I hear stories daily on the news where armed citizens could've prevented a crime or saved a life. If you are a responsible citizen you have every right to carry a firearm to defend yourself. ESPECIALLY in your own home! Please don't let your government brain wash you into thinking handgun owners are "rednecks" as you say, and thugs. I actually never carry a gun in public myself. But in my home, I have one at the ready. And to say that I'm encouraging or trying to provoke someone by carrying a gun is off the mark as well. It's simply a matter of personal safety.