piztjw,
Your barbs about "concealed dogs" are noted!
However, I was talking only about home invasions, in which case I would have thought an openly displayed weapon would be a more effective deterrent.
I know personally two people who have been shot as a result of criminal activity, and both were carrying a concealed firearm ( a Glock 9mm automatic):
- which both of them knew how to use, being regular competitors at the local pistol shooting club.
All that, though, still did not render them bullet proof!
Conversely, although living for many years in what was a veritable cesspit of violent crime, I never had any home invasion issues while I had a pair of guard dogs loose in the yard.
I sometimes think the Australian country singer John Williamson may have had a point in a verse in one of his songs, that "the way to get shot is to carry a gun."
My five cents worth, anyway!
(Incidentally, I am not anti firearms. On the farm, I grew up around things and still have three rifles in my possession - small bore shooting being one of my hobbies. From my experiences, though, I am also well aware of their limitations).
Bill.