Another mass shooting, and the soft-headed are calling for more gun control. The argument for a "national gun ban" sure sounds reasonable until one thinks about it for a couple of seconds.

The arguments that accept that 'perfect' gun control is probably impossible, but argue that the 'perfect is the enemy of the good' don't like to see that argument turned around: the US has a lot of guns, gun owners, and relatively few criminal firearm homicides. Few, but not zero. Aren't they condemning the good for not being perfect?

When government officials promise to keep you safe they are either liars or idiots. The police would love to help you, but they arrive in time to draw the chalk outline - not in time to prevent the crime. After dialing the last "1" and waiting on the line, you are on your own. How would you feel facing an assailant who has a fist full of knife with telephone handset.

Disarmament makes it very easy for the strong to prey on the weak. Fighting unarmed against multiple assailants is not trivial even for expert martial artists in any circumstance other than an action movie. If you arm those assailants with even the crudest of weapons it becomes much harder.

What if you are not a professional mixed martial artist, an elite athlete, or a football linebacker? If you are small, female, elderly, or disabled the deck is stacked against you. Your odds of survival decrease as you add another assailant or a weapon in the hands of someone who wants to hurt you.

There is no 'perfect' self defense answer, but firearms are much better than adequate, and a hell of a lot better than nothing.