralize a situation before it can escalate to deadly force. It also preaches that, just like the title, firearms should be used in only the gravest extreme.

I live in Naperville, Il, one of, if not the safest city it's size in the nation and yet there is an increase of break-in's and robberies at gunpoint in the area, especially the areas near the tollways as the criminals can be headed back into Chicago before the police even arrive on the scene. They also arrested some teens in my parent’s town who have been doing armed robberies by the new family friendly shopping areas. These 17-19yr olds had semi-auto handguns. You must be 21 to purchase handguns in IL so we know they did not have them legally. IL is also one of two states that ban concealed weapons outright.

I don't think the gun control debate should be so black and white. Both sides should make some concessions to find a common ground. The public should be able to defend itself, but responsibly. I think all gun owners should have to take a safety class before they can take the gun home, not matter if it's a long arm or handgun, or at least a course when they obtain or renew their firearms owner’s card. And anyone who wants to get a CCW permit should take another highly intensive training course like MI has.